Red Rabbit

Here's a pic of that feral exotic deer species we encountered on the Kaibab. Unfortunately, we had no archery deer tags. Doug~RR

It was a tough hunt, especially on Casey . When those grouse would flush a few thousand feet below the rim (as seen in the bottom pic) like a chukar, we'd send Casey down to flush em back to the top of the rim. As pointed out by Scott, Penny was afraid of heights and would not go down into the ditch after the birds. We didn't see any turkeys and just a few deer, including one 3 point buck. Doug~RR

From what I saw, deer hunter numbers were about normal or slightly less. I figure that $3+ gas and deisel would keep some at home. About half of the plate I noticed were from California. The wind up there was attrocious. A friend from Prescott called last night to saw he got 130" 4x4. I will try to post pics tonight if/when I set up a Photobucket account. Doug~RR

What store(s) in greater Phoenix have a good selection of rifles for which to trade in some used ones? RR

While in Prescott last weekend for an archery 3D shoot, I stopped at 4 gun shops but did not see anything that really interested me. One shop offered about 50 cents on the dollar for trade-in with the one rifle I had along for trade. RR

Josh, Hope things work out for one of those two bucks; both are nice. Good luck. RR

Scott, Thanks for the photos. Gets the blood flowing in anticipation for that unit 23 hunt. I like those sloping ridges coming off the mesa in the first photo. I just ordered a Panasonic FZ20 digital, so hopefuly I will be able to share some photos with everyone. Doug~RR

Smerky, Welcome to CWT. You might consider entering your son in the coues buck contest. Info is posted/pinned at the top of the Miscellaneous topics. Doug~RR

Archery deer is OTC, but archery javelina has a draw for permits. Applications for spring hunts like javelina and turkey will likely be due Oct. 11. I believe the spring regulations are being set this weekend in Flagstaff at the commissioners' meeting. RR

I have bowhunted the Kaibab a few times, but have not been drawn for the rifle hunts. I wonder how the increase in number of early hunt tags to 1000 this year, compared to 500 last year, will affect the hunt quality and deer herd (i.e. future buck population). RR

I taught high school chem and physics for 24 years , but made a career change last year to being a head hunter in the paperboard folding carton industry. On my days off, I still hunt heads . Doug~Red Rabbit

Blue grouse on the Kaibab, Sept 10. Virgil's ready! RR

Reminds me of Chocolate (Grand) Falls on the LCR, except that this is dark chocolate. RR

Nothing new this year to take hunting. The new stuff from last year just hasn't worn out yet RR

I have seen the Just-One at Sportsmans Warehouse. Looks quality made. This year, according to the website, they have the 105 with an adjustable suspension. Doug~RR

Allen, When has a Partition failed? It's kinda like the best of both worlds-expansion in the front and penetration in the rear. Some one has said,"Shut up, load Partitions and go hunting." Heck, a Partition or Accubond costs 12-17 cents less than a Ballistic Tip bullet. Put one less beer in the ice chest and you can carry a full magazine of premium bullets. If it's the bullet that does the final coup de gras that matters, why scrimp on a swallow of cervesa? Handload and practice with hundreds of cheap bullets with a similar trajectory as the bullet you take hunting. A lot can be learned from field practice. RR

Allen, What rifle do you plan on using? Your 257? Reloading or using factory ammo? The ballistic silvertips are the same bullet as the Nosler Ballistic tip, but with the Lubalox coating. Similar in perfomance to Hornady's SST. I have used the Nosler Ballistic tip out of my 270, 280 and 7mag on coues and Texas whitetail and have alwys had complete pentraion with the broadside shots. Expanion is definite and expect some bloodshot meat. I am using the Nosler Accubond now with good accuracy and performance like a Nosler Partition. The Accubond has the lead core bonded to the copper jacket and has the plastic tip like the ballistic tip, but does not expand as violently as the Ballistic Tips may do. Doug

25-06...This is the site that Brian needed. RR

I have been collecting left sided elk sheds from about 340" class bulls. When I find a round tuit, I will make a chandelier. I figure that your coues deer sheds would make a nice chandelier also. I can't believe the price of those chandeliers in the catalogues and shops. Has anyone made these and figured a way to drill the antler core around the horns curvature? RR

For deer, I would not see a problem using expendables. The NAP Spitfires fly to the same point of impact as my field tips. I tried the Shuttle T-Locks I mentioned in another post, and they flew like field points at 30 and 40 yards . Then I screwed on a Thunderhead and hit about 4" off at 30 yards. RR

Is it still possible to get to Skeleton Canyon by driving from NM and coming in from the east side? Limited access would make the hunt better, IMO. My first coues, a nice 97"er, came from Skeleton. Is the sign for Geronimo's surrender still behind the ranch south of Apache? RR

I called NMG&F a couple of weeks ago and asked a similar question. The nice gal said we can puchase the license from the department or fron a license vendor. She thought the cutoff date would be a few days before the hunt, but said a letter enclosed wth the carcass tag woud offer explanation. RR

The AZG&F web site has nicely listed the access mileposts along the Sasabe Highway. You drew a great tag. Have a good hunt. http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/hunting_units_36c.shtml

I purchased a Remington 1100 in 1980 and have not had one problem through all the dove, quail, and clay pigeons it has fired toward. It has been very dependable. I think it was the guy doing all the shooting that had the problems. Doug~RR

I have had good bullet performance on a few deer and half a dozen feral Texas hogs with 180 Sciroccos. 180 Accubonds would be another good choice. A 150 grain Barnes TSX or Nosler Accubond would give you about 6" less drop at 600 yards than the 180's, and should still work on the black bears. I had difficulty getting the Hornady Interbonds to group out of 2 WSM's. For powders, I have had good results with Ramshot Hunter, H4350 and H4831. Right now I am trying to get a load built for 150 Accubonds fo the coues hunts, even though I have an accurate TSX load, but I like experimenting. RR