Jump to content

gotcoues

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    1,334

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    14

Posts posted by gotcoues

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Really surprises me you guys are thinking late may is a better rule of thumb. My experience for the last five/six years is Late April/Early May. I have a lot of cameras out and I really can't remember every seeing bone in the 3rd week of May. Two and three weeks ago we saw a total of 7 bucks and two had dropped and one was packing only one antler.

     

    Do you guys think bucks in the Northern half of the state also hold on possibly until Late May or are these mostly Southern units you guys are referring too?

  3. Posted · Report reply

    I would guess most have dropped and all big bucks have for sure. Latest I have had bone on camera is May 12 I think and I've never had a mature buck with head gear this late on camera. I found a fresh set three weeks ago on my way to check a camera. I would think you should be golden for this coming weekend. Further South, the later the dates for rut/antler drop/antler growth I'm my opinion though.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Quick question for people in the know..... My wife and I applied in wyoming last year and were not drawn. I do not want to apply this year because each of us drew a tag this year for AZ. Do we now purchase a preference points so our odds our better next year? If so, when should I do that.

     

    Thank you in advance.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Cabela's Visa does not show pending charges like other cards do. My cards are updated within the minute to show a pending charge. AAAAhhhh The "Cabela's Visa Late Hit", you can call in for recent charges and get an immediate yes or no and the available balance posted will change immediately, other than that, todays "hits" were most likely from Friday at 8am!

  9. Posted · Report reply

    We already have plenty of laws....... If someone is "damaging" trees, then turn him in. I totally get it's a little bit much to see tons of cams on a water source, but to just want it outlawed all together because you don't like it is pretty sad. I guess I would support some rules to prevent cameras being outright banned, like no cams during the heaviest traffic times of the season or at water holes, but even that seems really cheesy. I think it comes down to people not using cameras, not liking cameras so everyone else should not be allowed to use cameras. Pretty sad IMO

     

    The comment about the poor guy can't afford it, so no one should be allowed to do it is definitely Bernie Sanders Approved, gimme a break...!! The vast majority of cams are being hung by the regular joe that dreams about the outdoors and big game just a bit more than the average joe. "Trail Camming" is a whole different hobby to some extent. I've enjoyed thousands of hours in the outdoors with friends and family, lots of trips with the pooches since I hung my first camera in 2005. I would be heart broken if cameras were outlawed and not to mention, countless hours of hiking to remote spots helps keep me under 200lbs! Some people eat, sleep and breathe hunting, if that has to be explained, then you wouldn't understand. Why punish a guy who wants to spend his hard earned money and time doing something that he loves that at the end of the day has zero effect on you.

    • Like 9

  10. Posted · Report reply

    I believe I heard last year that someone has started making these again after working out a deal with the family. Bull Basin in Flag bought up most of the leftover stock and had a ton of adapter plates last year. I would call them and try to get current info on these heads.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    I would think you could work for a successful guide if you have that kind of availability during hunting season. Good luck, I don't think people realize how much time these guys spend out there. Labor of love, and I would guess only the best are really making good money. I love helping people out just as much as love hunting for myself or with family members, but the fun stops when you get paid to deliver something to a shooter IMO....

     

    Kudos to the guys who do it and consistently get it done in a big way.

    • Like 1

  19. Posted · Report reply

    For our javelina, Colleen processed about half of them and the rest I took to Jon at WGP. This year we've gone with Chorizo, Breakfast maple and we tried the regular brats for the first time. All are amazing, his brats were brought to a family get together and my brother-in-law had bought some from Costco, not much debate, Jons came out on top! For a lot of you javi nay sayers, pay a little extra and get some sausage and brats made up, you won't regret it! Highly recommend Jon at WGP, great work, turns out awesome goodies and is just flat out a nice guy.

    • Like 3

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Another fun year is coming to a close. Special times with my family and friends. Lots of first time javi slayers, a couple doubles and my first recurve animal. The crew just flat out got er done more often than not. Family and friends, doesn't get much better!

     

    My son Dillon started the season with a Dec Metro Javi, this was his first animal without his Dad tagging along!

    post-754-0-18274600-1456381523_thumb.jpg

     

    Dillon followed up by arrowing his fifth archery pig on New Years Day at less than 10 yards. Alex, Dillon and I glassed all morning and came up empty. We knew they were close so we packed up and headed higher on the ridge to check out some different cuts. We walked right into the herd we were looking for and was able to woof a few back wen they busted.

