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varnco

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Posts posted by varnco

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Thinking of heading up to Pinal mountains tomorrow or this weekend.

     

    I see there's some snow up there... how are the roads, especially towards the top?

     

    I have 4WD but my tires are quite a bit more worn than last year, almost time for replacement.

     

    I was able to make it through the 6-8" snow last December, but I had about 25K worth of more tire tread than this year.

     

     

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Got my first deer (coues) this year with bow. How I did it:

     

    1) Scouted and used game cameras where I found evidence of deer (deer scat, trails, tracks, rubs)

    November 2015, December 2015 and July 2016

    2) Setup tree stand so I could get a shot, so the wind blew my scent away from where I thought the deer would come.

    3) Waited for 11 hours (took a nap in truck from 1 - 3)

    4) Little buck came within 14 yards to my left at 6:50pm and presented a broadside shot- didn't know I was there until I drew

    5) Deer crashed within 50 yards

     

    Hunted 24a, and got myself a little spike, so I've got one under my belt and some meat in the freezer. No trophy, but I enjoyed the adventure with a buddy of mine - It was great.

    • Like 2

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Goes uphill/downhill, 35* angle

    About 40ft long, foot wide

    Ends at small drainage that feeds into larger dry creek.

    No discenible tracks, but dirt is not flat, like what water would do.

    It did rain the night before.

    7000ft, unit 24

     

    Thoughts? Sasquatch body surfing?

    post-12699-0-00833600-1470360015_thumb.jpg

  8. Posted · Report reply

    https://m.youtube.com/results?q=coues%20fawns%205%20yards&sm=3

    I had these fawns dang near crawl into my lap a couple summers ago. Probably the best hunting memory I have so far. Never been that close to a live deer that had no idea I was there. Momma was 10 yards away and also oblivious and I was sitting on the ground under a juniper. Good times!

     

    I bet you were all sprayed down and had a few ozonics going... or did you just have the wind in your favor....lol.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    tree saddle doesnt look like my thing. I need something solid under my feet. thanks, though, I didn't know that they exist.

     

    it appears trees are likely to have branches, so a hang may be the better choice if I were to get just one stand? I have a ground blind already.

     

     

    I dont think a ladder would be good, if I am hiking 1 mile plus. I will have to take a 2 hour nap when I arrive at my tree and will miss the morning hunt.

     

    is a hang on more difficult to put up as a climber or about the same with practice?

     

    I will practice with either that I get before going into the field, along with shooting from it.

     

    thanks for the other tips too.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks for the replies.

     

    So, in general, the trees in the units that I'm looking at (if there are trees :-). I could likely find both straight with no branches and not so straight with branches, equally?

     

    I'm leaning towards a hang on with climbing sticks, but like the "ease" of the climbers. Low pack in weight is what I'm looking at, as I'm looking at hiking in 1 mile from the roads.

     

    How difficult is it to attach and then climb up the climbing sticks? I'm considering the 3 or 4 pack that are strapped in sections to the tree.

     

    Thanks!

  11. Posted · Report reply

    So, I've been doing some research, and can't decide which would be "better" for Arizona, and would like opinions of those that have used them in Arizona.

     

    My consideration for "where" to use them would be the following game units:

     

    22, 24A/B, 12a/b, 33

     

    I know the climbers need a straight, limbless tree to climb, where a hang on can pretty much climb around such limitations (within reason).

     

    So, my questions:

     

    1. Which is easier to put up? I'm not interested in racing up a tree, just don't want to waste 1/2 hour in the dark putting up a tree

    2. Which is more likely to be used given the type of trees we have in these units?

     

    Thoughts?

     

    Thanks.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Well, my optimist attitude didn't work out. Didn't see a single deer where my cameras were set.

     

    Couple of guys I came across saw a solo buck from a distance and solo does.

     

    Froze a bit, but had a good time with my son and good Mexican food in Miami.

     

    Can't decide if I prefer bugs and heat or cold and no bugs... May try lower elevation.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    First time bow hunting and prefer to be prepared, so I have a few questions as I plan on trying the gutless method and hate to waste any usable meat:

     

    1. For those that do the gutless method, what do you do with the rib meat? any videos on this method only show the quarters.

    2. I dont necessarily need the head or antlers, as I am not planning on mounting, is it okay to leave with carcass?

    3. Given #2, where should I apply the tag? I was planning on deboning in the field, or is that not a good idea?

  18. Posted · Report reply

    The date on your cam is obviously incorrect. Was this picture just taken in the past day or two?

    Ya, taken on the 21st. Time is right, date is wrong.. A doe had gone through that same exact spot not even 1 minute before (same time stamp), so the rut my be on any time now...

     

    Tons of doe pictures too... so that should be great once the rut is on.

     

    :-)

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Probably going up this weekend with a buddy to scout around and setup a camera or two. Just wanted to know if we should bring the quads or leave them at home.

     

    Actual hunting will be later December, so hopefully the rut may be starting by then.

     

    I'm just wanting to do some tree standing for a change.

     

    24A only has 50 permits for rifle in late December, so there shouldn't be too many hunters around?

  21. Posted · Report reply

    So, I'm going OTC for deer in December, since I had tag soup in October with Rifle

     

    I'm going to go scout out 24A, and wondering if I could get some thoughts from those that have been on the condition of the roads in December?

     

    My only reference ponit is Unit 33, the peppersauce canyon area (easy/breezy roads) and then the roads up to Oracle Ridge and/or Charloue Gap (ATV or 4x4 with Loc Diff needed).

     

    Is an ATV needed with will a regular truck and/or 4x4 do just fine? I'm considering going all the way up to Signal Peak, coming down from Miami.

     

    Given I have no idea on the road conditions in these mountains, how long of a trip would this be?

     

    Any thoughts, opinions or experience is appreciated.

     

     

  23. Posted · Report reply

     

     

    Lower country is nice during any rut activity.. Mucho easier to see bucks running around instead of just hearing them in heavy tree area so glass glass GLASS. :) thats 1 of my cents worth and im sticking to it. My 2nd cent worth is try muleys first with a bow. ;)

    thanks for the $.02... I will take it!

    why muleys?

    Cuz they always stop and look back of course. :) hey everything helps when starting out in archery. If you draw on 1 at 30 and he bails expect him to stop at 50-60yards, keep that bow at full draw.

    Got it, thanks

  25. Posted · Report reply

     

    I'd just stick with 33. You'll see way more deer than in any of the more northern units, and that means more opportunity.

    Good luck.

     

    I like 33 and will probably spend some time down there this winter, but I'd point out that those deer get pushed around... A LOT! I don't like smart/experienced deer, I prefer them to be dumb and gullible, just like college girlfriends.

     

    It's a good thing to see a lot of deer, but given the choice I'll take a handful of up close encounters over a 100 sightings through binoculars that never amount to squat. Stick with steep nasty stuff and you'll find yourself lonely, which is a good thing if you want to put an arrow in something.

     

    If your game is to just shoot something legal, it's very easy to do. Find a nice flat saddle with some decent trails in it on top of a steep ridge with nasty thick cover on the north hill side. Dig yourself a hole in a juniper or some other brush that allows a few good shooting lanes. Settle in and get comfy with a good book. It might take a few days of sitting, but something with antlers will come by.

     

    If you want a big ole nasty boy for the wall, buy high powered binoculars and start practicing being very, very sneaky.

     

    Coues deer are pretty easy to ambush, but extremely difficult to stalk within 40 yards of.

    Thank you!

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