Prohunt

CDN, When 24 was one unit (not A and we hunted there for years. My dad killed a bunch of bucks there over 90. The great thing about 24B is there are not to many roads so you can get away from people. I can tell you from personal experience there are bucks well over 110 in this unit. The one reason people don't hunt it much is it has so much brush. If you have patience and good glass this could be to your advantage. Also I think the average hunter doesn't like to have to pack too far into remote places. I live in Globe and have spent a lot of time in 24B and can tell you there is definately great genetics there, but it is not an easy hunt. Travis

CDN, All I know about the Omega is what I have read. It sounds like it is reliable, simple, and easy to clean. In the May issue of American Rifleman there is an article on it. I also know that T/C makes good products. Good luck. Travis

I finally got out to look for sheds in 23 yesterday. I found my first fresh shed of the year, and like Josh's it was a small 2 point. The other one I found was last years shed.It was decent 4 point, but it was chewed on some.My dog didn't find any (maybe because it was 100 plus degrees.) I think I'll wait to look for more sheds until it cools down in the fall. Its just too hot to be hiking up those steep hills. Travis

Doug, Thanks for the info. I spoke to a guy at Bear Mountain that said I can bring it in and try some stabilizers. I don't think my bow will be ready for Clint's Well. Maybe I will be ready for some shoots later in the summer.thanks again. Travis

I just purchased a new Mathews Legacy. I am going to get a new rest, sights,stabilizer, and a bow mounted quiver.This bow will be used for tournaments in the summer and hunting in the winter. I want to shoot the same set up for hunting and tournaments. I am an experienced archer and have an idea how I am going to set it up but I just wanted to know what was new out there and what has been the most reliable in the past for other people. Thanks for any help other archers can give me. Travis P.S. If anyone is looking for a nice used bow for cheap email me at kholder@theriver.com

I am finally going to get a day off to go to my "secret" spot to look for sheds. I am going to take my Lab to see if she can fetch any. I have worked with her a little, having her fetch some of the old sheds I have. Maybe if I am lucky I can find the sheds to the 95" buck I passed, on opening day last year. I will post a report on Sat. Travis

Doug, Thanks for the info. I looked at the Dusk Devil the other day and really liked it.The pins are super bright and I like the idea of the extra peep alignment.I also like the fact that Montana Black Gold has a lifetime warr. on all parts. I will have to check out that rest, I think my buddy from Payson shoots it.Did you happen to try a Golden Key Tranquilizer Stabilizer on your LX? I liked how light that one was but I don't know anyone that shoots one. Thanks again. Travis

Thanks for clearing that up Amanda. Hopefully when I get out to find sheds that long steep hike will be worth it. Hey Casey, a 4-5 inch base is a great Coues Shed. Maybe you can find the other side. Travis

Allen, Good luck on the sugery. The one Amanda showed you was probably one of my dads. Travis

Allen, I wish I could say that was my photo album that you saw, but it isn't. You are correct about one thing, I live in Globe, Az. Next time you come through Globe, I would be happy to show you my own pictures, I do have some good ones. I will post if I find any good sheds. Travis

Bret, I don't know how big the herd bull is there. I saw some decent bulls in there a couple of years ago but no real toads. There could be some big ones because it is so close to the Res. The time of year I always see elk in there is in the summer to early fall, not December. I have hunted Coues in that area and have not seen any elk there in Dec. They could be there in Dec. but would be hard to find. Wish I could help more but thats all the info I have. Travis

Allen, I just had a bunch of days off and was sick so I have not been out. I am going to try to go on my next days off. The first place I am going to check is a place in Unit 23 where I found 6 Coues sheds in one morning. I will post what I find. Travis

I think the rain we got early this year will definately help all of the animals in Az. We have already had some quail hatch here around Globe. The lakes are coming up and I don't remember when I have saw a greener Spring. We could sure use some more rain but as much feed as there is for deer right now should give them some great nutrition. Like everyone else said it will take afew years of good rain to get things back to where they should be(not to mention some major predator control.) Hopefully it will rain some more and things will get better. Travis

Taos, If I were you I would consider some of the Soutrhern Az. units because they have such great draw odds. Like Allen said, the time of year doesn't seem to matter so much anymore because the deer here are just starting to rut in late December. Good luck. Travis

