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Been lurking around this site for awhile so decided to finally make a post. Tons of great info on here that I have used trying to learn how to hunt Arizona. Originally from southern Virginia, hunted whitetails from treestands for many years. Moved out here about 7 years ago and absolutely love AZ, the open space, dry weather, and conservative (for now) gov't. Tried my hand at a few rifle coues hunts with no luck down in 34A as the change from treestand hunting to glassing open country is still a work in progress for me. Read about Duane Adams and watched all his videos so getting better at the whole glassing thing. Got close on my last two years bowhunting desert mule deer in the rut and love that hunt but man is it challenging. Been trying to get that 37A rifle mule deer hunt but never seem to draw it (hence the username). Pumped that I drew my first AZ elk tag this year 6A early archery so really looking forward to that hunt. Have 3 kids waiting for them to get old enough to put in for big game youth hunts but they love going dove/quail hunting with me for now. We also like trout fishing the lakes up north (have had a lot of luck at Ashurst). Anyways that's me and look forward to posting an AZ hunting success story on here in the near future!

Tools have been found 👊👍👊 awesome to know that there are good people out there!!!! I posted in Greer FB page and someone picked them up and got a hold of the OP due to his post on CW.

Short and Sweet Chiricahua’s Goulds bird. Long time coming with tag #2 I think I finally hit the bonus point pass with over 20 points. Although the bird was missing 3 tail fan feathers 🪶 I am very happy with him. Full strut with his neck extended made for a good shot. 3/4” spur and a good beard to boot. A friend of mine said it looked like juniper berries and possible onions were on the birds diet.

Well I found their owner. It was a local. I did some door knocking and finally found someone that recognized the dogs. They were quite a few miles from home and on a grand adventure

I am on the opposing side of everyone else here. I much prefer a 130 in a 6.5CM or similar sized case, especially with a 22-24" 1:8" barrel. The added MV in a good 130 (VLD or OTM) makes for flatter trajectory out to 1000ish with about 15" less drop, and maintains almost identical remaining velocity at 1k as the 140. Energy is about 70ft/lbs less however at 1000. Drift in a 10mph full value wind is within 1.5". Lighter bullets with the same powder charge equates to added speed and reduced recoil. Keep in mind the minimum recommended impact velocity (usually 1800fps), and use that as a determining factor, as well as your personal limits to shooting game at distance.

Nice job man!

That is some great footwork Vowell........!!!!

I have about 500-600 pounds of lead 1 lbs ingots for bullet casting. And some lead wheel weights. Asking $ 1 per pound or shoot me an offer.

Very cool

If a taxidermist can’t maintain a 1 year turnaround on their mounts they are either taking in too much work and need to turn some away or are just bad at running a business. A year is not too much to ask and i don’t think i’ve ever heard a single person complain about getting their animal back in a year. Plenty of great taxidermists in AZ that always get their work done in less than a year.

This is exactly why I pay my tannery a "rush" fee. I get all my hides back in 6-8 weeks. It costs me 40% more, but allows me to have the hide back in my hands a LOT faster. Once I have the hide I usually contact the customer and finalize the form position and get parts ordered. This drastically speeds up the mounting process. When I started doing Taxidermy work, I decided quality of work and 100% honesty to the customer was going to be my standard. The honesty part has cost me jobs, but my conscience is always clear!

No, I have had only 1 . never applied again. I beleive in giving others a chance at the tag. Standman is the guy whose had 3.................BOB!

I’ve only met 2 taxidermists in my life that “should” be operating a business. Being able to do the work is the easy part, anyone who’s run a business knows that the hard part is the business end of it. Taxidermy seems to draw a special crowd of folks who are exceptionally terrible at business.

Should be the 14th. Its always the second Tuesday.

Putting in for the stirp this year so that I can go to MN and WI instead.

When a taxidermist feeds you the line that the tanneries are backed up for “x” amount of time, it’s a lie. They wait until they have a PILE of capes to send off so they can save on shipping and the just basically always use that as the their excuse.

From 2 years ago

Bruce at North Mesa Auto does honest work.

Trying to see if this person may have found them

I decided to use my very first deer I shot antlers and put them as zipper pulls on my Bino harness. What do you all think?

Personally, If I had that tag I would hire a guide.

Nothing. You want me to make you dinner? Lol

I just use my 9mm. I wouldn’t recommend bear spray because if their is a good wind storm your screwed. I’m WY resident and I do most of hunting outside Yellow Stone Park. Just use whatever your comfortable and familiar with. Saw 6-7 G bears in one day before. Keep your head on a swivel.

Anybody ever read Pat McManus' story about huntin' rigs? Basically, any rig your buddy owns is a "nice little huntin' rig" It could be a Toyota Corolla and you compliment him on the short wheelbase and front-wheel drive to help climb steep dirt roads...... Years ago had a buddy and we both had "company trucks" mine was a 2000 chevy 2wd long bed and his was an '04 F150 2wd lb and I complimented him on the higher clearance than my Chevy. That weekend we were boondocking in the F150 for mulies and he almost put a rock through his oil pan. The look he gave me was priceless. A cross between being pissed and disbelief I talked him into it. The take-away is the best huntin' rig is the one your buddy owns, no matter what it is. 🤣

The rig was recovered in S. Phx overnight. Thanks to those of you who had a bit of empathy for a fellow hunter.