SunDevil

it will be a long, long time before the G&F gets any vindication on this site. they manage for opportunity. most of us on here would prefer to see a little more quality but the dept did their survey and asked their questions in a certain way to solicit certain responses and now they are able to site their survey as scripture and that 60% of the respondants want to have the opportunity to hunt something. it has been my observation that some high quality bucks were taken on the archery hunt, the first junior hunt and the first general rifle hunt. yes there were some exceptions to this on the second general rifle hunt but if you do a little research you will see that most of these second season bucks were taken way back in (1 - 2 hour hikes in) away from hunting pressure from the previous hunts. if someone wants true quality in AZ for coues, I think you will find that it will take some good ole shoe leather or hunting in the heat (archery - oct). oh - and a good pair of swarovski binoculars

Westy - please keep in mind that the previous 2 posters are Leicars. this may have something to do with the number of bucks they saw (or rather didn't see) on their hunts.

one more I forgot about

here are a couple for you

that's a nice buck for sure and it looks like some rough, thick nasty country where you got him from. good job and thanks. for sharing!

that is, as they say, totally awesome!

great bucks! always good to see an ex-lurker converted and getting on the board.

there is a lot of info on this forum that will help you out. you could spend days researching stuff on here and still only scratch the surface. AZ G&F also has a lot of info on the units, draw stats, estimated success stats, etc. get out this spring and spend a little time in the hills. bucks do not drop their antlers until the end of Apr beginning of May. Feb - Apr is a perfect time to be out in the field scouting for next year, learning roads, etc. good luck!!!

here is a pic I took last weekend.

two o clock from the circle is where you can see the face of the buck. he is probably a low ninties buck (90 - 95). he bedded down next to the single trunked mesquite at nine o clock from the circle at 7:30 am right in the sun! after about 30 minutes he rebedded to the spot where he is in this picture. then about 15 minutes after that he went further up into the shade at two o clock from the circle and I could not see him then.

sorry to hear about this Scott - sometimes it really does seem like "when it rains it pours". our thoughts are with you and your family. chris.

nice job Garret - next year we will be looking for a coues buck in your success pic.

so the important things on this are to 1) do not change the magnification when you change from 200 to 300 yards. you can change when you move from 100 but once you start using the BDC you need to think of your scope as a fixed power scope. decide what power you want to be using when you use the BDC and stick to it. changing powers will throw the ability to use the circles out the window. 2) the circles are only reference points. you need to shoot your gun at different yardages and use the top, middle and bottom of the circles to find out which one of those is the right horizontal reticle for your gun and cartridge. once I got mine figured out I was shooting a 2.5 inch group at 400 yards. not as nice as the turetts people are using now adays but a good 2nd option non the less. good luck. chris.

lets see what the public thinks!

as always - great pics Doug! just one question - did you glass any bucks up in preparation for your upcoming deer hunt in 2 weeks?

here is an oldie but goodie. does this qualify as other big game? not exactly sure the year but I think it was 1981 and I think this king weighed 45 lbs. caught from shore with spinning gear and a fly. this was the 2nd biggest king my dad ever caught. years later he caught a 52 pounder from shore with spinning gear. all the fishing we did on the kenai river from a boat and the biggest kings we caught were from shore in other rivers. go figure.

was wondering the same thing last night? who is going to be the first to post a pic from todays hunt and how big will it be? don't think Casey is going to be wirelessly connected on his pack in hunt with Scottyboy in unit 32.

Tome mucha agua. Hará calor. Usted sudará sus pelotas lejos.

Feliz Cumpleanos senor Phil!!!

sportsmans had the danner instigators on sale for $119. broke down and got a pair. they seemed to have a little more durable leather than most of the low rise danner boots. I know the pronghorns are very popular but I do not prefer boots that go up that high. we will see.

Scottyboy - is that a pic of Michelle Obama for your avatar?

I do not wear Danners but from what I have heard they are not the same boots they use to be. I guess you can get made in USA Danner's and ones that are not. there are only a few models that are made in the USA and they are on avg about +30% more expensive (over $200 vs under $200). I know the Pronghorns are very popular. I do not like wearing boots that go up that high.

well it looks like the people have spoken

last year a 402" bull was taken just outside of Willcox. it was taken on opening day and was with some cows. his buddy had another tag and hunted the rest of the hunt and never saw another elk. sorry but I can't help you out because those guys have the same tag this year.

Toad for sure - isn't it amazing how qtring away pics always make bucks look the biggest. I know this is the case for coues and antelope. not sure about carp or elk but I am guessing the same holds true.