It sounds like the seminar turned out great, too bad I had to work. I hope you do more contests. I think it is a great idea to give away a gun or something like binoculars. Thanks for a great website Amanda and keep up the good work. Travis

Thanks Allen, keep us posted. Travis

Did anyone go to the AMMDA meeting on the 19th? If so any new news???? Travis

I also like the December hunt. It is always a longer hunt (sometimes over 3 weeks!) On a shorter hunt weather can be a problem. If they open a short hunt on a full moon the deer can be less active through the entire hunt. In December it is usually cooler so the deer tend to be more active during the day and you can walk more without sweating to death. And,if you are lucky the rut might kick in (probably not until January.) Just my 2 cents. Travis

I like the idea of having a shed hunt, I can't think of any places that would hold enough sheds for a group of people. I like Alans idea of seeing who finds the most sheds in a morning and meeting for lunch or dinner. Maybe we could just pick a certain unit. Travis

Like Amanda said my dad was with Chaz when he killed the #3 NT Coues (then #1) in unit 23.Like Griz said it has great diversity in the terrain.You can hunt the desert or the pines.I know a couple of years ago when the G&F did thier survey it had one of the highest deer per square mile ratios in the state.And like Amanda said there is a great buck to doe ratio with many mature bucks.There are lots of people.But there are some wilderness areas that you can walk into with no roads.We have killed some good bucks out of 23.Last year was one of the worst years for big bucks I have seen.Maybe with more rain we will have some more banner years in the future. Travis

When we were kids we had friends that used the .243 for Coues and they lost a couple of bucks that they knew they hit. I started out with a .25-06 and never lost a buck with it. I probably killed 10 or so Coues with my trusty .25-06. I guess the main thing is that you are comfortable with your gun and you have good shot placement Travis

Jeff, Let me try this again.As for paying for genetic testing lets let the B&C pay for the test with their $25 entry fees since they are a non-profit organization.I think they should pay for the test because they let a non-Coues become #1 in the World.The only B&C Scorer I know is Amanda and she definately knows Coues Deer.If you read her earlier post it sounds like she thinks it's not a Coues.As for B&C Scoreres, I'm sure most of them are great people and competent scorers. However, that doesn't make them experts on Coues.I think this is obvious because they let this buck be scored as a Coues.Some of the questions I have are: the height doesn't look like a Coues, the G-2 splits(according to AZG&F Regs. Coues G-2's don't split.), the main beam shape is not "basket" shaped, and it broke the old World Record by about 28 inches(the difference between the #1 and #2 Typical Coues is about an inch.)The only reason I brought up NM is because you also have Texas Whitetail there. If you don't care about scores then why would you even put a post about the #1 in the World??The only thing I can see that looks like a Coues is the cape.I can tell you are having second thoughts because in your 1st post you said you believed it was a Coues and in your 2nd post your saying it is not beyond the realm of possibility it is a Coues.You may actually may know plenty about Coues but you obviously have not taken the time to really look at these antlers.I have given you 5 reasons it is not a Coues.Lets see your reasons it is a Coues. (Jeff sorry for the first post, I didn't mean to be too personal, some was in jest.) Travis

There is no way that is a Coues. I have not spoken to anyone that thinks that is a Coues Deer. Look at the forks on the G-2's. How about the height. It could be a hybrid or it could be a wierd carp deer. The other things that bring questions: where it came from, it boke the all time record by something like 30 inches, and the fact it sat for so many years without being scored. I agree with Amanda it should be genetically tested. If the owner won't allow it , it should be removed. As for the B&C knowing what they are doing, that is questionable. I would bet that not one of the panel scorers was from AZ. (No offense Amanda.) If they had any knowlege about Coues this deer would have never been entered, much less became the new World Record NT! Travis

Josh, I currently shoot a Martin Pantera Pro Series, but guess what, I am going to sell it to get a Mathews. I love this Pantera for it's forgiveness and accuracy. The thing I like about the Mathews is speed with no shock and it is quiet. If anyone out there is interested in buying my Martin Pantera (perfect shape and fully set-up) e-mail me: kholder@theriver.com Thanks Travis

Josh, Have you killed any big Coues with your bow? I was just wondering. I have killed some decent bucks with my rifle but I have not killed a Coues with my bow. I am thinking about chasing Coues with my bow this year. Travis