CouesWhitetail

I think they are really easy to use. they come with a remote that you hook up to the camera and you scroll through options to change settings like to camera or video, for delay settings between shots, for single shot or 3 shot bursts, etc. I LOVE how easy they are to hide. You can put them in places you wouldn't be able to put a normal trail cam. here is a place where I had a covert I set up recently. can you find it?

Great thread! Well, I had some great tags this year but didn't kill a deer or elk on my hunts. Guess I was being a little picky. Oh well, had a great time with some fun people! Some pics: Rica lizard hunting at camp: Took my non-hunting friend along for several days of my elk hunt and she loved it. Here she is with the elk decoy. We had some great times with some very close bulls. a sunset during my archery elk hunt: One of the biggest elk rubs I saw: My deer hunt with Scott was a great time with some backpacking hunting and day hunting trips out of his house. Saw a buck I wanted but couldn't get on him before he bedded. Scott with his new custom rifle in some gorgeous country: Also did some squirrel hunting on the San Carlos. Had a great time with my friend Barbara and her two boys. This lady had never hunted until I took her two years ago, so this was her second time out and let me tell you, she is deadly with that rifle! She was introducing her boys to the outdoors and we got to hear bugling elk all around camp, coyotes howling, turkeys gobbling on the roost near camp and all kinds of other great stuff. her and one of her sons walking in the early morning fog along the lake. and Barbara and son with some squirrels Had some excellent camp food including these perfect bisquits I made in the dutch oven: My old dog Molly likes to chew on the squirrels a little bit. She gets upset when I take them away from her! One of the elk I saw up close out there: Also saw some nice WT and elk sheds/skulls during summer owl surveys. That's always a treat! It was a great year even if I didn't come home with lots of meat. I spent a lot of time hunting and shared some great times with my husband and friends. Amanda

Yes, please get some nice field pics...that would be great. Amanda

The security boxes are available for the Covert 2 trail cameras. These security boxes work great with a python cable (also available in the store) to attach the camera to a tree. The python cable locks through the box such that you don't need any other lock to secure it. The security box also has holes in the back of the unit and plenty of space behind the camera to lag bolt the box to a tree. For more info, check out the trail cam section of the book store: http://www.coueswhitetail.com/bookstore/trail_cameras.htm

Good one! I actually like the idea of making the illegals clean the trash up before they go back. Amanda

It's ok....it's just a mulie!! Amanda

Clay, I drove by that the other day too! I was quite surprised to see it! Post some bigger photos if you have them so people can see it. Amanda

Millers Southwest supports the youth hunts in AZ by donating meat to the youth camps. He has been doing so for years, so if you go there, please thank him for his support of youth hunting in AZ. He always has photo albums around of his hunts and if he has time will talk with you all about hunting, real pleasure to be around. Amanda

May God give you and your family strength. So sorry to hear about your loss. Amanda

Awesome!! Have a safe and productive trip TAM!! Amanda

That said I think their might be a need for a Trapping In AZ column? What do you think Amanda? I think the AZ Trappers Assoc. would appreciate it. And many others...... Ruffcountry is right , they need support to keep our right to trap in the future. It wouldn't be a bad idea, but I figure with the ban on trapping on State and Federal lands that there isn't a lot of trapping going on anymore and therefore a forum dedicated to it wouldn't be very active. Right now anyone trapping can (and do) post in the Predator hunting section. I could change the title of that forum to included trapping to give it some more PR. Amanda

Great pics and I very much enjoyed your write-up!! You sure did get to experience it all!! Glad you didn't get into it with the drug smugglers. As has been said, you enjoyed lots of "firsts" and got to do it with good friends! Amanda

Here are the links to our two sponsors who are longtime supporters of this site and offer great lion hunts. If you go on a hunt with either of these guys, please come back and post pics and a review. http://www.rimrock-outfitters.com/ http://www.nicholsguidingservice.com/

Wow, Brian, great looking collection! Now, of course you have to post some closeups of your favorites out of that collection!! Amanda

Weed-Whackin' Volunteers Needed for Gonzales Pass Buffelgrass Jan 24-25 Want to offer a part of a weekend day helping contain the spread of an invasive nonnative weed? Call or email Thomas Hulen and sign up for the buffelgrass removal project at Gonzales Pass at highway 60, about five miles west of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Jan. 24-25. "Many, many Buffel grass plants have invaded Gonzales Pass on US60 and we'll participate in an ongoing extraction effort at this site," said Thomas Hulen, Vice President for Development Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona. "It isn't surprising to find Buffel grass and other invasive plants along highways, fortunately the state highway department has begun taking action to remove noxious non-native plants from highway right of ways. Plants along highways can quickly jump beyond the right of way -- and this appears to be the case at Gonzales Pass where a significant infestation has taken hold on the adjacent land of the Tonto National Forest." Digging Buffelgrass can be strenuous, and teams will work on two areas within this site to provide two different levels of exertion. "The Ravine Platoon" will have the easiest access--down a few feet from the parking area (a service road so volunteers need not park on the highway) into a drainage. "It is critical that we retard deposition of seeds into waterways as this simply accelerates its distribution, in this case, deeper into the forest," said Hulen. "The greatest challenge awaits the Ridge Platoon. There is 300+ foot climb to where we intend to beat the enemy back. It is critical that it not make its way over the ridge, as this will trigger a whole new area of invasion. Actually,this has actually commenced in a few spots. We still have time to beat it back through decisive action now! (Excuse the military metaphor; but it seems so appropriate!)" Hillsides here are steep, but the footing is generally good, though a few large rocks require a little scrambling. "Plants are easily dug out in most areas (based on our 'Special Ops' test), and at the end of each day we will form pass lines to bring filled bags down the hill and avoid trudging down and back up the hill to haul out captured plants," said Hulen. "And, as if this were not enough fun for everyone, we have arranged for a visit to the historic Pinal town site nearby after work on Saturday. We will be accompanied by the restorationist who is preparing the site as a destination for the Town of Superior." "You may work both or either days. We will have a camp at the Picket Post Trailhead on the Arizona Trail (with a permanent pit toilet). There will be a potluck Saturday night for campers (VOAz will provide a pasta main entree). VOAz will also provide Sunday breakfast by Chef Mike. To learn more about this event or others coordinated by VOAZ, check out the website http://www.voaz.org; to enlist for the buffelgrass removal email thom.hulen@voaz.org or else call 480.966.2689 or 602.619.9717

