coues

This is a subject near to my heart. I've hunted big game seriously for 20 years in AZ. I filled every tag I had, (as many as 5) for several years in a row. I put a few animals in both books. I did some guiding and had good success. Then it happened. I got burned out. Everybody became trophy hunters overnight. The magazines started putting numbers on every animal. Any elk under 400", or mule deer under 30" wide is a dink. The tags have gotten so hard to draw you have to rely on someone in your circle of friends to draw something so you can even go. It wasn't until I found the pure joy of pointing dogs that I got my enthusiasm back. Nothing compares to watching your dog do what he was breed to do with such enthusiasm. The days and miles in the field create such a bond... a team. I find myself looking at the sunrise again. I enjoy every mile more. I can go where I want, when I want. I don't have to rely on the dog's work schedule to make my plans. The small successes matter. A dog on point, a difficult find, or a long uphill retreive can highlight the trip. It's not any easier, at least not for me. I put more miles in on my quail hunts than I do on my big game hunts. I'm still learning. I miss the days when hunting big game wasn't about how big, or even if you tagged one. It was about the experience. Shaking off the crust of the city, and spending time with good friend around a campfire. For me, I've found my passion for the outdoors again. I still hunt big game, but now my season isn't based on whether I draw anything. I consider that a bonus. I always have my 20 gauge, and my dog.

Hey Scottyboy, congratulations on your experience. I don't mean to sound inflamatory, but we've reported seeing groups on illegals twice in 2 years, and in both cases we we're recieved with apathetic responses. In one case we set up on a hill off a main road with a group of 20 or so in our sight waiting for the BP to arrive. They never showed. This was very close to where you were. I believe you guys work hard. I see you guys everywhere when I'm down there, but I don't understand why nobody showed up to catch these people when it would have been so easy. I've heard several similar reports from some of my buddies. Just curious.

Thought I'd throw this out here and see if anyone knows about this buck. I crossed paths with a very nice whitetail buck on Monday in unit 8 with an arrow in it. This buck was above average, I'm guessing around 95 inches. He looked to be a typical 3 point with uneven brow tines. I'd be happy to share where I saw him if you're the guy looking for him. Just describe the arrow and I'll let you know where you might find him. I tried to finish him off, but couldn't close the deal. He was hit high, above the back bone and seemed to be close to dying. I think he's probably really close to where I saw him last. I'd just like to see the deer go to to the person he belongs to. Gary

I'm amazed. I see so many posts asking "where" to hunt, when they should be asking HOW to hunt. This applies to all species, but especially to Coues deer. The short answer is, get the best vantage point in the dark that you can, and glass your butt off! All of the southern units, and most of the northern units that offer whitetail tags have decent populations of deer. Rather than try and glom onto someone elses spot, go out and develope your own!