BOHNTR

Coues Sniper: I use the Carlton Cat Paws. I prefer them over Bears Feet type stalkers, as they are lighter and much cooler on your feet in the early archery seasons. Here's a link to order them on-line: Cat Paws

Mr. Quimby: Well sir, I believe you misunderstood my statement. When I stated "a lot of 2-3 year bucks", what I should clarify is that of the bucks actually seen and scouted, most branch antlered bucks were only 2-3 year old deer at best. This carries over to the actual hunts, as well, since very few mature deer taken during the rifle hunt as compared to historical data captured by G&F from the 80's through the late 90's. The overall deer numbers are also at an all-time low. That, sir, is a huge problem when you're managing and advertising an area as a "trophy unit". If you are managing a trophy unit, that unit should support a fair representation of older age class deer as well as younger deer. From my days as a game warden I can share this with you as well. A herd that consists of mostly 2-3 year old deer is not always a good indication of a healthy herd in terms of game management. You must have older-age class animals as well. It can be, unfortunately, a sign of over-harvest and/or an area where severe winter-kill takes most older-age class deer. The later is not the issue on the Kaibab, in my opinion, which leaves you only one choice. Those of us on this board that have some historical knowledge of the Bab' understand its potential and ability to produce record class animals. Unfortunately, I believe the revenue and publicity generated from the junior doe hunts and over-amount of tags issued is directly related to the lowest population ever recorded on the plateau and the rarity of B&C class animals. Sorry to have to side-track the original posters thread, but I needed to answer Mr. Quimby.

In my opinion, the key to bowhunting the Kaibab Plateau is truly understanding what the deer are doing in terms of feeding and bedding. It took quite a few years to understand it (I've bowhunted it for close to 30 years) but once I understood what the deer were doing, it increased my success dramatically. I've found the best food source is lupine followed closely by buck brush. BOTH of these food sources grow on top of the flat ridges. They will also feed on older aspen leaves, but this is not a consistent food source. Once you understand where they're feeding (top of ridges) and bedding (darker timber off sides of ridges), then you'll have a better plan of still-hunting them. Scouting is key, as when you see quality bucks, they won't be far away (within a few ridges). Cool air blows down the ridges (in terms of elevation). I like to still hunt just off the top of the ridges with the wind in my face. About every 15-25 yards, I peek up on the top of the ridge and glass. I continue this process until I find a feeding buck I want to shoot or the thermals change and begin to blow up the ridges once the air warms. When that occurs, I walk across the flat ridges and hunt the opposite side of the ridge and hunt back to where I started. Since most of the ridges are flat and wide, you are basically hunting the other half of the ridge on a new hunt. If you're confident in the area (based on scouting) you'll increase your chances of getting a close shot at them. I was lucky enough to arrow a 203" non-typical buck that I saw a few times......I stuck with the area and ended up arrowing after two weeks of hunting him. Another thing to consider is to walk quietly. I NEVER still-hunt there without cat paws attached to by boots, which reduce noise significantly. Guys do sit water, but honestly, most of the BIG bucks do not make a habit of visiting water holes during daylight hours. If they did, they'd never make it past 3 years old, as they'd get whacked beforehand. If you're happy with any buck, a water source will be a place to sit. I have not hunted the Bab' the last few years (been hunting CO), however, I scout it annually. In my opinion, its deer herd is in trouble. A lot of 2-3 year old bucks and very few mature deer (compared to years past). I'll save my points until it recovers. But you never know, you could find that one giant still roaming there.......that's what makes it a magical place. Hope it helps.....good luck and hope you stick a nice one!

trophyhnter: Thank you, sir. Yeah, I do the January archery hunt every year.......I've arrowed a few desert bucks over the last couple seasons and a few in Colorado. Been pretty darn lucky is all. Just haven't posted them up lately on some of the boards.....some folks these days seem to take them the wrong way. I like the AZ elk hunt.......fairly easy terrain (for elk), usually quite a few elk encounters, and fun times with my two hunting partners......only 5 hours from home too!

Looks like I'll be chasing bull elk in September........my fourth NR bull tag since 1993.....no complaints here. Looks like a few bonsai scouting trips in Julu are in order to check my usual spots.

Gorgeous buck.....BIG TIME congratulations!

Way to go.......those desert bucks aren't easy with a bow. Congratulations!

Nice looking desert buck......I'd estimate him in the 150's. Good luck trying to let the air out of him.

I use a T-handle style......TruBall 360ST

Sweet buck......congratulations!

Way to go man on getting it done! Nice buck too.

VERY nice buck.....congratulations. He'll definitely make the P&Y minimum for typical.......even after deductions!

That is a huge accomplishment young man......congratulations. Heck, I've been bowhunting for over 30 years now......and about 35 years older than you and I JUST NOW arrowed my first Coues buck a week ago. You've got a great foundation young man, keep up the passion and hunting for the right reasons and thanks for sharing.

Awesome buck man.....congratulations!

Gorgeous looking Coues buck......congratulations.

Lots of good captures Lance......I saw quite a few bucks that size up on the plateau a few weeks ago. A lot of 2.5 / 3.5 year old bucks. If those bucks and can make it through two more years it would be awesome once again. They sure are loving that burn aren't they?

Heck of a nice deer in the video......good luck to you on trying to get him.

Heat: No tag for me this year up there.....just put in for a bonus point. I scouted it last year and this year just to see if it's gotten better to where I would go back next year. Still haven't decided that yet. If you're happy with these size bucks, you should have a fun hunt, as I saw quite a few of this caliber: Notice the purple flowers (Lupine): The low growing shrub (olive colored) the buck is feeding on is buck brush:

You're right Allen. What so contradictory is the fact that Mr. Buck recently said at a meeting that the body fat taken from wintering Kaibab deer was the highest it's ever been on record. Yet, they say the winter range is in bad shape??? He was asked how that was possible......he had no real answer. I'm beginning to think that if they ever made the common mosquito a big game animal, its numbers would be at an all-time low in ten years.

I just got back from the Bab' after scouting it for five days with the family. I was fairly disappointed with the quality of bucks there. I saw plenty of 130-140" type bucks, but after five days of scouting and covering a lot of good areas, I only saw three bucks over 180". One was a giant non-typical that I found in a low country area (6000' elevation) I used to bowhunt years ago. Lots of feed everywhere on the plateau including the low country. The burn held quite a few deer.....just not the quality that should be in there, IMO. Talked to the biologist up there......the herd is estimated to be about 8000 deer.....that's pretty sad, IMO. They'll be a few nice deer taken (as usual), but to those of us who remember what it was like in the 80's and 90's, it was sad to see it in it's current state.

Nice.....

When I arrowed my AZ Strip buck in 2008 it was rubbed out on opening day......August 22nd.

Well, I've arrowed most of my alpine mule deer in the late afternoon.......they'll usually get up about 3:00 pm to start feeding. If you've watched them bed from afar, you should be able to get into position, with the wind right, by the time they get up to feed. Keep after it and have a good time up there.

Here's some "North of the River Muley's" I've arrowed over the years:

That unit (and 55) lost about 70% of their deer herd in the 07/08 winter. According to a buddy of mine who backpacks both units all summer long, it has been VERY slow to recover. Bowls he used to see 15-20 bucks in have been almost vacant the last few seasons. He's seen a few decent bucks, but nothing like it was prior to the winter kill. Be prepared to be extremely mobile (backpack) in order to locate deer. Beautiful country for sure.