CouesWhitetail

The outfitter is handling getting the gun permit and contracts and such. But I think if you don't have an outfitter, there are guys you can hire to get the gun permit and paperwork done for you. The ranch has to be registered as a UMA though, so check with your friends and see if their ranch is registered. Amanda

Thanks for the info. That's encouraging news. I won't have a way to freeze the deer meat, so I will just be bringing it back in coolers with ice. I am figuring to just quarter it. Desertsheep did you have to do any special paperwork to get the meat back into the US? Did you declare it or just go through? Andy, do you think it's a problem to come through if the meat isn't frozen or is that just a precaution you take? Bill, this is all being arranged through an outfitter but it isn't a fully outfitted hunt. Not sure how other people do self-guided hunts, but ErnestoC tells me that if you are invited by the ranch owner to come hunt his registered ranch, then you don't have to hire an outfitter. Amanda

Beautiful!!! Wow, that must have been a great trip! Amanda

Thanks Tony, but I already had that info and those are the depts I called last year. That's how I got the info I have, but still nobody seems to know exactly what is required. I am wondering if anyone has actually done it and how it went. Amanda

Excellent write-up Scottyboy and fabulous pictures! You must be enjoying some mighty fine table fare up there! Amanda

The latest storm brought snow to the mtns near my house. My husband was off work today so we went up to let the dogs play in the snow. I am guessing we had about 10 inches, although some places it had melted a fair amount. For those that might be wondering how the road is up there, we got up to sulfide del rey picnic area and used 4WD to get there. There is lots of snow on the road well below there and several people had obviously spent some time in the ditches getting unstuck. But it's not that bad if you don't drive like the crazy teenages we saw flying around and getting stuck several times. Anyway, it was beautiful and we had a nice walk and romp in the snow. Our new dog Julie is only about 1 year old and after having her for a week or so, we now gave her the nickname Tigger because she is an amazing, springy, spastic jumper. She was just wild with energy and joy up there in the snow. She was bouncing all over the place. I tried to take photos of her, but she was in constant crazy motion and so I had many misses while trying to photograph her. here are a couple of the misses: And then finally I got her in the frame. She likes to run FULL tilt at you and you have to be real careful she doesn't smack into your knees. She still is all puppy-like in her lack of control and coordination. Molly, our 13 year old dog is much more subdued but she loves to dig and she certainly enjoyed being out in the snow. Here she is digging a hole. And here are a few pics of the jeep and surroundings. and here is a shot looking south from the pinals. We thought this sycamore was very interesting looking. In addition to the neat branches and snow, it had a very green appearance to the bark. Can't say I have seen a sycamore so green before. And finally, here is my husband and the two dogs in the snow. (this is about take 5 due to Julie not sitting still!) It was a beautiful day and very fun to watch Julie romp around in what I suspect was her first experience in the snow. Amanda

LOL! Good one Jim! My husband will get a kick out of that one. I like Gino doing the worm crawl! Merry Christmas to everyone! Amanda

Wow, that's pretty amazing that buck got up after that hit. That's a real bummer to lose him, but sounds like you did all you could to find him again. Nice photos and neat rifle setup. Amanda

here is some text from the coues biology - life stages section of this website that I wrote up years ago and which pertains to your question bowsniper. Essentially the timing of breeding can swing 2-3 weeks depending on rainfall patterns in a given year which determine plant growth and therefore nutrition for the deer. "Reproduction is highly influenced by the nutritional condition of bucks and does. Bucks that do not receive adequate nutrition can have delayed antler development which can lead to an extended rut period. Similarly, does in poor condition can have delayed cycles which can result in later fawning dates. Smith (1984) found that in a drought year in Arizona the average Coues fawning date was in the third week in August. Whereas in a year following several years of exceptional rainfall, the average fawning date was 2 weeks earlier. This 2 week difference in breeding activity has been documented in other whitetail subspecies for does on a nutritious diet compared to a substandard diet (Verme 1965). Smith (1984) also found that in years of poor food production, young Coues does (< 3 yrs old) may not breed at all and although the older does may still produce fawns, they have fewer of them (singles vs. twins). " http://www.coueswhitetail.com/coues_biology/life_stages.htm Amanda

