AZP&Y

Bass, PM sent! Last years results! - Good luck and stay with them... They will get 'pushed' around over there, but will always come to the water (lake). Doug AzP&Y

Welcome back Jim! It's always a treat to come back from the last frontier and step foot on AZ soil *warm and familiar! The pictures are nice, steel grey skies and that emerald green background. Glad to see that you made it home safely and can't wait to see the other pictures of AK. Alaska is somewhat about adaptation and the human condition. You can prepare for anything, but never know if it will happen or when . Glad that you got a chance to get a Moose and Bou. I know that in your mind, you'll have to return at somepoint and maybe find another highly 'recommended outfitter'. Good luck with your upcoming guiding/bull elk hunts -! Doug AzP&Y

Younghunter, Nice set-up. Your now in the land of no return! You'll always have a tag to hunt, archery deer, over the counter turkey tags in the Fall- Archery elk and the opportunity to hunt elk (at least cows) if you choose much more frequently than a rifle hunter could ever dream (well in most cases) Make sure you try Usery Mountain out in East Mesa- They have a 28 targets that are strategically placed in the desert and you have choices from which distance to shoot ranging from a 10yrd shot to 70 yard shot. Somewhat realistic hunting yardages and desert terrain to match. Shooting at hay bayles is nice, but you'll really like the Archery course @ Usery. They also have your basic yardage targets from 10 - 90 yards as well to site in your pins. Good Luck ! AzP&Y Doug

Becker, Nice bird with stick and string! - Their eyesite is incredible at times and they supposidly see 10 times greater that the human eye (not sure how they know that)? Thanks for sharing the pics! It's always nice to get an over the counter Archery Non-permit tag & get your bird with bow! AzP&Y Doug

I use the OR spring ringhead net. It keeps the mesh away from your face and still allows you to look through binos or the spotting scope (it just takes a bit of getting used too). After my 11 trips to Alaska, mine still has mashed skeeters that were ready to cart me away. You have to know your tolerance of insects and swarming skeeters in Alaska (the state bird) have NO MERCY! Good Luck I posted a pic so you know what it looks like. For $13.95 it's a great piece of gear when you need it. Gnats can be even worse because of the cluster and when you start in haling them and choking, it's not fun anymore .. You can opt for Ben's 100 DEET, (puchased at campmor.com) but that's like some serious toxic stuff (although they say it's safe).. but I guarantee they'll move from you if you wear that stuff. AzP&Y

Shortpants, You must have found the pair I was looking for (just kidding) I walked 30 miles of the Arizona Trail this spring that runs through the heart of 5Bsouth and didn't find a shed! Great job, can't wait to see the pictures. I've been up there some this summer and there are a couple of bruiser Mule deer running around. If you like that country, the trail is a great way to see the unit of foot.. http://www.aztrail.org/passages/pass_29.html Congrats on the matching pair! Doug AzP&Y

Dang it , I didn't mean to post that picture.. What's really strange is that the season normally starts tomorrow 9/15 and this year it's a week later. Not sure if you guys have seen the weather ?? Cold front moving through and LOW temps in the 30's above 6500 feet starting next week. BRING ON THE RUT! Good Luck Desertsheep- Hope you drop a Monarch! azP&Y Doug

I keep hearing Ted Nugents' " Spirit of the Wild" and " Fred Bear" ... Playing... Nice Job - Randy - I think I'll read tonight from THe Ultimate guide to elk hunting, - Randy Ulmer's chapter " Sneak Em' Don't Call 'Em".. AzP&Y

Nice Pope & Young BUCK! Looks like you're a believer in Scent Lok? AzP&Y

Az4Life, Man i've read your post and it mirrors some of my exact thoughts. I've spent my entire life here in Az and know it will never be the same. Have had thoughts of Iowa ,where last year they harvested 210,000 whitetail deer. I've been very lucky with my draws , but the quality of life has gone way down the crapper. Take care and really enjoyed your posts and your support of other fellow hunters. REgards, Doug AzP&Y

By the way AZP&Y the 12x56 nikon monarchs worked great, but I got to get that tripod needed it! I hear ya... It will help a great deal and make "glassing" much more enjoyable. That Guy I Pm'd you will set you up ... Let me know how the 2nd round of scouting goes. I'll send you a PM on another canyon that may hold some nice bucks. Did you see a lot of UDA (undocumented Alien) traffic? AzP&Y Doug

Superb buck! Welcome to the world of Pope and YOung! Awesome job! AzP&Y Doug

Mike, We've used nickname "bessie" - aka - Montana Cow elk decoy. It can be a great tool and has done well for satellite bulls and spike bulls. We (our hunt group) has yet to have a monarch walk into one, but it seems to make them feel at ease. They show up and say " ahhh another member of the family". It breaks down in seconds and is worth carrying and utilizing during your hunt. It can be extremely effective when hunting cows (which we have another tag in 2006). Good luck and notice the set-up next to a mature ponderosa and a nice shooting lane and the opportunity to draw without being noticed. And Double what Jamaro said, because I've stalked my hunt buddy's "bessie" - it's easy enough to do (don't stand behind it).. Doug AzP&Y

