Coach

NICE! Great job!

Headed out tomorrow morning to help some friends who have that tag - I can't wait!

I think...I wish I had seen it...

Hunters seem to be on the "bleeding" edge of technology. We use the very best optics from binoculars to spotting scopes and range finders. I've noticed this year that some new tools are becoming increasingly available to hunters - specifically thermal imaging binoculars and monoculars. This technology has trickled down from military applications to the hunting community. There is no doubt about its effectiveness in combat - any any advantage our boys have in finding and eliminating those who want to kill them is a blessing. But what are your thoughts about the ability to locate and persue game based on thermal imaging? Cabela's has several units now under $3000 where this type of tool used to be 12K and up. I've seen all the youtube vids of hog hunters using thermal scopes to smack field-destroying pigs - but it looks like this technology could be equally effective at locating deer or elk, even during daylight hours. What are the ethical implications of hunters able to locate game via thermal imaging?

I think you are spot-on, Snapshot - and I would welcome your comments on that thread. That's why I started it - to get some discussion going. On the one hand, if I were a guide and consistently finding/harvesting trophy animals is what paid the bills, I doubt there would be any technology I would pass up. 3 years ago,very few people could afford to buy what is basically, simplified military technology. G&F depapartments across the country are no doubt looking at this issue very closely, but as we all know, government has a slow process, whereas technology is incredibly fast-paced. For myself, I have laser range finders, use google earth, mapping software and expensive optics. But I still tie my own flies, build my own bullets, tune my bow, work up each rifle I shoot based on trial and error. I'm more than happy to sit behind a good pair of binoculars for hours and trust my instincts and experiences to make a hunt, just that - a hunt. I really appreciate your input, and the fact that you approached it with such courtesy. FWIW, this isn't something I'm advocating, just looking for other opinions on the topic.

It's on - The bulls are screaming and already gathering cows. Should be a great year!

Just to clarify, I don't own any of these devices and have no plans to purchase one - just wondering what other hunters think.

Excellent post - almost every encounter I've had with them has been very positve too. Now lets see some pix of that goat!

That's a stud buck for sure! Huge congrats to the hunter and outfitter.

The Havalon Tracer 22 is one of the best tools you can carry in your pack - along with extra blades. I've done elk, deer, javi and turkey with this knife. For elk, I like a big strong blade like the buck classic. Lots of rubber gloves, good cotton game bags - gotta take care of the meat.

If you are hunting 3A/C I can help with water and a generator.

If you don't mind, I think the video editing was amazing - could you give some ideas of how that is done? What I'm asking is, were those shots with the fades and other effects done more with the camera, or through the editing software? Obviously there is a lot of artistic thought in the selection of scenes - I particularly liked the tagging sequence, cutting out the slots on the tag and the process of attaching the tags - I get that, but the way it's presented is so well done. There's clearly an art to transforming "regular" video footage - I could take video of one of my kids or friends tagging an animal, and it would look like shakey blurry, hurried footage you see on youtube all the time - any insight you could provide on how you seem to slow everything down, get that close-up effect and make it so artistic - I'd love to learn how that's done.

Hey Cody, I feel your pain. The draw process can be tricky, any I bet you would be hard-pressed to find someone who has not accidentally messed up an application at one time or another - I know I have and it cost me my loyalty point, for 5 years. Our G&F is generally very dilegent when it comes to processing applications. If a question arises, the can usually show you a picture of your actual application. If they are in error, they try to fix it, but more often than not, it falls back on the applicant. If I could give one bit of guidance, I can tell you are very frustrated with AZG&F right now - please realize that they are doing their very best to accomodate all hunters and put a lot of emphasis on youth hunters. Don't let your frustration turn into a negative view of the G&F department. They have rules, just like we all do and they have to stick to them - that's a good thing.

270 Win. 58.0 gr H4831SC, Nosler Ballistic Tip 150 Gr. WLRM primers. 25-06 - this one is a tack driver. 50.0 gr. IMR 4350, 115 grain CT Ballistic Silver tips. Win Long Rifle primers - non magnum. You can substitute accubonds in either of these if expansion is an issue. I have yet to see a rifle that doesn't like IMR 4350 and accubonds - medium load, keep them as long as they'll fit in the magazine, and load without extra force on the bolt.

Man - check out the muscle tone! If you get him, take those pix to your taxi! Good luck!

Nice job Andrew and Shane!

Wow, I'm just getting caught up, and I'm just amazed at how well you guys are doing this year. Lots of first and second coues with a bow, some absolute giants. I just want to congratulate all of you successful bow hunters this year, and thank you for taking the time to post the stories and pictures. The community here is what separates this site from other hunting sites out there, and you guys just keep on making it better!

That .257 wby is awesome.

I say, let it play out. Years ago when people first put out salt, they had good concentrations of deer. After a while, there was salt everywhere and the deer returned to their normal distribution and patterns. In the last couple of years, people have learned that salt was less effective in the winter than corn, so we started seeing deer attracted to corn piles in the colder months. Now, there's corn piles everywhere - and my guess is, they'll return to their normal distribution. We don't need to limit legal take methods, we need to focus on intentional poaching, IMO.

That's a GREAT looking bull - I love the character up top! Nicely done!

Wow, that is just OUTSTANDING! Great job, and congratulations on some great hunting.

Two different worlds - same planet, same country...

Awesome.

Wow, you guys did an amazing job with that video - I just keep watching it over and over. Great job on the hunt too, but I love how you capture the "essence of the hunt" as the driving force. Too bad the hunting shows on TV, backed by big money and sponsors haven't figured out what you have. Thanks so much for taking the time to make that and share it here.

Can't say it any better than that!