Covid, Bows and Buddies
Contributors to this thread:Wild Sheep
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
It has been a long time since I’ve posted something like this. I used to do it at least once a year, but haven’t for a while. No real solid reason, I just haven’t. I guess I was feeling nostalgic today, so here are a few pics from my time during Covid around North America.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
After being in “lockdown” for a couple months, I had to get out. A few buddies and I met in Idaho for a little fish shooting
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
As you can see, barbershops were shutdown in California for quite a while.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
July means 100-degree temps and fuzzy blacktail antlers
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Dad arrowed this buck opening week to start things off
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Mom and Dad with Wyoming antelope
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Better to be lucky than good. Columbian blacktail
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
These deer look different to me. And I’m in a tree for some reason…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I’m in North Dakota with the world-famous Kota-man. Trying to find a whitetail…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
September 2020. He looks good to me. Cory, please send him my way!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Not the first night, but a pretty sunrise on the second day holds hope for good fortune
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Hard-quartering away at 24 yards works for me! Second evening. What a grind!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
My biggest whitetail and in full velvet!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Kota patterns the bucks, I make the dinner
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Yum
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Kota took all season, but he finally caught up to a good whitetail
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Last-day buck in Kodiak. It was a tough week with some nasty weather. Got lucky on this buck when he tried to attack me and ran into my arrow.
He tried to float down the river into the ocean after I shot him
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Lucky to have a tag on this Sitka blacktail
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Fun group, fun week!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Time for rutting Columbian Blacktails at home. This one will do nicely. Just have to find him…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Found him!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I had known about this buck for 2 years and had never seen him in person
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Shared the experience with a couple close bowhunting buddies
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Not often I come across a chance at a 4x4 Columbian blacktail. Glad to have that opportunity
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
A few days later I watch my buddy Shawn arrow this wide buck
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
After having arrowed this Coues back in January, I was in a unique situation of needing only a mule deer for all 5 deer species in on calendar year.
From: WV Mountaineer
11-Sep-22
I’m lovin’ it!!!!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
My good buddy Dan talked me into making an impromptu decision--which I rarely make when it comes to bowhunting. After flight delays and luggage issues, I almost backed out, but a good friend wouldn't let me. And....
It worked out!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
This is how you fly with muley antlers
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
On a whole, 2020 sucked. But for me and bowhunting, it was the year of the deer.
Sometimes things just work out. I don’t think it can be planned and counted on. All 5 species of deer made it into Pope & Young after being officially measured. All in one year!
From: hdaman
11-Sep-22
Please keep them coming!!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Christmas morning buck for my dad in the desert
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Time for more Coues deer action! Love those cagey little buggers
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
We survived 2020 and made it into the new year. 2021 is going to be a lot better, right?!?!
Can’t be any worse…
I’m sitting waiting and looking for a really nice one this year. Not this one…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Or this one…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Nope!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Him!!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
A beautiful sight!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Unbelievable! That is one lucky Coues' deer hunter right there
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Of course I had a good buddy with me to share it with
From: bigeasygator
11-Sep-22
Those ribs…IYKYK keep it coming bud.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Of course we have a few candid pics to share. That’s not my fireball
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
That snowman has a drinking problem
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
That’s not my tequila. Holding it for a friend…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Nick wanted to celebrate, so I acquiesced. How often to you get to hold a mid-120s Coues?
That’s Nick's bottle of Crown…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Nick is a helluva hair stylist as well.
Your options are limited during Covid in Mexico…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
More later...
From: Treeline
11-Sep-22
Awesome pictures and adventures! Keep ‘em coming!
From: Charlie Rehor
11-Sep-22
Well done Zack….
From: Nick Muche
11-Sep-22
This thread puts a smile on my face
From: Matt
11-Sep-22
I still love the conversation that ensued once Johnie caught up with us on you Sitka:
“Which side of the creek did the deer die on?”
“Neither”
From: TEmbry
11-Sep-22
I love seeing good things happen to good people.
In your case it’s still cool that good things are happening!
