MT_Sourdough

noon

The critters were looking fat and happy before this storm. That's a good thing, because it might me hard to forge/graze for a few days.

Pics taken at 10:30. One is on a bench with no drifting. The other is in my drive way with drifting. This is the east side of Chino Valley.

I moved to Chino Valley 7 years ago and this is the most snow CV has seen over that span.

Almost a foot so far here in Chino Valley. It's really coming down and drifting.

I'm estimating five inches fell in my yard in Chino Valley tonight.

There has been a fairly heavy rain all day today in Chino Valley, Paulden and Williams. Unit 8 is already overlflowing with water. 19a needs more water to fill tanks. Most tanks in 19a north of Woodchute are around 50% before this rain. Food is starting to sprout and the critters that I have been looking at are all in good shape and healthy looking. There is plenty more rain forecast this month.

I was in 8 yesterday and nearly got swept away in a wash while crossing with my truck. Huge amounts of precipitation dropped yesterday and filled all tanks to their max. On top, above the rim, the snow pack isn't significant and may lead to issues down the road, but the tanks at rim level and below are filled to the max. More water than they have held in them in a couple years. I was starting to get concerned as water levels were dropping lately, but after this week, tanks in Unit 8 should be good on water for critters until monsoon season. Just thinking this might be useful info for some of ya folk.

^^^^^^ WOW!

Another update : So we have been getting more rain up here in 19a and 8. Today, I noticed a nice carpet of green starting to form with lots of sprouting seedlings. The extended forecast is calling for a wet month of February. This means early food production is getting a good start in the area. Tanks in 19a aren't as full as they are in 8. In 8, the tanks are plum full, but in 19a, they could still use much more water. Unit 19a will likely get at least some of that needed water this winter. bottom line: it is my impression that those factors that lead to quality antler development are trending positively at this point in 8 and 19a.

That is my biggest conflict with living in Chino Valley. My house is located on ground that was antelope range not too long ago. When I moved here, I had antelope outside my yard. Now there are blocks of development between me and the antelope. Almost all the land on which the antelope live, from Prescott Valley to Paulden, is private property and most of it has plans for development over the next 10 to 20 years. Almost all the antelope herd will, ultimately, be eliminated in 19a. There is enough State land that, if preserved, could support some antelope close to the foothills and Prescott National Forest, but most of the wide open valley is going to turn to metro. Sad

I am glad I can help. You see I sent him a telepathic message to all the people in his head. I said I was going to place a curse on all his personalities. The curse would effectively give him an unyielding desire to work every time he has a taste of alcohol.

You are right. 8 is closed, but 19a is still open. I aint seeing those big bucks in 19a the way I am seeing them in 8. My prediction right now, contingent on whether or not we get some precipitation in March. This could be a good year in 8 for quality. Not so much quantity, but definitely quality if we get some good early food production. The tanks will have water. Turkey numbers are way down in 8 this year. I did see a big tom a few days ago but, in the areas I frequent, evidence suggests dramatic number reduction of turkeys compared to the last couple of years. I meant to post this response a few days ago, but I never submitted it. Anyways, 19a is still open, but it isn't as prime as 8 is right now. I have had some bucks to pursue in 19a, but not like what is going on in 8.

That's correct. Currently, the tanks in 8 are completely full. No more rain predicted for January. Perfect hunting weather for rest of month. Big bucks coming out of the wood work right now. Times are good.

The flier guy who mentioned north of Cave creek is spot on as well. Edit: Looks like I caught my mistake too late. I thought I was writing this in PM. OOPS

There are some good bucks hanging up in the juniper and cedar thickets. I can't find them in there without getting busted by the herd. Makes a guy wonder if he can pull them out with a call or rattle or both. So I was wondering if anybody here has experience positive or negative tying to call rutting muleys?

If memory serves, that herd is usually over 2,000 critters

I wouldn't be surprised if that ranch does allow a limited number on to the ranch to harvest cows. They didn't back the last time I hunted there, but that's over 10 years ago now. The Bulls on the ranch all have big dollar signs on them.

The herd on the Gardner side, north Yellowstone, is dramatically less, but on the west side, the herd has held strong. The herd on the Jackson Side, south, has also seen a big decline I believe. One population that isn't mentioned much is the Moose. They are really hurting. They winter in high country where they become easy target for wolves when the snow starts to pile up.

I've taken a couple cows from that herd. They stay primarily on a ranch with leased hunting rights to an outfitter. The herd does scatter at night and wander on to State land where they are legal to shoot. Can turn into a wild shooting gallery with bullets flying in all directions. A good way to fill the freezer though.

I have shot plenty of coyotes without doing anything with them. In Montana, most ranchers have a policy that you gut shoot them so that they go off the ranch and up in the hills before they die. I never felt that good about it. I know the purpose, but it was not like shooting gophers. I have killed thousands of gophers without any hit to my conscious. Last time I gut shot a coyote, I was next to the YOLO ranch just a couple of years ago. I shot one of a pair. Then I heard the one I shot dying all day on the hill above my camp. That evening, it's mate came down and gave me grief for about 45 minutes. On top of all that, if I was looking for moral bearing, I wouldn't look for it here. You all can take that any way you darn well please! Anyways, it's my problem and I am guessing I am about to get over it, though my original point still stands. I'd much prefer handing retrieved coyotes to somebody who would make use of it.

I'd be a lot more enthusiastic about hunting coyotes if I knew somebody in the Prescott/Chino Valley/Paulden area that would take the coyotes. I wouldn't be able to bring any home, but if I knew somebody that would take them for the pelt, I'd be much more inclined to go after them. I wouldn't need or want any compensation, but just leaving them lay is just not my style.

I watched it go down last year. I saw a few fawns making it because they hung close to residences. Especially those residences with Lama, sheep, etc. because the antelope were living on the water and feed from livestock/pets. The problem is, even those fawns disappeared once the monsoons came and they ventured away from the security of residences. The coyotes were waiting for them like sharks stocking the reef's edge. I have lived in this area for only 6 years, so I do not have a long historical account regarding coyote populations, but I can't imagine that there has ever been more coyotes out there than the numbers that are out there now.

Good luck with your hunt.

I am old and fat and the winter nights are long. When I go out next week, I will be using a 4 man (2 aluminum poles) tent that weighs in under 9 pounds when combined with a heavy duty tarp for footprint. For me, I usually do not do campfires often, so when it's cold and dark, I'll be in my tent. A winter's night is too much time to spend in a cramped tent. My plan is to make two trips. First, I'll carry in 5 gallons of water, my tent and a couple of things. I'll hike in between 1 to 2 miles where I'll set up tent and drop off the rest. Then I'll make my way back to truck and in my second trip, I'll carry in the rest of my stuff. This way, I'll have what I need for multiple days of hunting. Once I am in an area, I can cover a lot of big country from there.