CouesPursuit

So let's say you have a fast shooting modern archery rig, does that play into effect whether or not you try to shoot into the lower percentage shot like that? It's a Coues, their scapulas aren't that thick, play a role?

Fantastic, I didn't have my own photos of any antlered animals with such a great pose. I look forward to reading replies!

Patrick I wouldn't take that shot quite yet, but I would be full drawn, pin set and ready for that shooter to me to make a really bad mistake, similar to oz31p's opinion of opening up a bit with that back leg as I'd want to put the arrow just left of his left hind quarters current shadow, center mass.

Completely agree, but it can't hurt to stimulate some 'before the play' thinking. There are still way too many people with the 'if arrows ain't flyin' mindset and many that could learn a thing or two from some of the experience guys and gals on this site. The usefulness of this thread is entirely dependent on its posters. Maybe no one replies and I look like an idiot, but I'd have no shame in trying.

I thought about next time trying to drill a hole straight down the middle of a full block and hammer a piece of rebar about a foot in the ground and sticking 6 inches above the block so it can't be moved! Thoughts? Top photo is the buck I killed in January, he moved the salt block just before the trail camera got the photo off and you can see the dark area the block was laying over. He is all over it, doesn't make contact with the block once during his 15 minute stay. Bottom photo is a group of mule doe who again kick the block around. You can see they are each licking a dark area where the block used to be. These animals continue to kick it around and all visit on a weekly basis, I would never try to make the block unmovable. But that's just me!

I really like the set-up of your second block with room for a deer or two to work around it at the same time. The first block however, IMO, is set pretty close to that creosote and a long tined buck in velvet may not like to scratch on that brittle shrub, as it does look like you're in Mule deer country. Maybe it doesn't matter but I've noticed in TC pictures bigger bucks preferring one salt block over another in the same photo. I also like your choice of the red mineral block and digging it down a bit, these choices help conceal your area for sure. On the contrary, I have always just left my blocks over the soil, and on many photos, you can see both does and bucks move the salt block and start licking underneath where it just was. I prefer blocks for a few reasons, but agree with everyone that says the deer like the salt most when it is mixed in with the dirt. I would imagine once your spot starts getting hit hard you will see the deer dig around the edges of that block. I do really like your set-up though and I'm trying to be critical in a positive light. Since you posted pictures, I kind of assumed you might be looking for that. If not, my apologies for butting in. Good luck with your new spots!

Leupold RX-1000I TBR W/DNA runs in high $300's and has treated me very well. I've never had trouble ranging anything less than 650 yards and have ranged objects on most days to the high 700's. I have a had a couple hunting buddy's that have had issues with them, 1 self induced and the other unknown, but Leupold warrantied and quickly shipped back both rangefinders providing great customer service.

Thank you for sharing, mje1! My BP's are back now too.

Couple questions about bonus points please - 1. Draw results are showing for the species I applied for this fall, but no total bonus point display table. Does anybody remember how long it usually takes before the bonus points show along with the most recent draw results? 2. There are spring and fall turkey hunts. Can anybody please explain how the purchase of bonus points works with that? I don't remember seeing them separated in the bonus point table. Can you technically gain 2 BP's a year for turkey if purchased for both spring and fall, and then they all apply together during each draw? Thanks in advance, good luck to all the tag holders this fall.

ya, its money dude. tons of 4-5lbers. just watch out for the indian cops. It was top notch a couple years ago and probably still holds plenty of fish, but they did fill in a good portion of previously non-wadable water within the last couple years. I fished it a long time ago and it was the best fishing in the state! i caught several 4-5 pounders on sinkos and lizards. And i usually caught a good catfish or two. i haven't been back in there in forever, but every time i drive over i think about going ninja style and trying it again... My name is on "the list" so I haven't gone back since they started filling it in - at one time there was a young Tempe parks guy that was quite the sneaker.. I felt stupid I was busted by him but he waded in the water to find me so I guess I have to give him his "ninja style" credit as well! and btw, that was one of only a few places in the state I've caught on a 10" senko.. Great fishing!

ya, its money dude. tons of 4-5lbers. just watch out for the indian cops. It was top notch a couple years ago and probably still holds plenty of fish, but they did fill in a good portion of previously non-wadable water within the last couple years.

Hunted a 700 tagger in 33 myself 2 years ago and helped my brother and good hunting buddy again last year. We have taken bucks on opening day both hunts, nothing big but meat and experience nonetheless. With that said.. First year there were hunters on every one of 4 ridges along our 2.5 mile trek into roadless country, some in their spots way early and some bushwhacking in way late. Never saw a single other person while scouting so it was hard to anticipate where folks would be opening day. 2 years ago we watched a hunter fire 13 rounds in 10 minutes at a coues until he ran out of ammunition. Did not make an effort to get closer to the animal during or after shooting. Last year on opening day of the late November hunt, we watched 2 real nice guys, who were set-up early on a great ridge that we were saving as Plan B, blow out a nice 3 point on their way to what they said was a monster coues. We unknowingly bumped into them trying to get to our Plan B as another group of hunters at 9am were crashing up the ridge we were set up on before light. We kept on to Plan C and tagged one opening day but really had to work for it. IMO, I understand both sides of the argument. It's nice having a great unit like 33 offer so much opportunity for me to get out with my brother and best friend almost every year, while still seeing quality animals. But, at 700 tags, there are just too many people for me to enjoy the hunt the way I want to and the average quality of buck is likely nowhere near what it used to be.

