Str8Shot

YEah , looking at the pics it is a XDm , but you can still find the XDm new for close to $500

For the most part it seems that big herds staying on a tank will shy away some deer as sneaker pointed out. But, Down in 36b on more than a few occasions, I Have seen a couple Big bucks hanging with herds of cattle actually moving, feeding and watering with the herd... seen bucks bedded in 23 with cattle bedded in trees all around them ... I would not shy away from an area if I am seeing cattle

there will be guys disappointed no shooting from horse or MULE back sounds fun, though will have to see where I am at with my foot surgery after Feb.

Good insurance is a must , but if you want peace of mind on these kinds of toys I would suggest installing a hidden GPS tracker like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Spark-iTrack-Real-Time-Tracking-Device/dp/B0084A08KK/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1446755598&sr=8-14&keywords=itrack+gps) ... Real time GPS tracking , no monthly or annual service ( like with SPOT but they work too) , just buy a prepaid simm card from T-mobile or AT&T ... You can ping it with your cell to get coordinates or set it to update you at specific times ( minutes, hours, days or weeks, it is up to you) ... you can also set up a geo fence that automatically notifies you if it has left a designated area like your property or block ... Hide it and hard wire it so it never runs out of charge and only add time to prepaid when you have to ..

I think it is closer to 1600 cubic inches if I recall updated ... Just looked it up .. Main storage 1620 total 2000

I agree with Vixen .... They often make their way back into areas you would have seen them while they were growing prior to the rut.... They have to start putting mass back on for the winter after losing a lot during the rut .... They will be out feeding more in the nights ( especially as the Full moon gets closer) and laying up in the timber conserving energy during the day. Will be plenty of Bulls on both sides of the 260 you will just have to work a bit harder. I would expect to see a little bit more daytime activity at the start of the hunt versus later when the moon starts filling up...

South East Units ... Use to see a good number in 32 but have not been back to that unit in over 10 years

While there is no good excuse for a hunter taking the wrong species, I do not see why the local would be pissed. With his assistance things with G&F were handled right and the hunter hopefully learned a lesson... Does the local feel that every mistake should be a citation? I do hope the G&F officer had the hunter surrender his tag

The character in that buck is insane ... Simply Awesome !!!

Great write up and Bucks , Congrats ! Plus I am sure you will Never forget, that down there when you see hills with good amounts of Ocotillios and Mesquites you can usually find those sneaky Coues !

He had a scheduled surgery. I ask you glass house, would you not have done the same? The guys that shot it and used another tag are the "guilty" party.Wrong. The ONLY tag you can have in your possession is your OWN. In addition, knowingly leaving your OWN tag in the possession of someone else with the knowledge that they're going to finish off an animal for you makes you just as guilty. He CLEARLY knew what he was doing was illegal. He Did NOT know they were going to have to finish off the animal. Again, if anyone is guilty of a crime its the guy that actually killed the animal and tagged it with a tag other than his own. Have you even read the regulations ? It is illegal to carry the tag of another hunter besides your own ... it is illegal for a hunter to give his tag to another ... Only the Hunter with his or her own tag can tag the animal and then fill out the transportation portion if going to have someone else remove the game. So he did break laws as did the guy who carried his tag, finished off the bull, who then tagged and transported the animal. The only exception is for CHAMP hunters and then there are specific steps to authorize an agent to tag and retrieve game. E. Except as permitted under R12-4-217, an individual shall not: 1. Allow their tag to be attached to wildlife killed by another individual, 2. Allow their tag to be possessed by another individual who is in a hunt area, 3. Attach their tag to wildlife killed by another individual, 4. Attach a tag issued to another individual to wildlife, or 5. Possess a tag issued to another individual while in a hunt area. F. Except as permitted under R12-4-217, immediately after an individual kills wildlife, the individual shall attach the tag to the wildlife carcass in the following manner: 1. Remove all of the detachable paper covering from the adhesive back of the tag; 2. Seal the exposed adhesive portions of the tag around the wildlife so the tag cannot be removed or reused and all printing on the face of the tag is visible, and a. For antelope, deer, or elk: seal the tag around the antler or horn, or through the gambrel of a hind leg; b. For bear, bighorn sheep, buffalo, javelina, or mountain lion: seal the tag through the gambrel of a hind leg; and c. For pheasant, sandhill crane, or turkey: seal the tag around the neck or a leg. G. An individual who lawfully takes wildlife with a valid tag and authorizes another individual to possess, transport, or ship the tagged portion of the carcass shall complete the Transportation and Shipping Permit portion of the original tag authorizing the take of that animal. H. If a tag is sealed or mutilated or the Transportation and Shipping Permit portion of the tag is signed or filled out, the tag is no longer valid for the take of wildlife.