From: ND String Puller
11-Sep-22
Hell yes! Those buddies you hang with kinda have a drinking problem... no doubt in a moment of weakness and with their constant peer pressure... you are forced to indulge ! ;) great trophy photos Zach!
From: Willieboat
11-Sep-22
Thanks for sharing
From: Bearman
11-Sep-22
Excellent write up.
From: kota-man
11-Sep-22
What a year…one for the books for sure. In honor of you, I’m gonna wear my favorite shirt today.
From: t-roy
11-Sep-22
Good to see that you kept up with your yoga regiment, during the pandemic, Zack. Looks like it paid off in spades! Congrats on your success, buddy!
From: Beav
11-Sep-22
Congrats Zack! Great pics and I’m sure even better memories.
From: Matt
11-Sep-22
“ What a year…one for the books for sure. In honor of you, I’m gonna wear my favorite shirt today.”
That’s not weird.
From: kota-man
11-Sep-22
There’s also a matching coffee mug Matt… ;)
From: bigeasygator
11-Sep-22
That’s fire, Cory!! I have a custom Zackman sticker that is one of my prize possessions. I can never get rid of this bow case now!
From: DGW
11-Sep-22
Way to go Zack!
From: huntinelk
11-Sep-22
Very cool start to a great thread
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Glassing for Coues makes a guy thirsty. Classic Mexican cerveza
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
During the winter, I received an unusual message from the board of the North Dakota Bowhunters Association. They were looking for a guest speaker for the annual convention and had accidentally messaged me.
It seemed they were too embarrassed to admit they were looking for someone better to entertain them with bowhunting stories and before I knew it, my wife and I were in North Dakota for the event.
I got to sign the shirt for guest speakers and I’m not sure how my name got on the same spot as some of these other bowhunters.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I Will travel, if the right people are at the end of the journey
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I stumbled through some pics and stories and only a few members of the crowed heckled me. Never talk on a stage in front of “friends”…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
With California still in “lockdown” a year after the whole thing started, we had to get creative to raise money for California wild sheep. I helped Hollywood with a new hair style.
We raised an extra $25,000 with this haircut. Not bad for a “stunt”
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
After postponements, we finally gathered in Reno for the biannual Pope & Young convention. It’s always great to see bowhunting buddies from all over the country as we gather to promote bowhunting
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Proper packing is key for any trip
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Always great to welcome new members the the Fred Bear society. It’s a great way to be able and support the long-term financial stability of Pope and Young to ensure it will be around for decades to come
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
We made sure to spend plenty of time with those of us that couldn’t make the trip as well….
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Best of all, we were able to raise $10,000 with our “social-outreach program” to send kids like this around North America on incredible hunting trips. This young man has become a hunter for life because of the P&Y Junior Outdoors Program. Thanks to all of those who have helped on the program!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
It was a long week, but a lot of fun. Great to see everyone enjoying themselves!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Onto hunting season. Mom was the first on the board with her biggest blacktail to date
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
The next weekend I watched my buddy Shawn make a great shot on this mature Columbian blacktail. What a guide he had!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Next up, Mr. Kota himself came out to visit and impatiently shot the first bull he saw—again. Someday I’ll get him to come to California and shot a big tule elk…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I spent some points in Colorado and drew a mule deer tag with some other P&Y members/Bowsiters. Some amazing country above 10,000 feet!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Plenty of time behind the glass on this hunt
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Not steep at all. This was a sheep hunt for deer, as I heard it explained by one friend before I got to the unit
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
When one set of binos is not enough…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
This area kicked my butt a little. But this buck gave me one too many chances
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Alpine hunts are definitely not as easy on my body as they used to be
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I learned a lot on this hunt and had a great time with Mr. Ed Fanchin for 8 days in the high country
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
October/November for me last year meant being too picky and then too “missy” with my shot when I got a chance. It happens!
