donniedent

I bought climbing sticks this year because I found out that Prescott National Forest guys will fine you $75 per spike. The cool thing about the sticks is that you can pull them down and take em with you when you leave. I figure 10 spikes at $75 a piece ain't worth it. Instead I paid $39.99 for sticks. The peace of mind is worth it. The Forest Service guy told me it wasn't because of tree damage, it was because guys leave them in the tree then the forset service comes to thin the forest a bit and the spikes cause severe damage to equipment and service workers. I would call the office for the forest you're hunting in and get someone to tell you its OK, then take there name and badge number to the feild with you, then the guy that trys to give you a ticket can't say zip. Good luck to everyone!!! Donnie

I know this is mainly a coues forum but I was wonder if someone might help me out. I've got a question for you guys. Do muleys make scrapes on the ground like whitetails? If so do they only make them during the rut or do they make them all year. The reason I'm asking is because I put a mineral lick out near where I plan on setting up a stand and I found what I believe to be 3 different scrapes within 15 yards of the lick. They were areas about a foot and a half around and had fresh sign in them (scat). They were all at the base of trees, 2 pines and a juniper. At first I thought they were eating the juniper berries, but then I found the other 2 under the pines. Now I don't know what to think. What do you guys think?? thx, Donnie

Thx for the reply. Yeah, I was kinda bewildered. I thought at first they might be pawing at the bases of these trees looking for small shoots of grass or something. Thats probably what is was. Well its good to see action right below my stand!!!! I'll tell you what though, they are hammering my mineral lick! I used a liquid type product and I cleared an 8 foot circle to pour the stuff into and they've dug it down about 4 inches in 1 month. I'm gonna put a camera on it over the weekend and see whats coming in. Man I love hunting, the preparation, the excitement of seeing your spot getting hit, wondering whats hitting it, lets just hope we can add an Elk tag to the mix and it'll be a heck of a year. Good luck on the draw. Donnie

I know that some of the Arizona "locals" can be a little tight-lipped about good spots to hunt in this fine state so I've decided to spill the beans! Mule Deer- Mule deer are found state wide but most hunters want that coveted Arizona strip tag. If you happen to draw a strip tag get away from the crowds and HUNT EAST! As you are heading north out of Flagstaff make a right where you see the sign for Tuba City. Take that road about 50 miles East Northeast and you'll come to a place called Black Mesa. Park anywhere you see a huge version a mud pie with a satilite dish on top and a brand new Chevy truck parked outside. The locals are used to seeing hunters so don't bother stopping in and saying high. They won't mind. Coues Whitetails- 2B, 2B, 2B.... No place better to find the Grey Ghost! Great for spot and stalk... nice and open. Elk- There are some real giants in this state but if you want a really big bull... head for Winslow. There is a hunt in 5A just north of Winslow not even the locals know anything about. You'll think you've stumbled onto the Yellowstone herd. There is a Motel 6 north of I-40. Get a room there and you won't even need your truck.... just start walking north. Antelope- Don't even put in for them, there are 4 left in the state and they never score over 25 inches. Javalina- Anywhere in North Scottsdale. Mountain Lion- Sabino Canyon, look for anyone eating a granola bar and tell them "I want to kill a cat!!!!!" Fishing There is only one good lake to fish in Arizona..... Horseshoe Lake. Yep I said it locals... I SPLLED the beans. There is no limit on this lake for anything you catch! If you catch a Razorback Sucker or a Colorado Pikeminnow KEEP THEM! Take them in to Arizona Game and Fish for weighing and then ring the dinner bell baby.... excellent tablefare! Remeber hunters..... Be safe and always keep a sense of humor!!!

Quick update on the "secrets" list! Desert Bighorns- Silver Bell Mtn area, stop in and see the local rancher for info. Tell him you want a shot at ole' pink eye!!!

I like that I'm not alone in the way I feel but it won't get any better. The amount of people that are moving to AZ everyday is staggering. And they bring thier politics with them. These newcomers mostly from the east and alot of whom are liberals will re-elect "Pat" Napolitano and she'll put together a board that will look for more ways to make money instead of looking out for the welfare of the hunters and the wildlife. My wife and I decided last night that we are moving to Wyoming (she's a native) and not only because of this issue but many others. I think they ought to rename the state Calizona. Get used to things like $35 fishing liceances and $350 elk tags. Look for liberals to capitalize on our wildlife and put more money toward the mountain lions so they can desimate Couse populations. All but 4 years in the Marine Corps I've lived here, 31 years, but its time for me to leave. Target date is sometime in May. Shoot if I make enough money I'll probably have a better chance of getting drawn here as a non-resident. Pretty sad! Oh well, life is such! Good luck to all of you. Donnie

I actually thought that might be the reason they didn't do the non-commercial thing. Well we don't want to hurt the taxidermists thats for sure. This state is going to heck in a handbasket and its getting worse every year. More idiots in the woods. I gotta compete with some eastern "elk hunter" (i use the term very loosely) for an elk tag in the state my family has been in for 7 generations. Freakin' joke!!! My wife and I have been seriously considering moving to Wyoming and this might just be the kicker. A resident there can buy a bull tag over the counter for I think around $50. Why in heck do I still live in this eastern liberal overun California copycat piece of shoot place still? I love Arizona as a place but as a state it sucks!!! They should come out with Arizona native bonus points!!! Greedy bastards! I gotta go I'm pissed.

