curmudgen

Amanda: That was a great hunt and a great story. I was impressed with your ethical standards, expecially where you passed up the shot because the wind made you uncomfortable. You are one tough coues hunter. I'm glad your perserverance was rewarded with such a beautiful buck. Jack

I'm not a supporter of Barack Obama, but I did a Snopes.com search and found that the article entitled, "Who is Barack Obama?" is nothing but lies and distortions. Check it out yourself. there are plenty of reasons I will not vote for Obama, but that article is phony through and through. It even lies when it claims the "facts" stated therein were checked on Snopes. If we are going to slander people, we should check our sources. Jack

This is redundant, but that was a great writeup with great photos. I can feel your pain at losing the buck, having trailed blood spots for abt half a mile in October. I was luckier, however, and found my buck which had rimmed around on a trail I was able to follow. Your story recalls the sick feeling I had as the blood trail started to thin out and I thought I was going to lose it and the deer to the coyotes. What counts now is that you put in your best effort and did the ethical thing to keep up the search until all leads had played out. Good job, and good luck in future hunts. Jack

I agree with what's been said. But make sure you preserve any evidence you need to prove your case. Photos, other witnesses' names and addresses, etc. Some G @ F officers and courts tend to be skeptical. Jack (Former prosecutor)

Last year, I got a 95 incher in the Huachucas using a wetback trail to access my hunting spot, (that, and the fact that some of the deer get used to seeing people are the only positive effects of the illegal traffic) but the article makes some good points and the "red zone" units are way down the list on my hunt applications. This year I got a smaller buck in unit 32 and enjoyed it much more than my "day hike hunting" the previous two years in 35a. While hunting in 35a I have run into drug runners with bales of MJ on their backs, a lookout occupying a spot I wanted for glassing, trash everywhere, immigrant trails through all the places I might have wanted to camp, etc. It's made the hunting experience less enjoyable, especially for hunters like me who don't usually camp with a large group, which provides some sense of security. It's affected my political views and who I'll vote for in both local and federal elections. It's a mess and it's affecting some of the best WT habitat in the state. Jack

During the December hunt did anyone take advantage of the court order opening the Klondyke Road to gain access to the areas behind the closure? Jack

Never mind. The Virginia Tech law is dead. I understand Pres. Bush let it die with a pocket veto, not having the guts to veto it outright. But in my humble opinion, it was a good law as I don't believe criminals and crazies should be allowed to buy guns over the counter or, for that matter, at gun shows, etc.. Even if all the students at Va Tech had been armed, the nut would probably have surprised and killed a few before he was taken out. Jack

Tony: That's good, but apparently too long for most of the visitors to this site to take the time to read. It just makes me happy I'm a Coues hunter where most of the questionable practices he describes would be difficult, if no impossible to incorporate into my hunting. I can gripe and rant abt those guys who do those things without being tempted to do them myself. Although, when I consider the effects of wind, etc. on 5-600 yd shots, I sometimes wonder abt the ethics of taking some of the shots described on this site. As the author states, however, we each, at least for now, can make those determinations based on our own conscience and our respect for ouselves and the game we pursue. Jack

Employers who employ illegals often pay them substandard wages and provide none of the benefits American workers are used to. If that's how they get their profits, it's at the expense of law abiding employers and our entry level workers who are being squeezed out. And don't think they only do the jobs our citizens won't do, as many of them take the well paying construction jobs our workers, especially our youth, would love to have. We are allowing an underclass to form within our country that is willing to live in substandard housing, 10 to a room, who have no intention of assimilating by learning our language or pledging their allegience to our flag or otherwise becoming what we would consider to be good citizens. By refusing to stop the inflow, and I would welcome legal immigrants who pass the test to become citizens and swear their allegience to the United States of America, we are creating a situation like they have in France where the immigrant Muslim youth are periodically rioting because they now don't like living in the neighborhoods they created by entering, although legally, and being willing, at least for awhile, to live in slums, but wih no intention of becoming French. We need to gain control of our borders. After that, a guest worker program would make sense, especially for jobs where there is evidence that domestic workers are not available. In the meantime, if this law and others like it cause illegals to leave and go home or go elsewhere, that's good for Arizona. If the Feds won't do their job, then under our Federal Republic the states should be able to protect themselves from this invasion. Requiring workers to show they are cizens and punishing employers who fail to verify is a good first step. And quit trying to blame Gov. Napolitano. Our conservative Republican legislature passed this law over the objections of the liberal Democrats in the legislature. Jack

