Coach

Interesting stuff. I like the cow blind/decoys. My buddy tried one of those older-style-fold-in-half foam antelope jobs a couple years back, and I watched as he emerged into sight - they were having NOTHING of it. The colors were all wrong - too reddish. They bolted immediately. Just don't use an antelope-looking decoy to hide behind during a rifle hunt. You might find yourself dodging bullets.

I'm no expert, in fact I really don't do well in treestands - I prefer blinds whenever possible. Maybe I'm ADHD or something but I have a hard time sitting still up in a tree that long. When I used to sit in treestands, the main things I looked for were: 1: Sun to your back - means facing North. 2: Natural backdrop - look at the area from where you expect game to approach and see if you are skylined, or if there are branches or some other natrural backdrop that obscures your outline an masks movements. 3: Height - The higher you can get the better. Deer are looking for ground-level predators. The higher up you can get without being sky-lined the better. 4: Distance: I don't like to be too close to the area I expect the deer to be. I like to pick a tree at least 30 yards away. In an ideal situation, you are located uphill from the trail/salt lick, saddle in a heavy tree with a good amount of limbs around the same level you want to sit. The sun rises behind you to the right, and stays behind you all day, preferably behind a hill or heavy timber so movement will not cast shadows on the target area and the natural updraft will carry you scent up and away from where you expect the deer to be moving.

Went out with my oldest today focusing on 3C N. of 260. Had a couple good talkers, but they went totally silent after leaving the roost. Hit all the tanks in the area and most had no tracks and a couple had some but very few. I'm not sure if they are higher following the snowline, or if it's just a little early - anyone have any suggestions? I'm planning on moving to unit 1 tomorrow via Vernon and trying to get closer to the snow line, but aside from that I'm drawing a blank. I did go into an area in 3C closer to the rim off of the Pinedale road (one of the few that is open) but found very little sign. Anyone else finding more agressive birds?

That is awesome! Love that huge smile. Congrats!

Awesome job, Brian! I love to see those youth hunters tagging birds. Took my oldest out Friday to 3C. Had some gobbling early on and it really sounded like they were going to come in but they never showed up. In the evening we went to the same general area and tried to set up closer to the roost. Heard one gobble as we were hiking in but after setting up - nada. I have to wonder if we got busted setting the deeks and blind 'cause the gobble was really close and we had to hurry to set up. I can just picture the bird watching us scramble around wondering what in the heck we were doing under "his" tree. Had baseball obligations Saturday, but got out again today - this time in Unit 1, mostly trying to find where the snow line was and what areas were accessible. First setup was a good location with some tracks and a decent roost tree, but the snow runoff had an absolute river boiling through the area, so calling was limited by the noise. Moved over to the Poncho Spring area and took a little hike, and all 5 of us stuffed into the double bull again. This time I was able to bring in a group of hens with two small jakes but there was some confusion as to which son's turn it was for a shot. After quite a bit of "whispering" debate the birds got real nervous and started moving out fast. Close, but no dice. Hopefully I'll get them out one more day this week and maybe one or both can seal the deal. It's tough this year because all of 3C S. of 260 is still closed to vehicles, which I can't understand - the roads seem very dry - especially on the Eastern portion. On the N. side of 260, there just aren't many birds in places I've always found them before and the ones that are in there are not vocal at all once they leave the roost.

I'm glad this is being vetted out on this forum. I was under the impression that the adult who signed over the tag had to be within 50 yards of the youth huhter. Obviously, in many circumstances this is not possible. Nice detective work.

WHooo Hooo! Awesome job, Daniel! That is one SMOKIN' gobbler you bagged! Way to get it done bud! Congratulations on a great turkey! Thanks a bunch for sharing your story with us! Now time for some good eatin'!

Absolutely amazing. Having fished the Black River for decades, I know the WMAT lands N. of the river hold some of the biggest coues bucks anywhere. Unfortunately, for those of us that are not tribal members, we can only dream of the monster bucks roaming those hills. Thanks for the pix that illustrate just how big those bucks can grow.

Congrats on filling two tags! Great job. Got some good youth pix to share? How receptive were the birds to calling?

