az4life

I am pretty sure everyone has heard about the story, and it has been the topic of several discussions around the water cooler at work. Now the site is back up here goes... I find it hard to justify the position of the accused hunter for killing 6 and wounding 2 others over his own trespassing and use of a treestand he did not own. Some folks I work with were actually defending the lunatic who now admits to the killing. The info I have read, says the accused was on private land in a treestand belonging to the property owners. When he was discovered, some verbal exchanges went on which we will probably never know, and he ended up shooting at least 8 other people and there was only 1 gun among the 8 people he shot. I find hunting to be a sport and it is unbelievable that a hunter would consider shooting human beings for any reason other than self defense and especially over something as small as a hunting site. I suppose many of us have been greeted by another hunter in one of our favorites spots, but on private land that you own, it seems beyond belief. Comments, experiences to relate with this sad story.

Rembrandt After I do something like that, I find it very hard to walk while kicking myself. Just add both of these to the strange but true files.

Congratulations on a Darn nice loooking Bull! Thanks for sharing the story and pictures! That experience might be hard to top next year, but now the kids will probably staying with Grandma every hunting season.

Here we have another example of a True Hunter! Manamal isHaving such a great time in spite of not coming back with a deer himself. That is why the sport is called Hunting, and not Killing.

Nice to hear we are having some informal "meetings" of the members. People with so much in common are great to meet in campsites.

Oh my goodness, I have missed this group during the servers Swap. I was checking daily, too many times to count, just waiting for the familiar screen! There should be some good posts coming from everyone from the last week! Thanks for your hard work Amanda.

VML Nice buck and I agree with the others. It would make us all feel bettter if you were SURE it was a legal Deer before the shot was fired. Hopefully that was a part you left out of the story... Let us know for sure.. As far as the Coatimundi sighting, I saw a large heard of them once while deer hunting between Miami - Superior, around "top-of-the-world" and I guess there had to be 40 of them easy. Very strange looking animal. I am sure God has a sense of humor when I think about them. Anyway, Congratulations on the Buck, thanks for the story, alternate topic and the pictures.

Agian, Joe and KEvin, Good job! Nice pics of those very decent deer!

Echo Echo.... Very nice Bucks, Welcome to the site and Good Luck this weekend!

It Could be related to the server change on the site that she posted info about yesterday. I think she said to give it a few days if some functions are inoperable. Server swap is due to increased traffic to the site. Good Luck!

You know, I think I believe the Version of the story AZ GUIDE suggests. It seems more believable. I showed them to friend who wondered why a mule would be attacking a lion with it's mouth, rather than kicking. One other observation, The internet is a powerful thing, but in this case the ultimate camoflage for the "true story". Search the email path and pic apart the photos with technology and experienced observations and we still have questions.

It is pretty amazing what you see and what some of these "hunters" do not see. Countless times I have had hunters hike up to me and be within 10 feet, but never see me. I often hear them coming for 30 minutes or more but they seem to think covering more ground is going to get them something to shoot at. Last year I had one guy stand less than 15 yards from me, talking on a radio to his buddies. He was really tired the way he was breathing, and I decided as I was that close, to stand up and wait for him to notice me. Not wanting to startle him, I just though it best to stand up and not say anything. I was next to a rock outcropping and he was in the open. No brush higher than 18 inches between us. He looked around, and I thought he looked right at me for a couple times but never even saw me! He stared right at me, and I was full in the open, but he did not see me! I talked to his buddies down by the road later and described him and where we were. They knew who I was talking about and said he couldn't see too well. I don't know how he could see to shoot, but hey he was going hunting anyway! Be Careful out there!

Traveler My game cams are usually off, but near a trail and a LONG ways from anywhere people would be hiking. I have seen game show more curiosity from the flash than fear. If you are looking for movement of the game during the day, yes the flash can be off, but remember, the camera will trip anyway with movement at night so if the flash is off, you won't see what tripped it. Personally I use cameras with auto flash so they only pop when it is dark. Thinking out loud here, I would say I see more on my cams from night time shots, so if you want to see what is in the area, that might be something to consider. Secure them cams to trees and hope no one finds them. Good Luck

Congratulations and a Great story! Looks like a decent rack on that buck. Since you waited for this one, the next one will be bigger, and probably harder to wait for. Again, Congratulations!

Hey there, That is the kind of story we want to hear, an see photograhic evidence of! Double Congratulations! I have one question... Are you hooked on Coues now?