I never crimp. My Hornady bullets are always seated with the cannelure showing. I don't think crimping is necessary, but bullet seating depth seems to have some effect on accuracy, but then again it's probably more important that the cartridges feed smoothly. A slight increase in accuracy isn't going to make up for a jam. Of course if you shoot a single shot or make the first shot count that's not an issue. Jack

Thx, Jim. That pretty much shoots down my theory that the late hunt has pushed back the rut, although my theory that the deer have gotten more nocturnal with multiple hunts may still be viable. Incidentally, I have your book and gave several copies as Christmas gifts last year. It's a great addition to the literature on Coues deer. Jack

Lark is right again. A .270 is all anyone needs. Jack

I attended and testified at the hearing on Monday. The judge granted the temporary injunction keeping the road open. The judge's secretary told me this morning that the trial will be in January. One bad thing about this case is that the Mrs. Tapia is representing herself, which means the case may end up not having much value as precedent, except in Graham County unless it is appealed and a higher court rules on the issues being raised. (Maybe we shld get together a fund so she can hire an attorney and appeal it so we get a ruling from a higher court which would be binding throughout the state and not just in Graham County.) In any event we should thank the plaintiffs, including a nearby landowner, the Desert Bighorn Society and two other individuals who went to the trouble and expense to proceed with this suit. In case you want to know more and follow the case, it is: Pacheco vs. Stewart Title and Trust of Tucson(the trustee under a deed of trust) and Norma Tapia, Graham County Superior Court Case No. CV2007-279. Jack (Former Graham County Attorney)

That's a good question. It's partly because no one was willing to step up to the plate. Recently the access guy for AZGFD spent a day or two searching the records in Graham County and put together a pretty convincing record showing the road's history. About the same time some hunters got an attorney to get the case going. The state, as I understand it, had no standing to sue and the County has taken a hands off stance from the beginning even though it is appears to be their road.

As you can see from my bio, I've been around for a long time and the issue that concerns me most affecting our deer hunting is access to public lands. With all the budget cuts of the past 20-30 years none of the agencies which could aquire rights of way by eminent domain or build roads around private land to federal or state land have the funds to do so. The result is that when a landowner or subdivider decides to block access there is little that can be done to remedy the situation and once one owner blocks access the others in the area often follow suit because of the added traffic across their land. As you may know, there are several prime whitetail ranges in Southern Arizona that are virtually locked up, including the Whetstones, Dos Cabezas and others. It's a crying shame we have so much beautiful public land in Arizona that was wide open when I was a kid that is now totally unavailable to its owners, that is to you and me, who own the public lands. We need to stay on this issue and do what we can to protect the access we have and try to encourage public agencies who have access to Heritage Funds and othe funding sources to keep up the fight on our behalf. Jack

That road has been a public road for more than 100 years according to research by AZGFD. There shld be no eminent domain taking needed. The county shld have taken up this fight on behalf of its citizens 4 or 5 years ago when Ms. Tapia closed it. Jack

I understand the hearing for the temporary injunction will be held in the Clifton Courthouse beginning at 9:00 on the 17th. I've been asked to be one of the witnesses to testify abt the status of the road for the 25 years before Tapia locked the gate. I lived in Graham County for more than 25 years and used the road often. The hearing will be in Clifton because Judge Stauffer, of the Greenlee County Superior Court, is hearing the case and not the judge from Graham County, where the road is located. This may become an important case for the cause of public access to public lands. Gerry Perry, Matt Walton and others at Game and Fish shld be commended for the work they are doing in this case, expecially in light of the fact that Graham County officials have refused to do anything to keep this county road open since Tapia locked it up. Jack

