AZP&Y

Went out and put up some trail cams in advance of the Spring Turkey season. Ran into some nice tracks, but tracking turkeys seem to be tough to judge. Would these be considered an average or above average bird? What forms of scouting do you use? I understand finding a roosting spot is important, but wanted to see if big tracks= big birds? Some J shaped Poop in the picture , I guess indicates a TOM? Any pointers or knowledge would be helpful. AzP&Y Doug

Almost, But we were on foot with backpacks because the roads were closed. Those were ATV's that circumvented the gate and were'nt supposed to be there yet It is unit 6A. Thank you in advance for any assistance! AzP&Y

mp45, Glad to hear it, seems like the other 'appointees' lately have created so much controversy. Glad to hear a true hunter is working for Arizona's hunting future. azp&Y

Nice Crappie- tasty. What were the crappie biting on? Jigs - Lots of slot bass in Rosey and some lunkers to boot! azp&Y

outstanding- I can smell the fresh air, lack of traffic and solitude- nothing has changed down here it's the same old / same old- thanks for sharing the pictures- can't wait for summertime photos of the cowboy state azp&Y

Mike, If you get a chance could you PM me his contact information? I'd like to contact him & see if I can get a couple of pieces for my office. Thank you again! Doug

This poster with that art-work ! FANTASTIC! Any idea how much? Just curious. Great how they are all so detailed! What a room that would make, with a few nice mounts mixed in there! Thanks for sharing that one! AzP&Y Doug

Nice gun Pollo- I say grizz whacker.... azp&y

Looks like he was luckier than that CARP in this post: http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...ic=5292&hl= Azp&Y

Way to go Jim. Always enjoy the informative hunt stories- Top notch pictures and your great hunt attitude! Doug AzP&Y

The December Coues hunt came and went & it was time to focus on Javelina. I have bowhunted these surly desert pigs for the past 4 seasons without success. I opted for the general tag for some increased opportunities . Opening day resulted in a strong cold front and by early afternoon we were blown off the mountain. First the wind came, followed by sleet, corn snow and finally snowflakes. Just before leaving the mountain, a small group of 6 appeared and were on the move....only to vanish in the maze of cat-claw. The next 2 days were clear bright and sunny southern Arizona winter days resulting in many hours of quality glassing! Still no pigs but many coues does' and a few smaller coues bucks. On the way down from my afternoon glassing spot, I was traversing a ridge-line and came upon my first Coues Lion-kill. It was there maybe 30-45 days. The rack is a very nice 5x4 with some quality mass. I was grinnin the entire time as a descended the 600 vertical feet. Later that night it made for excellent camp-fire stories as the other hunters could not resist stopping to ask where it had come from? Just before sunset, an Arizona Gould's turkey made an appearance at less than 20 yards. The picture is a bit blurry, but you can see how healthy and large these birds are... Monday morning up and ready for the final day of the hunt. Another clear, bright sunny morning. As I left the jeep , i was working through a small wash and notice 3 pigs rooting and chewing on their morning grubs. They sensed some movement and scurry down a ravine. At this point it was time to get set-up. Out came the shooting sticks and the rest is history. Another great time and adventure in the Arizona backcountry! AzP&Y Doug

Rman jr, Way to stick with it. Even though they went a ways, you were stealthy and got another 2 shots! Excellent! Congratulations! WELL DONE my javelina brother! Just like the Chinese New Year's says: 2007, "The year of the pig"! Azp&Y

Hey David and Single shot. Yes , they are just in certain parts of the state. I was in hunt area 33. They were re-introduced to the Santa Catalinas last January. Here is an article issued by AzG&F. Check it out, it's pretty interesting. You cannot hunt them there (yet) BUT they are doing quite well. Hopefully some day soon. http://www.azgfd.gov/artman/publish/article_459.shtml Hunt Area 35a is the only place that i believe that you can hunt them and I noticed many Goulds when I backpacked through the Huachucas in 2005. AzP&Y Doug

AzDiamondback is correct. Recreation - Wilderness Areas support a wide variety of recreation uses that are consistent with protection of wilderness characteristics. Recreational uses in wilderness include activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, backpacking, camping, nature study, photography, and climbing. Bicycles and other forms of mechanical transport are not allowed in Wilderness Areas, since they are prohibited by the Wilderness Act. The majority of AZ wilderness areas have these Carsonite (fiberglass) posts. Not all have them. But the same rules apply to AZ wilderness areas. http://www.blm.gov/nlcs/wilderness/faq.htm azP&Y

I 2 had seen the old pictures that he took and follow the azgame and fish pics, but nothing compares to these. WOW! Thanks for sharing Jim. I can't believe how LARGE and healthy that cat appears. Nice to know they are still around (although very rare)! AzP&Y

Younghunter, I have had tremendous success with the Primos Pack bugle- Produces high-pitched bugle of satellite and big bulls for challenging the herd bull. Includes support shelf mouthpiece, rubber cap, snap-on bugle reed, Mossy Oak® cover and sling lanyard. It's a piece of cake to use and almost "fool-proof" in the adrenaline rush of hunting archery bulls! The reeds are replacable. It also fits nicely into a daypack. Good luck on the draw. AzP&Y

RR, Excellent job! Thanks for sending the prize that I donated. Really like the 3 pics of best field photos! azp&Y

Neo- I'll go one for immigration- (but what it really means is: illegal-immigration) If we don't secure the borders first and foremost, the below picture is what is going to result. To not be able to safely and securely hunt in our own country , with the risk of an un-provoked attack has impacted many hunters all along the entire stateline of Arizona & Mexico. I'll still always hunt there, but hope someday it's not an issue anymore... Good topic & it will be interesting to read the diversity of answers. Ad Hominem of course AzP&Y Doug

az4life - nice poem. Dogs really are man's and woman's best friend. very sorry to hear of your loss. AzP&Y Doug

Checks on the way. Thanks and my tri-pod thanks you. AzP&Y Doug

BOB you crack me up.... ....i was just waiting for that one... azp&y doug

congrats younghunter- keep up the find the deer photos- thoroughly enjoyed those! azp&Y Doug

Matt, My lungs are hurting just thinking of the 9000 elevation in the wilderness... It truely is majestic up in the Weminuche!!! If I don't draw an AZ archery elk tag I may join you in Colorado. We can saddle my HUSKY! Doug azp&Y

Aunt Jemima, I sent you a PM of some areas you may want to concentrate on and check out. You do not need need to worry about Illegals in 24b. It is not considered a travel cooridor and they have broken off by that point and foot travel is almost non-existant. As with Coues, quality optics are a must in my opinion to find the little salt and pepper peccary of the desert! Good Luck and it's a great hunt, one that you will probably enjoy more than you thought! AzP&Y Doug

i'VE BEEN WICKED BUSY AND GOT A CHANCE TO READ THIS A.M. WOW IS ALL i CAN SAY. EXTREME WEATHER, LIMITED TIME AND THE BUCKS THAT WERE KILLED SHOWS YOUR EXPERTISE AND LEVEL OF SKILL. GREAT TO READ AND YOUR PHOTOS ARE OUTSTANDING ! I HOPE TO BOOK A TRIP SOMEDAY (SOON) AND ENJOY THE MEXICO COUES EXPERIENCE! dOUG AZP&y