CouesPursuit

Although I'm always one to look at the silver lining in anything, I'm actually quite happy with the result. -First band period, broke the ice. -I'm an AZ native as well as the goose so that's cool. -I found out that a park-born juvenile had enough "wild" in her that she left the park and golf courses and chose to live in a rugged section of desert river. Lastly, my dog and I shared a 400 yard stalk through rough river rock and cocklebur. He didn't know know there was a goose, he just naturally trusted me that there was a reward at the end (part of the reason I put all 3 shells in the goose as I wanted to make sure he got his reward too). I treated that stalk like it was a coues sitting in the middle of that river, and I've always told myself, if you can hunt coues deer, you can hunt anything!

The Canada goose was an AZ native, a local trophy. It was banded by AZGFD at Vista del Camino park in June '09 with the description "Too young to fly."

There has been an ongoing study and banding effort for geese in Maricopa county based the number of new residents staying behind every year. I'm sure it wasn't at all likely before that effort. When I get the official USGS certificate via email, I will be able to see the bander's info and I will likely pursue some more info from there. I'll share it back here as it's available.. And thank you, Drake is a wonderful dog.

Thanks, lol, snowbird! He was paired. I had elected to continue to shoot all 3 shells into him to make sure he dropped, but I sure am glad I picked the bird on the right!

Similar to its residency status, I'm sure it is speculation at best. But, I suppose I felt comfortable taking the word of an experienced taxidermist and sharing it here. Does it really matter for you, yotebuster? Should I go ahead and edit the post so there is no confusion? Wasn't trying to be rude, just curious. Weird things happen, maybe it was a resident lesser. I've seen them here in ND all summer, usually cripples or juvenile birds that don't make it back to the tundra. Just curious is all. Do you have any pics of the bird? Sorry to jump. But in all seriousness, the taxidermist didn't hesitate to share with excitement that he believed it was a lesser. The bird had a pale breast in respect to the other "greaters" I have taken earlier in the season and it was by far the smallest. The 5 years the bird has been carrying a band tells me it isn't just a juvenile (yes could be a subadult) but both the taxidermist and I felt he was in great body condition and a mature bird. We compared him with other recently mounted geese in the studio and again, he was the smallest in any comparison. They are considered to be one of the most interbred goose species as well, so I should just call him a Canada from here on out, should it matter. My others photos reveal the area more than I would like to share for now, still a week of season left..

Great pintails!

Similar to its residency status, I'm sure it is speculation at best. But, I suppose I felt comfortable taking the word of an experienced taxidermist and sharing it here. Does it really matter for you, yotebuster? Should I go ahead and edit the post so there is no confusion?

I don't want to talk bad about anybody but the help I needed was not there when I needed it and the beat goes on. It's behind me now as far as I'm concerned, I appreciate those who took the time to post positive comments.

Had chills at the kill shot, another great video, Zac!

Easy, tasty and especially good/accepting for the first time duck eater. Duck (preferably dabbler breasts, chunked at 2") Bacon (thick) Teriyaki or other preferred/similar sauce (thick) Pineapple (fresh and chunked) In the field by campfire - 1) Slightly precook the bacon by way of choice, giving it a head start but yet leaving fat to burn. 2) Combine precooked bacon, duck chunks, pineapple chunks and teriyaki sauce in tin foil and wrap it up tightly. Cook on low heat coals about 8-10 minutes a side for a medium cook, adjust to preference. Can be served with rice. At home by BBQ - 1) Marinate duck chunks in Teriyaki or preferred sauce overnight or at least an hour or two. 2) Slightly precook the bacon by way of choice, giving it a head start but yet leaving fat to burn. 3) Wrap duck chunks in precooked bacon. Shishkabob bacon wrapped duck chunks and pineapple and grill on low heat as desired. Can grill with sweet peppers or other shishkabob favorties as well. As long as they didn't have their mind made up before they tried it, I haven't had anyone say they don't enjoy it this way. Hope any testers enjoy it as well.

