bobbyo

Well you know the fauna in unit 22 is quite diverse. Bob

I want to get this out here so that everyone knows. It has been mentioned already, but I want to point it out loud and clear. The unit being written about is 36c and it sucks! People need to hunt 22,23 and 24 where the big deer are. Don't apply for 36c. I had a few tags to fill for my friends and could not find anything bigger than 80s in the late November hunt. I really had to eat a big humble pie with the soup and sandwich. In years past I could always glass up a mid 90s buck daily among the piles of garbage after the dust from the border patrol helicopter has cleared. Not this year. Of coarse, I know why scoutm et al had trouble finding 100+ deer on late December tag. Two major reasons. 1. The December tag is not a rut tag for this unit. The rut never seems to start early in this unit. The new moon of January is the most likely time for the rut which is next week this year(1/14). Some years I don't see the heaviest rutting activity until mid February during the Ham javi hunt. I have a feeling i might be seeing the rut during the Ham season this year if at all. If there is no more rain there may be no rut. 2. 36c is the driest unit in the state that contains Coues. Except for 42 of coarse . The monsoon was terrible this year and no fall storms to speak of have left the unit even drier. Springs in the peaks are dry. Because of this I think the mature deer left their high vertical haunts for the unglassable and nearly unhuntable flats. This theory has some confirmation by carp hunters that told me of all the "Big Whitetails" they kicked up during their hunt, while on horseback or still hunting. 36c sucks, Bob

I always agree with Lance! Set up is everything. I have called in some bucks by just breaking sticks in a dead tree or rubbing a stick on stones when I am running and gunning bucks. Never called in any deer with a grunt tube. Antelope sure like them though. Bob Ps. Dustin I heard about a big buck taken in the unit you were talking about with CRB. I think it could be the one you and CRB were talking about. I will see if I can get a picture.

Just an opinion, but maybe people got tired of seeing a bunch of NATURAL blinds beautifying water tanks and such. The addition of plywood and pallets also adds to this natural beauty. I guess when I take down my synthetic blind I am not adding anything to the natural beauty of the land. Bob

Now that's funny. Bob

This is sort of a continuation from another thread. But here is the question: WHAT IS THE MINIMUM SIZE COUES OR CARP YOU ARE WILLING TO BURN YOUR TAG ON DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF THE SEASON? Usually my goal is a branched antlerd buck in either coues or carp. I like hunting both, but this year is different. I have seen a couple coues that will probably go B.C. and C+S has inspired me with his determination. So I'm going to state it here. I will take one of these bucks or nothing. No forky with charachter for me. Bob p.s. in case your wondering where these bucks are. Unit 23! of coarse.

Gosh darn it. I stayed out of these arguments since I banned myself from the political thread, but the treehugging koolaid drinker in me just has to laugh at the hyper- hysteria and complete unscientific drivel the anti wolf crowd spouts. Blabbering facts about wolves that completely contradict themselves. Ranchers get paid for every livestock lost to the wolves. This is why every dead cow has a killed by a wolf label on them, right! This is why the elk population is decimated in unit 27 and 1. Those pesky wolves probably caused the Elk to be silent during the rut. There is no deer in Michigan any more right? The wolf killed them all. The wolf helped elect Obama and the wolf is causing our economic crisis. Ironically The below pooch was sent to me today.I Don't know if it is a photoshopped deal or the new world record as the e-mail claimed, but be afraid. Be very afraid.His pack is coming for you and they are maaaddddd...

The reason the deer left is because someone keeps shooting a shotgun at quail. Seriously you need to start at water sources and go from there. Tanks and pools that have water now may have been dry earlier. If so the Deer will move to more permanent water. Javelina are more resourceful then deer at getting water that is why they are still there. In Arizona it is about the water. Bob

Very poetic write up. I enjoyed the read. Thanks, and congratulations on your buck. Bob

You are going to get two camps on the WB. people who love them. and people who hate them. I have two friends that have brand new top of the line bows outfitted with WB. I have not noticed any difference in performance or noise out to 100 yards with the WB . They seem to preform as good as any other rest. From seeing that I would not hesitate to use one. I appreciate the simplicity and ease of setup that the WB provides. Also the noise free arrow containment is unmatched in close hunting situations. If you are going to be shooting distances over 30 yards, I feel you absolutely need a level. You might be able to glue one on your site and it would cost you 3 to 4 bucks and improve your distance shooting immensly. See Jesse at Saguaro bait and tackle and he will be able to tell you if the glue on level is a possibility. Jesse will take care of you. Bob

Jim, So your not going to hook me up? I think your definition and the majority of the communities definition of trophy hunting is different than mine and Bill's ( I am not speaking for Bill.) I guess what I am hearing is. You are a trophy hunter if you are the least bit selective in the animals you harvest. I'm ok with that definition. Under those parameters I am most definately a trophy hunter and always have been. My incrimmiating posts from a previous topic had a much stricter definition of what constituted a trophy. I guess I will need to modify my terminology when discussing this topic in the future. I really did not start this thread to talk about trophy hunting. I was just curious about the expectations people have concerning the January bow season. Are people willing to take a lesser animal with a bow and forfeit the rest of the year's opportunity for hunting. The data makes it pretty evident that harvesting a deer with a bow in Arizona is quite an accomplishment. At 6% success AZ has to be near the bottom if not last place in the entire nation as far as success with a bow goes. With these statistics in mind and the low chance for success in this state an argument could easily be made that any deer taken with a bow is a trophy! So back to the question. What size buck are you willing to burn your tag on. Bob

