standman

Well I have come to a conclusion that this blind and spot is jinxed. My dad can't go back until after Christmas so today I took my 16 year old cousin to my hotspot. It was a miserable weather day, high winds and lots of rain. The rain finally quit at 11:30 and at 12:00 a nice two point came off the ridge but he took a trail that went by the blind in an unshootable spot. Then at 12:30 a nice three point and a two point came in perfect. The 3x3 was broadside at 20 yards, he drew and released and I didn't have a clue where the arrow went. All I knew was it wasn't anywhere near the buck. Come to find out he hit the elastic strap that runs through the middle of the window from top to bottom. I told him before hand to make sure he was clear of that strap, but he forgot about it when he shot. I tell ya these bucks have nine lives. I don't know what else can go wrong, but if there is I sure it will haunt us. Fun day though. Doesn't look like we will be back out until Sunday. Oh, there have been 5 new scrapes made in the last two days within 20 yards of the blind.

We were able to get out to the blind today. No shot opportunities today but we were close. Had a real great buck come in but he chose a different trail to another scrape that we were not set up quite right for. He came in grunting. The thing is where I was sitting in the blind I had the buck broadside at 12 yards but at my dads angle he could not see the buck. Oh well. He will be back. Then we had a big wide two point come in the same exact way as the previous buck and the same thing happened. I could see him and my dad couldn't. I had him at 12 yards broadside then at 4 yards broadside. We thought about trying to switch sides while they were there but we would have just ended up spooking them. We will catch them again another day. Brian

The problem I see is that you cant compare AZ to other states. States like Utah and Colorado have way more elk and deer than AZ. Colorado is on a straight preference point system where only the highest number of points get drawn. They have the animal and permit levels to allow a preference point system to work. If Az did that the high demand premium hunts would basically become a once in a lifetime hunt. There is not enough hunter turnover (low permit numbers) to allow that to work. A new person just starting to apply may never get a tag or it may take over 25 years to get one. That won't work. As for Utah, just ask someone who lives there how they like their system. They hate it and it seems to change every year. Once you draw a premium tag there, it is slim to impossibe to draw that tag again. The only Rez I have any dealings with is the Navajo and it isn't hard to draw a tag there. Honestly, I don't know what the answer is to improving the odds in AZ are. I don't see a way of doing it unless you start pricing people out. I don't want that and I am sure the majority of people don't want that to happen. The amount of tags in AZ will never increase enough to allow the demand to catch up, and demand is always going to go up (unless you start pricing a portion of demand out of the equation). Is the system we have good or bad, I don't know, I just don't see a better one that will work for AZ, unless you go like NM and just have a pure lottery with no bonus or preference points. That will never happen though. So I don't know. I just keep playing the system we have and keep studying and applying. I have drawn my share of good tags over the past 5 years so I can't complain to much. Until a better system is figured out all I can say is good luck. Now I just got to figure out how to get my sheep tag.

The problem with putting a waiting period on successful applicants, say five years, is that there are so few permits and so many applicants that you are not really improving your odds by that much especially on early rifle bull and antelope hunts, and most good archery hunts. Example: unit 9 early rifle elk; 25 tags available and 3731 applicants put in for it. After 5 years you have only removed 125 applicants from the 3731, and usually every year more applicants apply. How much have you really gained? That is the problem with a waiting period in AZ, too many people applying for a very limited amount of tags, you won't improve your odds enough to make a difference. This is how I see it. Brian

Well after some discussion and shooting and more discussion this is what we came up with. The first buck well he didn't have a chance. The second buck we discussed to aim for the heart before he came in. Well when my dad shot he said he forgot to aim low and just centered the pin. We know what happened there. Now the third one he aim low at the heart but we figured out that he did it with his 30 yard pin. Hence shooting so high. Heat of the moment you never know what you are going to do even when you have thoroughly discussed the situation prior to it happening. Brian

Crappie fishng was slow. Only caught one, had a couple others on, and missed two others. Not many fish caught on Saturday. Nice day on the water though. Brian

They start adding up in a hurry when you hunt 4 or 5 states for years. I'm hoping to catch him, I'm over a third of the way there. Brian

