Jr hunters cleanin' house!, Ty's on a roll...... Options

[Tines]

Lance and his boys made it into town late Thursday night. We went over the game plan for opening morning and hit the sack as early as possible. Our alarm set for 3am came faster than we expected....literally. Weston, his youngest boy, and a first year big-game hunter, was in pretty bad shape hacking up everything he had in the bathroom toilet and trash can. I went in to let Lance know and he mentioned that he wasn't feeling well either. For the next 30 minutes or so, Lance and Weston fought over the toilet and trash can to get rid of whatever nasty bug it was that they got! The morning wasn't starting off as anticipated. This was almost deja' vu, since 2 weeks earlier when Lance and his wife Carrie had their hunt, she was doing the same thing opening morning. These Northern Arizonans haven't learned to adjust to the altitude I guess

So, his oldest boy, Ty, and myself, hit the road for a day full of adventure and no dad OR little brother. Thank goodness for todays technology because it allowed Lance and Weston to be right there "with" us.

Ty and I got up to our vantage point before light. Nothing seemed to be working in our favor that monring as the wind was blowing about 20mph! We glassed for just shy of 2 hrs finding NOTHING when the next canyon over looked to be much more inviting. I decided that based on the conditions, we'd move to the next canyon. This was hard because it was still great time to be glassing. We went with our gut and hi-tailed it over there. On the way there, we found this little guy.



We made it over to the next point where within 5 minutes I find a deer a few hundred yards away. It's a small buck and with the boys only having 2 days to hunt, we decided their was no holding back. We waited for this buck to bed but he never did and eventually worked his way out of sight. Oh well, it was a great start to our next point. I immediately pan down and to the right to some closer stuff and find another deer in the shade. Buck! Good buck! The range was 375yds and based on our position and his, this was our opportunity! We waited for him to turn away so we could get set up and he did. We got the rifle set up and the clicks were dialed in. The buck eventually turned broadside and Ty said "..here I go." Ty shoots and I watch the bullet hit a little to the right. the bucks hit hard and not going anywhere but I knew we were going to have to shoot him again. The buck moves behind a tree but doesn't come out. We gather our things and shave off some distance to 300 yards. We get set up and the bucks shoulder is just behind a small tree branch. I dial the scope back down and tell Ty to aim just to the left of the branch. We had to reposition ourselves a couple of times as the terrain was pretty uneven. Finally we get everything set up and Ty's ready. This is Ty's "finishing off" set up.




I watch as the bullet hits just to the left of the branch and blows through the heart of the buck. What a great shot shot! We walk/slide our way to the buck and Ty's got a smile from ear to ear! The entire time we were able to keep Lance and Weston back at my house in the loop via text messaging. Cool stuff. I wish he could have been there to watch his son make it happen but I'm sure glad I was able to have the time off to help him out. We took some pictures and deboned the buck and prepared ourselves for a pretty tough pack out. Ty was a trooper and did a phenomenal job at pushing through. I know he made me want to push harder when I wanted a break. Here's Ty's buck and a few pack out pictures.








It took us 2 hrs to get back to the truck. Just before the final push, we stopped for a quick break and a smile for the camera.




By the time we got back to the truck, Lance and Weston were on their way with their spirits high for an afternoon hunt and a cooler full of gatorade for Ty and myself.

I don't know about you guys but I have a bad habit at pushing my body to it's limits. I failed to eat adequately during the day and found myself almost passed out in the middle of the road on the way back. Take time during your hunt to nourish the only thing that's giving you the opportunity to hunt these critters. In the end, my pack weighed approximately 80lbs.

Thank you Ty for the great memory and straight shooting. Thank you Lance for the Gatorade and summer sausage! Ty's buck scored 86".

BTW, this is the 3rd coues deer I've watched get shot with my 25-06 this year at ranges of 368, 430 and 375. I'm shooting the 110gr Accubonds and I'm blown away at their performance and accuracy.

[coues7]

Way to go guys! Great story and pics.....

[azcouesandelk]

Way to go guys! I bet you cant wait til December now!

[Coues Sniper]

Awesome! Great buck Ty!!

[Tines]

Way to go guys! I bet you cant wait til December now!

It'll never come fast enough!

[willhunt4coues]

Right on. Great buck.

[WFGinNM]

That is awesome, good job guys.

--Bill

[Gr8 White Jr]

Congrats on a great buck!

-Tracy

[Lance]

Right ON ! Jake kept my son weston and I in on the blow by blow of the whole morning and I was still shaking with nervesness excited for my boy and Jake! Jake is quick on the ole telephone and text messages I tell you what! Thanks again Jake!

We did get to hunt the next day and Weston missed a forkhorn right accross the front of his chest and they never gave us another shot. He is ten and was shooting Jakes 25-06 as well at about 360+ yards. It was the only shot we were gona get cause the deer were trying to sneak out of the country. So Weston didn't tag a deer his first time out but he is alive and well and had a great time! And is very excited about his brothers buck! Weston did tag an elk earlier this year so it's not like he hasn't goten blood on his hands.

Ty is 12 years old and has taken 3 elk, 1 archery Javelina and this is his 2nd Coues Buck! Way to go squirt!

Lance
ie- proud father!

[cramerhunts]

Congrats Ty on a beautiful buck. Awesome story and write up. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Phil

[bowsniper]

Way to go Ty!! Keep 'em fallin!!

What a blast! The only thing more fun than hunting is hunting with your kids!

Mark

[Hunterdan]

Good job, Congrats on a nice Buck!

[mcelkhunter]

Congrats on a good buck!!

[Mr. Jonathan]

that is too cool! when I was Ty's age I'd never have dreamed shooting that far, and at something that small too! great shooting man! WHAT A STUD!

[tjhunt2]

Ty being on a roll is nothing but awesome. Just being 12 and already taking the animals he has taken is unreal. Way to go young man and a big pat on the back for Dad as well.

TJ