Dadof3

Looking for advice from previous hunters. My 14 year old son drew an either or tag for mule deer or Coues in Arizona unit 23. He is diligently saving his money for his own binoculars and last year purchased his own rifle and scope. He wants to know if the Coues potential is better than the mulie potential or visa versa. He has taken a small Coues and a cow elk in Arizona. He is so pumped and I think I’m just as excited as well as I’ve spent the last 10 years hunting vicariously through my children and loving every memory we’ve created with he and his older brothers. Thanks for the input

We are not local. Scouting would have to be done a day or 2 before season starts

My son who’s 16 has drawn a cow elk tag and a deer tag for Arizona youth unit 23. He should have bought some lottery tickets. Anyone willing to share how to hunt the unit? Any info that would shorten the learning curve and increase our odds for success would be greatly appreciated.

Griffin and I hit the road with high hopes and much excitement. We connected with 2 locals who volunteered to help us out. You never know what to expect. Does this mean here’s a dusty 2 track I once saw a deer at or rolling out the red carpet. We were humbled by the level of commitment to help us. Each day was filled with hours of glassing and holding out for a good one. We passed many bucks and held the bar high. Finally on day 4 we spotted a heavily palpated 4x4 about a mile away and 800-1000 feet higher. We watched him graze and knew he’d be the buck of dreams if we would be able to hang our tag on him. We formulated a game plan and off we went. 4.5 hours later we sat above the thicket. We decided to wait him out. Unfortunately the gray ghost gave us the slip and we never saw him again. It was an epic 2 hour hike out in the dark with our egos bruised but our hearts full of the experience. The next day was to be our last in AZ so we decided to take the first legal buck we saw. Finally on the opposite hillside we spotted a buck and moved into shooting range just as the buck disappeared into bottom. He was about 200 away. As we sat there picking apart the hillside just looking our local friend hissed “he’s right there!” 100 yards away the buck emerged from the thicket and stood quartering to knowing something was up. Quickly griffin steadied on the sticks and the crack of the rifle broke the silence. No buck in sight. We decided to give it 30 minutes and give it a look. No blood at all but we spread out and began grid searching. Just a few short minutes later we located the buck and the celebration was on! I want to say I’m so humbled to the 2 gentlemen who took time out of their schedules and spent 5 days helping us chase down the gray ghost we are forever in your debt. We came as strangers but now I consider you good friends! The hunting community is filled with good people who are the salt of the earth with kindness in their hearts! Cant wait to return to AZ next year!!

It’s funny how hunters can be a circular firing squad. It was explained to me by the purchasing agent and the areas Bioligist this was an either specie tag. The negativity dissuades so many people from posting. I will be the first to admit I don’t know it all. I’m a lifetime student. Every state is so different with rules and regulations it can dizzying especially if you are applying in multiple states. Thankful for the positive input. Let’s remember our sport is under constant assault and we need to stick together regardless of how we hunt with rifles bows, crossbows, heck even a rock for all I care.

Finally 2 days until my son gets a crack at Coues deer. As a father I’m so excited to be able to further introduce my passion and love for all things hunting and outdoors. Well it’s finally here. My son has spent the summer earning money to purchase his first rifle. We’ve spent several outings dialing it in and honing his shooting skills. Well the bags are packed and tomorrow the truck will be gassed up as we leave. How many of you are as excited or maybe even more excited than your own kids are? Did we remember everything? Do we have enough snacks? What will we see? Will he/she shoot true if that moment arrives? It is truly to me “the most wonderful time of the year”. Arizona here we come!!!

It’s funny how hunters can be a circular firing squad. It was explained to me by the purchasing agent and the areas Bioligist this was an either specie tag. The negativity dissuades so many people from posting. I will be the first to admit I don’t know it all. I’m a lifetime student. Every state is so different with rules and regulations it can dizzying especially if you are applying in multiple states. Thankful for the positive input. Let’s remember our sport is under constant assault and we need to stick together regardless of how we hunt with rifles bows, crossbows, heck even a rock for all I care.

I have done my level best to understand them. We drew a youth tag and the way it was explained to me was we could shoot either. We certainly will have this clarified before season. Our intention was to focus on Coues anyway. None of us have even seen one much less hunted one. Thanks for your time. So much to learn.

Busy working dad whose kids finally drew a deer tag. The boys have worked hard at their summer jobs and bought their own rifles and paid for their tags. As a father I am so excited to make life long meteorites and hopefully instill a lifelong passion for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. We plan to hunt the last 5 days of season and since we are out of state do not have time to scout. We want to focus on Coues but if a nice mulie came along we would capitalize for sure! We also plan to pick up a javelina tag just in case. If you have hunted unit 35a or know this unit we would really appreciate any advice that would help shorten the learning curve and increase our odds for success. Any other must haves, watch outs, or advice would mean the world to us!

My dates are October 2-10

So my 11 year old son drew his first hunting tag ever. It is a javelina tag in 17b,19a/b, and 20a. Initially I wasn’t able to get the time off. He was crushed however I am now able to get the time off for the first 3 days of season. Thinking I wasn’t able to go I haven’t done any planning. We live on California and we will have the 2 days prior to scout. Any advice that would help shorten the learning curve and increase our odds for success would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance Russ

So my 10 and 14 year old son drew this tag this year. They are so excited. This will be the 10 year olds first big game trip. We’d love any advice you have. We are not going to be able to scout as we have a wrestling tournament in Vegas prior and we live in California. We drew the same units you hinted last year as well. Thanks Russ

They did not. However my son drew a late season muzzleloader elk tag in New Mexico. I plan to apply for preference tags for deer this year. Maybe javelina

Good news!! My son who’s 14 drew an elk tag in New Mexico in unit 51. The bad news is I’ve never been there and it’s far enough I can’t make a scouting trip. If anyone has input as to where to start it would be greatly appreciated. Trying so hard to ge this kid his first elk!!

Thanks for the input