Blacktails and whitetails take the win against me the is time
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Saw some nice bucks in camp though!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Watched this young man shoot his first deer and share a special moment with his dad. These things are starting to mean more and more as time goes on
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Sometimes you let a good friend talk you into something stupid. This was one of those times…thanks Shawn
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Can’t say I had expected to be looking at one of these critters when Covid started
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Wish they didn’t live at the top of the mountain…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Lots of fun to walk through!
From: Scott/IL
11-Sep-22
Keep it coming! Great animals and hunts so far!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Too young
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Great sunsets
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I never expected to be sitting here!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Cool critters
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Good times!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Shawn has a talent for talking me into doing stupid things!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I have been very fortunate to see some amazing places and have some unbelievable experiences over the years. But I have also had some excellent luck come my way in some big moments. This was my third sheep hunt and third ram with a bow. I know I say this every time, but I don’t know if I will ever do it again. However, I do know for certain that every time something turns out well on hunts anymore, I am more and more thankful for the encounter going my way. So often, it does not for a bowhunter. I consider myself one of the lucky ones!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
A month later, I was back in the desert with these guys. Tough traveling companions.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Dan trying to order room service. Who knew the kitchen wasn’t open at 3 am? He was disappointed
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
All three of us were on the same flight, leaving from the same airport, we checked in together and sat together, but somehow, only Nick’s bow made it. I’m not sure how much he bribed the airline, but it worked out for him being the only one with a weapon. The first night he shot this piggy while we watched.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
The next morning, I watched him arrow a giant while my bow was still in another country. Good thing I made him pass the small buck an hour earlier! You’re welcome Nick
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
A day later, I did have a bow.
You can always count on the desert to give you amazing sunrises/sunsets. This was one of the few times a camera actually captured the moment as I saw it in real life
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
I’ve been told I can be exhausting to be around. I always took it as a complement!
Apparently, I was a lot for my “guide” and he needed a quick break to recoup
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Look what I found!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Things happen fast in the desert. And this buck popped up out of nowhere. Don’t leave an animal for long or you won’t have much left when you find him.
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Next-level photobombing
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Have you ever seen a lunar flare? I have now seen one. Still not sure what it is…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
We aren’t the only hunters that have been in that part of the desert.
The original “trophy photo”
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Bigfoot emerging from his cave. He does exist!!
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Nick finishing off his desert slam with another species
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Great trip, great buddies, great bucks
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
It’s tradition now
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
No time for rest. Off to sheep show. Airlines are still very serious about Covid
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Time for a quick drink on the layover. We have to hurry though…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
We had to meet Willy wonka with his golden ticket in Reno
From: Buffalo1
11-Sep-22
Zack, Take it all end and enjoy !! Super photos of memorable times. Congrats.
From: kota-man
11-Sep-22
For “never” hunting sheep again, you’ve done well…
From: Zackman
11-Sep-22
Things are different now than they were during the height of Covid. Work is busy again and it will always require more of my attention. There is a stronger desire to stay home much more than to travel like I have before. And I FEEL a lot older than I always have.
Things change and will continue to do so. At some point Covid will be completely over and things will change again. I don’t know how much of what I will be doing in the future, but am definitely grateful for good opportunities, good luck and most of all, good buddies.
From: Oryx35
11-Sep-22
I've missed these threads. Seems you're living life to the fullest. Thanks for posting.
From: BOWUNTR
11-Sep-22
Outfrikenstandingawesomeish... put a smile on my face. Ed F
From: yooper89
12-Sep-22
Awesome thread!
From: BULELK1
12-Sep-22
What a Great read--------->
Good luck, Robb
From: iceman
12-Sep-22
Good stuff, dude. Glad to see you back here.
From: njbuck
12-Sep-22
Thanks for the great recap. Some great adventures and times with great friends. Congrats!
From: Bliz6
12-Sep-22
Good times!!
From: Shiras42
12-Sep-22
Well that did NOT suck at all! Looks like a good time with some great people! Congrats to all on making memories that will last a lifetime (at least those that you can remember). :)
From: Rut Nut
12-Sep-22
GREAT thread! That's what it's all about- good times with good friends! Thanks for sharing...........................