OK, you guys, just rub it in. I used to love those December hunts with the rain and sleet and snow, and the big rutting bucks. But now, with a second mariage resulting in close to 40 grandkids and the chances of getting drawn next to nil, I opt for the earlier hunts. But I wish you well and will be thinking of you and the good old days of glassing into a brisk breeze and wondering where the bucks chasing the does were going to come out so I could intercept them. I was always thankful when they invented Gore-Tex so I could stay dry inside while the rain gear was keeping the rain on the outside. I hope to see pictures soon of the toads you bring back from your hunts. Good luck and take care. Don't waste the opportunity and settle for two point pencil necks. Jack

This may be a topic that's been discussed before. If so, I apologize. I read in the latest edition of AZ Wildlife Views a note about the Arizona Wildlife Council and the availability of a Wildlife Conservation license plate, which I, after visiting their website, promptlly ordered.. It looks to me like a good effort and one that coues hunters should support. The plates cost $27.40 the first year and $25.00 each year thereafter, with $17.00 going to fund the council. The council is made up of many groups who are in the forefront of the fight to advance and promote hunting and fishing in Arizona. Included are: AZ Elk Society, AZ Deer Assn., AZ Bowhunters Assn., AZ Desert Bighorn Sheep Soc., AZ Flycasters, AZ Trappers Assn., etc. The council is engaged in habitat projects, education and otherwise supporting and coordinating the interests of hunters and fishermen. You can learn more at www.arizonawildlifecouncil.org. What do you think? Does anyone have any experience with this organization or opinions about them? Jack

I may be nuts, but I believe the beginning of the rut has shifted to a later date since the late 70s, about when we started having the late rifle hunts. My recollection is that during the early years of the December hunts, when the permits often went begging, my brother and I would see rutting and sparring bucks everywhere we looked, but after a few years of three hunts a year the rutting activity seemed to start later, until now it's mainly after the first of the year. I'd like to know whether anyone agrees with that or if there have been any observations by the professionals to support or refute my opinion, as it is based solely on my own meagre experience. It may be, too, that the deer are more nocturnal and not so visible after the two earlier hunts. Jack

That's just part of what passes for hunting in this day. That's not hunting. Hunting is going out into the wilds, working your butt off, bringing all your scouting, spotting, stalking, and shooting skills to bear and, hopefully, harvesting a mature buck, unless you're a kid or a beginner, then caring for it and enjoying the prime venison and the memories as long as they last. It's not raising deer in an enclosure, even a large one, shooting deer over food plots, baiting them with "come here y'all" and all these other modern innovations and corruptions of the noble sport of big game hunting. In my opinion, many of the racks, although fortunately not yet the Coues racks, in the books should be disallowed as many of the present practices we see on the Outdoor Channel and other sites should not be considered "fair chase". It's not much different than shooting someone's cow in a pasture. Jack

Who cares what's politically correct. That doesn't seem to be much of an issue on this site unless it's really offensive. So--MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Another good reason to stick with the tried and true .270. Less than $15.00 a box at Wal-Mart. Jack

I'm 67 yrs old. CW.com is a major factor in my staying alive and beiing able to climb the mountains of my youth. Of course, I can only climb about a third as far as in my youth, but this site keeps me going from one whitetail season to the other. I'm already feeling bad that I didn't hold out for a bigger deer this year and planning how to get him in 2008. I feel the fever already and will be out looking for next year's buck during the rut. This site is a great source of information and enthusiasm. I feel like I know many of the regular contributors, and I do know some, but this is a great sport we share and without this site we'd never be able to share it so widely. This site definitely feeds the fever. Jack

As my grandkids would say, Way Cool!!!. The video, the shot, the deer--the whole thing. Congratulations. Jack