Red Rabbit

I have the peccaries located for ya.

Taking Trophy Photos of Your Coues Buck You have spent months preparing for the hunt. Spend just a few extra minutes to take some quality trophy shots to preserve the moment. You want to feature the animal and you, the hunter, in a pleasing manner. Mostly, you will want to showcase your trophy, so get him prepared. Prepping the animal: Move the deer to where you want to take the photo. Atop a small rise will allow him to be skylined in a photo taken with a slight upward angle. Consider any background you may want in the photo. Wipe off any blood around the mouth, nose and body. Use water, TP, or carry some Wet Wipes for this purpose. You may need to put some toweling way up the nose so it doesn't show to stop any blood drainage. Wiping the bloody areas with dirt and brushing the dirt off may help. Cover any visible wound with foliage or rocks, or turn the animal so the exit wound is on the off-side. Tuck the tongue back in the mouth, or use your knife and cut it off. Fold and tuck the legs under the body and keep the animal upright, not laying on its side. Cover any blood on the ground that will be in the photo with dirt, rocks, grass. Body Positioning: Having the antlers show against the sky or clouds will highlight them. Antlers will also show up well against a grassy hill. Don't choose a tree for a background whose branches will camouflage the antlers. You will most likely want the deer's body sideways to the camera. You can sit behind the deer so only your upper torso is visible, or sit next to the buck's head. Sit with your legs folded and tucked also, rather than sprawled. To highlight the antlers and put focus on the deer, have your head below the antler tops or the same height as the deer head. You can have equal billing with the deer if you have your head even with the antlers. You can enhance the size of the antlers and head by sitting further back behind the body, and using a closely placed camera with a wide angle and high f-stop setting (ala Chuck Adams). Having the head pointed directly at the camera will accentuate the rack's width, but may hide some points. A slight quartering turn will show the points better. Have the head level or tilted down slightly. Having the head tilted back will hide the rack and make one look up the nasal passages. Hold the deer's head up with one gentle hand. If possible, hold behind the neck or offside jaw base to hide your hand, or under base of the chin. Try not to have a mangle hold on the antler beams. Remember the rule of thirds. Don't center the deer exactly in the center of the photo. Smile! Look at the camera or admire the deer. Camera Positioning: The camera should be near eye level with the deer. Have the photographer kneel or lie low, or use a tripod. Taking photos from above the deer and hunter, with the photographer standing, diminishes the stature of you and the deer. Too much of an upward angle by taking the picture from well below is undesirable also. Lighting: Morning or evening lighting provides great lighting for warmth, color and detail. Midday sunlight gives poorer colors, harsher shadows and will wash out detail. Use a fill flash during midday. A polarizing filter will help eliminate glare that hides color and detail, and make the sky appear a darker blue. A fill flash will help illuminate the shadows in the deer's and your faces. Tilt your cap back a little to help eliminate shadows. The flash will make the deer's eyes glow bluish green. A set of glass eyes from a taxidermist or a piece of electrical tape will stop this possessed look. A fill flash in the middle of the day will also highlight you and the deer by illuminating you. Take some photos both with and without a flash. Be sure the sun is not casting any shadows from the antlers across your face, or your shadow upon the deer's head. Be aware of the shadow cast by the photographer or tripod. Camera Settings: Using the aperture priority mode, set the aperture to a low f-stop, like 2.8 Or use the portrait setting which usually chooses a wide aperture. This will give a shallower depth of field. The background and foreground will be out of focus, and this will draw the viewer to the sharply focused deer and you. Choosing a high f-stop like f-16 will give a greater depth of field and allow both the deer and background to remain in focus. Focus the camera on the deer's eyes, as you would on a person's eyes for a portrait shot. Zoom in so you and the deer fill the frame. You can crop excess fore and background and then enlarge on the computer, but photo quality will be sacrificed. Set the digital camera's picture quality to its highest setting. If you are still using film, choose a film with a low ASA like 64 or 100 for finer detail, better color saturation, and less grain. Use a partial flash setting, rather than a full flash setting if you can, so detail and color are not washed out. The flash is to just fill in the shadows. Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors. Use a tripod to get a steady camera. Use a remote shutter to allow you to have the proper position. A self timer may not give but a few seconds to scurry into place. Utilize the white balance setting to match the sun, shade, clouds or snow. Other Tips: Remove blaze orange as it will mess with exposures and the bright color will attract the photo viewer's attention away from the deer. Pull or bend over any grass that sticks up in the way between the camera and your and the deer's heads. Bend down next to the camera and look for obstructions. If you forgot your camera in your pack, or had no time right before nightfall, set the deer up outside of camp the next morning and take some good photos. A head and cape on a rock or log can still make a good photo. To highlight your rifle, hold it in your hands, across your arm, or lay it against the deer's body. Don't have the muzzle pointing at you, even if it is unloaded (and it should be at this point). Don't lay the rifle across the antlers like in a gun rack. Please, no tailgates, tree hangings, garage floors, hanging tongues, or blood. Don't sit on the animal. Look at various quality hunting magazines like Eastmans, Muley Crazy, Trophy Hunter and look at the good and the bad of photos and get some ideas.

