BOHNTR
Well-known member
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 (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 it home asap.
Overall, a great time with good friends.....I really love the Arizona desert this time of year. Hope you enjoy.
Example of an immature buck....hopefully not with the lifetime 3x3 trait:
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 (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 it home asap.
Overall, a great time with good friends.....I really love the Arizona desert this time of year. Hope you enjoy.
Example of an immature buck....hopefully not with the lifetime 3x3 trait:
