TREESTANDMAN

I will be spending 2 weeks in unit 45B to try my luck for a 100+ coues buck. I hear there are some trophy's in that unit.

Desert Bull, Making it to where we would have to pay up front would have no influence on a dad that wants to take his son out hunting. It would have an effect on someone who is too lazy to get an application from a sporting shop and mail out the form. You are blowing this out of proportion and making it seem like we are so greedy that we have to have all the tags to ourselves having an "elitist attitude". The main purpose of this would be to slow down the non-resident apps and maybe a few slacker hunters.

Muskrat, This is the internet, don't let any of these guys on this site offend you. You have given some good opinions. About what you said about hunters needing to be physically fit, I agree. I also feel that hunters should be financially prepared. If the G&F required all the money up front, that would give the serious hunters a good reason to budget there money before the draw approaches. I am not suggesting to raise the prices of the tags or the application fee for that matter, only require the money up front. If the hunter is not drawn, they will recieve a full refund. This will weed out many of the non-serious people who wait until the last minute every year and only put in because the fee is 5.00/species. This could also cut down on the # of non-residents applying because they would have to have that money available at draw time. If you don't have the money available at the time of the draw then you probably don't have the money to go hunting anyway. People need to learn how to budget.

Oops, I posted that last message under the wrong subject. I didn't notice the unit 9.

If any of you have been in Eagar/Springerville in unit one, right now the hay fields are swarming w/ batchelor bull herds. My cousin lives up there and runs cattle on Escuedilla mountain. He knows where all the big bulls hang out in that territory each year. I'ts always a good idea to talk to the local ranchers up there. Most would be willing to share some valuable info on some good bulls.

I agree Rembrant that the money should be required up front. With the application deadline as short as it is, only the serious hunters that have budgeted and saved there money will be putting in. I feel this would definately increase our odds of being drawn.

Good luck GMM!!!

In the areas that I have been scouting, the spring/summer range holds the same bucks. It may very well vary depending on the area.

Well I just found out that 2 of my favorite hunting spots in unit 22 are now in ashes. One of my friend's trail camera's is now toast. I guess I can say goodbye now to the 2 nice cinnomon bears, huge tom lion and nice coues buck that was hitting a water hole there. I bet I could make this into a country song.

Thats where the sheds should be.

(Quote by Galiuro Mountain Man) I have seen 12 different bucks, and got trail cam pics of 7 of them. One of them is the 110+ monster I shot at last year. I have seen 1 bear, and got pics of three bears including the big one I hope to see. I have my animals picked, now it is just a matter of seeing them on the 27th and 28th Lets see pics of those 7 bucks!!!

No, I think he is telling the truth about the bears and I think he has seen and maybe even gotten some pictures of some nice bucks. I just want to see a picture of this toad he has been boasting about.

Come on Galiuro Mountain man, Lets see this picture of the 110 coues buck and the bears you have been talking about??????

Hey CHD, Weren't you going by BUSTER a few weeks ago?

Bcoover, What is the prize for the one who harvests the biggest buck?

Wow, I have learned more great hunting tips on this post than any other post. I cant wait to get out and try some of these methods of hunting. I think I will try the deer suit method with antlers on my head during the rut this year.

I've got 3 of them and I think they are great for the money. Are there any more left for sale?

I've got me a nice 2*2 picked out this year that I have patterned. He is running w/ 2 other bucks and is about 8 inches wide. I would say he will score a good 40 inches or so.

I saw a lion in 32 in January of 2002 while bowhunting. Saw him w/ the naked eye about 90 yds away. I put a stalk on him but he vanished. I've archery hunted 32 for about 6 yrs now and seen some whoppers. I hunt around mammoth and the San Pedro river. Great muley/coues country around there, not a whole lot of hunting pressure. Buy a lion tag. Good chance to see coatimundi's too.

I've been told that probably the best way to hunt big coues deer is to set up a chair in a semi open area, get a white flag, sit down and just wave the flag back and forth blowing on a deer grunt tube. This works year round, not just during the rut. The big bucks will come investigating and BAM!!! You've got yourself a toad of a buck. My friend killed a 190 inch coues with using this method!!

Yesterday I had what I consider the most traumatizing experience of my life. I was up in unit 24A checking some cameras I had on some water. One of the water holes was down a deep canyon and I decided to leave my 30-30 up by my quad because of how steep the canyon was. When I got down to the water, I changed the film and batteries on the camera and started up towards the bush that I had planned on setting my ground blind up in. It was about 25 yds away from the water. When I was about 10 ft away I saw an ear flicker in that same bush. The first thought that went through my head was that a deer was bedded there. A second later I realized that it was actually a mountain lion in a crouched position 10 ft away from me and I had no gun!!! A feeling of panic shot through me as I came to the realization that there was a good chance he would pounce. The water was 15 yds behind and down hill so I decided I would slowly back towards the water and if he pounced I would jump in. I have pictures of deer up to there chests so I knew it was fairly deep. Luckily the lion decided against making me his next meal so I was able to back away from him and get the water between me and the lion. I then threw some rocks at him and he slowly walked into a bush about 3 yds from his original spot and I did not see him leave the bush. I then climbed back up the canyon in a round about way that took me twice as long. When I got back to the quad I was out of water and breath and decided it would not be wise to go back after him w/ no water. I am very thankful to be alive.

I agree that bows w/ long axle to axle lengths are more stable and forgiving. For competition you can't beat them.

For bowhunting I would recommend a smaller lighter and more compact bow. I do a lot of treestand/blind hunting and the smaller bows are much more manuverable. Also for stalking deer, the smaller the bow, the easier to get close w/out rubbing your bow against a bush etc. I would recommend a mathews sq2 for maximum manuverability/accuracy. The only disadvantage in my opinion is the 70% let off as opposed to the 80%. That feature does allow for a smoother and more forgiving shot. No offense to anyone but it surprises me how many hunters I have seen w/ the mathews conquest or conquest 2. That bow has to be a good 48" long!!!

Before I even consider going out for lions w/ hounds I betting get into better shape. I went out w/ hounds once before and about killed myself from exaustion. And that was back when I was in better shape. Lion hunters w/ hounds have all my respect.

The country in those pictures look just like country I've seen in about a dozen different units. The more time we spend out scouting will definately increase our chances of seeing a buck of that magnitude. I can't wait to get out again!