Alright Jim, If you say so. I'm guilty. Trophy hunter Bob. But don't you have to actually kill a trophy to be a Trophy hunter? Maybe you can hook me up? . Anyway Jim since I am a new trophy hunter I have a trophy hunting question. Say you have a client that wants a book buck. On the average, About how many 100" bucks do you have to pass up to actually see the 110 buck? Bob

Awesome. I love bucks that are all mass and main beams. Great job. Bob

All I can say is that guy you quoted is a good writer! I'm glad it affected you enough to remember it. I still stand by what is written and the only thing that is outright hypocritical in my quest is the," passing 86" line. As you obviously know you can't shoot the big one if you shoot the 86"er. I just hope i have the determination to pass 29 bucks. That will be an ongoing debate in my head. CRB I wish you luck on your deer. In addition CRB can I ask you a favor. You are welcome to criticize my ever changing thoughts all you want. Just next time can you not yell at me in size 48 red font. Thanks, Bob

Boy's you are not answering the question! Of coarse trophy hunting is evil, but hunting a particular one. Man vs. deer is divine. That is the ultimate in deer hunting. Whether it is a trophy buck or not. Believe me neither of these bucks will be my white whale and if one of my buddies ground checks them. I will be the first to shake their hand. If I am so lucky to get one of these bucks it will not go in any book and I won't all of a sudden become an arrogant sob. Well maybe a little. If you think I'm a hypocrite than flame away. I'm a big boy, I can take it. But at least answer the question. What will you burn your tag on? Also 300 ultra mag I have seen so called book deer in other species that fit your description, but I don't ever remember a 110 inch coues that was spindley and ugly. Anyway I'm sure you will be pleased with the mass if i can get an up close picture. Well i have jinxed myself enough. Hello forky. Bob

That has to be the best story of the year. Congratulations. Bob

23 is the answer to any question about best unit for.......! Bob

I agree. If I remember corectly don't some of the western states wildlife agencies also revoke hunting rights if they were lost in other states. Is AZ a part of that, anyone know? Yes, I believe it is 14 states. Bob

I shoot everything with my 7mag. I love it. The 300 mag is about the same round IMHO. Really not much difference except .016. I never understood the concept of overkill! Can an animal you are harvesting be OVER DEAD. Has a Coues exploded into little pieces when shot with a 300 mag? I have never witnessed an "overkill" on any big game animal and i have seen them shot with much hotter or bigger rounds then these rifles. This right rifle for the right animal arguments is just an excuse to put a bunch of rifles in the safe. Go with the gun you fancy the most. They both sound great. Bob PS. I can still picture your great deer this year. That thing is beyond nice.

Why would you say hybrid. That looks like 100% mule to me. It has a black brow and a pale face!

Mason. You made some very valid points and criticisms of the site. We certainly could improve as a community/family. Really though we are like a family we are going to kid tease and make fun of each other. We have a running comedy routine about e-scouters. Its like picking on your little brother. This makes it a dynamic site. Otherwise it would be a real boring read. We would just have 5000 posts of "Nice deer" and 2500 posts of our favorite rifle load or broadhead. Dullsville. New members and many old members are way too sensitive and get feelings hurt too easily. Why should you care if we think the Dirtbag archer was ok with turning off your camera. You put in the time and extra gas money for nothing. I'm Sure I would be pissed at the Dirtbag Archer too. He should of turned the camera back on. Or better, put a camo shirt in front of the camera like G/H suggested. That is what I would do in the future if this came up for me. So don't be a sour puss. I think it would be funny as heck if you preface every post in the future with, Hey Dirtbag Archers look at my deer. Or Hey Dirtbag archer look at my new 300RUM. Or Hey Dirtbag Archer I can't wait to start my hunt and kill the 375 you wounded! Now that would be entertaining. Bob

DBAZ: Great minds think alike. I just posted a similar thing in the other meat post. Bob

Gary, I do bone out the legs, just carry them with. It is incredible how much heat is in the meat next to the back leg bone. First area I bone out. I am really astonished at how many people bring Their meat to processors. I butcher all my meat myself. A coues deer is real easy especially if it has already been de-boned. I always seem to get about twice as much meat as my friends who have taken theirs to a processor. An elk is a long day, but the full freezer afterwords is very satisfying. A $100 electric meat grinder will help get the job done. Bob

I'm with the Claw and Coues diehard. I have not cleaned an animal in years. I am slow, but I can completely bone out a coues deer in 45 minutes. I do bring the back leg bones for the dog. I think a good set of directions is on a sticky on one of the main threads. The hanging thing is probably a pride thing. In addition to that it is probably a that is how 'Granddad did it" mentality. It would be perfectly fine to hang an animal though on cool days not above 60 with cold nights if it is skinned of coarse. WHen is the last time we had a cool early hunt down south. Honestly I can't remember one this decade. Bob

Wow that is one healthy looking carp! Too bad about the antlers. I hear they can "almost" make them good as new. Really the mount is not that important. It is the memory of the hunt that counts. Broken antlers at the taxi really put these sentiments in perspective. Congratulations. Bob