COOSEFAN

I lived about a mile south of you for a bunch of years Brian, your backyard was my stomping grounds! I've basically have lived near and hunted the Whitetanks my whole life. We've killed a handful of bucks and pigs out of there. If you are a serious hiker and do some research, you'll be able to find multiple water sources on top of that mountain and finding one will greatly increase your chances with a bow. You obviously have to stay out of the park with a rifle, but there's big bucks outside as well but there's a lot of luck involved with those deer. Like was said before, and it's what I've believed for years, those deer are some of the heaviest pressured deer in the state! With close proximity to the valley, during the archery hunts, there are mobs of folks that pound those hills and quite a few aren't afraid to hike to the top! Plus, there's a very healthy population of Lions up there and they take their fair share and then some! Best of luck, JIM>

You also need GPS with maps and the National Forest Map for Unit 10. Some maps show details that others dont. That Unit is very tricky to navigate. When I had that tag I spent over $3000 on fuel and tires scouting and still didnt cover half the unit. That's no joke! I only use the AZGFD map but I have crumpled it up out of frustration more than once! 10 is a huge unit, there are big bulls in every corner and in the middle, and scouting it is a pain in the butt, literally! The roads will beat you and your equipment up fast. My advice, don't spend too much time scouting just 1 or 2 spots, devote a weekend each to all 4 corners of the unit and in the middle. Learn where the high points are and how to access certain areas and spend most of your time scouting from up high behind glasses. Closer to season, narrow the spots down and pick the best spot. Be prepared for serious competition by others, that's what I hate most about 10, lots of competition and it's usually folks that have no regard for anyone other than themself, and usually from somebody that doesn't even have a tag! I think it's the pressure of that tag that brings it out in folks, but I see it more in 10 than anywhere else. Also, we typically find and hunt our late season bulls in the same areas we hunted on the early hunts, they typically don't move far, but there are exceptions. The biggest key to our success on that hunt has been finding bulls away from the "hot spots" and avoiding the competition. There are famous knobs or mountains that you'll hear about that are everyone's "secret spots", and although you may not see anyone there prior to opening day, it doesn't mean you won't see an army of guys crawling all over it on day 1! Just be prepared and expect the worst, have backup plans, try to figure out where bulls will go when pressured, make sure your truck is dependable with good tires, plan for snow just in case, and leave the quad or ATV at home. Do all this and your in for an incredible hunt! Best of luck! JIM>

Go look for Antelope (not on the mesa), you'll be surprised what else you might find where you'd least expect em'! My favorite Elk spots there don't even look like Elk country from a distance. Lots of hidden pockets in that unit, and some accessible only by foot. Best of luck! There's some bigguns in there JIM>

Howdy folks, here's some pics from our last trip last week. With cabin fever settin in pretty bad, I threw the kids in the truck and headed north! We went to an area that holds some big bulls and had high hopes. The weather was great, there were plenty of bulls in the area, and best of all there weren't too many boot prints or quad tracks yet. I did see a 320" class bull still packin' so that made me realize that there wasn't a bunch of bone on the ground yet. Drake and Harley (my kids) were having a blast and I'm sure had no clue what we were looking for or why we were walking in circles! By the middle of the first day they were beat and we only had a busted up white to show for our effort! By this time we had 5 or 6 miles on us but as long as I took a break every now and then the pups were good to go! I also later found out that in this same spot we had walked around 2 big browns and a big hard white that a friend picked up the following day! Finally on the last day and with almost 18 miles hiked we found what we were after! Harley isn't a ham for the camera like Drake is, but after she got worn out I was finally able to get a pic of her alone with our prize! It was tough huntin but it was a great time with the pups and thankfully we came home with something at least! Thanks, JIM>

My best amateur guess is it's gone unless those files are showing up on your PC trash folder. Sounds like either the drive was (re)initialized or evereything inadvertently dumped on your crash. It stinks either way. Those bulls you posted are some pigs for sure! Oink Oink. I don't think I'm holding out for anything in that class--probably spike and up for me Best of luck to you and your clients this fall! Great video, gets me all pumped for my 2nd 7w tag in a row...... @ afteratag " get in line for Manny" he is the best caller I know! Whitey Manny's gonna go family first and then roll down the list with you guys....AND, that's only if my clients don't wave enough cash in his face and get him to hunt elsewhere! I do know he'll hunt with family first so we are all outta luck until he fills those tags! And yes, nobody can do a lip bawl bugle like Manny!

