nastynate

So, does anybody want to go predator hunting just outside the boundary? I.e. Calling? Lions roam many miles within their home range... Can't hurt, and might be fun. Anyone have any sheep in distress calls ?

Tuitama???

+1. Having him get a hunting license would make him legal to carry while he is with you in the field as long as he can say the pistol is for the take of small game if he is stopped or questioned by law enforcement. The only question is if he is wiling to spend the $32.25 to be able to carry while on the hunt. Perhaps he could even make use of the license and try and harvest small game.

I have not owned or used this specific model of pack. However, I have found Eberlestock to be of good quality, and reasonably priced given the features workmanship, thought, etc. that are put into the packs. Ultimately, it will depend on what you want to do with the pack. From my understanding, the V90 is more of a tactical pack. This is not to say that it couldn't be well suited for your needs. I would consider looking at their hunting oriented packs and their features before making a final decision. The biggest benefit I find with the hunting oriented packs is their integral ability to comfortably carry a rifle in addition to a heavy load. The V90 can be set up to carry a rifle in a slightly different manner. In my experience, I have found that without water and food caches, a 7-10 day trip will often be much over 50-75lbs. Something to think about, and the V90 seems suited for such ventures. Not to say that you aren't, but be realistic with what you want to do with a pack before you make a decision. All in all, Eberlestock is a good product, at a reasonable price for the market.

I'm wondering the same thing. I don't think it's going to change any outcomes, but it was strange to just see the first choice results.

Those are very unusual hooves. I have never seen that before. Has anyone else? Do any of the biologists on the site have any insight or explanation? Amanda? DeerNut?

I saw a white Ford Explorer on US 60 a few miles east of Datil, NM. You were pulled off the highway checking out some pronghorn. Drove right past you. I think it was Friday July 19th.

Mid 90's dark blue nissan altima, with a sticker on your back window - saw you parked at Pima Community College, Downtown Campus. Maybe around Oct. 8th or so. I've drive the white with blue stripe 89 K5 Blazer. I haven't quite got around to getting my sticker yet.

I was out with my buddies in 34a near Helvetia calling varmits a few years ago, I went back to the truck and was startled when one of my friends came running over telling me they had seen some mutated creature His description was pretty funny, something along the lines of a cross between an anteater and a lion. Hoping it was perhaps simply a lion, I ran back over to try and glass it up. I was able to spot it the next canyon over. It was the largest male Coati I have ever seen. My friends were a little disappointed when I explained that they had not discovered a new species, but that it was a Coati. Couldn't get any shots off , but a great experience for all of us nonetheless.

Have you guys ever considered using FOBs? Check them out at starrflight.com

My buddy and I got drawn: 36b Oct 23-29.

My wife and I are interested. Where might the "heat box" be exactly? I'm in Tucson, but I might be willing to travel a bit.