From: bigeasygator
12-Sep-22
Great memories, great post. Cheers bud. Looking forward to doing more of this sometime soon!
From: JB
12-Sep-22
Fantastic write up! Life being lived the way it should!!
From: t-roy
12-Sep-22
Hey! I recognize those curtains!
From: t-roy
12-Sep-22
Z-Rex
From: Heat
12-Sep-22
Looks like a lot of good times. Strong hair game!
From: bigeasygator
12-Sep-22
Never know when Z-Rex will strike!
From: t-roy
12-Sep-22
UNBELIEVABLE!!!…..Too many flaming donkeys
From: Treeline
13-Sep-22
Definitely a good time no matter where you land! Congratulations on your awesome adventures and successes in the field! Looking forward to Pope and Young!
From: loesshillsarcher
13-Sep-22
Good buddies and good memories
From: John in MO / KY
13-Sep-22
Good stuff!
From: CTBobcat
13-Sep-22
Wow. amazing thread. Thanks for the read.
From: scentman
13-Sep-22
Zack, you hunt hard and play hard, good for you my man! Great thread.
From: TXCO
15-Sep-22
Awesome!
From: HUNT MAN
15-Sep-22
Good stuff my friend !! Makes me smile!! Hunt
From: Jaquomo
15-Sep-22
Great inspiration while I'm on a solo elk grind. Strong work all around, Zack!
From: Mad Trapper
17-Sep-22
Hey Zack congrats on some great animals! Congrats to your folks too! As for Cory’s shirt… I think that he may need therapy. Lastly when I see pictures of you, Danny and Nick my liver starts to vibrate….
From: fdp
18-Sep-22
From: otcWill
16-Nov-22
Another good one. Thanks for taking the time Zack! Good stuff as always
From: orionsbrother
16-Nov-22
Missed this in September.
Zack - It’s too bad that you don’t seem to have any fun, interact with interesting characters or have varied, successful hunts and are forced to post these maudlin threads… seems reasonable that some people could find it exhausting to be around you.
Congrats on everything. Great job beating Covid. Great animals. Great guys to hunt with. Great thread recapping it all.
Here’s to hoping you top it going forward.
My only suggestion would be to get rid of the Bud Light.
Cheers. Short bloodtrails.
From: midwest
16-Nov-22
Glad this one got brought back up. Great stuff!
From: Ambush
20-Nov-22
Great stuff Zack and company!! Some "hardcore" moments on this trip!
I have a good feeling that there is going to be some real adventures shared on here with your move to Alaska. You're already doing a great job of wringing everything you can out of the last frontier.
From: Bowboy
20-Nov-22
Awesome I must of missed this because I was hunting. Looks like you all had a great time and took some outstanding critters!
From: Goelk
20-Nov-22
Lots of fun times
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Dad with a 24 7/8” wide Columbian blacktail the opening week this summer. Very wide blacktail!
Gotta love his trophy photos!
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Not to be outdone, mom arrowed this cranker a couple days later. A true giant blacktail!!
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Not a bad week of archery blacktail hunting for my parents
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Thankfully my parents still know how to kill Blacktails because I don’t! I spent a season of trying without finding one to draw my bow on. I know they were there, but those suckers are really good at avoiding me! Next year…
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Next, mom drew a Shiras tag in Wyoming. Yes, in case you are wondering, I do hate her now!
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
After two weeks of hunting, this bull found its way into my mom’s danger zone and paid for it with an arrow. Now my mom has killed a bigger blacktail than me and a moose, which I continue to fail at. I really do hate her now! :)
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Mom and dad together on another successful bowhunt
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
This year’s junior hunter had a great weekend and tagged his first buck. I’m obviously a better guide than a hunter
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Did Kodiak again this year. I need to pick better hunting buddies…
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Mark and I talking about better choices for a beach vacation
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
After several days of getting our butts kicked, I couldn’t stand it anymore and had to fling an arrow. This poor guy was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
JP said this beaver dam makes me look small
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
At the end of the hunt, we stumbled onto this deer and I was lucky to make a good shot on him at a very long distance…14 yards
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
Thanks JP. We have had a pretty good run on the rock in the past 5 years. Great bowhunting partner!
