Red Rabbit

Mr. "Eppinger" Before you made this post, I was figuring why we saw so many "monsters" in 36c back in Nov. This year, due to the rain and the increase in the number of yearling spikes born last year, there were 725 whitetail tags issued for the approximate 36 miles that the Babos stretch. That's about 20 hunters for every mile of range. Last year there were 675 permits, and figuring the hunt success, there were 230 bucks taken. (I won't estimate the wounded and later dead that may have happened based on the barrages of multiple shots that were repeatedly heard, nor the natural mortality.) Spread out, there were then 6.4 bucks killed per mile of range last year. I have serious doubts about the longevity of quality coues in 36c. If you want a buck to survive 5 years to trophy status, but there are 30 bucks killed per mile in that time span, you can see the basis of my concern. Sir Joshua, If you happen to be driving the back roads of unit 7 or 9, and happen to see two bucks, rejoice in the fact that you may have witnessed the last of the survivors. RR

Mace, Fantastic coues!!! Seeing bucks like yours being taken throws a big pine knot on the hunting fire of desire. Knowing that bruisers like yours are out there helps keep the hope for the rest of us. Sincere congrats on your buck. Doug~RR

Dent & Sayer tank east of Moqui seems to have a lot of elk traffic whenever I look in 9. I'd key on water, as was said earlier. RR

I don't know the story, gut I wish I was the one telling it. Monster for sure. RR

I like to consider the "hunt-ability" of the area/terrain. Is it so thick that 75+% of the time a deer will be behind a tree or brush? Are the canyons so wide there is no way to shoot or hike across? Is it so thick that by the time you make your stalk, the chance of relocating the buck is near nill? Does the terrrain offer routes to make a stalk, or is there no contour to allow you to get close? Wouldn't it be nice if the game, not the hunter, was required to wear blaze orange for easy location? RR

Matt, Glad the experiences you had during the hunt were the greatest rewards. RR

Amanda, I just put that scope (VXIII 4.5-14x40 B&C) on a new 22-250, but have not worked up loads for the rifle so have not had a chance to use the B&C system. The large triangle is marked at 14 power, so you cannot turn it higher to match a flatter cartridge and use the 200 yard zero. As was said earlier, you would have to zero at 200 yards with your load and see where the bullet impacts at longer ranges when using the lower aiming marks. If you had a load in between the A and slower B groups, you could determine through trial and error where to turn the magnification ring between the two triangles to match your load. With big game shots around 400 yards, I would not bother with the parallax adjustment. If you were to shoot small, long range targets like prairie dogs, with your 270, I would get the PA. I'd get the 40mm objective. Depending in the barrel contour and scope positioning, you might be able to use low rings and get your face down and reduce recoil slap to the cheek. BTW, Leupold is coming out with a new Eclipse scope in 2006 where the bottom of the objective bell and lens is scalloped out to fit closer to the barrel. The option I would consider (in addition to or in lieu of the B&C) is to use the elevation adjustment dials as target turrets. The adjustment dials on the new VXIII are finger adjustable. With any load and a ballistics program, you can determine what elevation to adjust your scope for any range and condition. Turning the turret/dials can be done quickly in the field. A scope with target turrets is not necessary. Doug~RR

Coati season runs from Sep 1, 05 - March 31, 06 statrewide. See page 34 in the 05-06 AZ hunt regs. RR

I like his markings, dark and distinct. RR

Sounds like you have yourself a great opportunity. Give couesnut a shout. RR

Great story, Ernesto. I definitely herded those monster bucks your way, cuz I saw no monsters. Maybe you can arm wrestle Casey for teeniest buck honors. Be sure to send me your score sheet. RR

Scott, You got me pumped up for a trip after Thanksgiving day. Hope the weatherman is overly optimistic about rain this weekend. Virgil sure has grown. Did you work with him on the backing, or is he a natural wonder? Doug

Todd, Congrats to you and your friend on a nice pair of bucks. Were both bucks together when you and your friend shot them? Doug~RR

Jim, That's a heck of 2-point. Nice photo, also. Good luck to you and your wife on the 'bab. RR

Garth, nice buff. Is there a heavy coat in the plans? Doug~RR

Congrats on your last second muley. Since beer-thirty was so late, I guess you hiked in a ways. Doug~RR

Dave, Small world indeed. I came back to Flag on Tuesday afternoon to do some work this week; like you said it's about that responsibility thing. It's a long drive back down for me, but hope Seth can find you a bruiser if y'all get the chance to hunt this weekend. Of those bucks you saw, did you notice any lack of browtines? Hope you had a peaceful hunt with the canyon to yourself and the deer resumed some sense of normalcy in their patterns. Doug~RR

"... a tad too long." -Have the smith cut to proper length before putting on a good recoil pad. Be sure to check the grip to trigger length with your lil brother when you go to Sportsmans and check various guns. RR

AZ4Life- Don't be giving me any ideas now . Mike-It's a 5 hour trek down there from Flag. Unless I get a wild hair, I won't make it again this weekend. But hair grows quickly at times . There certainly were a bunch of those cows deer herded up by a saddle. A few real cooz deer walked by them at about 15 yards. I just don't want the range maggots (like that term, Mike) spooked and their stampede busting the deer to other counties. RR

The sun haz riz... the sun haz set... and I ain't seen no big buck yet... But I did get to pull the trigger and shoot some nice pics. RR

I'd like to hear the Paul Harvey rest of the story. Can't fathom that only a bounced check resulted in a felony. RR

105, Really nice! Good mass in both antlers and body. Were you able to age him via looking at his teeth? RR

How about the Remington 700 Mountain LSS in 7mm-08? Gun weighs only 4 oz more than the model 7, doesn't have a Tupperware stock, and has 2" more barrel length (50 fps faster and less muzzle blast). Better looking and handles nice. 7-08 has a greater selection of factory ammo and more bullet choices to handload. Better would be in 270 to chase coues and dream of Jack OC. Handload him reduced loads for practice or shoot Remington's Managed Recoil ammo. The 7-08 w/ 140's would give about 15 ft-lbs of recoil and the 270 w/ 130's would give 18 ft-lbs in the 700 Mtn LSS. RR

Tommy, Sounds like you and your sons have good time hunting together. Congrats to Tito on his buck. Is his right eye a little swollen? Hope you and Gabe also had good fortune. RR

Scott, Congrats on a successful hunt under some windy conditions. Great pics as usual. Good luck hunting monsters in December. Doug~RR