    No pic available unfortunately 37a

     

    I was able to fill my archery tag this season in 37a, shot was 30 yards. My son Dillon was in on the the assist. We had only been glassing at our last spot of the afternoon for a few minutes when we herd pigs making a ruckus. Dillon spotted them only about 130 yards away. I flubbed up a bit, the one I shot was in some light brush and I didn't realize until after I let it fly he was on the smaller side. Oops "My dinker stinker"

    post-754-0-68380600-1456381866_thumb.jpg

     

    I filled my second tag in over in 38M, this was a special deal as I was able to take my first recurve animal. It won't be the last! My son Dillon located the herd, my daughter's boyfriend Alex was also in on the assist. Three half day hunts to get it done with the recurve, in pigs every time, tons of action all of which easily would have gotten it done with the compound. Ended up ditching my boots (I don't do that for archery pig!) and sneaking in to within 5 yards of a bedded herd that was layed up in some boulders. I was looking straight down and it took a long time to get an opportunity. Finally got winded and pigs were flying in every direction, but one made the mistake of pausing at 4-6 yards! My son took video from up above, turned out pretty cool for sure.

    post-754-0-73617100-1456382041_thumb.jpg

     

    Next up my buddy Nelson and I finally got to hang out. We went to one of our favorite spots and bailed from the truck before daybreak. Several herds and one behemoth herd that goes over 20 hides in this spot. He arrowed a big old boar at 40 yards, he spotted these guys way higher up than normal and cut them off on their way down. I took long range video, I'll try and add that later.

    post-754-0-50508300-1456382257_thumb.jpg

     

    My friend Jake and I started chatting about chasing pigs together last yr. He grabbed a metro tag and it was game on. A quick evening hunt resulted in a decent herd, pigs charging the call and Jake thumping his first archery pig! He quickly followed up his second archery pig during the ham hunt in a different unit. His Dad also took his first archery pig/animal on that ham hunt! Congrats to Jake and his Dad, they killed it this season!

    post-754-0-30685200-1456382584_thumb.jpg

     

    Next hunt was an awesome deal, my wife Colleen and her friend Claudia put in on a ham hunt in 36a together, this was Claudia's very first hunt. The three of us shot the muzzy's together to prep and set up camp Thursday Night before the opener. Colleen was on fire glassing up 7 bucks including a big wt with trash. We glassed up stinkers at the exact time Friday morning and watched them feed hoping they would bed down. The lucky streaks just continued as they went and laid down in a good spot. We snuck in and got set up at about 100 yards and before long, the first double was complete. Mission accomplished on opening morning to boot.

    post-754-0-93090500-1456383066_thumb.jpg

     

    Colleen had a second ham tag in another unit but we came up empty a couple evenings during the week, really hot and no pigs located. On Sunday we teamed up with our friends Harvey and Steve who also had the ham tag and headed out to what would be the craziest, hardest, longest trek chasing pigs all day one could imagine. Harvey stayed back as spotter so were were able to keep following the herd through different zip codes. We finally got set up on the herd in the afternoon and sat em out waiting for the shot. Unfortunately, Colleen missed the first shot, but Steve followed up and lit one up with the smokepole. Colleen was 8/8 on big game tags and this miss resulted in her success rate going down to 8 for 9 on filled tags. She's an animal, and I'm so proud of her never surrender, anything it takes in the field attitude. Love you darling! This is 3 years in a row Steve and I have pig hunted together, I like the tradition. He was able to stand, sweep over and freehand his pig at probably 80 yards with the muzz after they started to move out. Oh yeah

    Steve's smokepole beast

    post-754-0-62055600-1456383650_thumb.jpg

     

    The opener of the rifle season we had a four man crew! Kyle came down from Phx and him and I were in on the assist for Nelson and my friend Larry. This was Larry's first pig tag. Nelson ended up finding them sooooo far away in the nastiest canyon this side of the mountain. After a while we were sitting somewhere above the herd trying to relocate them without much luck. The ol trusty call was brought out to work after all glassing efforts were exhausted. It was enough to get them up and Kyle made the visual so I backed off the call. Nelson dropped one in his tracks and Larry was able to follow up and put down a second javi. 2nd double of the season, first javelina for Larry!

    post-754-0-53346900-1456384040_thumb.jpg

     

