Red Rabbit

A guy that hunted with them many times said the south end of Kodiak did not get hit as hard as the north end where we went on the north end. Let's hope for a reasonably mild winter to help the herds rebound.

Do I have the opportunity to raise the ante, cuz i know it was not a pretty sight?

Sitka Blackatails on Kodiak Island with Homer Ocean Charters.

That must be the valid reason why I saw so few bucks . Heck, Tyler/elkhunter sat down and in 30 seconds he had bucks spotted, and he uses Swarovski. Gotta get me sum (as Toby Keith says). Watch the classifieds for a good deal on Duovids Doug

Given the number of bucks (few) and does our group glassed in 36C, and the number of large bucks seen (actually not seen), it does not speak well to the buck:doe ratio and buck age class. True, we saw many does with single fawns and twins. There is hope for the future in terms of maintaining the population. But looking at the number of permits, success ratios and square miles of the unit, my opinion is still that there are too many permits/harvest to sustain any quality hunting and having a good buck population. The position will be validated if the number of new, first-time, hunters is increased for both the youth and adults. There are adults who do not begin hunting till they are out school and in a career (me being one of them). So recruitment must also target adults along with the youth. RR

azcouesaddict, you got it correct.

G&F could make it so the 20% pass only applies to the first choice, but then there will be applicants who wish it would apply to both choices. Seems changing the system to fix one deficiency will create another. Perhaps there could be a box on the app to check if one only wants the first choice to be considered in the 20%, and this would leave the possibility for others to have both 1&2 choices considered if left unchecked. But this would require the applicant to understand or learn how the draw works, and I suspect only 1 of 100 now know how your situation may arise and how the draw works. The bonus pass data for each hunt is on the web, so an applicant might be able to predict if they may have your situation result based on their hunt choices and #BP. Good to know that putting the same hunt number twice is one solution. Doug~RR

Do a search for "cabezas" and that will get you to some past 30A threads. Limited access is a problem, as you noted from the AZGFD website. My first Coues came from Skeleton Canyon 20 years ago, but access is no longer. Good luck on your hunt. Hopefully someone with current info will PM you.

Here is a previous discussion of the 20% pass causing a similar situation. http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...amp;#entry82355

Related info from a previous thread. http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...mp;#entry112213

In the 20% bonus pass round for those with the most BP, you can draw your second choice if the 20% has been met/filled for the first choice, and then never be considered for your first choice in the following round for the regular draw. This has happened to others also. Did you get clarification from G&F that putting the same hunt number down twice would not get you rejected? Putting the same choice 1&2 would eliminate the "problem", but also decreases the chance of drawing your next choice since it would be in the third draw round for choices 3-5. For species like elk or mule deer with less than 100% odds, doing that would make it an all-or-nothing scenario for the one choice. Hope your son and you still have a good hunt in 33. Doug~RR

You will not be able to transfer the tag to your dad. Perhaps your dad could apply for a leftover permit, maybe for the same hunt you have if available. Also, previously someone stated they applied for a leftover permit (they also drew in the original drawing), and G&F would not issue the leftover permit. You can still use your bow on the rifle hunt.

Lion meat is really good to eat'n. Lion summer sausage is better than that made with deer and elk, based on what I have tasted. Scout'm served some lion backstrap this past weekend at deer camp, and it was tasty- kinda like a combination of pork and chicken. I am told that bobcat is just as tasty. Has anyone tried coyote meat? Coyotes are one of the main reasons for the decline of the antelope population here in AZ. Coyoye pelts do look well hanging on a nail or over a banister, or as afull body mount. If shooting a coyote is an emotional issue, just watch a team of coyotes bring down a deer, or fawn. http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...c=10837&hl=

There are some leftover turkey and bear permits, and plenty of javelina permits for this spring. http://www.azgfd.gov/eservices/documents/2...bsite081028.pdf