Reservations bother me a bit too. I have a problem with the way the Native Americans use the "Sovereign Nation" Card whenever it is convenient, and at the same time, they have their hands out for the US Gov't to take care of this or that. It is a Lot like Jesse HI-Jackson or Al "race-baiter" Sharpton play the minority cards at will. But since the Tribes do have the land, they make their rules. No point in arguing. I think maybe if Guides like Taulman used the tribes everyone would be better off. Thanks for indulging me, My Soapbox is now put away.

My Average range for shooting is probably 250 yds. Some were as close as 75 yards but that is a rarity. I agree with the 300 win being a good choice for the overall ballistics. Of course many carp hunters only think of 300 win as a BIG GUN, so they do not realize the advantage of a big caliber gun with a smallet bullet. Accuracy is what counts at long range. The best way for you to shut them up, is to do the ol' "Quigly down under" Proof shot on the range! Leaves their jaws hanging open every time.

Leupold Gold Ring is the standard, the optics in the Burris are Comparable but I too have read a lot of comments about failure with heavy caliber recoil. Here is a link to another option. Sightron They offer extremely good optics and at great prices. IMHO Their Quality and warranty is as good or better than the Leupold Gold Ring's. While I do not own one, I seriously considered and researched them prior to purchasing my Leupold VX on 3-9 x 50 on ebay. I got such a deal on the Leupold I could not pass it up! (240.00) Look around on the net and you will only find good things about the s-2 or s-3 series. I called their office and discussed some of what I read and what I needed. and they were very accomodating and happy to discuss their features and benefits. One thing about them... they are not real easy to find in the Western states. Based in N. Caroline I think, Online or a few shops with limited selections is what I found. Bill's Trading Post in Prescott had the best selection and price in AZ. 10% over cost I think is what he offered. Even on special orders for non stock sightron items! Give them a look See before you do the Burris or if you want an alternative to Leupold at a great price. My.02 worth

Super pics and a great story. Congratulations Austin Thanks for sharing the good parts of the hunt!

I saw an appropriate bumper sticker for "Disenfranchised" voters after the election. "I VOTED FOR KERRY' "BEFORE I VOTED AGAINST HIM' Now all we gotta do is run that Janet "Napolo-Reno" out of the state. Anyone for JD Hayworth VS Napolo-Reno" Word has it sHE (Napoloreno) has her eye on the Senate, and JD has his eye on the AZ Gov Chair. Another case of the grass is always greener on the other side. Good Luck Lark!

Physcozar, The Ace hat light sound interesting. I may have to try one of them....

Good Job to the Bendall Clan! Thanks for posting the great photos Amanada! Is is just me, or does anyone else think we are getting a lot more photos posted on successful hunts this year? Keep em coming!

Congrats!!! Great story and pics as everyone else has said! Hope you get a bigger one for the next tag, although that is gonna be tough to beat! Thanks for thinking of the gang at CWD and posting the pics!

Ajohunter That is the good news and bad news of the situation I guess. I hope you find him, or at least evidence of him. If you do not find any blood, It is possible that you did not hit the buck though. I have seen deer stumble when just startled by a bullet impacting near them. One time I hit a running deer and he went down to his knees. Sure that I hit heim I stopped shooting and took a step before he got up and continued running. I heard the shot hit, and was sure I hit him by the way he went down. As ti turns out, my Brother-inlaw shot this deer about 1/4 mile away. It was my deer that had run downhill to him. We found an andtler tip missing. and a bullt impact where it borke off. I went back up the mountain and found the tip that matched where I shot him. I just rung his bell and would not have dropped him if it was not for my brother in law. Good Luck!

Smaller targets with impact factor are pretty good for practice. When I got my 300, quite a few years ago, I had access to gallon Bondo cans that were empty. I filled them with water, and placed them at 100, 200, 250, 300 on flat desert land. Making sure the lid was tapped on the top of the can, when I hit one of them the lid would fly up in the air about 10 feet and there would also be a big splash from the water in the can and a distinct THUD sound! That was really neat! It made me want to practice more! WARNING... DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! I also recall as a teenager, buying a can of R12 freon for about 77 cents. Cheap enough for a cool target I thought... I Took that can out in the desert and popped it with a 22lr hollowpoint. OMG ... I only did it once but wow it was cool. (there goes the ozone layer) I was about 75 yards away and when my bullet hit, the can flattened out and started flying like a fizbee. It flew right back at me, and wound up stuck in the tire of my truck about 2 feet from me. When I removed it from the tire, it had an entrance hole and no exit! I changed the now flat tire and quit for the day feeling pretty lucky! Good Luck