Well, I started another thread on this subject, but I should probably post my results here as well.... "Went out with my oldest today focusing on 3C N. of 260. Had a couple good talkers, but they went totally silent after leaving the roost. Hit all the tanks in the area and most had no tracks on most and a couple had some but very few. I'm not sure if they are higher following the snowline, or if it's just a little early - anyone have any suggestions? I'm planning on moving to unit 1 tomorrow via Vernon and trying to get closer to the snow line, but aside from that I'm drawing a blank. I did go into an area in 3C closer to the rim off of the Pinedale road (one of the few that is open) but found very little sign. Anyone else finding more agressive birds? " Last Spring, both of my sons with tags filled out on the first day we got out (individually, different days, within a mile of eachother, and days after the opening weekend of the youth hunt). I don't know whether there are fewer turkeys this year due to snowfall, or if they are just acting "differently" this year. The road closures in 3C are a factor, but I haven't seen anything to suggest it's really "ON" along the rim either. My hope is that they are a little slow to get love-struck this year, but my fear is that a lot of birds didn't make it through the winter. I'd love to hear how other youth hunters did this weekend - especially in 3c or 1.

Don't know the particulars, but it looks like a good thing for us without the usual political baggage. Along-side with the new laws regarding illegal immigration, it looks like AZ is leading the way for Constitutional reform. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this mindset will spread.

Now that is just WRONG! I got totally skunked on my first two trips out this year, but finally on trip #3 I scored my first elk shed while actually shed hunting! You ready for this? I'm glad I have other hobbies...

Speaking of encouraging legislation, check this out. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/14...nors-signature/

Went out this morning for some varmint calling - nothing major, blew an easy shot on a young female yote. My buddy and I ended up finding this turkey roost that was unlike anything I've ever seen. In the past, when I find a turkey roosting tree, it is a single tree on the N. side of a draw with a fair amount of "scat" at the base. This morning we were finding a few loose turkey feathers and followed the wind to see if it was a kill or a roost. We found this place where 8 - 12 trees, in a 80x120 foot area, conservatively, had PILES of turkey droppings. Some areas looked like the inside of a chicken koop. There has to be a huge number of birds using this small area and they've been there for a long time. You could literally go from tree-to-tree filling large buckets with droppings. Have any of you guys found a spot like this? I was kind of floored and didn't know what to make of it.

Glad to hear it!

Great pix - absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing them!

Fertilizer? Thanks Amanda - makes sense.

Nice flat-head!!! that had to be an awesome battle on light tackle. Thanks for sharing.

what are you asking for the rubber-gripped buck skinner?

Nice bull, can you share the story?

I've shot wisker biscuit for a long time, but still have trouble tuning my Allegiance to group field points with fixed blades. I think I'll try a drop-away rest this year, but haven't decided between the QAD and Rip Cord. I just can't go to anything that doesn't have full containment or at least good partial containment. There's nothing like the security of a wisker biscuit when you have to move with a nocked arrow. That said, I have GOT to find a way to keep my BH's from hitting left and low at longer ranges - I've even considered using mech's - grimmace - Good luck and let us know what you discover.

Looks like nice work. Congrats on a nice goat!

I would love to get down there with the kids just once before the spawn is over. Unfortunately, this weekend was the final baseball tryouts and the draft for teams. Next weekend we'll be focused on the Youth Turkey hunt. Maybe we'll get lucky and bag out both boys opening day. If not, Roosevelt usually turns on after SC, so there's still a chance to get the kids into a decent bite. Thanks for the updates, Standman.

Many states are postponing refunds this year to maximize their return on YOUR borrowed money due to nation-wide budget shortages. Thank a Dem by punching them sqare in the face.

I agree with you Rembrant, if they are posing a threat, they die. I had to kill a blacktail on my property a couple years back because I didn't want to risk it with the kids and I couldn't move him without risking him getting away and becoming a threat - little sucker lived right under my office and gave one tiny rattle after I stepped right over him. I guess my point was, I don't like to see them killed indiscriminately - especially the bigger, older diamondbacks that generally tend to be non aggressive. If they're in the wild, away from homes and make an effort to alert you to their presence - and move away, I prefer to give them their space and let them be.