EP 322 Coues Whitetail on the El Durangueno Around the Campfire

Larry has long loved hunting Coues whitetail, known as "The Grey Ghost of the Desert".  In this episode Larry talks about hunting the fabulous El Durangueno Ranch in Durango, Mexico's Sierra Madre Mountains.  The late and great Jack O'Connor considered the diminutive Coues whitetail subspecies North America's Greatest Game Animal  Larry certainly agrees.  Larry discusses differences between Coues and "regular" whitetails, hunting techniques, and many more topics, including describing him taking a great buck during the last moments of his hunt.  Great information, good stories, and even an invitation to go hunt Coues deer in the future with Larry. In this solo episode, host Larry Weishuhn records from the high-elevation El Durangueno Ranch in Durango, Mexico. He recounts a successful hunt for Coues deer (often called the "Gray Ghost of the Desert") and reflects on the history of the ranch, the wildlife conservation efforts there, and his excitement for the upcoming DSC Convention. Setting: Located in the Sierra Madres of Durango, Mexico, at an elevation between 8,500 and 9,000 feet. History: Owned by Alonso Hayala and his family for 67 years. The property spans approximately 57,000 acres (plus adjoining leases). Wildlife: The ranch is known for its biodiversity, including a massive population of Gould's turkeys, reintroduced Elk (which have flourished into a large herd), and the primary subject of this hunt: Coues deer. Larry describes the Coues deer as a unique, small subspecies of whitetail known for their grey color, large ears, and ability to vanish into the landscape. The Guide: Larry hunted with a local guide named "Zordo." Despite a language barrier, they communicated effectively through hand signals and shared hunting instincts. The Encounter: Day 1: They spotted a massive buck late in the evening but lost the light and could not take a clean shot. Day 2: They returned to the same canyon. After a long hike and glassing session, they spotted the buck chasing a doe at roughly 400 yards. The Shot: Larry set up for a shot across a canyon. At 300 yards, he took the shot when the buck paused behind some brush. The Result: The buck ran a short distance and fell. Upon recovery, Larry realized it was a "monster" Coues deer with a wide spread and long main beams, though it had unfortunately broken off its left main beam. Larry estimates it would have scored in the 120s (a trophy class for this species). Larry detailed the specific equipment he used for this successful hunt: Rifle: Mossberg Patriot with a 20-inch barrel. Caliber: 7mm PRC. Ammo: Hornady Precision Hunter, 175-grain ELD-X bullet. Optics: Stealth Vision binoculars and a 3-18x44 scope. Patreon: Larry promoted his Patreon page ("MRWHITETAIL"), where he offers exclusive video content, tips on wildlife management, and giveaways. DSC Convention: He expressed excitement for the upcoming convention in Atlanta, where he looks forward to reconnecting with friends and listeners. "I'm 78 years old this year... and I'm still going at it strong." — Larry Weishuhn "It is the most accurate, deadly bullet I have ever put through a rifle." — Larry Weishuhn (referencing the Hornady ELD-X) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices