stanley

Take a look at the 'Arizona Looses It's Court Case' post and you'll have your answer. S.

Well I'll tell you that something definitely has to change! I'm sure the G&F will get plenty of feedback in the coming months!!! I remember back in the 70s (before I was old enough to hunt), you were eligible for an elk tag only once every three years. I think they changed it when the herds started getting so big, but maybe it's time to go back to something like that... S.

36C October coues for me this year! Also drew a unit 1 archery cow tag. Should be fun chasing those big ol' gals around the woods in sept! Good day all! S.

It's a drag for sure..... Redman, here's my answers to your 3 questions: 1) Because AZ has the BEST public land elk hunts, and USO wants to bring as many of their clients as possible here. 2) Likely wouldn't have mattered if the results were already out, they probobly would have had to re-do it anyway. Sounds like the judge didn't really care if the draw was done already.... 3) Sadly, yes. S.

LOL Couesdiehard!!!! I've seen that picture plenty myself lately!!! S.

What a fish! Awesome pic! Reminds me of the old days.... My buddies & I used to spend several nights each summer sitting on the banks of the Salt river going after the big ones! We used to have some success on the Gila below Coolige dam as well (when San Carlos actually had water...). I don't think we ever got one as big as 55lbs (some close...), but it was exciting knowing that they were lurking out there... We primarily used waterdogs & night crawlers then, but I know a lot of guys go after them with carp or bluegills these days. I gotta get up there again sometime soon! S.

Cool pics! Those Gila Monsters are spectacular up close & in person. The color on them is amazing!! S.

Thanks for the clarification Doug! You should be a teacher... The deadline is approaching folks! S.

I agree that DiamondbackAZ's explanation sounds accurate. I still have one more question though; If 4 people (with no bonus points, for this example) put in on one application, does each individual applicant get assigned a draw number, or does the application get a single draw number? If the answer is the former, then what happens when any one individual draw number comes-up? If the hunt is available, do all 4 people get a tag? S.

Interesting question, and as with most subjects; everyone has their own opinion. When I was growing-up (and still today...), my dad and I always put in on separate applications. We saw a couple of advantages to this: 1) We felt that we had a better chance of at least one of us getting drawn. 2) We would try to ensure the 2nd choice was for a completely separate date, so if we got drawn for separate hunts, we got to go on two (didn't always work out...)! Last year I got to hunt in October, and then join my dad on a Dec hunt. Nice to be able to get out twice... Disadvantages? Once or twice over the years we got drawn for separate areas with overlapping dates. In those cases we just split the season, or burned one tag. On the other hand, I have a friend who lives out of state that sometimes likes to join me for hunting trips here in AZ. In this case, I always put him in with me on my application. Obviously if he is traveling a long ways, we want to be on the same hunt. My $.02. S.

That's an awesome pic Amanda! It almost looks like one of those 'double mirror' kind of effects, where clones of the image kind of go on & on..... Looks like the biggest one might be hidden on the left. Thanks for sharing! S.

Shiras: I am far (VERY FAR!) from being an expert, but I would say that the .06 is definitely adequate. In my opinion, it mainly comes down to the shooters ability, with any gun! I own a .7MM Mag, and a .308. I missed a shot at just under 300yds last season with my .7MM, and have since re-committed myself to becoming a better shot. While spending time at the range, I have realized that I tend to flinch more with my .7MM, for obvious reasons (The sucker is like a cannon compared to the .308...). This is impacting my ability to shoot accurately with the big gun. The .308 on the other hand, is much 'tamer', and I tend to flinch much less. Based on this, I am actually thinking about going back to my .308 for next season. Bottom line; In my opinion, unless you really want a new gun (which I can certainly understand.... ), I would spend my money on ammo & time at the range. Bullet drop doesn't matter as much as ENERGY does! The .06 should still have plenty of that, at that range... Finally, as far as a 400yd shot being a 'probable' scenario? That depends on you! How good are you at stalking in closer? Sure is nice to know you can hit & kill one out that far if you need to though. Good luck & have fun! S. :-) PS: Does anyone have any tips for helping me rid myself of 'shooters flinch'? I'm anticipating the recoil too much!!! Help!!!!!

I'm sure that Diamondbackaz will answer for himself, but now that I think about it, he likely DID mean 'recommendations'. Must be a list out there for what next fall's proposals are. Makes sense that things are being finalized now, as the regs usually come out in late April to early May. Sounds like the 2004 hunt numbers will closely mirror the 03 numbers.... S.

Did you mean hunt 'regulations'? I've been watching the AZ G&F website, but haven't seen the new regs posted yet. It's that time of year that folks start thinking of hunt unit choices for next fall. I know I've been spending some time day dreaming lately.... I'm pondering a hike-in hunt this fall, if I can talk my hunting partners into it (and if get drawn...). Going after turkeys in a few weeks. It will be nice to be out in the hills for a few days! S.

Welcome to the site AFB! A great bunch of folks here, with lots of good coues information.... God Bless, S.

Rain in Arizona, that is!!! What a nice surprise this latest little storm has been!!! Always great to see some spring showers in the desert! S.

Got that right. Roads/trails pop-up in some scary places... Always a drag to come across quad tracks when you're back-in a little ways.... S.

Treestandman: For me personally, I like hunting further from the road because I see way fewer people. I much prefer being alone, over an easy pack trip. Someday I'll be too old to hike that far in, so for now I want to take advantage of it. I also tend to see more game when further from the road, but for me the main reward is the SOLITUDE! Now, don't get me wrong. I have a spot or two that know about that are fairly close to roads as well. I sometimes hunt there.... depending on who I have with me, etc.. If you have some good honey-holes that are close to the road, good for you man! Happy hunting! S. :-)

If I'm hunting within 1/4-1/2 mile from the road, then I'll usually head back to the truck around noonish for a big lunch & cold drink. I'll then head back out in the hills for the afternoon/evening. Lately however, I've hunting more often further away from the roads (less people). I spend my time out all day, glassing/napping while I eat lunch. I'll move 2-3 times during the day (depending on the action). I'll still hunt between stops, and don't mind walking-out with a flashlight. S. :-)

Awesome story CB! I can't wait for next hunting season!!! Thanks for sharing.... S.

I would go for the non-typical for the simple reason that it is NON-typical. My chances of seeing another non-typical are less likely than seeing another typical in the future, so I would take the one when I had the chance. Also, I just think it looks kind of cool when the racks have trash, palms, etc... My $.02.... S.

Well Bill, with > 50 years of experience hunting 'desert whitetails' (I love that!) it sounds like you've got some wisdom & stories to share! Welcome to the site! After hearing all of the comments, it appears to me that there is not any ONE method that would be effective all of the time. I'm for glassing though, for my first choice of hunting methods. S.

I agree that it was a great event. The kids had fun, and helping out the ranchers was awesome. That's my two boys holding the banner. (I don't know who the toe-head is though... ) There were so many people there, that I didn't get a chance to personally meet everyone, but it was still a good time. Sorry we didn't get a chance to formally meet each other Amanda, but I'm glad you enjoyed the quail. Anyway, I'll second what Amanda said; Hopefully more folks will turn-up next year. Even though there was a nice big crowd, it would be nice to see an army of volunteers next year! Good luck all! S.

Welcome Alan! I don't post much, but I watch this board daily. Very cool bunch of folks here! Good company.... I grew-up in Kearny (son of a copper miner) hunting muleys in 37B & 24A, but have been bitten by the coues bug of late. I've found lots of good help here, and great stories as well! Good luck! S.

Great story Amanda! Thanks for taking time to share the details with us. S. :-) PS: I know what you mean with the bad clutch. I had one go bad on a VW bug in high school, and drove for two weeks without one! You really CAN shift gears without one... :-)