AZantlerhead

Well I got back last night from a 3 day adventure. Just me and my old dog. Packed in the first day, did my shed hunting the second day and packed out the third. Heres a couple pics of my pack, weighs in at 85 lbs includeing the day pack i had tied on thats not shown, plus a gallon jug of water I'll post more and better pics of the sheds and head this week. Yes I'm sore, the pain is temporary- memories last. I encountered the same black bear 4 times on this trip He wanted to eat my dog and maybe my pack , witch was on my back. I saw him twice while hikeing and he came in my camp twice.My trusty terrier kept him back in the trees . I can't wait till bear season, he's huge. And attitude, lemme tell ya! We havent seen the last of eachother! At one point he got within 30yds of my back while hikeing, I turned around and quikly got my Knife and gun in hand, yelling ,brandishing weapons and the Dog of all dogs at my side, that kept him far enough from me to live till bear season. But he's marked! Of all the crap i packed no camera

When I see a cam I smile and wave, wish the same in return . Matter of fact just found one two weeks ago in 3B , I still smiled and waved to the cam even though their was dang quad tracks staraight up the hill 200 yds right to it. So whoevers got a pic of me on their cam, If I see fresh tracks off the roads to your cam again I'll just tell the G&F bout it. I'm sure they'd love to wait at you're cam and school you on atv ethics!!! Maybe wait for you there my self. The smile and wave to this cam was not a hello , but more of a warning. There are others in the woods ya-know.

Nice!!!! I've got my first Coues tag this year in 31 and would be tickled to get one half that size!

I drew 31 early WT , Dad Drew 31 early MD, Cousin drew unit 1 archery. Ohh and I got a turkey tag for unit 27 to go allong with my 27 bear hunting. I'm super stoked!!!! A hunting we will go...................................

Awesome man!!! I had some dogs haul off an 80in coues head once, I know what you mean

No shed God here.? I don't claim to be near the best around, certainly not a god!Don't put words in my mouth please ! But also I don't know many people who can say their quota is at least 7 antlers per trip. And exactly what kind of shed hunter are you Jim? A true shed hunter takes delight in everyones finds as far as I'm concerned. Take you're negativity some where else. Carry the load I did this weekend and then you just try and be-little my shed hunting buddy. I've worked extremely hard to aquire my sheds. As do most, so bug- off. But don't worry, when you do find 1, I will compliment and appreciate it. As it should be............

Any one know a nice WMA girl I could marry? We could surely go shed hunting as to "spend more time together" right? But no seriously, anyone? Bad AZZZ horns Josh.. Did the native who sold them know what they are worth? Or did old allen snake oil the guy? Just curious how much chedder the guy got is all. You need not answer that if it's private of course. I know you're a business man too. But I wonder......

Trully cool Buddy!! Guess there will be shed hunters to replace us when our knees and backs are done Killer coues shed!!!!! nice find!

Thanks Bushman . seen one of those bucks lately? We just returned from a good weekend, packed out 18 between the two of us with two heads included, left about 10 chalkies laying . But as I've said last post, No more pics or extra details, Video out by 2010!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could share but you'll have too pay for the footage were getting sorry guys, It will be worth the wait, you're gonna enjoy going allong. Go ahead and try and immate but you'll be hard pressed to duplicate (Josh not incl.) Our videos are gonna need a " attempt at you're own risk" sticker Josh, thanks for backing me on the "hair" issue. Ha! what a joke huh. Goverment trying to control every aspect of everything. Are we becomeing a communist goverment??????? makes me wonder Whens the barcode tattoo comeing?

[attac hment=8280:june21st08_001.jpg]My haul from last Sat. My pard found 7. My lil brother found 3 and a head.

Dang Josh , Helluva coues day!!!!

Believe it or not, I've been lucky enough to have aquired Bill's knowledge of shed hunting, honey holes and antler art! U see, my shed hunting and antler art mentor was taught by Him, then Jason taught me. Small World Sometimes

You don't think I'd leave a beatifull elk head in a canyon just cause it still has hair on it do you? My First nice winter elk head find to boot. You'd have to pry it from my cold dead hands buddy!

When and where was this buck killed, why no story?