"Pick a bean," Sun Devil said as he his out his open hand with three colored beans in his palm. These were good luck hunting beans, I was told. So a bean with an orange hue was chosen and placed in the pocket of the hunting pants to bring fortune on my November Coues hunt in Unit 36. The day before the opener saw firewood gathered by Sun Devil and Scout'm. Sun Devil unloaded the mesquite from a perfectly good fire grate atop the Jeep. The opening morning dawned with a red glow low in the horizon. An hour hike with the guiding light of the Petzl had placed Rica, my German Wirehaired Pointer, and myself on a ridge to survey the oak studded north face opposite the creek, and the ocotillo covered south slope to our north. As the morning grew older, three does and their fawns were spotted on the north slope to the south, and one set of doe and fawn on an ocotillo ridge to the north. No bucks though. So Rica and I moved to under an oak for shade which would allow a better vantage of the ocotillo ridges for the evening. In the move, Rica became excited as a covey of Gambels called and flushed from the creek bottom. This was the only wildlife to be seen for the rest of the afternoon and evening. That night, the mesquite wood campfire warmed the spirits of those circling its flames. Campfire flames are mesmerizing and entrancing, although the smoke tended to follow this "campfire nazi" SunDevil relaxes in the fire's radiance one evening. Plans were laid for the next morning as two of our group had seen no deer that first morning. Sun Devil, Scout’m, JC and Dan would head to a canyon to the north of camp, and I would journey another mile further up mine to a hill offering different vistas. The second dawn of the hunt broke with the glow on the western peaks. The hike in was an hour and a half up the drainage. It was made easier by the presence of a horse trail, but the final ascent up a hill was busting through cat-claw. As one gets older and passes the mid-century mark, the geology becomes active with seemingly steeper and taller peaks, even though it has been climbed several times before in younger, fitter years. The glow lightened and sunlight infiltrated the draws below as the minutes crept by. That day, about ten does were spotted to the west south and east, along with two non-shooter bucks, one two point and a white horned 3x2. As the hunting day ended, plans were mentally laid to return to the same hilltop the next day. Thus the rifle, binoculars, tripod, camera, laser, and extra water were stashed under a tree atop the hill in order to lighten the pack load for the hike out and back in. The third day broke with a few clouds to liven the sunrise. But the clouds were also a harbinger for an upcoming change in the weather. Thirteen does and eleven fawns were spotted that morning. Most were on the east-facing slopes being more protected from the ever increasing winds. Most were heading downhill. The winds increased quickly in the morning such that the howling of the winds rushing over surrounding peaks literally sounded like the roar of the military jets in the area, but this was Sunday and not a normal training day. None the less, any day with a good dog is a fine day indeed. As sunset neared, low gray clouds were forming above the peaks. They did not appear thick, and I wondered if the setting sun would get underneath to create a spectacular glow. It appeared not, so I harnessed the laden pack and headed down the finger to the creek bottom below. Barely one hundred yards down the slope, I felt the first drops of rain on the back of my head. Glancing back to the west, the tallest peak was covered on a gray shroud that was slowly descending and darkening. The weather report a few days ago had said sunny for the next 10 days- hah. By the time Rica and I reached the bottom of the steep, cat claw covered slope, the rain was continuous and increasing. Soon I felt "hard" rain striking the top of my head and noticed tiny hail stones on the trail reflecting the beam of the Petzl. Lightning increased around us, as we were enveloped in the strengthening hail and ran storm. Onward were trudged down the canyon, knowing that we would be soaked by the time we made it back to the truck. At times, Rica veered off the trail to seek refuge under a bush to avoid the rain and hail, but a tug on the leash brought her back to the lead on the trail. Even a wet possum with its pointy nose and rat-like tail was seen scurrying across the trail. Hail accumulated up to a couple of inches thick along the trail where the run-off deposited it. The trail was now a tiny rivulet of runoff a few inches deep and it provided the direction and presence of a trail, as visibility at night was mere feet through the heavy rain. After ninety minutes of hiking in the rain, and dark, with the frequent lightning to flash illuminate the trail and trees, we reached the truck just as the storm cloud passed. Rica shook the last of the hail stones off her back-side, I shed the drenched shirts and donned a dry jacket, and cranked the truck's heater on high for the short drive back. Upon return to camp, the gusty winds had evidently moved the lighter objects, including the kitchen awning, further east into the desert. Scout'm and JC had the wayward camp items returned to their respective locations and awning restaked with guy lines by the time I returned looking like a drowned rabbit. The final morning saw us head to different locals. By the time the alarm clocks woke us from slumber, the night sky had calmed and was laden with stars. With the winds calm, I figured the deer would be moving the morning after the storm and preceding day of high winds, which had likely kept them bedded. The deer were indeed up and about, but only one two point buck was seen before 11 AM. Over a dozen Peccaries fed on the slope 400 yards away. Two groups, each a doe with two fawns, browsed further down the same slope. It was somewhat disappointing to see so few bucks in relationship to the number of does seen. Almost all of the does had one or two fawns, so the bucks must be there, or the few are run ragged in January tending all the does. This was not a new area to me, as I have hunted there several times in the past with some good results. Looking back down the canyon from where we started each morning. With the active geology of the mountains becoming steeper and taller every year, nature did provide me with a walking stick. I only slipped and fell once. With only the few bucks spotted during the hunt, the hike out was begun to begin the trip back to Flagstaff. Part ways down the hill, Rica pointed a covey of Mearns quail, which then flushed showing many female birds. She had spotted her game, but no shotgun was at hand. The lucky hunting bean will have to show its worth on another hunt. Doug~RR

2009 OHV Regulations

I saw some nursing this last weekend also, but who knows if the well was dry and the fawns were doing it out of habit.

http://www.deersheddog.com/ More: http://www.antlerdogs.com/default.aspx

Devin, Congrats to your mom again. I know some hard scouting goes into your family's successes. It will be hard to improve on that gorgeous buck she took last year. Doug

Amanda, I like the composition the best on the photo of your nephew walking on the beach. Splendid colors on the maple leaves. RR

Coues7 mentioned this thread on MM as a good read and view with good example photos on how the kill photos were improved with just a little effort. http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID21/2953.html

Brent, Doing the math backwards, you originally held like there was a 40* slope, which is really steep. cos 10*=0.98 cos 20*=0.94 cos 30*=0.87 cos 40*=0.77 (300/394=0.76)

I drove through Marana yesterday on my way back to Flag. Guess my timing is off, as I stopped in both Phx and Tucson Sportsmans to buy some 215Ms. I'll take 2k if you can hold em for me till I get down Mearns hunting right after Christmas. Doug

Christian and Randy, Congrats to you both on two fine bucks. Thanks for your call earlier as it put the taste of anticipation in waiting for your post and pics. Tyler will have to start booking for his eagle eye services. Did you get the rain and hail Sunday evening? Doug~RR

Hector, That looks like a fine rifle and not too shab for the first 5 shots under questionable conditions. What load did the test target from Cooper use? You could have Zeiss put some turrets on the scope and you'll be good to go, sans any confusing/busy reticle that requires the highest magnification to work. Casey (firstcoues) or Larry (Scout'm) can give you the details on having that done. As Bill said, hope it continues to treat you well. Doug