Seems to be the case about a return of a building group of young bulls. These were on the east side of I-17. In past years, many have been hit on the interstate, one non-typical was shot with a gun by an archer, others were hunted legally. They had not hung around Forest Highlands much either the past few years.

Your taxidermist will likely be glad to show you how (like Jim is). Inquire with your taxi before hunting season and then stop in during a season to watch when stuff is being brought in. Practice on a few deer/elk heads of your hunting buddies that will be used for plaque mounts. Doing a cow elk will help with too, just no antler burrs.

Sad news, but she left you both great memories

Maybe

Josh, you made me pull out the topo. Sixtymile is the big canyon to the right/north of Chuar Butte seen in the first image. Awatubi Canyon is the next canyon upstream from sixtymile. Amanda, if I knew I was going to be photographed, I would have combed my hair. Brent, I'm glad I did not get vertigo, but I was a little apprehensive at times. PD, thanks.

July Fourth weekend was spent on the edge of Marble Canyon with another photographer and Rica. We did not see another person, so it must be remote. Some nice cooling rains and lighting came each day. Most of the time our tripod legs were inches from the thousand foot vertical drop. Eleven images from the weekend are at the end of the Grand Canyon gallery. http://www.plateaulightphotography.com/Landscapes/arizonalandscapes/Doug-Koepsel-Photography/11289820_sF3LGX#!i=2627687185&k=T9BqXLR

that "wind season" lasts too long

Looks good Chris. I did not get up in the wee hours either.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5426113 In case you were heading there to escape the heat, it will be closing due to fire danger. Too may idjuts out there to risk the resource, imo. There were reportedly a few kids up West Fork last weekend with a campfire.