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
JP is an artist. If only he had a better subject on which to focus
From: Zackman
03-Dec-22
An upside-down rainbow for the flight out. Hope that’s not a bad sign
From: Treeline
03-Dec-22
Awesome, Zack! Love that your folks are so passionate about bowhunting! Damn nice bucks for your Mom and Dad!
From: kota-man
03-Dec-22
Hiked my butt off for 9 days and gained 5 lbs…Another great adventure with a great group of guys.
From: ND String Puller
03-Dec-22
Your parents are awesome! Congrats to you all, and thanks for the update!!
From: EmbryOklahoma
03-Dec-22
Love it, Zack! Congratulations!
From: t-roy
03-Dec-22
Good stuff, Zack! Congrats as well, to your mom on her moose! How many points did she have to draw her tag?
From: pav
05-Dec-22
Now THAT is an incredible Bowsite thread! Living the dream right there! CONGRATS ZACK!!!
From: Pocoloco
05-Dec-22
Love your writeups. My kind of humor. Congrats on a huge acompishment.
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Everybody knows that January means two things:
1. Bacon-wrapped hotdogs
2. Big Coues in Mexico
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
This year, Mr. Kota joined for our Mexico adventure. Even though his bow missed our flight to Mexico, Kota wouldn’t be slowed down when it came to rabbit control.
I think he shot my bow better than I do!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Perfect arrow placement! You can learn a lot from an experienced hunter like the man from North Dakota
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
It took a couple days, but once Cory got his bow in hand, he wasted no time tagging his first archery Coues!
I was glad he did because it started a crazy day of bowhunting for us!
From: t-roy
14-Jan-24
Following…….
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
I was hunting a ghost that lived in a vast cholla patch and after two-full winters of being hunted, I figured I would be wasted my time waiting for him to make a mistake during daylight hours as an old Coues.
But on a buck like this I had to try, right?!?!
From: Nick Muche
14-Jan-24
That fkn hotdog
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
On the third day, I settled into the blind again for an all-day sit. In this spot, you tend to see far fewer deer than other areas of the ranch. Although there is less deer density, there is always a giant buck in the area. Killing the buck has historically been an issue though.
I was prepared for a long week of slow action. Since it was pre-rut, I wasn't surprised that I had only seen one buck--a spike--after the first two days. So when I peaked out the back window of the ground blind and saw a doe and fawn slowly trekking through the cactus toward the water, I was shocked when I saw the big frame of a mature buck following 50 yards behind them!!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
The doe and fawn came right in to drink and stood at 20 yards while I watched the buck make nearly a complete circle around me—peaking through brush and cactus without committing to water.
After a couple minutes, the buck was 50 yards in front of me and when the doe turned to leave I figured the game was over. Another giant Coues would evade the bowhunter at this blind!
That’s when he made his first mistake in 3 years of us hunting him and he slowly worked his way to where the doe was heading. Instead of looping around like he had been previously, the buck cut a straight line towards the doe and started angling my direction. When he stopped with only an antler sticking out in the open, I ranged it at 30 yards and readied to draw.
After 7 or 8 hours (it seemed), he walked into the small opening as I drew. He was not coming to drink, but he came close enough to clear the brush. And when I stopped him just before he slipped through my shooting lane, I watched the arrow slice through both shoulders.
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
A short blood trail later and I was able to make my favorite inreach text “Come get me. Buck’s at the road!”
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Unbelievable!! For this buck to show up during the day was very lucky and to have arrowed another 120”+ (officially measured) was completely unexpected.