Alex, You have great and relevant questions, however there is really no one single answer on how to strategize your hunt. Let me start out by saying that I am a self taught western hunter. Hunting is in my family, but all the hunters live in Northern Maine and Alaska. I did grow up in the outdoors, around firearms, extensive camping, mountain climbing etc, (a lot of which was with the Boy Scouts), but I really caught the hunting bug on my own around age 14. I went on my first Coues hunt with my scoutmaster around then, we saw deer, didn't harvest any, but I have been absolutely hooked ever since. I certainly do not claim to be an expert, for now at least, but I had a lot of the same questions as you do when I started. I can empathize with your frustration and difficulty finding resources on hunting deer in AZ, and finding deer as well for that matter. Through experience I have been able to answer some of the questions for myself. My increasing success in finding and understanding game tells me that I am doing something right. This website is a fantastic resource for information on hunting Coues and other game here in AZ. All of the hunting shows on TV are fun to watch, but only a few of them are relative to what we do out here in the west. Amanda has provided some great answers to the questions you proposed. You mentioned that there is no handbook for Coues hunting. You should try reading How to Hunt Coues Deer by Duwane Adams and Tony Mandile. I believe it is available for purchase through the cw.com store. Also, Deer of the Southwest by Jim Heffelfinger is another good resource. All of these authors are members of cw.com. In addition, Bill Quimby, another very notable author and hunter, is also a member. These could be great sources of knowledge for you. To add to some of what Amanda as mentioned, the peak of the whitetail rut is in January. It seems to me that the Mule deer start a little earlier. The January rut is another excellent reason to pursue the archery hunts. With over the counter tags and the ability to virtually hunt the entire month, it is an opportunity you shouldn't pass up. As far as tactics regarding hunting over water, rattling, and grunting: The deer have to drink water. The drier the conditions, the fewer the water sources, and the more concentrated they will be around the sources that still exist, that being said I usually sit water during dry times. I have found that they do not follow strict behavior patterns as far as when they will come to water. This method can be very successful, but irrational or not, I have trouble shaking the feeling that I'm missing deer that are just out of view, and/or scent is contributing to its effectiveness. One of my favorite methods is to combine glassing with watching water. There are a few spots that I have found that provide vantage points that cover lots of terrain with a water hole in view. This enables me to glass the hillsides, and keep track of a water hole without the constriction and intrusion of a ground blind. I have never hunted out of a treestand. Most of the places I hunt don't have many suitable trees, but again some hunters find it to be effective out west. Rattling and Grunting: As Amanda mentioned this method can be difficult due to the lower concentrations of deer out west. Due to the biology, they will respond the same way as other deer species in the east and come in to the sounds of rattling and grunting. It is most effective during the rut. I prefer to save this method for when I know/think a buck in near. (you can read about specific rattling and grunting methods under hunt strategies on this site) Don't forget about scent control. I do use scent sprays, and some clothing, but never depend on their effectiveness. Read the wind, always keep in mind where your scent is going. As I mentioned in my first response to this thread, the only real thing is to get out in the field as much as possible. Take advantage of the archery season. Time spent out is directly proportional to the amount of deer that you will see. Get away from the roads. Once you are out there go where the deer are, which you seemed to have done already. Once you are there, GLASS. Glass slowly, methodically. Understand the deer behavior and adapt your glassing accordingly. You can learn deer behavior through reading on this site, the books mentioned, and most importantly experience in the field. Be patient. Yes, hunting is an expensive activity, but don't be tempted to buy bargain glass. It will be a waste of money. Not everyone can afford Swarovski, Ziess Leica,etc, but I have found Stiener,and Nikon make relatively good products and they can be found at good sale prices at Sierra Trading Post, and Sportsmans Guide. Use a tripod. Just remember to get out there and have a great time weather you harvest or not. If you put the work in it will pay off. Practice makes perfect, and nothing worth having comes easy. Stay positive and Good Luck! - Nate.

If you are in an area and you are seeing 50-70 deer, it seems like you are on the right track. I too have had the lesbian deer experience, but just remember, all of those does are products of a buck(s). The bucks are there, just be patient. Spend as much time in the field as you can, it is directly proportional to the amount of deer (bucks included) that you will see. Take advantage of the archery deer seasons, even if you don't think you will be successful. They are great times to practice your glassing and hunting skills, get to know your area, and who knows, maybe you will even harvest a deer. How is your optics situation? A few seasons ago, after glassing up a lot of deer at distance with my binos (good quality 12x) and not being able to tell if some of them had a rack or not, I decided to invest in the best spotting scope I could afford. It helped me determine if the deer I was seeing were does or not. Remember, some of those bucks have pretty small racks. I guess it depends on if you are after a big trophy or a small one. Either way, enjoy the hunt weather you are successful or not. Have a good time with your son, be glad you can share the experience together. Be patient, persistent, and spend a lot of time glassing. Even the best hunters don't harvest deer every season. Good Luck! - Nate

Sunrise and Swan area? I have a friend that lives out there, I will have to suggest we go eat there so we can say hi. Amanda Just come in and ask for Nate. I work everyday except wed and thurs. Serving would be best to chat, however if I'm cooking I'll make sure the waiter takes good care of you, and as long as it's not too busy I'll probably be able to come out to the table to say hi. Either way, the food will be great.