Not just unethical, but illegal ... I would be putting in a call to the warden. could be a case of poaching as well.

I have been tempted to just take the old iron sight lever action out .... would be kind of nice if maybe they had some late hunts in a few units that were open sights only ! heck that would be more primitive than new generation smoke poles guys are scoping up and shooting out to 150 yards +

I have to second this question ! what do you consider a spot ... On several occasions I have been in a spot before sun up, not a light in the dark to be seen, only to have bullets flying over my head from long range shooters shortly after sunrise. Last year almost had it happen again when on the hunt with my son. I spotted a truck well over a mile and half away glassing into the area I was waiting on a bedded buck 300 yards from me. I stood up to make sure I was seen ... 15 minutes later I hear rocks rolling and hunters approaching , I stand up and wait 15 more when 3 hunters continued to push to me and tell me their spotter stopped them from taking a 1000 yard shot ( that would have gone right over me and my son ) when I stood up .... They did not even know the orientation of the buck ( a decent Fork ) is in his bed... He was azz back quartering away with a rock blocking his vitals... I told them I was only going to take him ( my son had passed at this point) if he had fed down the draw like I figured he would once he got up, but if they wanted to take the shot I was fine with it , but highly suggested they wait for a better shot. Oh no, they said this gun is a 1000 yard tack driver. Well 3 shots at 322 yards all misses for the first time hunter using his buddy's tack driver and me and my son packed up and headed out to hike another mile deeper in the hills. I think with big glass and so many looking for the long shots too many hunters think they own every square mile. If I had been in that group and knew a hunter was between me and a buck bedded I would have been headed back to the truck and moving on. I do at least appreciate that they did not shoot over me as it has happened way too many times in the past... If I was dealing with what the OP was and had cell signal I would have been placing a call in hopes that a LEO would be able to make it out there before the guy could leave the area...

Thanks for sharing an awesome read and congrats on a great buck !

You may want to look at the Sony Experia Z3 compact tablet... The lightest smallest 8.1 inch you will find ... Water and dust proof to the highest specs reviewed to be one of the most rugged tablets ... USB and Micro SD ( up to 128 GB ) .. personally I would use with a USB adapter for card and transfer to a 64 GB or 128 GB card to take with me home.

Shhhhhhh .... No deer in them Hills Congrats on getting it done!

You sure did! May as well pack up and head home JK.... with 2 days left and nice weather if you get out there sure you will get a chance for at least one of those spikes if not better

Nice buck.. congrats and good luck on the rest of the hunt ! How bad have the winds been up there .... That hunt can be tough when it is blowing like a hurricane 24/7

With a nick name like that all he is missing is his gold grill... Seriously awesome Buck congrats!

Nice Buck Kaz ,, Shrinkage happens

Nice Buck ... Just has to make it through a few more hunts and archery ... if you are going to get a shot next year

some people do not realize how tall that grass can be down there in 36b especially on the wet years and in OCT... take your time and maximize your opportunity

Hope to see Pics once you seal the deal !

Stud Ram .. Congrats to the hunter and job well done for all that helped.