I do love bowhunting Coues!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Having the biggest buck in camp for the week lasted about 4 hours before our third buck of the day was shot and made mine look small!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Two lucky bowhunters on a very lucky day of bowhunting Coues!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Could not have had a better day of Coues hunting with a couple great buddies!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Nice racks
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
We were a little late getting to sheep show but I had a nice present waiting for me
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Me and the best beard in bowhunting with matching buckles
From: ND String Puller
14-Jan-24
Holy moly…congrats on those bombers! And “way to represent” Kota!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
This guy made it through the hunting season when he disappeared for almost the entire rut. But maybe we will see him later…
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
April meant another P&Y convention and time with bowhunting buddies
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Even some buddies that didn’t show up were still represented at P&Y
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Congrats to some new Fred Bear Society members
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
My wife and I with a famous Wisconsin-born bowhunter—and her husband Nick
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
I guess he bowhunts a little too. I don’t know, didn’t recognize him…
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Harv Ebers wants his jacket back
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
July brought 100-temps and the start to blacktail season!
Our first successful hunt of the year was our junior hunter. First buck for him!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
We even had a famous bowsiter come visit us for a week this year. Congrats to Roy on his P&Y Columbian blacktail!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Dad was also able to arrow an old blacktail before it shed. This is an average dad trophy photo of an above-average blacktail
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
This was the extent of my early season success
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
In August, I drove to northern Arizona to hunt the Kaibab with my parents and some buddies that drew. After a week, I made a good shot on this nice 3-point before heading home.
It was a fun hunt and a I’m glad to have experienced the Kaibab. I can’t imagine what that place was like decades ago without all the pressure it receives today!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
A couple weeks later, Dad punched his Nevada elk tag on a beauty!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Always love spending time with my parents all across the country because of bowhunting. This trip, dad and I both arrowed bucks on the same night!
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
Mom and dad continued their hunting travels and made Montana their next stop
From: Zackman
14-Jan-24
They added a couple whitetails to the ice chest collection while there!
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Work cut severely into my whitetail hunting time at the beginning of November, but made a nice shot on this buck the last night of my 3-day hunt!
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Mom made a great shot on this Kansas whitetail on the same day!
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Back at home for the November blacktail rut. This buck had been on my mind for more days than I could remember. This buck has been a shooter for 5 seasons and I had hunted him exclusively for the past 2 years hoping someday he would mess up. It was—without a doubt—the smartest buck I had ever hunted. The amount of close calls I had with this buck over the past two seasons was enough to drive me insane.
From: Medicinemann
15-Jan-24
I have no explanation for how I missed this thread previously....but what a pleasant surprise.
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
I had passed chances at a few nice bucks hoping to turn up that old buck that always found a way to outsmart me.
Just before thanksgiving, I managed to spot the buck with a couple does several hundred yards away. I made a big loop to get the wind as good as possible before sneaking in. I got into range of the group but could never get a clear shot at the buck before a doe busted me and all the deer exploded from the area. This was the 6th time in the last 2 seasons I had been in bow range without getting a shot at that damn deer.
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
The story of encounters with this buck over the years is too long to describe, however, I’ll tell you he had me seriously considering ending my blacktail bowhunting forever!
The following morning I had admitted to myself that I needed to give up on this buck. He was ruining my bowhunting enjoyment! It was only with one more chance meeting that one thing finally went my way.
Instead of trying to beat him the same way I had tried and failed repeatedly, I gave it one last go and managed to trick him into range with rattling horns. I think I was more shocked when he showed up right in front of me than he was when he looked up to see me at full draw. I like to think that the last thing he thought was “I can’t believe this guy finally got the best of me!”
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
After 7 bow-range encounters with this buck, it was finally over and even though it wasn’t the highest scoring blacktail I had ever shot, it was absolutely the most fulfilling one! The buck was either 8 or 9 years old (awaiting a lab results) and headed down in antler size but not is caginess…
I will forever remember this back-and-forth with the buck I had to give up trying to outsmart, before finally getting lucky enough to shoot him.
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Remember this guy? I guess I was about to enter another multi-year struggle with another buck…
January and time for more bacon-wrapped hotdogs and of course big Coues. This old, heavy buck was still alive after disappearing during the rut last year. Now back in Mexico again, I was looking for more torture against a ghost buck.
