CouesWhitetail

Congratulations and welcome to the site! Maybe Jim will get you hooked on Coues deer too! Nice forum name! That's cool. Amanda

That's a gorgeous buck! Amanda

That's still the plan as far as I know! It won't help that I am going on a vacation the week before the hunt to visit my husband's family. They always feed us way to much and we hardly get any exercise there too! Amanda

Wolf spider maybe. Looks like lots of baby spiders on its back. http://www.flickr.com/photos/austinevan/2377059299/

Any of you antelope field judgers have an estimated score on that antelope in the video? I am curious.... Amanda

Nice! How far away were you when you filmed that? What camera setup are you using? Amanda

How did you manage to get a tag four years in a row! That's amazing. The sad part for me was that I really knew the area and how the elk used it. They bedded and fed in pretty much the same pattern as I knew from three years ago and yet I still didn't get one killed! I thought I would be ahead of the game, but it didn't seem to make much difference. Oh well, I learned even more areas. The nice thing about hunting is that you always learn something when you go out. Amanda

I posted a couple more hector pics for you Casey. And those binos are Zeiss classic black! Didn't need the heavy artillery on this hunt.... Amanda

Me too!! I try to make sure I get out there every september or Oct whether or not I have a tag! I hate to miss the elk bugling! AZ Ranger, nice Leopold quote on your tagline! Amanda

here are another couple pics of Hector at the campfire on CW. Who the heck has wireless internet at elk camp???? hehehehe

yeah, look at those thirds!! Wow, great elk. Amanda

try mytopo.com http://www.mytopo.com/index.cfm?pid=CouesWhitetail If you go to the main CouesWhitetail.com page and look for the banner ad and click on it, then this site gets a small commission if you order a map through them after clicking from that banner to their site. The banner ad is just under the what's new table and also at the very bottom of the main http://www.coueswhitetail.com page. Or I think I have pasted in that first link correctly so it will count toward this site if you place an order. Amanda

That's what I meant by a shady past..... Amanda

I was never quite sure why the Shipsey bull wasn't accepted. I was the biologist on San Carlos at the time and Boone and Crockett called me and asked for all kinds of info on the management of the elk herd there. I figured it didn't get accepted because Shipsey had a shady past, but I don't know for sure. That was one awesome bull!! I got to eat some backstrap from him the evening he was killed. Lark, yes that thread got removed, it went downhill fast. Please all, let's remember to avoid any name calling and keep discussions away from bashing people. Amanda

Terry Herndon is looking for some help for that unit 23 camp. Anyone that is able to assist Terry please contact him at terry.herndon@honeywell.com

The AZ Deer Association will be holding three camps this year to help youth hunters. Camps will be in 20C, 23, and 36C. We will also be having a fundraising dove hunt on Sept 6. All money goes into the youth camp program. more info: http://www.azdeer.org/youth_camp_main.htm Amanda

I love reading your stories Bill, so thanks for taking the time to post so much information. It's always interesting to hear how things were and how they changed. Amanda

Seems to me the rut was weak and late. But then again, I think the season was a week earlier this year than when I had the tag three years ago. The rut was a world of difference this year. They bugled a little in the morning and then that was practically it for the rest of the day and night. Only a few nights did we hear much bugling. I figure they would peak a week or two after the archery season, but I haven't been out there so I don't know how it is now. Amanda

Very nice! Impressive to get a muley and a coues in the same afternoon! Amanda

Great photos!! Amanda

This month's sponsor spotlight is shining on Mullins Outfitters. Of course most of you are familiar with Jim (aka Coosefan) and his many accomplishments as an outfitter, but here are some more details about his business. Mullins Outfitters has been in business for 6 years and pride themselves on their attitude, honesty, and ethics. Their main focus is on Arizona elk and Coues, but they certainly have enough skill to guide for any animal in AZ. They also are licensed and insured to outfit in New Mexico. Currently, Jim has decided not to guide clients in Mexico anymore due to increased costs and difficulties down there. Mullins Outfitters uses about 8-10 extremely talented friends and family members as guides. They typically guide 12-15 clients each year and work hard to maintain a personal level of service and attention for each client. They will only take on the number of hunters that they know they can handle and provide a great exericence for each hunter. Mullins Outfitters can provide completely outfitted camps or just provide information for the self-guided hunter. Each hunt is custom fit for the hunter. Their outfitted hunts can include either wall tents with wood burning stoves, large camp trailers, or nice cabins in certain units. They have a few very talented cooks that can provide anything from simple BBQ to fancy Italian cuisine, but Jim says "Gary’s “secret sauce” ribs are the most famous with past hunters!" They guide archery hunters as well as rifle hunters. They can provide information to people wanting to do a self-guided hunt. This “Map Service” includes a full detail map with highlighted areas and a fully detailed information sheet. All information is from past and present experience, tips and tactics on how to hunt certain areas, and contact info is provided if any further assistance is needed. Mullins Outfitters has a very high success rate and have so far never had a client that didn't at least get a shot opportunity on the target species. In fact they have only had one client not kill, and that was due to a missed shot on a 90 inch buck! Here is what Jim said when asked what was different about his business compared to others. "We feel our business is different because of the personal attention we give to each hunt in the form of scouting, camp preparations, and the overall quality of the experience. The attitude, honesty and ethics of all our guides and staff provide a comfortable, safe and enjoyable hunt for our hunters. That along with the reputation of continually harvesting quality animals is why most individuals hire us. We pride ourselves on our long referral list of satisfied hunters and are happy to share that list with any interested hunter! " For more information, please ask questions here in the forum (but remember Jim is out guiding elk hunters, so it might be awhile before he gets back) or visit their website for more info. http://www.mullinsoutfitters.com/ So, now on to the part you have already skipped to anyway....the PICS!!

Ernesto has read this thread....but I don't know if he will come back. I have asked him many times over the years, but it's ultimately his choice. He made some excellent contributions to the forum and I still consider him a very good friend. He called me every night during my elk hunt to make sure I was ok.... thanks Ernesto! Amanda

Congratulations on another fine elk hunt! Beautiful bull! Amanda

Bummer about losing your elk meadow Bill. Amanda