JMO based on experience, if you have a GC pond that has been established for a few years and not drained for maintenance, it typically has bass worth catching. Some of my favorite fishing memories are slamming into nice fish in unexpected places!

Great write up, great job!

Bump for a great pack.

Monitor known WT bucks at all possible for January, become familiar with new rugged elk country for late archery bull, train the dog daily, overhaul waterfowl gear, decoys and blinds - it's going to be a great fall and prepping for it irons out a lot of down time when it's time to release arrows and fire steel in the air.. Good luck to everyone this year, hope your hard work and game plans pay off.

www.ultraeverdry.com/info Heard of it? Used it? Is it odorless? How long a treatment lasts? (Say on a pair of boots for a 2 week hunt?) I don't know the cost:coverage ratio and application feasibility but this stuff seems like it may be worth looking into.. Please share your thoughts!

LAR DOG and Lark are back.. this could get interesting! Nice buck as usual Larry!

Great OP and great pictures everyone!

Phil, I have a seen of few 'makeshift' heaters over the years. I did not build them, test them, and only have the word of the homeowner that they even worked. But, one customer had several hundred feet of black irrigation flex tubing that he plumbed into the return side of his pool filter on a 3/4" ball valve and put it up on his roof. He swore by it. If you are interested in some details free feel to send me a message.

My dogtra has been nothing but reliable for 3 years. It holds a full charge based on the indicator for several training days before I plug in the dual charging system (one port for remote, one for collar). I have the single package but comes in dual dog as well. http://www.dogtrastore.com/1900series.html One of my favorite things about this collar is the vibrate option instead of the warning beep. I trained my dog to "come" on the vibrate button, so when we are off stomping in the woods together scouting for critters or sheds I can get him back to me without making any noise and disturbing the peace.

Check the ones with NO arm rests and metal seats, arm rests get in the way when shooting a Bow, and critters/vandals destroy cloth seats... You can find 12ft ladder stands for 60-$70.00 on sale... Good Luck... Great point, definitely a "con" of the climber. When I drew on that Coues this year my quiver bumped the cross bar in front of me and I had to take my eyes off the peep to make sure I wasn't about to cause problems. Something to think about sooner than later, not when you finally get that moment..

Everybody's right. All stand types serve a purpose and are each valuable in a given situation, just have to weigh in your preferences and where you plan on hunting. Absolutely, but all the more reason to use a climber and prepare a couple trees for varying wind. Takes 5 minutes to change trees if the wind is steadily not in your favor, takes 5 seconds to be a "hung bunny" committed to one tree when that buck comes in downwind, as they almost always do. Before last year I only owned hang-on tree stands, for the same reason as many of the comments above regarding tree restrictions. Sound, not so much. It's loud to "hang" a stand, sure you can go in days early and hang it but then you're pretty much committed or you need to own several stands. Owning multiple hang-ons is actually a viable option though when considering cost of a climber vs. hanger. Lots of work though too. I added a climber to the arsenal this year and put my first archery Coues down. Coincidence? Maybe and maybe not, but I have watched many critters show up shortly after relocating 50 yards in the right downwind direction in my limited amount of days in the field chasing big game last November and January. There are plenty of noises in the forest and the rubbing of a tree is a mystery more than a couple yards away. The metal on metal sounds is what worries me. Ladder stands are great too. They're comfortable, somewhat safer, bring the wife, bring a kid. I will definitely own one in the future but right now I'm pretty sure I don't want to haul one deep in the woods on solo hunts. Lots of opinions out there on what's best and many folks may think mine lack merit, but the most important one is 300ultramag's- wear a good, strong, reliable safety system at all times. Also, don't forget to practice falling out of the stand a couple feet above the ground while connected to the tree. Get that foot hold strap sized right and accessible during a fall. Wow, sorry for the winded post. Good luck and stay safe.

I have found several springs similar to those pictured above and many of them come and go each year. Had one in the superstitions that had water 3 feet deep with flowing water one year in early June and was dry the following year during the January hunt. Same thing experienced in other areas to a lesser degree. My point being that they change frequently and most of the ones on the maps are ones that have had some human influence to keep free water, many times a cement trough or other store and supply device. And I'm in the map/technology business, there isn't a map out there that shows secret springs that others aren't well aware of. IMHO. To find the "hidden" springs as mentioned in the OP, get boots on the ground after studying Topo maps really well. There are indicators that can get you looking in the right direction.

Awesome hoghntr! I'm talking to the fiancé tonight about that topper!! And most importantly, CONGRATULATIONS!!!