Thanks, I'll definitely look further into it! I just figured since it's a 500GB HD, and it's now showing that I have 500GB of storage available that it must've been wiped clean somehow. It did have over 460GB worth of video and pics stored before!

Now that's hilarious! I've gotta remember that one, sounds like a good name for the next beast we find!

My best amateur guess is it's gone unless those files are showing up on your PC trash folder. Sounds like either the drive was (re)initialized or evereything inadvertently dumped on your crash. It stinks either way. Those bulls you posted are some pigs for sure! Oink Oink. I don't think I'm holding out for anything in that class--probably spike and up for me Best of luck to you and your clients this fall! Thanks! Like Casey said earlier, I've had a problem in the past with my old computer crashing but I always felt safe having the external HD backing everything up. I thought those things were bullet proof but I guess not!

When I plug in the HD into my laptop now, it opens up fine and works, but shows that it's empty with no folders or files, and 500 GB of space ready to use! Is there a chance that everything is still on there?? I don't see how, before it had over 460 GB of stuff on it and I was needing to buy a new HD because this one was almost full. Now it says it's got 500 GB available, so I'm guessing it got wiped clean when my PC crashed the last time.

Thanks TJ!

My old desktop PC would crash all the time and I believe it caused my hard drive to crash as well. I had a 500 GB external hard drive that was almost full of video and pictures, over 460 GB worth, and now it says it's empty and not even a single picture on it! That sucks REALLY bad!

Finally, after much anticipation the results are finally out! We at Mullins Outfitters are very excited for the upcoming 2012 season and are already preparing and scouting! Congratulations to those that have drawn your dream tag, or any tag for that matter! And to those of you that didn't draw, don't forget about the great Over The Counter tags that are available! If you need help with a tag you drew or are interested in an OTC hunt with us, please call us or email anytime! We'd love to help you out! View the full article

Very nice TJ! That's time spent with your pops that you'll always cherish! What did ya catch em on? Any bed fishing?

Been stuck at home and sicker than a dog last couple days with "cabin fever" settin in bad enough that I grabbed the camera and went looking for Monsters! It didn't take long to find one and proceeded to play "ring around the rosie" with him around a creosote bush. He was more aggressive than the pics appear, I just couldn't snap a photo at the right time with his tongue out or his mouth open. He was hissing and seriously tired of me following him around. He did give me some good poses for the camera though and eventually I left him alone. I did find a rattlesnake but he made it into a badger hole before I could get the camera out. The nasty critters are out, everyone should be mindful while in the outdoors now! JIM>

I think December tags are great, I'm not saying they aren't. ESPECIALLY in the northern units where you have a much better chance of seeing early rutting activity because of the elevation. PlUS, in those northern units, with the vastness of the terrain, lower deer numbers, and typically thicker vegetation, it greatly helps to have more time, cooler weather, less people, and bucks cruising! No doubt, that goes without saying! If I was hunting 21,22, 23 or even the 24's, I would want nothing less than a Dec. tag! My thoughts on why i think they are over rated is geared more towards the Southern units. Tons of folks expect them to be "Rut" tags and far better than any early tag. Lots of those folks end up dissappointed because they didn't see a giant, or didn't see bucks chasing does, and they had waited years to draw the tag! If those folks waited for the late tag because they wanted the longer hunt, cooler weather and less people, then that's exactly what they'll get and not be dissappointed, the late tags are great for that. But every year I hear folks complain about how long they waited for a "Rut" tag and then was dissappointed in their hunt because they didn't see the rut or didn't kill a big buck! In the units that I hunt, I would much rather draw the tag every year, scout and pattern the bucks that I want and know that I'll get first crack at em'. That's a lot harder to do with a Dec. tag. I like the heat, it narrows down where the bucks will be. I also don't mind the extra hunter pressure, it narrows down where the bucks will be as well. Sure, you'll run into idiots every now and then but I expect it so it doesn't bother me. And snakes, yep it's a concern, but that's why I wear snake chaps. And a tip for you guys that burn your eyes with sunscreen, wear a hat and don't put that stuff on your forhead, it won't run into yer eyes anymore! To each his own! JIM>

