BOHNTR
01-10-2009, 05:18 PM
Well, I just got back from my annual trek to the Arizona desert.......saw a lot of deer.....most were broken up from fighting except for the immature bucks.
The best buck I saw was about a 165" net typical 4x4. He was nice but had no mass to speak of (younger age class buck, IMO).....if he makes it to next year he'll be a stud for the desert. On opening morning, he got into a serious fight (and lost) with the buck I arrowed and broke his main beam as well.
The buck I arrowed is the same buck I've seen the last three or four years down there. He has a unique bob tail......probably lost it to a coyote when he was young?? Anyway, he's always just been a 3 point and will never be any better, IMO. He is definitely a "cull" type buck with inferior genes.....but still cool in his own way.
He was absolutely one of the most dominant and aggressive bucks around, as he warded off all others. I spotted him working his way down a face towards a large wash from about 800 yards off. Having hunted this area for years, I had a fairly good idea where he was heading. So I hiked into the thick mesquite choked wash and set up to wait for him. Just as I got set up, I saw him coming through the cholla and mesquite right towards me. I shot him through the heart as he passed by me at 30 yards. The first arrow at an animal with my new bow ( BowTech Admiral). Hope it brings me more luck.
He has exceptional mass for a desert buck and good tine length. But he's just a 24.5 " wide 3x3 as he's always been. Teeth were worn severely, and based on the years we've seen him as a 3x3, we estimated him to be in the 6-8 year old range. He had a HUGE body for a desert buck in this area.
I arrowed the buck last weekend but elected to stay the week to look around and scout some new areas and help out my long-time hunting partners (Fred and Wally). They are still down there......trying to close the deal on a few other mature bucks. As a result, I lost some of the meat around the neck and shoulders to spoilage......Arizona is a place that can be 23 degrees in the morning and 70 in the afternoon........I was plenty angry with myself and knew I should have checked on it daily in the cooler.....darn rookie mistake! I cut all of the spoiled meat away and saved a good portion of the carcass.......then decided I better get home asap.
Overall, a great time with good friends.....I really love the Arizona desert this time of year. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/1/7/8/5/az_january_09_048.jpg
Here's an immature buck....hopefully he doesn't have the same 3-point genes:
http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/1/7/8/5/az_january_09_106.jpg
The best buck I saw was about a 165" net typical 4x4. He was nice but had no mass to speak of (younger age class buck, IMO).....if he makes it to next year he'll be a stud for the desert. On opening morning, he got into a serious fight (and lost) with the buck I arrowed and broke his main beam as well.
The buck I arrowed is the same buck I've seen the last three or four years down there. He has a unique bob tail......probably lost it to a coyote when he was young?? Anyway, he's always just been a 3 point and will never be any better, IMO. He is definitely a "cull" type buck with inferior genes.....but still cool in his own way.
He was absolutely one of the most dominant and aggressive bucks around, as he warded off all others. I spotted him working his way down a face towards a large wash from about 800 yards off. Having hunted this area for years, I had a fairly good idea where he was heading. So I hiked into the thick mesquite choked wash and set up to wait for him. Just as I got set up, I saw him coming through the cholla and mesquite right towards me. I shot him through the heart as he passed by me at 30 yards. The first arrow at an animal with my new bow ( BowTech Admiral). Hope it brings me more luck.
He has exceptional mass for a desert buck and good tine length. But he's just a 24.5 " wide 3x3 as he's always been. Teeth were worn severely, and based on the years we've seen him as a 3x3, we estimated him to be in the 6-8 year old range. He had a HUGE body for a desert buck in this area.
I arrowed the buck last weekend but elected to stay the week to look around and scout some new areas and help out my long-time hunting partners (Fred and Wally). They are still down there......trying to close the deal on a few other mature bucks. As a result, I lost some of the meat around the neck and shoulders to spoilage......Arizona is a place that can be 23 degrees in the morning and 70 in the afternoon........I was plenty angry with myself and knew I should have checked on it daily in the cooler.....darn rookie mistake! I cut all of the spoiled meat away and saved a good portion of the carcass.......then decided I better get home asap.
Overall, a great time with good friends.....I really love the Arizona desert this time of year. Hope you enjoy.
http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/1/7/8/5/az_january_09_048.jpg
Here's an immature buck....hopefully he doesn't have the same 3-point genes:
http://www.hunttalk.com/forums/gallery/files/1/7/8/5/az_january_09_106.jpg