SwampMafia

G & F conspiracy theory ..... First timers draw more often to get them hooked and produce a higher currency flow haha all joking aside, my 2 little sisters both put in this year for the first time with 0 points... And pulled early archery tags... 7 points here.... Nada. I'll still be in the woods come September and. Those girls will be hitting the archery range all summer long

I am new to fishing for flathead catfish and need a little help at Bartlett. I've gone out there 4 times now and hooked into just one small 7 pounder. One of my biggest problems is catching the bait!!!! I know I know, light line and corn on a small hook to catch the carp.... I can only catch the dang things in the summer!!! When the waters cold, I simply can't catch them!! I've been fishing rattlesnake cove at Bartlett. When the waters warm I have no problems catching bait!! How do you catch it when it's cold?!?! Also, I've been using a 3 way suspended bobber rig to catch the flatheads, Is this good? Any and every bit of anything anyone has to say will be helpful!! Getting pretty frustrating out there!! Won't mind any +1 tips for the bass either thanks guys

Weak spread but strong fronts, 320-330

Thanks for all the tips!! I picked up some water dogs and minnows for fear of not catching bait (I didn't) , and it payed off! I caught some channels, and a half pound flathead! It may not be the 30 pounder I want, but a small cold water flathead will fare well on the table! I was ecstatic to catch one! Hooked into some good bass as well!

Come on guys I know there's more of you who fish Bartlett than this!

5bs 100% ! Great archery tag in my opinion

So as far as areas, are the flats or Sb cove better than rattlesnake cove? I like the idea of having a truck by the water, but the lack of structure has me questioning if flatheads will be there

So what if the bait isn't visible, I think it's all pretty deep right now, can I still net them by sinking the net deep? Are you netting carp or bluegill?

What are your most prized waterfowl? Mine is a mature canvasback I shot off a desert tank! What waterfowl are the ultimate trophy in your opinions? In AZ I think it's the cinnamon teal

Good job!!! Those aren't coots, they are either scaup, or ring ducks. The hen looks like a canvasback or redhead hen

Don't sit a tank. In the years I have learned to duck hunt, I have learned that it absolutely sucks! I have tried that method many times and only been successful at first light when they fly in. A more effective method for the tank you describe is to find an opening in the timber. Position yourself about 10 feet from the waters edge and find a shooting lane. Then, pick up small twigs and begin to snap them in half every 30 seconds. It's tricky because If it's too loud, they'll bust. It needs to be a subtle crack. The noise will lead the ducks to come investigate. They will swim in a zig zag pattern and gradually approach you. When they cross your sight at 40 yards or less, let the hammer drop! I killed a bufflehead with this method yesterday on a tank that because of the rain, was too big to jump shoot. Be patient and remember that quantities of tanks will lead to quantities of ducks. It's the best time of the season right now. Get out there and keep your eye out for the pintail I missed Monday!!!!' Good luck

I have about 15 waterfowl in the freezer right now. I shot them and then rinsed them under water and packaged them in bags whole so that I could decide at the end of the season what was for eating and what was for the taxidermist. I plan on just breasting them out and turning them into sausage. Has anyone got any input on freezing whole birds for eating at a later date? I will definently thaw them in the fridge when the time comes. I figure as long as the meat isn't touching the organs (it's not) it should be fine. What do you guys think?

+1 on Sven. He truly doesn't do it for the money, he truly enjoys it. As a first time customer we sat and just talked for 45 minutes about hunting, Waterfowl patterns, and how he became a taxidermist. Very kind and personable

West on table Mesa, glass the canyon. Had a bluff charge 4 days ago that came within feet of me, he deserves to die. Good luck

Many ponds can't be seen from a distance because of the competitive water-sucking foliage around them. Because of this they are difficult to jump too. In this case, find a point of entry, and get in there hardly making a sound. Bring your binos and pick apart the pond then make a game plan. If I have a path I can run in on and flush the ducks, I do. If not, I'll try and shoot them on the water. High ground is key as well, if you can find a pond that you can shoot down on, your success will skyrocket. Not only do the bb's retain energy longer when shooting downhill, but it is rare for the waterfowl to look up and bust you, unless your as loud as a train. Study the topography on Google earth. Find an AZ flyway and plot where they will stop. For example I looked at some tanks at the base of a mountain range with no major water source nearby. I went out there religiously thinking it was such great habitat it would have to hold ducks eventually! I never even found a feather. Tanks located beneath or between lakes are great. Look south of Roosevelt or any of those north central Phoenix areas, or along the rivers flowing into or out of those lakes. I don't hunt over there any more so I don't care. And one last thing, teal tend to circle a few times after being flushed. If you can't get a shot off initially be patient! They will most likely circle back! The green wing teal look like the dominant species this year. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions!

The morning started off hitting my favorite pond at first light. I stormed in flushed the ducks and picked off 2 gadwalls! Next I drove up to my 2nd spot, parked the truck, walked 30 feet down a hill, and what do you know.... There's a big old lone honker sitting on a tank..... In the middle of the LOW DESERT!!!!!! I've hunted these things up north for years and never been successful, then all of a sudden I find one on a random desert tank!!! In five years of hunting these tanks I've never even seen one fly over me!!! Then after retrieving my goose, 2 snipe fly in and I hammer them both immediately! Good eating!! Then I went up to my 3rd spot, and it was on fire!! I blasted a pair of teal, a mallard and another gadwall before heading back home. Then on the walk back to my truck, I stumbled into the middle of a herd of 30 javelina!!! And one of them gave me a bluff charge before veering to the side at 5 feet away (I almost blasted the thing) overall, I was 1 shy on my limit of ducks, with a bonus goose and a pair of snipe!!

Pm me, wasn't by pleasant but I can give you a pointer.

Yeah that ones not mine, unfortunately due to poor lighting and tight time, I wasn't able to take pictures of the whole haul before cleaning them. I decided also to take the goose to the taxi. Friend of mine took it over to Sven Eberson for me. Hopefully it turns out well!

almost as good as coot...

+1 for hunters trailhead

Looks like the white tanks, great buck!

Pm me, had a friend shoot a 5X out of 28.... It was the only elk he saw though in 3 days

sorry I don't associate with Utah fans..... BYU for the win!

you stay outa my hole, I know we hunt the same part! all kidding aside, good luck, and look for a 2015 silver dodge with a toy hauler!!

Anyone recommend a taxidermist for a few mallards in AZ? Looking for a relatively low price and quality work.