turbo

Hiked about 8-9 miles on Arizona Trail, north of Oracle. Been doing that Black Hills Section in sections, just one more 7 mile stretch to go. and lots of stumping with the primitive bow, in steep Catalina Mtns. This year will be real "backcountry hunting"...

I will have to rescind my earlier statement, about not seeing any one in the border units. and frankly, it looks to be worse than the Bush era. That video showing trash, debris, clothes, backpacks is not unusual, but the stuff was getting pretty sun-worn and brittle. Now the desert is going to get fresh backpacks, jeans, water bottles, etc...

Welcome. Give us details of the hunt....

I am not going in super deep. I had a stalk last year, long distance following kind, ended by helicopter racing overhead to "pinpoint" illegals. Some upward trend in black water bottles since the New Admin was coming in. But, in 6 winters and a couple summers, off and on I have never seen any illegals but the helicopter bust. However, it has to be happening somewhere, to someone...

That is a great trad harvest, especially in AZ. Drought this year seems to have "shrunk" the antlers a little on lots of bucks. Got real close to one today, and looked like the tines had shrunk down on thick beams. Great job on the harvest. I bet that "luck" on the trad bow kill involved you having the discipline to keep the bow handy in case something went down.

Your plan must have been perfect.

Last Saturday, rut occuring for certain, with some big ones, and some small ones. Crawled into some thicker stuff, got 30 yards away, looking at an eyeball, an ear, a leg. Eventually the buck tried to determine what I was as I made a mistake and thought I had to get off my hands and knees to navigate a little one foot drop off. Wrong move. That one second "hunched over" move probably blew it. Bow hunting...one second of poor decisions, and that is that. Using a stickbow, so the windows of opportunities beyond 25 yards were not good for me. Dry out here.

Thanks for reminding all of us in the Tucson area that we grow our own scumbags here. Hunting gear is expensive, and often not easily replaceable.

Hey guys, Have not used a rifle since 2009. Decided that practice is key, so I started practicing for the shot, only a few shots at a time. Mostly sitting once I got sighted in, and never more than ten shots at a time. Usually, two to four, doing the thoughtful practice as they call it in archery. Became comfortable out to 130 yards, in the sitting position, with open sighted 30-06. Took this deer first day out, 132 yards, sitting. Light was perfect for open sights. He is kinda big in the body, with a smaller rack. Nice to carry a fine rifle in the mountains. Wanted to shoot one of the bigger ones that live up there, but work is work, and incoming gusty wind was the weather. Overall, a great rifle hunt. Practice paid off.

Nice job. Seems the mulies are where they want to be, and that can be the big open or the city brush.

First two coues, Marlin lever rifle, 50 yards and 20 yards running.

There are lots of bucks in that country. Arizona has lots of backpack hunters, but the vast landscape leave plenty of deer for all. You will have a memorable hunt. Post the photos, success or not, and good luck.

intermittent fasting works for many of us older guys and gals. I am not keeping a schedule, just 14 to 24 hrs when I want.

Ask border patrol about the area(s). I have bow-hunted down there in Jan and summer season. Lots of old sign of the last great invasion before Trump: rape trees, backpacks in washes, but that is specific to certain areas. IMO, MUCH SAFER since the Golden Don took the helm. And, also in my opinion, a motivated man/woman with a bolt rifle could be very unpleasant, even in close quarters. Very nice terrain, good people, and large amounts of both species of deer. Enjoy.