mklong40

The last thing I would add is specific to your last comment. Cameras, I have learned in the last 4 weeks, improves a hunters education dramatically about the environment. There is so many things to learn from looking at the pictures you have captured. If we are all being true to improving the animal population, taking mature animals, etc. than what better way than to let a 280" bull walk because you are "educated" to the fact that there are more mature animals to harvest? Likewise, if you learn an area is under populated, make a decision not to hunt there and move on....your analogy suggests cameras are responsible for harvesting big animals as if it a bad thing? How about the twenty or so 2 and 3 year old animals that get to live another year because of the education a camera provided? Lastly, a camera is not a substitution for scouting, etc. I still think this is essential as well. wow you really took that personal. I received a lot of likes for that post so I'm not alone in my thoughts. I'm sure I'm from another generation of hunters and we did it all on our own I'm jumping in on this one...you did it all on your own? What'd u choke your game to death? You never bought a better performing rifle or a nicer set of glass? All of us hunters do things to improve our odds. Cams are no different. GreenMachine you hit it on the money. 1shot if you are claiming that cameras are the reason that more big trophy animals are being killed then why don't we also look at the fact that technology has made better equipment that everyone uses and not just focus on cameras alone. What about high powered rifles and scope by which "hunters" shot there game at further distances (up to 1000 yards)? Ever think about this? How about the increased use of high powered optics and GPS gadgets? How about the increase in dedicated, passionate and hardworking hunters that go the extra mile to harvest a mature animal? How about that fact that some ppl are LUCKY, and the fact that there has been an increased use of outfitters to harvest trophy animals. You make it sound like trail cameras ALONE are the reason for the increase trophy harvest, which by the way how are you coming up with this information that more trophies are being killed?? Some of the biggest trophy animals were killed 50 plus years ago, and they were killed all the time. What has changed is how information spreads. Whenever someone kills a trophy now a days, everyone hears about it so it may seem as if more trophies are being killed. Are there more trophy animals being taken now compared to previous years? Perhaps...but there are also more hunters now then before. If there indeed are more trophies being killed each year, trust me its not because of cameras, its due to a huge combination of factors. Cameras are a tool, just like 15x56 swarovskis, vortex scopes, GPS, quads, maps, high powered rifles, compound bows... they are all tools that help us reach a higher potential as hunters. As mklong40 said, there is EXTREME Ignorance when it comes to people talking about the use of trail cameras. Do ppl really believe that just by putting a camera out you are going to have immediate results and a trophy buck is just going to appear? Most of the time you get nothing. People don't realize the amount of work that goes into utilizing a camera. You have to scout the area first and locate the game before you even put the camera out. I am no one to say that one mans style of hunting is better then the next; as long as it is ethical and legal. Last I checked, camera are still legal. Therefore, please respect the hard work and hunting methods that others use even if they do not aline with yours. 1shot this is not an attack nor do I take it personal, just making a point based on your arguments. P.S. Your comment of "I received a lot of likes for that post so I'm not alone in my thoughts." You only had 1 like when I checked. Yup sounds like a lot to me. not once in my post did i say that cameras were the only reason that trophy animals were being taken i only stated that more are being taken because of the cameras so please read before you start ripping someone for something they did not say. You yourself said that first you locate the game before you put your cameras out and my point was that if you had to pattern that buck yourself instead of watching them on film and knowing when and how often the are hitting certain tanks you might not be as successful. And yes a lot of the biggest trophies were taken years ago and again my post stated 110 inch deer and 380 inch elk which are a far cry from the biggest. It's funny that i also referred to the question about baiting the animal but no one had much to say about that and it seems a lot of times when you see a camera you also see salt blocks,deer candy,corn and anything else that works(and I'm not saying always) but this is a huge issue in my opinion. I myself have talked to outfitters that will tell you they have 3,4 or even more 110 inch bucks hitting tanks and waiting for clients to shoot those bucks because they know that deer are creatures of habit so i just suggested that if they had to spend time to pattern those bucks instead of letting the camera do it for them they wouldn't be as successful. As far as the 1000 yard shots there aren't one tenth of one percent of hunters that could even make a 1000 yard shot.also a lot of my likes were sent by personal friends that are members through text and phone calls so next time i post i will take into consideration that the CWT Police are watching. And last but most important the member that posted the question was not offended at all. we have spoken on the phone with each other in the past and I'm actually helping him to learn a specific unit and have plans to hunt with him this fall. it just seems odd that so many people took this personal and it wasn't intended to attack anyone it is my opinion and i will continue to do everything i can to see that they become illegal to use. Well said. I apologize for taking part in hijacking a thread. I think we got way off topic. As far as using corn or anything else for a TC, I am not educated enough on whats legal, whats not, etc. and I don't use it. I don't see much of an issue using salt in a area already being used say by a rancher, etc. for cattle. Outside of that, I have shot small deer in my day that I worked my butt off for and its substantially more satisfying than deer I shot 200 yards out of camp by dumb luck which are bigger. TC, No TC, hunt hard, enjoy the land God gave us and to each his own. At the end of the day 100 hunters may all have a different opinion on what a "hard" hunt is anyway.....

