bullwidgeon

Deer 33 Late coues 24B late coues Then a bunch of early hunts down South. Elk 27 musket early bull 1 late rifle bull Antelope Unit 1 rifle 2B musket Sheep 24B 41 East I already put in for deer in NM. Both unit 23 (not the Burros) rifle coues hunts and a ML any deer hunt in unit 12. I have a feeling I am going to get a big blank on everything, all though my buddy I put in for deer with has bonus points so maybe we might pull a late tag here especially since it seems every one else wants carp tags this year. If I get nothing then I am taking off most of August and September and chasing around bears . Bret M.

Weatherby Mark V Synthetic in .300 WBY mag with a Burris 4-14 ballistic plex scope on it. It likes 168 grain Matchkings and WBY factory 150 grain spire points about equally. The barrel is a bit long and the gun is a bit heavy to be jump shooting running whitetail bucks at 40 yards though, I missed one a few years ago and blame the gun because of it. It certainly couldn't have been buck fever or the fact that I am a terrible shot when suprised like that . If I would have had my old stand by Model 70 lightweight .270 Win with a 22 inch barrel that deer would have flopped over like he was hit with a thunderbolt . The Weatherby is still my favorite though. Bret M.

Bears, bears and more bears. Who really cares about deer or lions, when there are bears around ? Bret M.

I just tuck them under one arm and jog back to the truck, then do some push ups and jumping jacks once I get there if I feel I still need a little more excercise . These are coues were talking about, not elk or bears or something really hard to pack out . Bret M.

I hate to do this to a friend but Quimby is as nuts or irresponsible as they come, I have been in a skinny flimsy canoe with him before trout fishing at Greer in some BIG WIND and he used to OWN AND RIDE A MULE. Let see, you hang out around the likes of me, trust me in a boat no less and owned and trusted a mule at one point, I am not sure what else a guy needs to do to qualify as being crazy ? (Lark didn't you used to have a mule too? Bwaahahahahaha!!) Seriously, how are you doing Bill? Are you back up on the hill for the summer yet? I need to get up there. Anyways, Mr. Quimby is really a gem of information and knows alot about wildlife (in Arizona and darn near everwhere else too) especially as it pertains to hunting. I consider myself extremly lucky to be able to hang out with him a few days a year, and I mostly just shut up and try to listen when he and my grandfather get to talking, it usually pays off.... As far as Merriams elk, I would like to think they were here and never got shot out, but who can ever really know now. I have looked in Squirrel Canyon and about 10 more of those big bottomless holes around there, not too mention been lost in the Black River canyon for days and I can not imagine shooting all of any critter out of there or the 100 other such bottomless holes in that country. heck, my truck leaves bigger tracks and moved alot less than any elk and it took me a day and a half just to find it one time . Bret Mattausch

When shed hunting and walking deer trails I notice spots where like 4 or 5 deer trails will come together and make one big deer trail going someplace or another. Usually it is to a water source or over a saddle or into a bowl like Jade was saying. I guess those are funnels, most of the time there are no big treestand trees around, but maybe a ground blind might work. Maybe thats what he was reffering to though in the article... Bret M.

Here in AZ I try to hold out for a 100 incher or anything with neat looking or NT horns. This year that will probably go down the drain as I am putting in for a new unit that I barely know, so we will see what I can scout up if I get drawn it. In N.M. I shoot first and ask questions later, especially if there are a million other hunters around, like usual over there in years past. No seriously, I try to hold out for what I scouted over there, last year it was a 97 inch 3 pointer and a 81 inch 2 pointer. It is kind of nice to have video of two deer from the day before you kill them, like we did last year. The year before that it was a 101 inch 3 pointer and a few other bigger deer I just plain missed or botched stalks on. All those deer, even the ones that I found and helped my buddies kill are trophies in my book. Even the great big S.O.B. I missed 2 years ago bounding up the side of the mountain with his tail down after I missed him at 40 yards is a "trophy memory" in my book. More than likely I will never be that close to that big a live coues buck ever again and have a shot at him like I did. I feel you kind of have to hold out for what you scouted or you could have alot of meatless hunts, which is fine if you don't have time to scout, it is still nice just to be out there... Bret M.

I moved to A.J., not much to do around here but go fishing or drink beer. Mostly I go fishing. I try to stay away from the Turkey . I am 25 minutes from Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake and the Salt river. That bass is from Canyon lake, there are not very many coues around but a few, there are quite a few more up the famous Apache Trail though. Really there are more desert sheep than anything else it seems like. It is one of the top 3 desert sheep units in the state if you want a real toad. The lake herds are almost tame though, so that's not all that sporting. I am trying to fix up a 21 year old bass boat, when and if I get that off the ground then in a week or two I should be doing alot more fishing. As far as fishing in Greenlee county, I have always wanted to catfish over there and have seen pictures and heard stories of big flatties from the Frsico and Gila over there. Maybe I will try it this summer sometime, I would love to hit the Gila Box between Safford and Morenci sometime, some of those holes look like they just scream "GIGANTE FLATHEAD!". . Bret M.