Standman- Super nice buck- that will look outstanding as a mount! Great dedication to stay with the speed goats! AzP&Y Doug

Real nice bull. Looks like you were up in the aspens? Nothing like some colorado ALTITUDE to get your heart going- Lot's of hoofin it ! Doug AzP&Y

Whopper Toad! Incredible - The velvet is fantastic! Thanx for sharing the pictures and congrats! AzP&Y doug

Outstanding buck- love to see them in velvet! Are those aluminum arrows? Wow! Story is coming (right) ? AzP&Y Doug

AzP&Y

Samadams, Here is the link from azg&f , it's a start for you and should provide some good terrain for your coues hunt. http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_units_35a.shtml You probably know this , but the southern range is over-run with traffic. The Huachuca mountains are a prime smuggling route and should be approached with caution. If you haven't lived in southern az for while, things have changed dramatically. The December tag, should be a good one and there are some quality bucks in that unit... They have received record rainfall in the Coronado national monument area and many some roads are in 'rough shape' Good luck and hope your drop a big-un. AzP7Y

Duwane is going to be at the ADA meeting :$10.00. Just a chance to meet him and talk to him about deer (trust me he's worth the price of admission) Come learn more about deer hunting tactics, field processing, optics, and much more from the experts at our upcoming Deer Hunter Clinic. This year's clinic will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006 at the Mountain Preserve Reception Center, located at 1431 E. Dunlap in Phoenix. The program will start at 5:30 pm. No pre-registration is required. Fee is $10 at the door; admission is free if you join the ADA or are a current member. Duwane Adams, noted Arizona deer guide, will be giving his presentation on hunting Coues and mule deer in AZ. Duwane practically invented the art of glassing and will share his knowledge and techniques. Duwane is the author of "Hunting Monster Mule Deer in Arizona's Kaibab Region" and is one of the most prolific Coues deer guides in Arizona history. Whether regardless of which species you will be hunting this fall, you won't want to miss this opportunity azP&Y Doug

The December coues tag finally came, which lead me to a few calls to establish a game plan on how to hunt coues. First was the process of finding some decent optics. I went with the Nikon Monarch ATB 12x56's. They go for around $430.00 and I was able to get them for $325.00 sent direct to my door from an authorized nikon dealer on good old e-bay. Another reason I went with the Monarch's is they have a 25 year no fault warranty pay $10.00 and you get a new pair (no questions asked). I then called Mr Duwane Adams and spoke with him about the upcoming hunt and strategy. He then asked what kind of binos that I had and I stated what I had just purchased. He asked me about a tripod and suggested a model that he uses and I opted for that as well -Velbon Sherpa 600 weighing in at 3.8lbs and he has used his for 10 years. I then proceeded to confirm a date last Sunday for 4 of us & glassing lessons. As many of have already read Duwane's Book " How to Hunt Coues Deer" - I wanted a more in-depth look at hunt strategy for the elusive grey ghost. The alarm rang at 2:30am and off to meet Duwane. We wanted an early start and at first light we had tri-pods and 4 different brands and powers of binos (swarovski,leica, nikon, bushnell) ready. Within minutes Duwane had a group of 3 deer in his 15x56 swaros. I new that we were in for a fantastic day. The clouds held until almost 8:00 am and we saw 2 dozen deer and 13 bucks in 2 hours time. The amount of information that myself and fellow hunting buddies learned was incredible- Duwane (as many of you know) is an incredible guide and has killed many, many deer. If you are a "newer coues hunter" or looking to improve your strategy, he is one incredible resource to the Arizona Coues Hunter. Duwane went on to comment that my set-up was really nice (although not quite swaro stuff) and I have a new perspective on good glassing skills and the confidence to use his methods. You can check Duwane's website (it's listed on coueswhitail.com) and there is more information on his glassing classes... He's getting busy with the upcoming hunts AzP&Y Doug

Nice Job Mulie hunter- I did it 2 years ago and that same year dropped a 5x6 pope and young bull! It's great "karma" and a sign of things to come for you! AzP&Y

Good Luck Jim! I remember when you first posted that you had booked that trip and now you're off ---- Time Flys! As always you take fantastic pictures and I can't wait to see the memories posted here on CWT. Nose to the wind! and Drop a trophy Moose and Bou. Doug AzP&Y

What is the minimum for Pope & Young? Coues' Deer, Typical 65 *Coues' Deer, Non-Typical 80 Outstanding bucks~ Thanks for sharing the pics. AzP&Y

BHD=CHD No question. The antagonistic format, the demeanor, the retaliatory comments. I smell a rat.... AzP&Y