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Man that is awesome! Congratulations on your archery lion!

My .270 has killed mule deer, pronghorn, desert bighorn, and bull and cow elk. I think it's the perfect western big game rifle. Edit: Just went back and read that you are mostly going for WT and Javi. Given that I would not overlook a .243. We're talking critters around 100 lbs. That is plenty of gun for that purpose. No need for a magnum or even a long action rifle. Nick

Congratulations! What an honor for you and your deer!

Nothing like a nice bull and a scope bite to go with it! Cool story, congratulations on your first bull elk! Nick

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Heffelfinger will be a good resource, but this Wildlife Biologist has to go with the lumpers on this. There is only one species of WT deer in AZ and that is Coues. Nick

With 350 tags this year Unit 1 is going to be a zoo the first week! I think you guys made the right choice to hunt this unit first, then Unit 1. I don't have any real input about 4A but any early archery elk hunt in Arizona is a good one! Good Luck! Nick

We put on some Youth camps down our way but I thing a frame pack might be a bit much for doves and quail, LOL! I think AES will put good use to them if that is how it works out. Nice gesture MRAAA!

Not sure but it looks like you guys camped where I did when I had my hunt in 2010. Did you get nightly visits from a Kit Fox? Great video. Congrats to the young man.

I'll guess 17...nice pronghorn right there!

I have two Fenix lights. One takes 2 CR123 camera batteries. It is bright and lasts forever. The second is a mini that takes one AAA. It is kinda more like a back up, but it still casts one heck of a beam for a tiny little light. I highly recommend Fenix lights. I also use a Petzl head lamp. It is my go to light for sure but is nowhere near as bright as my Fenix. Can't beat hands free though. Maybe try the best of both worlds, a Fenix headlamp.

I hope you kill a monster Bruce! Good Luck! Nick

6B 2006, got it done on an elk hunt and was just hanging out in camp and enjoying my time off with some meat chilling in the cooler. I decided it was time to get a good washing. Was standing in the middle of my camp butt naked on my floormat doing the scrubjob. A couple came driving by and I just waved at them. I might have "messed up their hunt"! LOL! Nick

Fulch, I'm a Yuma native. Every couple of months I'll actually almost hit one of those dang Chinese chickens on my way to work, LOL! Ernesto is a great resource. Let me know if you come down for a scouting trip or something. I might be willing to tag along. One word of advice to get you started...COTTON! Nick

I completely concur with Amanda on this one. Those brands are close enough on features, etc. Go with the one that fits YOUR feet the best! Nick

Does anyone have any experience with the Selkirk Spike Tent from the Wall Tent Shop? I just noticed this tent as an option for a canvas shelter that can accept a wood stove, and sets up easier than your typical wall tent with internal frame. They come in three sizes 10x10, 12x12, and 14x14. Sewn-in floor, 4 ft walls, two doors with storm flaps, two screened windows, stove jack, aluminum frame. I can't find ANY reviews on this tent, good or bad. Thoughts on Wall Tent Shop out of Idaho in general? Anyone know where their tents are sewn (I'm guessing China for the price)? I've posted on this topic before but I can't seem to figure out or decide what I want/need. My must haves are: includes or can accept a stove jack (1st priority), easy to set up for 1 person (this is HUGE), stand up room (I'm 5'9" tall barefoot), room for two small cots or one Slumberjack Big Cot for truck camps. Lightweight and backpackable are bonus, but not an absolute requirement. Things like screen windows to move breezes through the tent are bonus, but not an absolute requirement. Pretty sure I lean towards floorless over a shelter that includes a floor for this one. I really prefer Made in USA, if possible. I also have checked out Davis Tent extensively, and for a full wall tent they seem to be the ticket, but I often move camp every few days or don't hunt for more than 3 days many times. I feel that a full wall tent would be more trouble than it is worth for the majority of my trips. For 10-14 day elk hunts near the truck, I can't find anything better. A 10x12 looks good, a 12x14 is likely overkill for most situations. Made in USA. I have looked into the Kifaru for their lightweight shelters (6 man tipi, Sawtooth). A lot of times I think I have decided on a Sawtooth, but hard to tell if it will work without seeing it up close. Same with the 6 Man tipi. I am also considering Seek Outside and their shelters. They also have a 6 man tipi and a BackCountry Shelter, which is similar to the Sawtooth. Seek Outside has a few features I like better than Kifaru but they don't have the Kifaru reputation quite yet, but I can't find any negative reviews on their stuff. These tents are very expensive and will be really tight space wise compared to the other options out there. Made in USA. Springbar/Kodiak Canvas type canvas tents...I did some research on this previously and found out that Springbar could put in a stovejack, but now that has changed they say that the tent moves too much for a stove and wouldn't really help with that anymore. I can have a local sewing outfit put in a stove jack or I can probably glue one in myself. Not sure if this is 100% safe but I don't know if having fire in any flammable tent, canvas or nylon, is 100% safe regardless. You always have to be careful of fire. I saw TxTrapper's posts on another site from a few years ago, but haven't heard much follow up info. Tried to contact him with a PM recently but "no dice". Made in USA (Springbar) and China (Kodiak). Cabela's Alaknak 12x12 or Bighorn III. Seems like a good blend of a lot of great features, but bad for condensation, still pretty heavy, and will take a while to put up and take down for one guy. Montana Canvas has a Spike Tent very similar to the Alaknak (USA). Alaknak/Bighorn are Made in China. Anyone have any experience or thoughts they would like to share? Any other tents that I am leaving out and should consider? Thanks, Nick

If you are paying anybody for guide services, be sure they have a guide's license! I would just forget what your buddies tell you and hunt for yourself. Your success down the road will be even sweeter.

Sleeping systems and packs themselves are great ways to save weight. For game bags I now use the Caribou Gear bags. They are lightweight and re-usable.

I keep a Van Dyke or Goatee or whatever you call hair on the lip and chin, all year long. I let the "joe dirt" grow in for hunting season.

Thanks metau, thats a great post right there!

When I had 13A for pronghorn the only deer I saw were on the S end. Its the real definition of "Big Country". Gas up the truck, throw in an extra spare, plug kit, and lots of water and go check it out! Good Luck, Nick

I may have to face the fact that one size might not fit all for me on this deal. I might want a tipi type for fast and light and a wall tent for long duty near the truck.

Jcubed, how many of your typical army style cots can you fit in your 6 man? Nick

Does anyone have anything to say about Wood Heated Tents, like the title of the thread suggests? Really hoping to hear if anyone has tried the Selkirk Spike tent or put a stove jack in a Springbar. Thanks, Nick

Right on, that sounds like a pretty cool adventure. Good Luck Josh!