stanley

Hey Allen, congrats to Travis on his elk! Erik had a 6A tag, but we couldn't close the deal. Lots of good memories though (kind of like this pig hunt...). Hopefully we'll have some luck up on the Kiabab doe hunt next weekend. Have you been out after deer this fall yet? Colorado? S.

VERY COOL!!!! Sincere congrats on an oustanding hunt. What great memories with the family there... I'll be up there this weekend with my son on his first deer hunt (Jr. doe tag), and I can't wait. Again, congratulations! S. :-)

Hey Tines, NICE buck that your dad took. Sincere congrats to him! I can't say that I agree with you 100%, but I agree with some of what you said. Mainly I guess I try to respect other's use of public land, just as I would expect them to respect my use. If I ever camp close to a group of folks that are shooting-off in the middle of the night, etc., I usually just chalk it up to a bad experience and move on. Usually I'm too tired and sleep like a baby anyway. I've been out a lot (like you and most others on here...), and the times that I've experienced any of what you've mentioned is VERY limited. Seems like you summed-up all of the bad experiences that I've ever had in a single hunt. Must have been frustrating..... As far as not target shooting on state land? Are you kidding? I have to agree with you that you are being anal on that one. I don't know a Forest Service rep or G&F officer that would agree with you on that one (and I know a lot of them...). Where are folks supposed to target practice? Ben Avery only? C'mon, you can't be serious. Unfortunately, that's what PUBLIC land hunting is about. We have to hope that all folks will respect each other, but some don't. I report them when there is a clear violation, but also respect other's right to be out there and just deal with it if they aren't breaking the law. I hope you find more solitude on your December hunt! I suspect you will... Good luck! S.

I'm telling you, I just can't get enough of that smile!!!! THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT FOLKS! I'm going to make sure his picture is published in the next issue of the Deer Times (ADA's quarterly publication...). I'll make sure you get a copy azyoung! S.

Hey TKKNC, the youth camps that have been mentioned here are orgainzed the the Arizona Deer Association. We try to set-up a hospitality & information sharing camp in a central location during the Jr. Hunts that the G&F offer. Here is a link to a thread with some more specifics for the 2005 camps; http://www.coueswhitetail.com/forums/index...?showtopic=2126 We have two more left for this year; 12A (Kiabab), and 20C. Let me know if you want more info (or if you want to volunteer to help out...). S.

I agree Keith! Congrats to those who have tagged-out, and best regards to those who are still taking to the field! I didn't draw a tag this year so I have to live vicariously through all of you (and my son...). Good luck all! S.

Good deal Scott!!! Sounds like you all had a good time. Congrats to all of you on a successful hunt! Nice to see the 'home-town' crowd here at CW.com coming through.... S.

I agree Arizona Guide! It really does my heart good to see these youngsters out & about. My oldest is just coming of hunting age, and it is a joy to see him learning all that the outdoor world has to teach. The excitement in anticipating my boy's Jr. hunts this year rivals anything I've experienced with my own hunts. He didn't get a cow on his Jr. elk hunt a couple of weeks ago, but we'll be up on the Kiabab in a couple of weeks trying for a doe. Keep those kids hunting folks!!! S.

Outstanding picture Jeff!!! I was bummed that I wasn't at the camp when you & your boy came through (I had to zip back down to the valley for a few hours to watch my son's pop-warner game...). Although bummed that I wasn't there to greet you, I was cheered-up greatly when Amanda showed me the picture of your son that she took in camp. Thanks for sharing the field pic! Tell your boy congrats!!! Also, he won the camp drawing so he has a Daisey pellet gun coming his way. Best regards, S.

Thanks for asking Doug, but you can probobly assume that he didn't get one since I didn't post a bragging story. We had a great time though. He got a shot at one on opening morning, but missed. He was shaking like a leaf afterwords, and I can tell he's now got the 'bug' good! We got glimpses of elk throughout the rest of the weekend here & there, but never another decent shot opportunity. He passed on a couple of shots at moving elk, and I was proud of him for showing that restraint. Two of the kids in camp with us got elk, so he got to experience the whole packing/skinning thing. Good experience for him overall, and a special time for me indeed! We're up to the Kiabab for his next junior adventure in two weeks. Hopefully we can trade success stories after that weekend. S.

Hey Amanda: Thanks for posting the pics from last weekend. I always have a good time on the youth hunts! The look on those kids faces when they bring those deer in is VERY cool. Never get tired of that.... Never get tired of those awesome quail either! Nothing like bacon wrapped birds & eggs for breakfast. Just as anticipated, the little ones thoroughly enjoyed the birds I cooked-up for them on Sunday night. Thanks to you to Amanda, for coming out and participating. Best regards all, S. PS: If anyone runs into Jimmy Simmons (WM for 23 south), be sure to salute him! Him and his G&F buddies were a pleasure to hang-out with!

Good luck to all of the hunters that are heading-out this weekend. I'm stuck here in NYC working this week (and week after next...)..... No tag for me this year, as the 'draw gods' didn't smile on me.... Know that I'm wishing I was down in the 36's this fall, sitting on a mountain, staring through the binos. Man, I'm bumming right about now! Scotty, Brian, Doug, Casey, et al; I'll be living vicariously through you all this season. BRING ME SOME STORIES!!!! Best regards all, S.

I'm bummed that I didn't get a tag this year! Sounds like fun!!! Oh well, maybe another time. Have fun and good luck everyone! S.