Nathan also sent me his hunt story, which I posted this morning, here is the link: http://www.coueswhitetail.com/hunt_stories/the_knack.htm

Seems to me they are just clarifying that it is legal to pick up skulls and sheds and such as long as they are not "fresh". Prior to that, apparently there was some rule wording that made it technically illegal to pick up and possess wildlife parts without a license of some kind. Amanda

Jeff, You don't have to go to that AGFD link to see the buck since it's on CW. There are more photos and info about that buck here on CW. I posted the link above, but here it is again: http://www.coueswhitetail.com/archery_hunt..._hunters_26.htm Amanda

Yum!! Amanda

I wasn't sure how many of you were aware of the new AGFD apprentice hunting license program. AGFD created a free license that allows you to take someone who is unlicensed out for some hunting. Details below: New Apprentice Hunting License offers a "test drive" at no cost News Media Dec 30, 2008 License encourages sportsmen to mentor others, assist hunter recruitment effort in Arizona PHOENIX — Effective Jan. 1, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a new “Apprentice Hunting License,” at no charge, to encourage existing hunters to become mentors and introduce a friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker to the traditions and importance of hunting. The Apprentice License allows an already licensed hunter to take a beginner on an actual hunt—without the beginner having to buy a hunting license. The Apprentice License is free for residents and nonresidents and is valid for two consecutive days for the take of small game, fur-bearing, predatory and nongame mammals, nongame birds, and upland game birds. (To take migratory birds or waterfowl, the appropriate stamps are required at normal costs). The license is not valid for the take of big game. Many people express an interest in hunting but are deterred either because of not knowing how to get started or the initial expense. The Apprentice Hunting License removes the initial cost barrier of having to buy a license (which costs between $26.50 and $151.25, depending on age and residency), so that newcomers can “try before they buy.” “This will allow a seasoned hunter to take someone new under their wing and teach them the basics about hunting, firearm safety, and wildlife conservation without cost prohibitive burdens,” said Chairman Bill McLean of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “There are many states with this type of license, and it has become a model for removing barriers in the national effort to increase hunter participation.” The Apprentice Hunting License is only available at Arizona Game and Fish Department offices. The mentor must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid hunting license and is limited to two Apprentice Hunting Licenses per calendar year. The license must be made out to the name of the apprentice, with the mentor’s name associated with the license. The apprentice can only receive one license per calendar year. The mentor is required to be with the apprentice at all times while in the field, providing instruction and supervision on safe and ethical hunting. “This is a great opportunity to help preserve and expand Arizona’s hunting heritage and wildlife management through the next generation,” said Craig McMullen, Hunter Heritage Work Group team leader for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Not only will this allow someone new to experience the thrill of the hunt, this also allows mentors to teach others about wildlife conservation and the important role that hunters, as conservationists play, in the management of all wildlife.” “Outside of getting new hunters in the field, safety is our number one concern. Hunting in Arizona is very safe, and we have one of the lowest accident rates in the United States,” said Dave Williams, hunter education coordinator of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “A good mentor will instill the basics of wearing hunter orange and how to safely handle a firearm through T.A.B.+1: Treat every firearm as if it were loaded; Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; Be sure of your target and beyond; and keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. Nearly every hunting-related accident can be avoided by following these simple principles” However, with the added flexibility comes added responsibility. Mentors need to set a good example to these impressionable new comers. Mentors should consider the following guidelines: Focus on the experience not the harvest Obey all laws Keep your apprentices physical limits in mind Be informative Teach field dressing and cooking Take pictures Plan a follow-up outing Seasoned hunters can start the New Year giving. By introducing someone new to hunting, you are giving the gift of the American hunting heritage. Quail season runs until Feb. 8, 2009, cottontail rabbit season runs all year long and the both make excellent quarry (as well as, great table fare) for new hunters. A 2009 hunting license is required beginning Jan. 1, 2009. Visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department self-paced online hunter education course to learn more about hunting safely, hunting ethically, the history of hunting, wildlife management success stories, firearm safety, and more at: www.hunter-ed.com/az. Media note: The recruitment and retention of hunters, anglers, trappers, and shooters is important to continue the successful management of Arizona’s wildlife. Funding for the management and conservation of game animals is funded by dollars generated by the sale of licenses, hunt tags and matching funds from federal excise taxes hunters pay on guns, ammunition, and related equipment – not through the state’s general fund. However, all citizens and guests of Arizona enjoy driving on a country road and enjoy roaming elk herds, antelope on the range or ducks in flight. Did you know regulated hunting has never resulted in the extinction of a species? On the contrary, most game species populations are more stable now then when there were no hunting regulations.

+1 hehehehe! Amanda

Come on Brian, let's hear the story!! Amanda

here is a link to a review one of our members wrote about a glassing lesson with Duwane: http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...?showtopic=3789

OUTSTANDING!! Thanks so much for sharing your story! Great idea with the hot cocoa and sleeping bags!! Amanda

No, as far as I know it hasn't been scored yet. Amanda