FrustratedMonk

No issues submitting the apps and getting charged for them. But I only received a single email receipt (first one) out of all of my applications that I submitted. Unsure if that is going to be an issue or not (do have them saved as PDFs).

From the regs.... “Edible portions of game meat” means, for: Upland game birds, migratory game birds and wild turkey: breast. Bear, bighorn sheep, bison, deer, elk, javelina, mountain lion, and pronghorn antelope: front quarters, hind quarters, loins (backstraps), neck meat, and tenderloins.

Gil's has been good to us: https://gillsautoserviceaz.com

Just got a charge for $45.

Extended circle of friends, both R and NR, all put in for early rifle southern Coues units with a combination of individual and group apps. All that resulting in a single $45 hit. Thankfully there's Mexico but it sucks having to wait until my January hunt. Poop.

Nada for me even for deer (early season deer on the border). Ugh.

Thought it was rolled up into the "Paws, Claws, and Jaws" raffle.

Few points. First, everyone's eyes are different. Second, I only use spotting scopes for confirmations and not for glassing. Third, take a look at the following link for a spotting scope comparison (take with grain of salt): https://backwoodspursuit.com/best-spotting-scope-for-hunting/ Go with the models with fluorite which includes the 55x, 88x, and 99x; the 77x is non-flourite but is very competitive with alpha glass. I've done a lot of comparing my STX 65 with my Kowa 554 in the field across a variety of terrain in AZ. For half the cost and half the weight of the STX 65, the fluorite in the 554 punches well above its weight. The STX 65 is better but not 100% better 100% all of the time. My STX stays home more now that I have the 554 (just to show how good the fluorite is). I was able to compare my 554 with a guide's older STS 65 on Kodiak. To my eyes the 554 was better all around. According to S&S, Swarovski may have recently updated the lenses in the STS. If I did not already have a STX 65 and 95, I'd be all over the 88x or 99x to compliment my 554. CameraLand has a Shot Show deal right now so it could be a great opportunity to get a Kowa at a lower price point.

Not counting glassing Sasabe nor Arivaca road, I saw five total unique BP vehicles over 8 days being down in 36B. Saw 1-2 helicopters but do not know if they were BP or military (lots of military planes which was nice). Does give the impression that BP has been told to stay away (may not be fair but that is just the impression that I got). Not much migrant crossing (why bother the desert for most of them) but quite a bit of "product" is coming north. Saw multiple groups of vehicles and individuals going north "loaded". Did see lots of fresh sign along well manicured smuggling trails (easier to use than some deer/cattle trails). Crazy but some spots looks like they brought in gardening equipment (ex: trimmers). Some very fresh food and beverage containers as well as the lingering scent of humans. Quite a few recently discarded backpacks and clothing (must have used Tide as the colors were nor faded); didn't rummage through them due to concerns (maybe overblown) of fentanyl. Stay vigilant if going down (like always). Probably best to stay in established campgrounds to reduce the risk of accidentally having north-bound traffic bump into your camp in the middle of the night. EDIT: Bring a wind meter. I forgot mine and blew a wind call. Ugh.

Joking, really put in for 44 turkey tags, or you actually drew bison?

Well I know that 20 BPs did not yield a tag. Will try again next year.

Look at EN ratings. Most manufacturers advertise the Lower Limit and not the Comfort temperature rating. For when it gets cold, you'll want a pad with a high R value. After using "lesser" bags I grabbed a Western Mountaineering Antelope for a hunt in AK. It worked like a charm and has continued to work like a charm. Due to how well my Antelope has done, I did grab a WM MegaLite (mostly for AZ use for temperatures over 30). That bag rocks for a lot of AZ and I've taken it down to the low 20s more than once (always with an Xtherm pad). Their Badger is well regarded as well. Quality bags are costly but consider how often you will use it (nights per year) and how many hours per day while hunting (8+ per day). You get far more use out it (per $ spent) than a rifle, scope, etc where you may only take a single shot for an entire hunt.

Depends. If the terrain is extremely well suited to glassing long distances, my SLC 15s and STX 95 get the nod every time. If the terrain is mixed and not necessarily well suited to long distance glassing, my SLC 10s and STX 65 get the nod. If the terrain does not lend itself well to long distance glassing, my SLC 10s and Kowa 554 get the nod.

Do look at the Trijicon Credo and TenMile.

FOV is only an issue when using the spotter for glassing. I personally use my SLCs (10s or 15s) for glassing and my spotter (STX 65/95 or Kowa 554) comes out for confirmation. The Kowa 554 is very nice. I personally found it better overall than the STS 65 (hunt on Kodiak where I was able to do a side=by-side comparison over the hunt) and slightly behind my STX 65 (weeks in the field comparing it with my STX 65 while scouting and hunting in AZ); this is in a package that is about 1/2 the cost (shop around) and weight of an STX 65. Look at the spotting scope comparison done by Backwoods Pursuit. Like everything else online, take it with a grain of salt.

Wonder if they could prosecute the teacher for involuntary manslaughter... As far as the cops are concerned, won't happen as they have no duty to protect (other than those who are in their custody).

Normally this quiet for spring bear? Only one sow has been reported so far.

Long time lurker... I have the Kowa 554 as well as a Swarovski STX 65/95. I do not use my spotting scopes for glassing; that is what my SLCs are for. I use my spotting scopes for confirmations or clarifications. Picked up the 554 on a whim due to a great price. So I ran it through its paces while scouting for and hunting black bear and Coues here in AZ; it sucked lugging both spotting scopes but doing side by side comparisons under hunting conditions was priceless. The 554 competes favorably against the STX 65. You lose a few minutes in low light and a bit of top end magnification. But the fluorite glass is dang nice. The overall dimensions between the two are about the same but the 554 is half the weight (with Swaro case and with Kowa neoprene case) . On Kodiak I was able to compare the 554 against the guide's Swarovski STS 65. To my eyes the 554 was better in the conditions that we encountered (lots of overcast and very little sun). If you are counting inches then the Kowa 554 is probably not the best choice. But if you are looking for "shooter/no shooter", then it can be a great choice. The 554 has earned a permanent place in my optics arsenal. Did get my 554 from CameraLand while on sale. You should also get be able to get it from Liberty Optics for a great price.

Just got back from a hunt in southern Alberta. I saw a ton of mule deer and was able to get my first mule deer. He's a 3x3 but I'm not complaining one bit.

Did not take any neck measurements but his neck was huge. There was no loose skin which is why I had to use my backpack to help prop his head up. I may have to call this buck "Jabba" since he had such a fat neck. neck-SHOT.tiff

While I do not nearly have the experience as a lot of folks on this site have, I will still chime in. I have a Savage Weather Warrior (300 Win Mag) topped with a Vortex Viper HS 4x16-44 with a Kenton custom turret. I run 180 grain Barnes TTSX ammo. My total cost is about what your budget is. I've shot it out to 500 yards; it is sub-MOA. The Kenton turret has been spot on for me (~3500-7000 feet). Attached is an image from shooting at 500 yards; first time at that distance and all errors are mine.

Historically I've hunted Coues and my goal was always for meat. If it was legal, I'd take the shot. I am thinking about switching gears and start going after better quality. I know this not the best photo; this is the best shot this particular buck would "pose" for. Is he pretty respectable? Any WAG on how much he'd score (assuming the missing right side matches the left)? He's definitely larger than any Coues I have taken. If he shows up, I would be hard pressed to pass him up. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Appreciate the responses. The hunt starts this Friday and am chomping at the bit.