Greetings Everyone: I wanted to put out the call to advise every one of the planned Arizona Deer Association (ADA) Youth Deer Hunter camps for this fall. As in the past, we will be planning the youth camps in several of the units with junior hunts this year. The camps will provide free hotdogs/hamburgers, chips, sodas, & hot cocoa to all of the junior deer hunters that come through. We also try to staff the camps with locals & G&F WMs who know the area & deer well, and can provide the latest information on scouting reports, deer locations, etc. to the kids. There will also be free raffles for various prizes at the different camps for the kids to participate in. BIG FUN!!!! The units and dates currently confirmed for this fall are as follows: ?Unit1/27 ? Dates are 10/14-10/16. This is a joint effort with the Arizona Elk Society. Location is at Buffalo Crossing on the Black River. Mike Wilson from the AES and Randy Babb from the G&F are spear-heading this one. Should be a good time! ?Unit 23 - Dates are 10/21-10/23. This will be run with the G&F, and will be located at the Indian Point campground on the west end of Roosevelt Lake. Craig McMullen from the G&F is helping to lead the planning, and has lined-up quite a lot of support. ?Unit 12A / KIABAB - Dates are 11/11-11/13. The Buckskin Chapter of the ADA out of Page always does an outstanding job of sponsoring this HUGE event. With the number of tags issued, there is always a good turn-out. These guys do a first class job with this camp every year! I?ll be there with my oldest, as he was drawn for his first deer hunt! ?Unit 20C ? Dates are 11/18-11/20. We?ve developed a good strong partnership with the G&F Wildlife Manager in this unit over the past couple of years through his support of the youth javelina hunts. This year is the first year that they have allocated youth deer tags, and we?re grateful to the G&F for the opportunity for the kids. If a youngster you know was drawn for one of the junior hunts, then he or she will be getting a letter from the G&F and/or ADA with more details for the planned camp in their unit. In the meantime, if you would like more information on the camps, please let me know. If you are going to be in the area, feel free to stop by for a refreshment and a talk. Better yet, if you have some free time then volunteer to help out at one of these camps. (thanks to those who have already volunteered!) Many of you have heard me say it before, but I?ll say it again; The look on these kids? faces as they bring their first deer through to be checked-out by the G&F is truly priceless! Lots of fun to be had at these camps, both during the day while greeting the hunters, and at night while sitting around the fire. Always lots of good food cooked as well!!! Good luck out there everyone, and keep the kids safe!!!! S.

Not certain of the location of the 20C hunt. I'm waiting on a map. As for the success ratio? I can't speak to that. The WM seems to think the kids will have some success this year, but we'll see. We have some local folks with good knowledge that have helped on the javi hunt, so if you need specific info be sure to stop in (once the location is posted...). If I recall, Amanda is going to be at the 23 camp. It will be a good time. S.

Yes, it is going to at Indian Point campground! G&F, as well as some local folks will be available with helpful information & scouting reports. It should be a good time.... Look for details soon, as I'll be posting some information in the next couple of days (just been too swamped at work.... ). S.

To answer your first question; Yes, you have to purchase a regular hunting license, as well as the deer tag. To answer your second question; I don't know why. Ideas on 27 or 28, sorry I can't help much there other than to say; I hear there's lots of deer over there. Never hunted that part of the state myself though. There's a few locals on here that may pipe-up though. Good luck! S.

Send me PM and I'll give you a spot to check-out. Also, stay tuned to this site (and watch the mail...) for information on the Unit 23 Youth Camp that the AZ G&F and the AZ Deer Association are hosting. We'll have a nice camp set-up with information & food for any of the young hunters that stop by to visit. For those who are looking for a little scouting help, we'll have some local folks & WMs on hand with the latest info & scouting reports. The camp will be set-up on the Tonto end of Roosevelt Lake (again, final details to be posted on this site SOON). Good luck! S.

Hey DEERSLAM, did anyone ever really take him seriously before???? (Sorry Scott, I couldn't resist.... ) S.

LONG LIVE CHRIS FARLEY!!!!! S.

36C December tag CNE??? You want my comments??? YOU GOT MY TAG!!!! Just kidding, not really angry; just jealous.... Advice? That will be tough because unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of hunting down there in December. I archery hunted there last Jan though, and we saw a couple of nice bucks down lower. Didn't have to hump the hills (and I use the term 'hills' VERY loosely...). You're right that the rut will be GREATLY to your advantage. I would say that you have a GREAT tag. The key is still going to be glass, glass, glass, though. Just find a spot and start scanning the ridges/valleys. You owe it to yourself to get down there a couple of times in early Dec if possible to scout. Also, both of you owe it to yourselves to try to participate in the unit 36 ranch clean-up on October 22nd. There will be participation from many locals, as well as the WM for the unit. You can get some good info there.... Watch this site for details, as I'm sure Lance will be posting soon. Good luck! S.

Great bulls, and it looks like some pretty nice shooting as well! Congrats! S.

Lots of public land (or ranches that allow access....) in 36C. I would check-out the AZ G&F website game unit reports on this unit. They have good info regarding the prominent access points. Other than that, I would say to pick a ranch road from the G&F list, drive west til' the road stops, then hike west from there (which is really kind of like hiking strait up...) to get away from the people & start glassing! There are deer in every canyon of the Babos, just pick one and glass, glass, glass.... I love that unit! Good luck! S.

Kudos on a GREAT elk!!!! Good job! I was up in 6A chasing cows with my bow over the weekend. Got a couple of good stalks in, but couldn't close the deal. S.

I definitely get the 'feeling' this time of year when the air drys out a bit. The dove opener is nice, but it's not until we start feeling these nice 60 degree mornings that I really start to get antsy. I'll be up in 6A this weekend chasing cow elk with my bow. Should be nice and cool up there.... Heading-up today, and I can't wait! S.