    My daughter Ashley also had a rifle tag, but in a different unit. She and her boyfriend Alex had the weekend off and we headed out Saturday. We glassed all day and not a single pig was located. We skipped Sunday and Ashley and I headed to hills Tuesday afternoon to fight the wind and hope for the best. 4:22 was the magic moment I glassed up a small herd I was not familiar with. I had found a larger herd in this area during deer hunting so we decided to give it a try. We got lucky again which seemed to be the dominating theme this season and they bedded back down for a few giving us just barely enough time to haul butt and get set up on them. Ash was proned out at 89 yards and the second the herd got up, she knocked one down, without so much as a wiggle out of her pig. Alex came out after work and got there just in time for cleaning and packing. No complaints HERE!

    post-754-0-65221700-1456384480_thumb.jpg

     

    Last but not least, I have a friend Jesse that had come up empty so far on his first Javi hunt. I gave him some intel on a good spot they could hunt but the weekend didn't produce any pigs. Jesse and I along with Larry met up and headed out for the evening. The whole afternoon was spent looking at beautiful scenery void of life so it appeared. We were running out of time and suddenly I said the words we all wanted to hear, GOT PIGS! Jesse and I immediately packed up and charged with no time to waste. Larry stayed behind to make sure we didn't lose him. We moved in fast and Jesse set up prone at about 100 yards and he dropped probably the oldest boar I've seen to date. Top cutters worn off and Bottom teeth were wore completely down and almost nothing for top teeth either. What a way to end the season. Jesse with his first Javi, Larry ("who has definitely caught the bug") in on the assist and an ol ancient boar to close it out!

    post-754-0-81436700-1456385371_thumb.jpg

     

    The Crew 2016 Pigapalooza! 4 units hunted successfully and we hunted over 15 different herds, 3 of which surpassing the 20 mark on size.

     

    Here's a couple cool pics from a neat pig bed I found. Two different herds used the shelter and were there about every other day on average. 11 pm arrival give or take and getting up to bail in the mornings from 8-10.

    post-754-0-36442800-1456386805_thumb.jpgpost-754-0-54253600-1456386858_thumb.jpg

    • Like 13

  23. Posted · Report reply

    If there is sign in the area, you have to just keep glassing until you get lucky and find them. Tough buggers to glass up, but pretty easy to hunt once located. This season we've been very successful so far with 9 pigs taken, we pushed our start time back to 7:30-7:45 to start glassing after archery deer closed. Often they will stay bedded to 8 and even 9am making them almost impossible to find depending on bed location. Usually they like to sun for at least a bit in the mornings but not always. I think your best windows to glass them up are from 8-10am and again after 3:30-4:30 depending on the heat.

    • Like 3

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Really cool topic, I love hearing the opinions from you guys that put in a lot of homework! I'll have to admit, that these bucks are so hard to find once they reach that 110 category, that we instantly put them on the hit list and have done well to get some target bucks on the ground and not be able to see if they could make that big leap into the crazy huge category the following year. The biggest deer we have found were taken the same year we found them and we have no idea what they looked like the previous year unfortunately. We've had a few nice ones that were after taken by other hunters and some just disappear, probably from predation.

     

    Insight into antler growth and age class is great topic! Hopefully this thread goes on for a while.

     

    And yes, awesome buck to start the conversation with!

  25. Posted · Report reply

    I have followed many, many, many bucks over the years by glassing/scouting and with trail cameras. I have yet to see a buck "explode" under my supervision haha.

     

    I've been lucky and have been able to follow quite a few bucks for 3 and even 4 years. I have yet to watch one for 5, I'm hoping one buck I call corkscrew breaks that streak and reappears for year number 5. He has always been very cool, but has yet to "explode". In the 4 years I have had him on camera, he has gone from about 80" to 100" give or take a few inches with the big improvement only happening from 80" to the following year and then not much change since.

     

    I feel that from 2 years old to 3 years old is their best growth year. I usually start paying attention to different bucks when they reach 90-100" which in my opinion has to be a minimum of 3-4 years old and haven't seen more than 10-15" of growth on any given year after I started keeping tabs or was lucky enough to relocate and keep tabs. Most of the 100" type deer I've watched don't improve hardly at all. I do think it was a stellar antler year for growth overall. The rains seemed to timed very well for this past season and lot's of DIY guys and outfitters found great deer.

    • Like 4
×