I like the early hunts for the following reasons: -Bucks are in bachelor groups, just need to find 1 and most likely you'll have your pick of 2 or 3 more with him -The weather is nice -Guaranteed tag, the whole family can draw tags -When you find one, he won't move far, which makes for better stalking/relocating success -No broken tines -MUCH easier to pattern bucks -It's not hard to locate bucks, when it's hot, glass the shade. When there's pressure, glass the un-pressured areas The few things I like about Dec. hunts is the weather is usually cool enough to keep bucks active longer during the day and there typically is much less hunting pressure. I think the December hunts are over rated for the most part. Now, if they would extend the December hunts into the first couple weeks of January....COUNT ME IN!!!

If anyone wants a good chance at finding a Gila Monster, right now is the time to do it. Early spring time, before it gets too hot during the day, just head to Powers or Robbins Butte Wildlife Areas and hike around! For me, it's really close to my house, and I'm not happy unless i'm in the outdoors, so I've spent quite a bit of time out there in the off seasons

HA! I did try to dig em' out with a stick but he was too deep!

Hey guys and gals, we had a great trip to Alamo last week. My buddy kicked my butt as usual but after 1 1/2 days of fishing we had caught around 100 fish! We had 14 overs and the biggest was 4lbs. We also slayed the Crappie by bouncing jigs on their noses in thier beds! Bedfishin' is a blast and the Crappies were aggressive so it was fairly easy to make them bite. With light fading on our last day and with one of the last casts, my buddy did something I've never seen before! After bringing his topwater lure over a rocky hump, we saw a Crappie hammer it, and all of a sudden the lure got hammered again by a nice LM! Check this out!!!

That's not a Crappie Casey! Looks like you had a good time! You were fishing in a good spot, we caught a bunch of Crappie and LM on beds right out in front of where you were sitting and further East. It helped being in a boat so we could bounce jigs off their noses.

I actually just blew the dust off my bowfishing bow, wrapped some new braid on my fishin' reels, and by 10:00 AM tomorrow I should be launching the boat at Alamo! My buddy and I will probably be there till Friday. Bass is our priority, Tilapia and Carp are secondary, and I doubt we'll fish for cats, but maybe I'll try. Alamo has always been the best lake for me for cats. The best catfishing I've done there we were using shad that we caught with a throw net. I've also done well with shrimp and the normal stink baits. There's a ton of catfish there, you won't have a problem catching em'! Also, like Joe said, east of the main launch ramp (I beleive it's called Cholla) there is lots of accessibility and perfect banks that the catfish will cruise along. Best of luck! JIM>