Fishing has been good for bass and cats. None of my buddies have been doing any good on crappies though. Maybe this month it will turn around. I need to put down the rods and get my lazy behind up in the hills and start looking for sheds though, but it is so nice to just relax and go fishing. Those freaky deep sea fish are awesome looking and so are those snappers! I bet the snappers were tasty! Bret M.

I fell down hard Landed in cactus Deer are invisible Keeping it real. At least thats how most of my hunting days go anyways . Bret M.

That is big bear! What is even scarier is that big toad is going to put on another 100 pounds or so this summer and fall before he slows down this winter. I would gather up my cameras and stay the heck outta there until September when bear season opens . Either that or pack a big wheel gun . Awesome pics! Bret M.

No worries here! It was funny. Bret M.

Killing a bear in the Spring is about equivalent to killing a unicorn. The hunts never close out and have the lowest success rate of almost any hunt in the state. You need lots of luck. I don't know much about 31 but in 27 during April I always find them hitting springs and grazing in grassy patches on South facing slopes. As a side note, I was looking for sheds in 24b Friday and the bears are definately out. I found lots of fresh scat with grass in it and tracks. Unfortunately they were in big oak and manzanita patches that I would deem unglassable. If you can get on fresh sign in a thick spot, try predator calling. Some bears fall for the call all year. Basically I would say wait until the fall hunts if you are serious about killing a bear. They are much easier to find when they are in the late summer/fall feeding frenzy. Bret M.

I for one am glad he didn't kick the bucket........YET!!! ! Bret M.

3 words Pinal County Sheriffs. Bwaaahahahahahahahhaha! Seriously, I have been wondering too.... Bret M.

I have always been told by several different people that there are elk occasionally seen in the Pinals and on El Capitan. I have seen a bunch of them at Ft. Thomas in country that looks just exactly like that picture, greasewoods, cactus and such. Seeing them in the Tortolitas is not too much of a stretch and it really is not all that far as the elk trots across 37B into the Tortolitas and Owlheads. Elk need one thing, water. They may not thrive in the low desert but they should do just fine surviving as long as the water hangs around. Cool pictures! Bret M.

Went to Pleasant Wednesday night and caught a boatload of white basss under a Crappie light on spoons in Castle Creek. I broke something off, I am thinking it was a big striper, the white/striper bite is definately on at Pleasant right now. Bret M.

Coues deer. I really have not seen any muleys that were exceptional over there yet. I have seen several coues bucks and 1 shed that made me feel funny inside and gave me the shakes . Bret M.

Just the ADBSS. I would like to go to more, but I would need another job in order to do that. Bret M.

I was on Deepwell Ranch road South of Florence and didn't even find any fresh coyote sign, someone must have hit it pretty hard or last years drought must have really hurt the coyotes. I should have gone left to the 96 Hills and left Deepwell alone I reckon. Maybe next time. Bret M.

I took my caller and new rifle out Thursday to the Silverbells to glass for sheep and maybe call a little. I started hiking around the Ragged Top and would make a stand every quarter to half mile in between glassing the cliffs. On the third stand a big bobcat came sneaking into the set up looking for the high pitched cottontail in distress at 8 minutes and 15 seconds according to the CD player. I promptly shot right over his back at 50 yards, scared the heck out of him watched him cartwheel/backflip and run off . All I found was a little patch of fur from his back where he rolled over in fright . I followed his tracks in the sandy soil for 45-50 yards and never cut blood. So yes, they can be called in and you do not have to wait 30-40 minutes per stand. Maybe next time I will shoot a little straighter. I called all afternoon Friday down south of Florence and called in nothing except for some crows and nasty old range cows . Good luck with your cat ventures.. Bret M.

Awesome! I have never seen them wade in a creek before. Bret M.

Yes, I have called in lots of coyotes, some foxes and 2 bobcats. I cheat and use a CD player hooked up to a Johnny Stewart Power Pro. I couldn't stand to mouth call for 20 minutes straight like the elctronic does. Both the bobcats came in within 10 minutes and fast, I must have been real close to them when I set up. I heard you have to sit there usually for a long time before they come in. I am not patient enough to wait more than 20 minutes though so I don't and then I move to another stand. 90% of the coyotes and foxes that come in show up within 10 minutes so I am not sure waiting around is any better than just moving down the road a little. I won a new .223 Rifle at the Sheep Society banquet last weeknd and am dying to get out and crack a coyote or two with it. Shooting coyotes coming to the call is a hoot. Good luck. Bret M.

Only a goofball from Pima Arizona would know about frech kissing a hogs snout .

Yes Josh, With his last breath he jumped up did a double half back gainer and sprawled out and died right on that rock, you smart@ss! You finding any fresh elk sheds yet? Pat and Royer said you have attained master pig guide status now after that last hunt, welcome to the darkside young Jedi. Bret M.