No, I didn't take it personal. I'm just trying to convince myself that my one camera that I have out over Tbones, donuts, pizza, and corn that also emails the pictures to me so I can hit my goal of 380lbs by August sitting on my couch is all OK. Lol. Just kidding man. Happy hunting.

Hey, we are just sharing opinions here and mine might be different next week. I'll still be the guy that stops and asks you if you need help if you are broken down on the side of the road! No worries.

The last thing I would add is specific to your last comment. Cameras, I have learned in the last 4 weeks, improves a hunters education dramatically about the environment. There is so many things to learn from looking at the pictures you have captured. If we are all being true to improving the animal population, taking mature animals, etc. than what better way than to let a 280" bull walk because you are "educated" to the fact that there are more mature animals to harvest? Likewise, if you learn an area is under populated, make a decision not to hunt there and move on....your analogy suggests cameras are responsible for harvesting big animals as if it a bad thing? How about the twenty or so 2 and 3 year old animals that get to live another year because of the education a camera provided? Lastly, a camera is not a substitution for scouting, etc. I still think this is essential as well.

There is a lot of ignorance around setting up cameras on this website. I set up my very first camera EVER several months ago and I have been working harder at "hunting" than ever before. People seem to think that because you have a camera up, the animal will be chained to the tree in front of your camera come hunting season....ignorant....what happened to wanting to gauge the population...be it predator, deer, or otherwise? What happen to hiking 3 miles in and 3 miles out to get away from people and feel like you have small piece of this earth to yourself? How about the gents in the midwest who labor for months and months and months for 5 seconds of opportunity? Because a hunter uses a trail cam they are less of a hunter? Some of what I would consider the more accomplished hunters on this website (whether its based on success, antler size, etc) use cameras as a catalyst to hunt harder than anyone else I know. Miles of hiking, hours of glassing, etc. based on areas determined good by use of a trail cam. Bating.....another issue entirely. But to to call a hunter lazy cause they use a camera...IGNORANT.

Anyone have any news as to why the Boquillas is closed? This is a sore subject for me and several of my buddies. I was led to believe when all this crap went down last year, we would all be able to purchase the permit (another conversation on its own) and enter the ranch. I have a friend who has spent 40 years on the Boquillas hunting, helping the ranchers, doing ranch clean up, etc. and according to the website no permits are available to enter the ranch at this time. My friend called G&F and they informed him the cattle company is controlling access now, not them. He emailed the management company running the Boquillas and they replied informing him entrance is at their discretion. Currently, all access to the ranch is closed. I went to the huntbigboranch.com site and sure enough, no permits are for sale. I try to stay as neutral on political subjects as possible but its sad to me that 250,000 acres of state trust land is cut off to Arizona Residence by a cattle company. I am confused as to the involvement of the GF last year if ultimately its the cattle company calling the shots on entering the ranch. Two final thoughts; I would like to think varminters do an excellent job at curving the predator population on the ranch. I am sure some of you knew Frank, the old timer, who was the head rancher for many years. He used to contribute the quality of Lope, deer, etc. to a collective effort of managing the predator population. I wonder what will happen to the predator population with the current closure. Lastly, when my buddy questioned his rights to enter the ranch as a resident he was informed there is consideration of banning a hunter from all state trust ranches if he/she is sited for an infraction.....this can be at the discretion of the rancher. When he questioned GF on the validity of this, they would not deny or confirm they are looking into this possibility. I am sure there are inaccuracies with my info above compared to what was approved by the GF. I am not here to stir the pot on whats right and wrong. This was my experience yesterday with my friend on the phone with GF and the cattle company.

I'm guessing the Aubrey Valley Only prairie dog permit is available only for the time period the ranch is open to recreational users -- Aug. to Dec. -- as stated in the rules. It is currently Feb. Makes a lot of sense...smash the varminters and PDoggers in with people who have waited 10 years to draw a tag!

Like I said, there is far too much literature on the subject for a moron like myself. However, I do remember there being much debate specific to PDing and in fact even now on the website most of the permit verbiage states exceptions to PDing. So, who knows but your point is my concern...and I am not fully aware of how state trust land is completely cut off to residence.

By the way; this is also not a bash the GF post. I, personally, have had far more positive experiences with GF than I ever have had negative. Im just sore I can't take my annual prairie doggin and varminting trips that have become a custom amongst friends/family this year on state trust land.

In PHX tomorrow and Thursday if anyone is interested in looking at this....thanks for the PMs. Still available.

