CouesPursuit

I've read and respect your content here on CWT but I'm interested in how that makes you "lucky" instead of just sounding selfish? Are dogs not allowed off-leash on the public land you're trapping on? Do honest accidents not happen from time to time at trap locations?

pm sent. I'm in Mesa.

That second to last elk photo is a perfect display of the front leg and shoulder's bone structure. Nice pictures.

Cool thread. Now that the results are out, can I ask if that sign is on the door because there's dog(s) like mine that lay on all fours right behind it anytime company is in the garage?!

+1 ^ There is some decent foot access past the dock as well. In winter months, AZGFD stocks trout in Butcher Jones and many people have taken double digit largemouth on trout imitation swim baits. There is also some good four wheeling and plenty of fishing access if you go out the back gate to the rest of the lake.

As a shooter, I enjoy the crack and I don't worry about plugs as I'm only taking one shot! As a spotter, I like the cheaper plugs on strings that you mentioned. Helps me to keep focused through glass on the critter(s) at hand but doesn't bother me if I lose track of them. For kids, I keep a few varieties on hand and let them choose what they are most comfortable with, whatever it takes to get them to wear them and keep them in their ears. The string type also helps keep them from getting lost but they definitely aren't the most protective. I'm interested in hearing of how many people take hearing protection on a rifle hunt, good topic.

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With the wealth of knowledge and enormous amount of site traffic here on CWT, an honest discussion on shot selection could save more than a few of our AZ big game animals from going to waste or enduring unnecessary morbidity this fall from ill-advised shot placement and choices. If folks could share trail camera and field photos of theoretical shot opportunities from the cameras perspective, it could help many of us new and upcoming shooters make better choices in our opportunities as they present themselves. Positive criticism, reinforcement and discussion could clear common misconceptions and help individuals gain the confidence they need when they are setting their pins and crosshairs on their targets in the upcoming seasons. I have a few ready, but I'll start with one. Below, 3 Coues bucks just arrived to a ground blind stand set over a desert seep in the early August archery season. Although the closest, the buck on the lower left is alert, has brush in between me and his vitals that could deflect my arrow flight, and is clearly the smallest. I'll pass on him. The buck in the middle looks nice and his head is down with some brush over his eyeballs, but I fear a clean pass through could make its way into contact with that other nice buck in the back. Finally, I 'm confident to take the buck in the back. He is coming to a stop right at my 30 yard pin, so I won't have to hold high or low, and if I let him take that last step or two to the water, I'm sure my arrow will have a clean flight path to his vitals and broadside stance. The red X marks the spot, smooth release, backstraps.

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?I shoot a very fast bow with heavy arrows. He looks close in the picture so I would take that shot inside 50y. So compared to the red X, would you shoot into both lungs with a good chance of catching bone or would you shoot right of his shoulder and get at least one lung, maybe the back of the rear lung, and good penetration? It really looks like this deer could flee at any minute and it could be your only chance if you really wanting him, waiting is always an option but at what looks like a shot under 20 yards, I would have a hard time not putting one into the X if I was already at full draw, shooting an inch or two lower than normal in case he flinches low with the noise of the release of the arrow, and trying to stay away from the thick part of his shoulder. I wouldn't take this shot on a big mule deer, or elk. Thoughts?

Great photo. This leads into one of the misconceptions I was referring to, where when I was just getting started I was told and believed on a broadside shot, you want to aim just behind the front leg (black star) to avoid making contact with bone. It was easy to believe as before you get your hands into an animal for the first time, you could imagine the front leg bone not having as much of a low and forward position as it does. So luckily I now know to set the pin a few inches extending above his leg line (red X) and you still have plenty of room for both lungs with the chance of a heart shot, while significantly avoiding the rumen and maintaining distance from the shoulder.

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.