A little of both, with a recurve you dont hang-out at full draw and with a Coues focused on you making that move and expecting a good result is futile.. My mistake as I did read weeks ago that you shoot recurve, definitely changes things. The highlighted statement above in red is what I thought you meant by it if you were shooting compound. I was just thinking with a ~300 fps compound and a deer at 20 yards, it is a shot most folks would take. I'm not saying a buck won't jump the string at 20 yards, and actually I'm not saying anything in particular just wanted to hear from the experienced. I'm still just a young buck in these woods so I appreciate the response and OP.

oneshot, thanks for sharing that and I was hoping you can clarify something please - with the deer stopped at 20 yards and focused on you, are you saying you don't want to chance him jumping the string on release or just not allowing you to draw back period having him bolt while you get ready? Thanks

Ike- Love that last photo with the sprig facing out parallel with your Tule! Seriously am going to have to copy that idea in some way! COOSEFAN- Yes, common name for sure! Still had to do it, and haven't regretted it for a second except for idiots coming up and thinking I named him after the rapper. Nope, not like the rapper, like the greenhead! lol

Man! Love labs and duck hunting! I could share a hundred photos but I'll just post up Drake's first limit at 9 months old. He couldn't understand why I stopped shooting and in no way could I get his attention away from the birds working in the decoys! Ok and Drake's first geese.

Thanks - If it wasn't for my fiancé being home alone from time to time while I'm away on weekends, I wouldn't have been able to keep the same cool. If trouble arises, this scumbag knows where I live, and I can't say the same.. Therefore, I have to pick what is worth more - items/revenge or the safety of my #1. Easy decision at that point.

He was on foot but we made sure he is on multiple cameras. I'm still going to work this guy for my other item and he was way too sketchy to sign a bill of sale IMO. Officers dispatched to confirm ny item last night said a lineup and camera pull with our description is enough.. hopefully tomorrow fresh staff can take more action. I'll share more on the whole experience after I follow up a couple more times. Thanks.

Got the stolen item back, but without any prosecution. Respectfully, the holidays don't seem to be a good time to get help from the local PD on a case like this. After 72 hours of not getting any physical assistance, I had to buy it back myself as it was being sold for 20% of its value by the thief himself. The item wasn't going to be available much longer and it was an item I would have had to replace in order to hunt coues. We did however make sure the meeting was in front of a public camera and his description was immediately reported to dispatch for an attempt to locate, etc. Did the best I could, legally.. and without help.. I'm working with a new officer now with the description to follow up. Thanks for those who shared comments, it sucks to be stolen from and its embarrassing to post this ad but was hoping some discussion could help others down the road deal with similar situations.. be persistent was the best advice, even though I had to do it myself.

This has been the best advice, thanks. Hopefully there is a success story to share in a day or two.

Dispatch told me (followed up after 2 hours) that the call I am waiting on will be from the first officer not on an emergency call. 3 hours later, the ad is still up and have had no reply from theif after the coworkers feeler/is it still available email.. I have several people offering to help take action but the best case would be to get the scumbag off the street using the police. I am trying - trying not to spend any more nights sitting on my roof with 70#s and 29.5" of draw waiting to thump this scumbag with the release of a blunt tip.

They have everything they need, it is just a matter of them taking action. Serial numbers, photos of my empty boxes, proof of purchase. etc.

Thanks, I'm REALLY trying not to. I have already done exactly that, I had a coworker just ask if it was still available to get a real email address.

This was interesting. At first I was thinking, did Scooter misread the post?? Then, it clicked.. and sounds like the best alternative to firing a live round to me! Thanks for sharing.

Well done, Scooter. Aside from the chosen and most important, family and freezer matters - you can come back with one under your belt and only progress ahead. Thank you for your service as well.

Scooter, I can count the # of big game animals under my belt on only two hands. Currently, I classify myself as a "meat hunter" if you will - so I say smoke that little bastard, natural selection at its finest. And a tasty selection, too. Good luck with whatever business you choose.

You give more kudos than anyone here on CWT, at least from what I have noticed. Along with the hard work, you deserve that awesome buck man. Congratulations!