I have a sig P220r that has been in the safe for too long. Its in excellent condition. I have original receipt of purchase, everything that came with the firearm at the time of purchase. I have a holster, 2 factory mags and 1 after market mag. I am not sure of round count but it is low. The pistol is in LNIB condition. I am looking for a 1911 style pistol in .45acp. I would also entertain a more carry friendly pistol in .45acp. If the trade is not straight across, we can discuss cash in in either direction. Located in Tucson but I am in PHX a minimum of 1 time per week. Matt

great job. Congrats!

Not sure but its definitely not an auto aim...your SOL.

Forgot to mention the pistol has trijicon night sights installed.....

I had the pleasure of helping my good friend Chris on his december hunt this week. He his a member here and I know some of you know him personally. He drew a coveted december tag finally and it all came together on Thurs. afternoon. Opening morning Chris glassed a great buck at about 700 yards. We guessed the buck at over 105" and closer to 110". A shooter in our book. Chris made a move and as they so often do, the buck gave us the slip. Saturday came and although we were seeing bucks all day we werent seeing the big ones. Sunday morning came and our friend Adam glassed another great buck at over 100". Chris gave it his best shot and the buck was able to slip down a canyon bird dogging doe's and slipped out. Fast forward to Thursday. Chris and I are spotting deer all morning...mainly Chris. I started thinking my eyes werent working. We made a decision to relocate from our original spot based on the wind and it paid off. Chris pegged two smaller bucks pushing doe's and I finally came through and glassed the buck Chris shot bedded at 356 yards. He was alone with no doe's. After about an hour of sizing him up Chris determined it was a good mature buck. We guessed him right at the 100" mark give or take a few inches in either direction. Chris settled in for the shot. He made a last minute adjustment to his scope for the range and wind. I saw the shot ripple through the buck and he immidiately dropped and rolled. It was a perfect quartering away shot. The opposite shoulder was blown out by the 150gr .284" sierra game king. We were able to make it to the buck and noticed it had broke its G2....I made sure Chris was not dissapointed. This is a great buck. Both main beams are over 19". Inside spread is over 16" and the mass measurements are awesome. Its right at 100" not broke with tons of character. Very happy for my buddy. He has helped drag 2 deer out with me recently and he was due. The buck as we found him. He's right in the center of the pic. As he layed when we walked up. Chris with his trophy. Packing out. Thanks for reading.

awesome buck. Congrats.

You should get better informed about your "backyard". This is the first ever transplant of bighorn sheep into the Santa Catalinas. Losses to lions were expected and predicted. The source sheep for this transplant came from populations where lions are not common and therefore the sheep are likely naive about lions, it will take them a while to figure out the new predator and their new surroundings. Not sure what you mean about transplant failures since the 60's but I can think of at least 15 mountain ranges that have healthy sheep populations as the result of transplants. I'm disappointed so many people are throwing in the towel on this after 2 weeks. Hey Decon, I was referrencing the helicopter surveys posted on page one by the GF....check it out to familiarize yourself with it. It looks like the hearbeat of the ram who tried to give mr. lion a high five last weekend behind El Conquistador beacuse he didnt know insinctually it is a predator!

awesome buck and story!

Well, the 9 year old is gearing up to turn 10 and start his big game hunting career. We were able to get out Thanksgiving morning and chase some quail behind the dogs. He also shot the .243 10 times for practice. This morning I decided it was time to get the 4 year old out to do some dove hunting. It was his first "hunt" and he had a blast. He got to drive the truck, fetch the birds, shoot them with his red ryder to make sure they were dead, and learned to clean them up. Great morning with the "knuclehead" of the family. This one is the handful of my 3. Wouldnt change him for all the money in the world though!

Good job! You are always getting it done! Great deer.

I posted earlier on this thread when it was first started, skeptical of the success of this program. I do not claim to know 1% of what a AZGF biologist knows about game management. However, I hunt, hike, camp, observe, etc. every week. The catalinas are my backyard and there is a reason the sheep have never sustained reintroduction in the area....not entirely sure myself but lions had to be high on the list of obvious. Someone posted a graph on this thread earlier that seemed to be the tale of the tape for me. Since the 60's every attempt at reintroduction has failed. I would love to see the sheep survive and reproduce...I just dont see it. The part thats frustrating to me is the money spent. I could think of better ways ( I know its all a matter of oppinion ) where funds could have gone....for example, raising money to salvage Arivaca Lake for tons of reasons seems like a better use of raised funds for AZGF.

Hope you find them. bad deal there. Sorry to hear it happened.

Im sure there are better areas but I used to hunt and shoot up there just north of Chino Valley. 5 miles North of Chino Valley (I guess technically its Paulden) is a road called Verde Ranch Rd. Take it East. You will cross train tracks and it turns into a Forest Service rd. Not sure about the distances but there is a lot of country back there. I am sure you could make something work. Just an idea.

Way to get it done. Awesome.

Welcome to the site. awesome buck. congrats.