I had the distinct privledge of witnessing the next great wave of archery hunting last weekend. I'm sure some of you have heard of this method and probably seen it in action but it was new to me. While glassing up some promising deer across a canyon up on Big Bug mesa Sun. morning I saw the most amazing thing. I was hunting my own feeble way of getting out on foot and walking for at least a 1/2 mile to my glassing point then hopefully catching a glipse of a buck and then and only then plan a stalk. Well I guess I've got it all wrong. As I sat planning a possible stalk I saw 3 innovative hunters on 2 quads drive down through the middle of the canyon I was glassing over, see the same deer I saw, jump of thier quads and persue the the majestic Mule deer on foot. Though they weren't successful on that attempt, I'm sure they will be with the new "spot and chase" method. Leaps and bounds guys, leaps and bounds. I think Eastmans is planning to commit a whole issue to this new method in Jan. Really though. I have nothing against quads but in the wrong hands they can sure ruin a day if not a whole trip. On a lighter note. Big Bug mesa was beautiful. In three days I saw 23 deer in 6 different groups 8 of which were either spikes of forks. No large bucks, they probably felt the same way i did about the quads. If you like quiet and privacy don't go up there, way too many idiots. Mon. about 11 o'clock the pistol shooters should up and made sure the Deer wouldn't come back out till... well today I think, anyway good times, tough times its all about hunting in the great state of Arizona!!! Got door dings call Donniedent at Midway Chevy collision!

P.S. I have no issue with utilizing a quad to get closer without having to take the truck in. There are some unmaitained roads that can be heck on a truck. My problem is with the road hunters... no I take that back..... the trail hunters. Get your butts off the bikes and hunt. How would I go about petitioning the NFS to get Big Bug mesa turned into a wilderness area.... any ideas??

Yeah I've seen those too. I think with the influx of "new" hunters there are even more interesting things yet to come. Its a tough call sometimes though. If my grandad were to get drawn for the cow hunt he wants, he would deffinately need some other mode of transportation due to 3 hip replacements so I can understand how some guys need them. On the other hand if you are young enough to get in good shape and get off your butt and hunt like the indians, you'd better do it or you'll never feel the satisfaction of getting your butt kicked for 5 days then finally have the work pay off. Or maybe not pay off but at least you did your best. The good thing is that the quad guys will never get to see what we see and they'll never know the country like we know it and they'll never know about those certain little springs that are 5 miles from any road so maybe there is a good side. If the National Forest Service gets these new offroad laws passed I think we'll see alot less of the lazy ones out thier which is good for everyone. Anyway.... thats my 2 cents.

Oh, they were on a little quad track. I'm sure it was perfectly legal. Just a lille disturbing to witness. And I would love to see it become a wilderness area. The roads aren't maintained up there so there are little 2 tracks going every which way every time there is a new mud hole. Parts of the mesa are beautiful and some look like crap. I think in this case they should resrtrict road travel but certainly not in every case out there. Like I said, quads are a great hunting tool and I have nothing against them but don't abuse the privledge.

Ya think???

P.S. The forest service should strongly consider making Big Bug Mesa a wilderness area. Awsome place with great potential, lots of deer and too many people!!!

Little tidbit for you guys. I found a 3x shed about 3 weeks ago in the Bradshaws. I think he'd go about 85 inches depending on the spread. (only found one) The real problem right now up there isn't lack of water (this year) they've had a ton, its water cahments and holes. The north end of the range has a few but compared to the size of the area I don't thinks enough. Lots and Lots of hikers too.

Planned on hunting 20a for mulies. Had it all scouted and saw alot of deer then I talked to about 10 different guys who are planning on hunting not only that unit but the same area (within a mile or 2). Change of plans... heading to a little area I know about in 17a. If that doesn't work out I have a november deer hunt in unit 10. I'd much rather get one with a bow though!!!

Maybe selfish was a little much. Sorry. All I'm trying to do is give a different perspective. I guess I was reacting more to what I'm hearing "out in town" than what I've read here. I just don't like to see a "hurry up and put a bandaid on a broken arm" mentallity. Sorry if I offended anyone... I'm here for the same reasons you are good luck with the archery hunts everyone.

Maybe I'm assuming too much but my guess is that you guys have all had plenty of opprotunities to hunt in this fine state as have I. Lets stop being selfish. What our real concern should be is our kids. Lets push G&F to implement some lasting legislation that will protect our childrens chance to get drawn. My Kids are 7 and 3 and they are 7th generation Arizona natives. I can't think of anybody who deserves to get drawn more than the next generation who haven't even had the chance to put in for a hunt let alone hunt. Quick fixes aren't what we need. We need lasting legislation that will protect the rights of our kids and grandkids. I have a good friend that has been very lucky with his Elk hunting drawing several tags in his life and he told me that he didn't care if he ever got drawn again as long as his kids got the same opprotunities he did. THATS THE ATTITUDE WE NEED GUYS. If I get drawn for archery bull in unit 9 next year, great but I'd rather see it happen to my son in 12 years. Donnie

Hey Guys... I'll be hunting unit 10 in the Nov. deer hunt and unit 17a early arhery. My father-in-law gave me his beat up old chevy with Wyoming tags as a hunting truck and i won't get the tags changed till next year.... please don't slash my tires ..... I'm a 6th generation Arizonan.... and as pissed off as you guys... i even got the "say no to the uso" bumper sticker. I really am a little worried about it.... maybe I'll take my plates off when I'm not by the truck... lol oh well... just my luck. Any other Ideas?????