Well we didnt make it out on Sunday, neither of us felt good so we didnt go. We went this morning. Well I don't know quite what to say. Thirteen minutes after daylight a nice buck came in, everything was perfect, 20 yards broadside. My dad shot a little high, the buck also ducked a little and the arrow flew right over his back. My dad was just beside himself that he missed. Anyway, 45 minutes later a spike comes in, quartering away, and at 18 yards. My dad shoots 5 inches over his back. My dad is now just sick. We decide to leave to figure out why he is shooting so high at deer and not at targets. Both bucks were not scared at all after the shot, they both just ran 10 yards went up the trail did their thing and fed off. This isnt something I am used to seeing my dad do (he has killed 71 archery deer). Still a lot of fun though. We will work things out and get after it again in a couple days. Brian

Well we are back after sitting in the blind today. It was a bitter sweet day. Everything worked perfect. We had a two point come in perfect, 20 yards broadside. My dad got ready, drew his bow and released. That is when the buck came unglued. By the time the arrow got there he had completely whirled with his butt to us and the arrow passed right by the side of him. Arrow would of been perfect if he would of stood still. So it was a missed opportunity but a fun one. Amazing how quick those little devils are even at that close range and with fast bows. Seen it happen before and it will probably happen again. We won't be out tommorrow (going fishing to Roosey ) but we will make back on Sunday. Brian

Gorgeous Ram! Congrats! Brian

did you donate it to Outdoor Experience 4 All? I was supposed to be taking a young girl out this weekend in 23, but they had a death in the family and have to postpone. Maybe it's your tag? That would be the tag I donated. Sorry to hear it was postponed due to such bad circumstances. Brian

Good luck everyone. Good luck Christian on your rifle whitetail hunt. And good luck to the young person who is using my donated tag in Unit 23 late hunt. Hope to read lots of stories in the near future. Brian

I've got the two biggest, main scrapes 20 yards in front of the window with the main trail going by at the same distance. I only like one window open because that helps contain scent. Hopefully it will work. In the last 6 days a buck has come by in 5 of the 6, and all in daylight. It was my dads birthday Dec. 7 (72 years old) so hopefully this will turn out to be a real good present. Brian

The only pre rut activity I have seen is the scrapes and rubs. I have yet to see a deer in person in this area yet. Going to change that tomorrow.

If you go to this link, you can watch all the episodes of Predator Quest, which most of them are pretty good with some good info. http://predatorquest.com/web/television-show/episodes/ Brian

Well maybe not Zendejas.

Saw this and just thought I would post it up just in case somebody hears something and can help find the people who did this. Arizona Game and Fish Department NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release, Dec. 7, 2010 Up To $4,000 Reward Offered in Slaughter of Nine Does, Fawns Near Willcox WILLCOX, Ariz - The Arizona Game and Fish Department Operation Game Thief announced today that is offering a reward of up to $4,000 for information leading to an arrest in connection with an apparent joy riding incident that resulted in the slaughter of nine mule deer does and fawns near Willcox. The incident apparently occurred sometime between December 3 and December 8. The deer were either run over by a vehicle or shot in a chilies field in the Bonita areanorth of Willcox. All of the deer were left in the field to waste. “This is not hunting or done by hunters; this was someone out joy riding and thrill killing wildlife,” said AGFD Wildlife Manager John Bacorn of Willcox. “Not only were the deer senselessly killed, but some of the farmer’s crop was needlessly damaged and ruined by the vehicle.” “This incident was especially cruel, and we need help from the public to solve this crime,” added AGFD Tucson Regional Supervisor Raul Vega, noting that the department is especially interested in information about any vehicles with recent front damage and possibly with crop or vegetable matter in the front grill or bumper. Those with information about the incident are urged to call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-352-0700, anonymously if need be. Calls will be taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week. -30- Mark A. Hart Public Information Officer Arizona Game & Fish Department 555 N. Greasewood Road Tucson, AZ 85745 office (520) 388-4445 cell (520) 282-0978 fax (520) 628-5376 Mhart@azgfd.gov

sold pending funds

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Congrats on a great trophy! Brian

The pic isn't mine. I got it in an email. It is photoshopped (pretty good photoshop). Be pretty funny to add it to someones trail cam card out in the woods. Could freak someone out. Brian

Went and did a little scouting this morning for my dad's archery hunt in December. Found quite a few new scrapes and rubs. Here are some pics of them (cellphone pics). Set a camera on the scrape line to see what kind of bucks show up. Brian Licking branch. Rubs

Happy Thanksgiving!! Beautiful picture of a goulds Doug! Brian

I received a new hand call yesterday and I had to go out this morning and try it out. Called this female in at around two minutes into the stand. Shot her at 18 yards. Her partner just wouldn't come into shotgun range after the shot. I was hoping for the double but no dice. Brian

Congrats!! Well Done!! Brian