cmc

Ya I've got both of them. I'm actually researching others setups and will be doing a few trial runs working up to a pack in elk or deer hunt in CO wilderness. I'm also thinking of heading out for a 1-2 nights pack in on my deer hunt. I love Mtn. House meals, cliff bars and oat meal as fast back country foods. On my recent elk hunt I tried to eat as if I was packed in even though I was in my trailer. Just boiled water on my tailer stove vs. a mini stove. Thanks for all the info thus far. Exactly what I was looking for. cmc

I got the class M lic as well. One question, did you get printed or hand filled out tags? cmc

I ordered one via www.brownells.com and had it installed in a matter of minuets. Hardest part is to set the safety... only file off what you need to pass... not a millimeter more. Minor clearing in the stock and I was done. Talk about a sweet setup. Awesome triggers and nice quality. cmc

Let me first say that I'm not a trophy hunter by any means. People that know me know my motto is: spikes don't stick out of the freezer wrappings. But since I was successful to harvest my archery cow elk the freezer if stuffed already. With that in mind I decided to hold out for something that I could possibly get mounted. Well on Saturday that buck stepped out to fill my needs. For more photos of the hunt and the story please visit The Arizona Sportsmen's Journal Click here for more... Now we just need to get my brother his first ever coues and help some friends on their hunt. But frist... relaxing today, more like recovering from the pack out. good luck to all that still have tags and most importantly be safe out there! cheers, cmc Chris McCotter www.azuho.com

uh... I know someone that got a deer in 34A... me. see the hunting in AZ section or My post on The AZ Sportsmans Journal cmc

quit teasing.... cmc

Nothing to write home about but I got suckered into taking a 2X2. I was hoping my brother would have shot it so he could of tagged his first coues but to no avail he sat down behind an octillio farm it seemed and when the deer produced a clean shot there he was blocked as all get out. Even after 9 years hunting them I got buck fever and shot him. It was more of a... ok this shot is a challenge can I get him. To my surprise Yes I can. 250+ straight down hill with about a 10 inch window for the shot. I still think someone else hit that deer. Oh well meat in the freezer and we only saw two more bucks all weekend. My brother missed a nice 3X3 (+) that afternoon from when I got mine. Again everything going against him on the shot. Sun in his face. tall brush to shoot over with the deer walking in the shade with a few does and a smaller buck. I kept him on him but that sun made it so bad he could barely make out the deer let alone find a decent shot. Horrible hunting conditions as usual. Full moon, hot days, and a wind that changed every 5 min. it seemed. But it beats a great day at work any day. Looking at getting him out again this weekend. cheers, cmc

I've seen my fair share of illegals running the gauntlet in the desert. Granted it's not about coues but here's a post from a guy I know about a quail hunting trip he just had the other day. a dopey quail hunt!!!! Agree with bowhntr in that mostly any of the field officers, G&F, BLM or Border Patrol will check in on you if you ask. It's getting worse by the year though and I sure wish the other states would recognize this is a National problem not just a border state problem. I won't get into it any further as that's all political (and this isn't the place) but if you ever go camping/hunting it's probably best to camp in areas with other campers. The more remote you get the more worried you should be. Some times it's nice to not 'get away from everyone' when camping these days. Oh my father in law and crew hunted up in 32. Wasn't as good in past years. cheers cmc

CHD, It's more of the fact I really really wanted my brother to get one this year. I would have traded him my deer and me going home empty handed this year any day. He only gets the first weekend off so his hunt is over. I could have went all week but that?s life. I've got a full report on things on another board... CMC 2003 Post. Also I've compiled some photos from this years hunt and scouting for what I call coues country... Coues Country (a note the blue string and white stuff on the ground is from a drug drop site we found while hunting. Border Patrol was out in force with a chopper and trucks in search of two 'mules' with cocaine in the area. The white stuff is old burlap bags with twine tied up like backpacks.) cheers, cmc

I too have yet to connect with an arrow. Been trying for several years but each time out I get more and more humbled. I agree with coues hunter... I'm in awe with those that have taken one. Especially filling their tag via spot and stalk, which by the way is the only method I have used. Hence why I've not filled a tag yet. Some day I will. Even if it's just a little guy, he'll be mounted and proudly displayed on my wall. cmc

I don't go past 45 due to accuracy, string jumping, and penetration. I might be able to shoot a good group at 65yds but that doesn't mean the arrow will stick good at that distance. Goes the same for rifle. Sure you can hit the deer at 650 yards with a .222 but it might bounce off him. Do that with a 7mm or .300 win mag and he'll feel the blow. Practice, practice, practice. Some say to shoot a paper plate out 10 yards further than you think you can shoot. I say use a paper cup. It WILL make you a better archer. later cmc

I took a few rookies out Coues hunting this weekend and that's what we found too. Movement opening morning till about 8-9 then you either had to jump them or glass them. When or if they did move it was at the bottom of the canyons. Friday I packed out a nice little 3X3 a friend got around 5pm but didn't see a buck on Saturday. The wind combined with the head didn't help much. Burned up lots of shoe leather and still trying to pry my eye balls off my Wind Rivers. I got the Nov hunt and hoping for cooler weather. cmc

In the past I've had some other hunters ruin a stalk (archery hunting) when they started rattling a buck that I was stalking. Both bucks on both stalks blew out of there like no tomorrow. I don't recommend it but that's just my experience. I've found getting up high and glassing for does. Once you find some search out for the buck that's tending to her. If that's not a good enough buck then keep looking. good luck. cmc