Allright fellow shed hunter's, today's pic posts will be my last. Video in the makeing. I promise, you will be amazed!!!!!!!!!! Forgive me If I come across boldy I simply Love Antler hunting, that's all. More than most you might say. Josh It's not my intention to take anything away from your long and successfull shed career. I respect and admire you allot, hope to walk with you someday. Or atleast follow in you're tracks.....

More pics of the load [attac hment=8272:june_7th_08_002.jpg]

Hey Grong, How can my pardner I get in Shed freaks III? Not to brag, but the part were they are carying packs.... Those are light loads, or "average days" for my shed mentor and myself. Yesterday we brought out 17 sheds and a non- typical head, we left 10-15 chalkies laying.His previous solo trip to that area produced 25 horns, 2 heads in two days. We go out and get after umm at least 1-2 times a month, by foot and pack frame only so far, maybe pack horses later this year. My shed pardner is much more lower key than myself, but I'm sure he might jump at an opportunity like that, I'll run it by him. Any info is greatly appreciated. I think People would be blown away by some of our trips and finds, especially him, He's definately without a dought a Shed Freak, maybe the best in the nation?!! I think for sure in AZ,I'm still learning allot,now in my 3rd year of bone pickin, I do very well but he keeps me humble most trips . If given a glance we could represent AZ shed hunting at it's finest!!! I'll dig up a picture of a real pack load to post. With my pardners permission of course. He's an amature photographer to boot. Let us know........ Thanks. Dustin Luper.

Good ones buddy

That one bull is gonna be a good one! Cool pics, I was born and raised in Springerville and recognize that valley. Bout 16 miles south of town huh

Hey guys I'm throwing a worm out to see if I can find an outfitter who is interested in utilizing a scout/guide . This is my favorite unit to hunt/scout/shed hunt in. I usually go in 2-3 times a month on 1-3 day pack trips. Everyone keeps telling me to try and supplement my income with my abilities/ skills/ knowledge of this wilderness unit. I live in 3B so have my local knowledge here as well. If anyone knows an outfitter I would greatly appreciate some contact info. I'm 25 and am looking to start a lasting and successfull guide/outfitter relationship with a local outfit instead of hireing on with U.S.O, the nationwide Outfitter my Dad guides with. Thanks. Dustin Luper I can provide World class Elk, Trophy archery/rifle for both Mule And Coues Deer, & Trophy Black Bear, with or without dogs . Thanks again.

Beary Hairy Bear Story. I was in 27 this last weekend and saw the same boar 4 different times. The first time was my second day there about 10am. I was walking a wash and my dog started growling up at the hill side. I looked where he was looking and there he was all 350-400lbs of him at about 35 yards. standing broaside, drooling and stareing at me and my dog. We had a stareing contest for about 2 minutes. I got my lil' snake gun out, 22 snubnose and popped one in the ground beside me. The bear groaned and walked into the bushes slowly. seeming to vanish allmost. I kept walking the opposite way. this seemed like a good idea to Old Boy as well. Allmost back to my base camp that afternoon at about 5pm I was covering ground quickly and loudly, loudly because the elk head and 4 sheds i was carying, but any way. I walked up on the same Bear! I saw him before the dog did and stopped. I called my dog, cause he was walking right to the bear not seeing it but smelling the fresh trail instead. Old Boy looked up and saw the bear, a meer 30 feet in front of him. By this time the bear was aware of us as well. The dog charged the bear, the Bear stood up, BIG, my dog stopped 10 feet from him and they stood eachother off for a minute. I called my dog, He was smart enough to return to my side. The bear turned and went up the hill side on the wash. We started walking again down the wash. About a minute had gone by, something told me to look over my shoulder. When I did That Bear had returned and was about 30yds from my back!!!! This was one hungry bear i guess! When I caught that brute short of completeing his stalk I was in shock, He was huge, yet silently and quickly I had allmost been mauled by a bear i just saw walk off!!!!!!! WTH? I got my gun out, My dog turned and prooved his worth once again, I got my 7 inch fixed blade out as well. The bear at this point had stopped in his tracks and was unsure if he wanted to fight my dog and I face to face instead of from behind. I made his mind up for him, I got loud, puffed up and took a step towards him, My dog sets a good example of how to be brave He took off. Fast this time. In camp that night about 9pm my dog started growling up at the hillside from the camp. I shined my light up in the trees. Their he was again. I stayed quite, and just layed my gun down beside me. He hung out for about 5 minutes , my dog snarling at him the whole time, then went on his way.I didn't sleep much that night. It was the next morning and i was cat napping after breakfast and a book. I was awakened by Old Boy growlin and choppin towards the same direction as the night before. At this point the bear was on my nerves. I got gun and knife in hand and me n Old Boy went towards him. upon circling the first tree blocking my view i found the bear was only at 40 yds! once again standing broadside, drooling, and this time makeing a god awfull Low, Loud, grumbling roar. as best i can describe it. I did the Usuall, waved my weapons, yelled, walked towards him with the dog and he began movin out. slowly and unhappily. He was makeing sounds I'll never forget. I think he said " This is my house, you are a guest, I will tolerate you" . It was something i'll never forget. This is all 100% true and accurate. I'm shakin as I write it. Hope this story keeps you motivated for bear season!!