Coues Contest 2012 Winners and Prizes Archery Typical First Place Elkman, Josh Weeks 120 2/8 Elk Night Light, Camo Cap, XL hunting Time T-shirt http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/34941-successful-archery-hunt-what-a-hunt/ Second Place couesntime, Rob Wilson 112 0/8 A-1 Camp Mattress http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/38082-it-happened-to-me/ Third Place Derek Harris (PSEps) 108 6/8 T-shirt, Cap, mug http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/35292-nm-buck/ Honorable Mention Tracy Boorn Jr 100 7/8 T-Shirt, Cap Mug http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/35028-finally-broke-the-100-mark/ Smallest Coues Buck 70/8 oz31p, Tim Osolin Folding Knife, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/34852-2012-archery-coues-deer-and-my-first-archery-animal/ Archery Non-Typical First Place Donna Smith, crazy chick archer 115 Outdoor Edge Blaze Knife, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/2013/01/my-monster-2013-buck/ Archery Youth First Place Bowsniper Jr. , Daniel Lucas 59 2/8 Havalon Knife, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/34984-2nd-archery-coues/ Rifle Youth First Place Tyler Stephens 109 2/8 Trail Cam, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/36718-jr-hunt/ Second Place Ashlyn, archerman 94 7/8 Havalon Scrimshaw Knife, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/36261-12-year-old-daughters-first-deer/ Smallest Youth Buck Nathan Crosland 8 $50 SW gift , Camo Cap Two spikes L-4 R 4 http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37043-sons-coues-buck-this-year/ Rifle Typical First Place Devin Beck, Becker 127 2/8 Havalon Knife, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/36125-my-dream-buck-updated-with-long-story/ Second Place Bill Bones B55801AZ 121 4/8 Otis Gun Cleaning kit, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37102-121-48-october-coues-buck/ Third Place Josh Weeks, elkman 106 7/8 Swaro Optics Rental http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37607-elkmans-nm-coues-hunt/ Honorable Mention azcouesandelk Christian Wolff 106 4/8 Camo Loop Rope, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37595-san-carlos-tag-filled-part-2/ Honorable Mention Tom Matthew, tommat 103 7/8" T-shirt, Inclinometer, Cap, Mug http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/36926-thank-gosh-im-a-lousy-shot/ Honorable Mention Brian Payne 102 5/8 T-shirt, Inclinometer, Hat Mug http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37542-late-season-rally/ Honorable mention Bruce, Singleshot 102 0/8 T-shirt, Cap, Mug http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/36522-the-red-ryder-buck/ Rifle Non-typical First Place JT Austin (T-Bone) 124 5/8 Trail Cam, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/38431-sally-my-trophy-buck/ Second Place Matthewp 45, Matthew Phillips 102 4/8 Havalon Knife, Camo Cap http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37526-san-carlos-tag-filled/ Mexico Typical First Place Tommy Martin aka Couestracker 122 0/8 Dan Lee Elk Mount Discount http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37747-my-mexico-double-double/ Second Place Becker, Devin Beck 118 4/8 T-Shirt, Cap, Pewter Eagle Mug http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37680-checking-out-for-the-season/ Mexico Nontypical First Place Grong, Josh Epperson, 135 Gila Outdoors Gift Certificate http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37853-third-time-in-mexico-with-reynaldo-finally-paid-off/ Field Photo First Place jmp, Jay Park 112 11x14 Print http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37796-21-wide-mexico-buck-updated-new-pics-2nd-buck/ Photo Essay First Place Tommy Martin aka Couestracker 122 RMEF Knife http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/37747-my-mexico-double-double/ Youth Hunt Story First Place Daniel Lucas, Bowsniper Jr $25 SW Gift Certificate http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/34984-2nd-archery-coues/ Random Draw $25 SW Gift Certificate Christian Wolff, AZ CouesandElk Spirit of the Hunt Photo First Place Josh Epperson Antler Wall Mount

When I dropped off the deer app at the Flagstaff office on Tuesday, they were not that busy. Guess many are applying online.

The monkey and columbine flowers in West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon were figured to be peak, so I returned to the canyon again last weekend. The temps in the canyon were near 60* in the morning and quite pleasant. It was close to 100* down in sunny Sedona later in the day. On Saturday. I joined a photographer from Texas and we shot the reflection pool at the first creek crossing. On Sunday, I returned and hiked up 3 1/2 miles to where the trail ends at a pool that resembles the Subway section in Zion. First Crossing Walls in the Water Trails End Playing the Slots Monkeys on the Wall

Danke. couesmagnet, there are more images of Oak Creek and Sedona here: http://www.plateaulightphotography.com/Landscapes/arizonalandscapes/Sedona/11290567_shCCPw#!i=1081785423&k=hKnNQNW

Shoe tree- just as bad as the arrow tree?

Looks like a good place to be about now

Nice story and congrats to Brady and you. That heart sure is huge too. Not the stereotypical Raymond Ranch hunt.

Looks like about 2000 extra hunters beat the odds...at least for a while http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/06/03/counting-sheep-sd-accidentally-oks-bighorn-hunts-for-thousands/?test=latestnews

It's 95* in Sedona and Page, so I escaped the heat into the canyon of West Fork of Oak Creek on Sunday. I figured that the cool night air would have descended into the canyon for some temperature relief. The monkey flowers and columbines along the creek are stating to bloom. About 3 miles up the trail, the creek goes through a narrow section that is somewhat like the Subway in Zion

Thanks for the comments. Cosnino, I have not hiked down WF from Woody Mountain Rd in the 22 years I have lived in Flag. Have you hiked/swam West Clear Creek? BB- actually, Rica is my trusted photographic assistant. She is always running ahead and scouting out the good compositions ;-)

Over 70 illegal campfires http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5422177 Some people (70+) need to buy a dog and name it "Clue." Then they will have one.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5420950 Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 8 a.m. Wednesday on the entire Coconino National Forest and on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. Restrictions will not yet be implemented on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest due to different weather and fuels conditions. Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are clear of flammable materials.