Howdy folks, sorry for the long delay between updates! I've got a ton of cool hunts and giant critters to share with ya, stay tuned! First we have a phenomenal bear hunt to share with ya! It all started with a phone call from Phil Townsend from Yuma, AZ. He purchased the auction bear tag and was interested in a spot and stalk hunt! We love hunting bears with optics and have some great country to hunt so the hunt was on! Mullins guide, Bryan Waitman, started the scouting early and found several handfulls of bears with several being great trophies. As anyone that's done it knows, stateland bear hunting can be one of the toughest hunts you can do, and looking for a trophy adds a huge element of difficulty to it. With dogs you can shop around and pass on bears at close distance, but spot and stalk hunting is much more challenging and much more rewarding for the hunter as far as we are concerned. With tons of experience behind him and tons of scouting done, Bryan was ready for the hunt! Myself and friend Steve showed up several days in advance to get our bearings and Phil, along with his son Matthew and friend Ernesto showed up later for the hunt. It was on the first day that Steve found a huge bear and Matthew and Ernesto helped him pin down the location. Later that evening, after a grueling climb up one of the biggest mountains, we settled into position and relocated the giant bear in a small canyon. The rain started pouring down on us but with tripods in position and Phil on a steady rest, we waited for the bear to present a shot! Finally, after a short wait the bear stood up and turned broadside..BOOM! Phil sent a bullet towards the bear but unfortunately instead of a solid hit he gave the bear a haircut instead! The bear then ran down the canyon and we sat and watched as the bear ran a full mile in a circle below us in the flats and then dissappeared unhurt! We hunted that bear exclusively for the next couple days without success and then decided to move on to hunt different bears. We looked over several other good bears in the next few days and had a great time! Finally, after sorting through numerous different bears, we finally found the one that Phil liked and he said that was the bear he wanted! Here's some pics of the bear as he fed below my glassing position. After a quick lunch and reveiw of my pics of the bear from that morning, we headed out early to set up on the bear. I had watched the bear go into a thick draw to bed so we had high hopes we would get back on him. With Ben and myself up high and Bryan and Phil coming in from the bottom, our plan was set but as soon as I got set up I looked down and the bear was out! It was hot and way to early for him to be out but he was and our plan shifted into high gear! Bryan and Phil had to hike the mile in faster than expected and in just a matter of minutes the bear got hot and went back into the thick draw to bed again. Bryan and Phil finally got into position and after only a short wait the bear finally came back out! The bear walked up the same ridge that they were set up on and then skirted around the side just below them! Because of the slope and close proximity of the bear they had to sneak in close! Ben and I were on pins and needles freaking out at how close they were! I think it was 40 yards when Phil could finally see the bears head and neck above a prickly pear. Phil, not wanting to take any chances, decides to take the shot he had...BOOOM! The gun went off and the bear piled up in a heap! It was exciting just to watch such a hunt, I couldn't imagine the excitement they had up close and personal with the bear like that! It was great making new friends with Phil, Matthew and Ernesto and I definitely look forward to hunting with them in the future! I wish Matthew and Ernesto could've stayed longer but I'm glad they got to share in Phil's hunt as much as they did at least! Bryan did an amazing job and put us in great bear country with tons of bears found, actually, I think last count was over 20 bears sighted which is amazing for stateland bear hunting! Thanks to everyone that helped out, Glen, Ben, John and Pam, and Steve! The hunt couldn't have happened as well as it did without you all! Congrats again Phil on a beautiful stateland, spot and stalk trophy bear! Mullins. View the full article

Thanks guys! When stories get directed from my blog over to this Mullins Outfitters page here, the format gets jumbled up a bit! We had a blast on that hunt, there is something so cool about glassing a big pear slope in the desert and seeing a black spot materialize into view, I LOVE it!!! The best part about that hunt was the folks we hunted with, Phil, Matthew, and Ernesto are great people and I look forward to hunting with them in the future!

All those racks explains why I never saw you walking around Amanda, looks like you were busy! There were a bunch of folks I wanted to see but having several jobs to do that night I didn't have much time. I was able to run into a few of ya but wish I had found all of ya! Thanks for coming and supporting the AES, I think it was one of our best banquets yet! JIM>

I'd love to see pictures or details on how you guys set your boats up for night bowfishing, or day bowfishing as well. Also, any details or pictures of your bow set ups, or tricks with your arrows. I know some guys get real creative with fish points and arrow combos, such as aluminum shafts over glass or homemade points etc. Lastly, please keep us posted on tourney or get-together dates, I'd love to try and make it to one! Thanks JIM>