Redman

Coues7, don't take this as a personal attack on you, but I've hunted these southern units in Oct and Nov the last 5 years and I have absolutely loved it. Now, with the proposed changes there are going to be less tags in the early hunts than the prior years (since tags are shifting to Dec) isn't that what most hunters wanted? It seems like the G&F has listened. I am by no means close to being a wildlife biologist and I doubt 98% of us on this website are, not all comments made by the ignorant public can possibly be accommodated. I would like to review the 300 comments as Dave has to see the contrasting ideas (good and dumb). But from what I have read on other states wildlife departments, the Arizona Game and Fish is doing an above average job managing the wildlife in our state. Just look at what is happening in Washington and see the "starving elk on Mt. St. Helen's" for a good comparison. Redman

Am I reading this right, the December WT tags in the southern units are increasing, some by 100 to 125 tags? I am also glad there are going to be more junior hunts in the southern units this year, since my son will be going on his first hunt this year. The Nov archery elk tag fiasco is no longer on the books. Be interesting to see what will happen with the Sept jav hunts. I got a kick out of the QA of " Consider increasing the number of mountain lions that can be harvested from the southwestern units from 1 to 2." "There has not been a lion harvested in this area since 1981". Where are all the lion hunter at? We all should pay attention, under every species somebody wrote "All ______ hunting should be banned". Redman

Your right it would make sense to put a new one up and only time will tell. Redman

The version in the link is from Nov 2005, is there a more current version? I thought based on feedback from Arizona Bowhunters, the proposed were going to change (that happened in Jan-Feb the Nov document wouldn't have those changes). Redman

Sure would like to be able to call that number, just can't get the deer to participate. Redman

Dave Just make sure you don't use the "Pampered Chef" brand one like I did. My wife had a cow. I would also second or third the wraps, if blazer vanes are used, they seem to stick better with the wraps, plus cleaning the arrows is a "little" less important. Blazers with whisker biscuit are

I would agree its just as easier to get arrow cut to length from where you buy them from. Fletching is simple. I use the Arizona Easy Fletch (only one I have owned) and can fletch a dozen in less than an hour. Couple of tips I know. use a potato peeler to remove old flecthings. Clean the shaft really well with soap and water. I use blazer vanes with fletch tight glue and they rarely come off. Redman

I am wondering how everybody else is doing chasing pigs, I have been out 4 full days and have not seen one (I keep getting sidetracked with deer), but usually I can find one. Been in different areas in 33 and 37B with no luck...yet. Still plenty of time, let me know how your doing. Redman

Full blown rut today in 33, all does had bucks with them, all little bucks were by themselves. No chance with the dry conditions is sounds like I am walking on broken sticks all day. I may as well have a bull horn today announcing were I was. It is so dry, we need some rain. Redman

WOW you have been busy, I was waiting to see a picture of a huge buck, but that will probally be next week

coueselk, You write the coolest stories and post awesome pictures. Its easy to tell you REALLY love being out their. Congratulations on two dandy bucks. Redman

Just took the survey, it took about 4 minutes. thanks for working on this. Redman

Greetings, I have a son that will turn 10 this year and need to acquire a rifle for him. I am strongly looking at a 243. He is not a big kid, he may weigh 70 pounds next season. Any recommendations? Redman

One thing that has helped me with shooting downhill is ranging something that is parallel to me above where the animal is. Example: it ranges at 38 yds, but parrallel to me it will ranges at 30 yds, I then use my 30 yd pin. Redman

I say cancel the rifle hunt and keep the archery hunt or move the Dec rifle hunt to August. Redman

You know being from San Manuel and competing with those Safford boys you tend to take what they say with a grain of salt. But a picture is worth a 1000 words. That is one awesome buck. Are you sure that thing did not come from Texas? Redman

Megahunter6969 This year my father in law was stooped by a warden in unit 33. The warden and him glassed together and the warden found a small buck and asked if he wanted to go after it with him. Due to health issues my father in law cannot walk off road and had to decline (he has a champ permit). I was not there when this happened, but my father in law was extremely impressed with the warden and could not believe how friendly he was and how willing to help. Not that my father in law experiences help you in any way, but as with any organization there are good, average, and bad employees. I disagree with you and the management statement and all they want is our money. I feel they are doing a reasonable good job and are looking our for the AZ resident. Redman

Thanks for all the responses and specs (Bill Q). I'm been to the Sportsman's Warehouse a couple of times and they do not currently have any youth rifles (the have 22's and shotguns). I would like to put one on layaway and pay for it (after X-mas). My son's birthday is in June and his present will be a rifle and scope for hunting. I now believe in buy good stuff the first time so he will be getting a quality setup. With all the new short magnums (223, 243, 270) who knows what he will get. Redman

Mag, I know this sounds like a dump, but I would spend some time on the Arizona Game and Fish website and read the unit hunt reports. The reports are accurate and will get you to some great deer hunting places. I have used their recommendations many times to venture to a unit I have never hunted before. This allows me to "get" to an area then I pick the hill and terrain I like to hunt. Just as an FYI the 36 units are beautiful, but I would make sure if you are camping to secure your stuff with the immigration problem. Redman

Got both my tags today Redman

Two dandy bucks. Great Job Redman

I think the rules are different for state and federal land (I learned in the hunter safety course in Aug) You can drive on state land but not off federal. I am not 100% sure, but in the case you mentioned, I would probably drive off road and take my chances unless there was something in the way that I would cause significant damage to. I am not sure who can ticket you also, I don't think the game and fish could (only forest service??). Redman

Just awesome and I'm happy I could help. Redman

Great story as usual, and congratulations Alex. Dad you deserve a round of applause for taking your kids hunting (as with all other parents that do). I can't wait until next year when my son can hunt. Redman

http://www.skulltaxidermy.com/ Intresting site.