My first coues with a bow!!

Arthur Gonzales' 2012 Arizona Archery Coues



We were able to get plenty of tc photos of this buck.



Chad named this buck Boots, can you guess why??

Well, once again Joe and I were back in the field hunting together. This time we were hunting coues deer in Southern AZ. Joe and I have both taken many coues deer but neither had taken one with a bow. I was hoping to shoot any 3 point or better but Joe, true to his style, was holding out for something over 100". I was constantly chasing the action as every where Joe went, he was passing on nice bucks and when I showed up the next day to try and take one, they wouldn't show. We kept at it and had a great few days. My wife missed a nice buck, which would've been her first, and our friend Mark harvested his second coues with a bow. Over the last several months, Jay, Chad, and Joe were getting photos of some outstanding bucks but since they seem to be rutting over the last few weeks, nothing had been consistent at the cameras. With the rut winding down, some of these mature bucks began getting back into their routine. At the location that I was to sit on our last day out, the amount of rubs and scrapes was comical. It almost seem like someone was playing a joke because every manzanita and pine had scrapes and rubs. Unreal scrape line, and big rubs at that. Joe had me sit this spot as there were several good bucks in this area and my chance at one of them seem to be pretty good. After 4 does had come and gone, things slowed down. I figured I didn't have much to lose so I grabbed my rattling antlers and crashed them together for about 10 seconds. The instant I stopped, I could hear a buck running through the oak litter head straight for my location. Within seconds, the buck was standing directly beneath my stand. I barely had enough time to put the antlers down and grab my bow. The buck was on full alert, obviously looking for the bucks that were sparring. As he moved forward a few yards, I recognized his extras and knew this was a stud buck. I kept telling myself "It's Him, It's Him.." Fortunately things happened so fast, I never had time to over-think my situation and never really got nervous. Since the does earlier had spent about half hour wondering around earlier in the day, I felt like I had all their paths ranged. Once this buck walked by me stand, I could tell he was headed down the same path the does took. I drew as he went behind the brush and when he stepped out at 18 yards, I touched off an arrow. It all happened so fast, it's hard to imagine that I actually remember every detail of the next few seconds. I heard the distinctive whack of the Rage broadhead connecting. In a few leap and bounds, this buck was standing about 60 yards out looking around to try and figure out what just happened. This is the point were I started shaking. I didn't want to take my eye off of him so I watched without binoculars. After a few seconds, I thought I seen him leaning to the left. When he walked off, I heard some brush and limbs snap. I'm sure you've all been in my boots. I began second guessing what I had just seen. Did he look hurt, was he falling or running off?????? After a few minutes, I stopped shaking and started gathering my thoughts. I looked down were I shot and with the binos, I could see a blood soaked arrow sticking in the dirt. I now knew I had at least hit him. I climbed out of the stand and picked up my arrow, climbed back up and waited another 45 minutes. Still unsure, I quietly slipped out of the area and walked the 1.5 miles to Joe's location. I ran him through the scenario but failed to mention it was a big buck. He thought I'd shot a 90" buck. We drove back to my spot and slipped back in quietly. I couldn't take it anymore, I was a nervouse and scared wreck. I let the cat out of the bag and finally told Joe it was the big buck. He pretty much figured the buck was dead and sure enough, when I showed Joe the last place I seen the buck we tracked him a few more yards and found him piled up. My shot was true as the broadhead hit both lungs and severed the top of the heart. This buck was dead a few seconds after being hit. Then the hugs and smiles hit us. With the help of my big brother, I'd finally taken my first archery coues, and my biggest coues to date. I have to give thanks to my wife and family for putting up with my addiction to hunting, to Joe for giving me this opportunity, and Jay, Chad, and the rest of Mossback AZ for finding this buck. Even though I'll be waiting a full year to hunt deer in AZ again, its definately worth the wait. Enjoy.

This buck sports long beams and matching extra points on both horns.

MBAZ Guide and my brother Joe with "Boots".

Thanks again to Will at Gila Outdoors for ensuring my equipment was ready to perform!!

 In addition to this buck, we were also able to harvest another great buck with Mark O. Mark's buck also frequented this area and we captured many tc photos prior to Mark making a great 20 yard shot on his buck. What a follow up to Mark's Freak Nasty buck. Two great bucks on back to back days. Congrats to Mark on his beautiful buck.

Mark O's 2012 Az archery coues