Only found one deer antler and one elk this day, It was cool cause the elk had blood on it and was my first tank side shed, not to mention 2 other guys I ran into on a quad said they looked at the tank that morning To worried about getting caught off road to see the shed I guess. People like that will cause public land closures, "shed hunting seasons" etc.etc. Ol' boy did show a bit more interest in this fresh drop brown. march08 Hiked all day in new area and this is what i got. Did see the biggest group of bulls in my life though, 23, all different sizes.2 with no horns, the rest still wearing no elk horns though. Also saw a group of 3 Big Boys. And allot of Dr. pepper cans <_<Early april 08 Another all day hike turned up this nice one. No complaints on this trip ----- ohhh, I blew out my boots. Glad i pack duck tape Late march 08 Another day trip , left the right side of the elk 6x6 pair for a marker, chewed on does not describe it. found two more this day but ran outa film in my p.o.s camera also found a large pile of whites on a grave. I had my lunch with "Gary and Dave" admireing the old pile and 5x5 head.Odd two graves with one marker... april08 THANKS FOR LOOKIN.

The "Forest Circus" . Good one Desert. TLH, a good example too you're comment. I was shed hunting town in unit 1 a month ago and I walked up too this gate on a road I found to hike out. Well, I came to the gate and found it chained and locked. so I just went through the fence of course. When I read the sign on the other side of the fence it read " area closed to Motorized, ohv, etc. etc. for wildlife and habitat protection" Yet the road I'd been walking to get out had a ton of atv tracks, shed hunters i guess, I still managed to find 3 elk sheds within sight of the road though Yes nothing can stop some of it.... Cept that WACK I was talking about

Well said azhunter, bowsniper. Glad Others take this serious too. But it seems us few serious woodsmen who really do care can have no damper on This issue. It's like watching a train come from miles away when ur tied to the tracks. Only in the form of a million quads. I also agree Desertbull that the Gov should actually enforce the laws. i.e ( Impounding, loss of License for a year, Hefty fines ) But that won't happen and even if it did they don't have the manpower. So yeah it's inevitable that they close 90% of real F.S roads that lead to these probly thousands of new roads or "trails" as they call umm. The media doesn't help. All they seem to play now on the outdoor chanel is comerrcials of people running the baja1000 through a pristine forest, and mudd bogging in the streams and springs. And what happened to the Tread Lightly organization? I don't see their commercials. Personaly, I wanna take a 380 elk shed and close line that guy on the Polaris Sportsman commecial. He says " Every weekend me and my buddies go out and get after it" Then they show him doing a hill climb and you can see the real road on the side of the screen. yeah . WACK!!!!!!! There are a few responsible ATV guys out there. a few. But those few and us who simlpy drive our trucks on established-numbered roads will pay the most. But imagine how good the hunting will become in the Kaibab if they do close 350 roads! I think they had this problem in the Jeep Boom of the 70's too? Ohh Well, close every dirt road. Whatever it takes to keep those things off the land. OUR land!!

That's great you were repairing the dang of the tank Glad you left out the name of that place at least. You're bro likes the peace pipe 2!!! Theres a few B&C coues in there! Hope you guys connect on one! A tip, you can hear that quad a mile a way maybe 2. Invest in a pack frame and hikeing boots. It will keep that place wild, and keep it a big buck sanctuary Good luck with that spot, it's a gem!