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
I waited several days without sight of the heavy, old buck. However, I was confident with the weather we had that week the deer would show up if I waited. It was hard everyday sitting for 11 hours without shooting anything when my hunting buddies were having an incredible Sonora bowhunt!
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
On the 5th day, heavy white horns appeared above the cholla and less than a minute later, I watched the buck fall about 50 yards away.
It was another lucky encounter with a buck over a 2 or 3-year time frame that happened to work out. This old buck may not have the biggest antlers I’ve ever seen in a Coues, but he had the fattest body!
This buck finished another NA archery deer slam for me. I think I’ll stop keeping track with this round number. I do enjoy chasing deer!
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Another beautiful sunset in Sonora. Too bad the company was terrible!
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Celebration time of another successful trip. This was our best Shug impression
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Annual tradition
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Headed home. Back to work and life. Maybe there will be another installment down the road…
From: IdyllwildArcher
15-Jan-24
Good stuff Zach. Those Coues bucks are incredible.
From: Willieboat
15-Jan-24
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us congrats
From: Mad Trapper
15-Jan-24
Congrats guys!!
From: TEmbry
15-Jan-24
Good shit man! Makes me smile, congrats on many levels!
From: pav
15-Jan-24
Congrats Zack, family and friends! Some very impressive bow kills...again! Thanks for sharing!!!
From: Charlie Rehor
15-Jan-24
Well done young man. Keep making memories….
From: Scoot
15-Jan-24
Zack- awesome! Congrats on some dang fine trophies, but more importantly great time with friends.
From: Treeline
15-Jan-24
Looks like a blast! Thanks for the update! Awesome bucks all but those giant Coues deer are really special! Congratulations!
From: bigeasygator
15-Jan-24
Awesome awesome awesome job my friend! Thanks for taking us along on the journey (and fun to be part of it in a small way)! Will miss you guys at Sheep Show, but hope to cross paths again soon bud!
From: drycreek
15-Jan-24
I don’t know how I missed this the first time around. Zack, you and your parents are hunting (and killing) machines ! Must be in the genes.
From: HUNT MAN
15-Jan-24
The best of the best doing what the best do!!!
From: iceman
15-Jan-24
Nice work, boys!
From: Jason Stafford
15-Jan-24
I was starting to lean toward Muche, but you're still my hero Zack!! Strong work buddy congratulations.
From: Nick Muche
15-Jan-24
Zack is too humble to mention it, but that last Coues deer completed his 10th Archery Deer Slam. What an incredible accomplishment! Congrats man, it's been so much fun sharing that hunt together each year. I just wish you got to shoot more than one arrow per trip :)
From: sticksender
15-Jan-24
Great thread....such an impressive couple of seasons!
From: midwest
15-Jan-24
Incredible! Dang Walton family are all killers! Congrats and thanks for sharing!
From: WV Mountaineer
15-Jan-24
Loved it all over again.
From: Zackman
15-Jan-24
Nick, broadheads are expensive. I can only afford one each hunting trip!!
From: Oryx35
15-Jan-24
Thanks for sharing! Looks like good times all around. Cheers!
From: kota-man
15-Jan-24
Congrats on the new milestone my friend. I love that buck…
From: njbuck
16-Jan-24
Another year gone and another great Coues buck, congrats Zack!
From: ND String Puller
16-Jan-24
It’s awesome seeing your parents still getting after it. Congrats all around!
From: bowhunter24
17-Jan-24
Love this story, this is what makes Bowsite great! Thanks for keeping up the tradition...and the deer population under control!
From: otcWill
17-Jan-24
Good stuff boys! Great bucks. Thanks for sharing with us
From: t-roy
17-Jan-24
Another pretty action packed successful season for you, Zack. Your parents were no slouches, either! Congrats on yet another great year!
From: TREESTANDWOLF
17-Jan-24
Great read and photos Zack. Everyone had a great time with you for sure buddy.
Congrats to all on the hunting!