Good luck Cory!!! That's quite an exciting story! Amanda

Sounds like fun CouesAZ! Leaving the bow at home of course assures you will get great photos of some giant buck....hehehe! Amanda

I saw about a 75 inch buck chasing does all over the other day in 24A. Saw a spike with his nose to the ground trailing does and another buck that was moving around looking for the does. Amanda

I am with Gamehauler on this one. I don't even want to look at it! Amanda

Jim White carries Vortex optics now. You can call him and ask him about it. 928-635-5316. But you aren't gonna be able to get it for this weekend (if you mean tomorrow!). Amanda

Beautiful buck! Amanda

Thanks for the update. I have been wondering how he was doing. Amanda

Casey, I think some people are just making some assumptions about how you feel about this hunt and buck. I believe you are upset with yourself and the errors you made, not with the buck. It's tough when you set a goal for yourself and then fall short, but I don't think Casey is blaming the deer or not being glad he got that buck. He is just mad at himself. But I assume he will get over it soon enough (he probably has already) and will get that buck's antlers repaired and eventually have a photo of him and that buck where he is smiling. I suppose if you had just said you were thankful for your buck and opportunity to hunt in your first post you wouldn't have gotten so many people thinking otherwise. Congratulations again Casey! Amanda

Thanks for the report Cory!! Sounds like a great hunt! And yes, of course wearing the CW.com tshirt guarrantees you a 120 buck!! Just keep wearing it!! Good luck and keep having a great time. Amanda

Awesome!! That is really great! Amanda

Alright, well, those of you who have been around here forever have seen this sticker before. I original made the design using Bill Quimby's excellent artwork and some text which takes a dig at carp deer (muleys). So a few years ago I decided not to make this bumper sticker because it kind of mocks mulies, but also because I was worried that an antihunter or someone who doesn't hunt might take the sticker to be an antihunting sticker because they won't know the difference between a carp and a Coues. Well, I am putting this to a vote for you guys. Is this sticker offensive? What's the danger of it promoting an anti hunting message? Or is it a great bumper sticker that you guys all want? I think it's hysterical and I like the joke, but I wonder what the majority of you guys think. So my first question is do you guys want me to make up a bunch of these and then secondly if you do, which design (1, 2, or 3) do you like best? In some of them I emphasize the word carp or use a different logo. Amanda

Good story!! that's pretty funny! I am glad you got your buck.....he's a monster! Too bad that other deer fell off that cliff! I hope he survives that. Amanda

It's a bit of a grey area you are talking about. B&C measurers handbook says that you can't take the inside spread at the widest point if the beams excessively flare outward. It's hard to tell from your pics. But if it's got a really abnormal flare outward then you take the measurement at the widest point below that flaring. Amanda

Sorry your hunt didn't go as well as you hoped. But congratulations on getting a buck! And congrats to your Dad too!! that's great! Amanda

One of our sponors, Mexafari outfitters, just called me to inform me that they know a rancher that has been watching a very large mule deer buck and they are offering a great deal to someone if they want to come down soon and take a crack at killing him. From what I hear it's a 14 pointer (that's total points including both sides) and probably well over 200 inches. They are offering the hunt for $5,000 but the best part is that if you don't kill a buck, you don't pay anything. They want to move on this quickly because right now the buck is frequenting a fairly small area and they think that once the does really get ready to breed that buck will be far ranging. This is not a fully outfitted hunt, you would have to bring your own tent and food, but they can provide a gun for you so you don't have to worry about a gun permit. The buck is apparently on a ranch north of Hermosillo, so it wouldn't be too bad a drive to get down there. Anyone interested, can call Javier directly on his cell phone in Mexico 011-521-662-157-0914. They really want to move on this quickly, so call and get more info. Amanda