Heat

http://www.outdoorhub.com/how-to/2014/09/18/keep-duck-id-skills-sharp-tips/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=September%2019%202014%20Daily%20Newswire%20(1)&utm_content=&spMailingID=47011606&spUserID=NDQxNTMxMzU0NjAS1&spJobID=522389797&spReportId=NTIyMzg5Nzk3S0

PS you might want to put this in the Small Game Forum, might get some more looks/attention.

Sending a PM

They don't hand out tickets for felonies typically. Normally felonies earn you a ride to the clink.

Right On Adam! That is so cool!

Ruger SP 101 3 inch

I'm 40 years old and have been hunting in Arizona's high country since I was 8. In that time I have only seen 1 rattlesnake in the woods. Odds are long to come across a rattler but not impossible. Honestly the thought never even crosses my mind when in that country. Go get your bull and forget about the buzz worms! What are the odds of lightning striking the same place twice?

You are NOT alone! I have often wondered this myself. I agree that the habitat seems good. I wonder if anybody more involved with the Game and Fish or AZDBSS has any info about this? Thought I read something about this not too long ago, but I've slept a few times since then...

Let me clarify as it seems one poster misinterpreted what I meant to get across. By all means, bring food, but don't pack like it's your only means of survival for a month...point is, don't over do it, that's all.

Thanks for coming back on and filling us in on the rest of the scoop and putting a couple of stills up. Very nice 5x5 man! I would shoot that bull in a heartbeat! You done good!

That grin on the young man's face says it all! Thanks for sharing!

There is some really good advice here by some experienced waterfowlers. Coues Pursuit made a great point about not shooting hens. To expand on that I highly recommend you get very good at identifying ducks. Not just being able to tell what drake is what when he is sitting on the water, but what hen is what when they are on the wing. I learned my lesson when my duck hunting buddy who has more experience hunting waterfowl than anyone I know killed a hybrid duck on a refuge. He got a ticket for shooting too many hen mallards, even though this duck clearly had some pintail genes. Point is be absolutely certain about what your are shooting at or don't shoot at all. The best thing you can do is exactly what you are doing now (don't be afraid to ask questions), and then just go out and give it a go. You'll learn quickly by your mistakes unless you're hardheaded like me and things have to be beaten into your brain. Thanks for the different version of hen to drake ratio Coues Pursuit. I actually have more hens than drakes so I'm going to try that next time. I generally hunt early in the season and some hard to get to areas, so maybe that's why the >drakes do OK. I always thought of the colors being attractive. Your way makes a ton of sense though, especially late in the season.

Dang, that was pretty sweet footage! Let's hear the rest!

Great story and pics! Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Congratulations on your nice wilderness backpack buck!

Way to earn her "stripes"! Thanks for sharing your hunt with us.

Looks like you guys did good! Congratulations to your cousin on a very nice bull! No better reminder of God's magnificence than to be in the woods during the elk rut! Thanks for sharing.

Nice job making it happen! Congratulations!

If you're opposed to driving to Whitewater from Tucson, I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help. I've had almost all my action along either the Gila River East of Yuma or on the Refuges on the Colorado north of Yuma. When the Colorado still flowed past Morelos Dam back in the day there was some really good hunting along the Colorado between Yuma and San Luis. I'm afraid things have changed a bunch since then though. Try the stock ponds in the desert or possibly the San Pedro River. Maybe there are some wet spots along the Santa Cruz you can try, otherwise I recommend bigger water. Good Luck, Nick

1. Reliable shotgun, waders, waterproof pants, jacket, hat, and boots. 2. A hunting partner (retrieving dog is best) 3. Steel Shot loads for your gun 4. Decoys if hunting near water, map of ponds to jumpshoot otherwise. Small water doesn't need a ton of deeks, add more drakes to your spread if possible and odd numbers are good (don't put out a dozen, add a few or take a few away). I usually use a mix of puddle duck species in my spread. Mallards, pintails, widgeons, teal. Any duck will decoy to a mallard spread so need need to over-complicate things but if you have a variety available use it. 5. Calling is not needed unless you are hunting over decoys. Even then, less is more. This will come with experience. Worry about your location, set up and decoys first and foremost. 6. Camo is very important. Don't let your shiny face be seen by the ducks. This goes for hiding yourself, your boat, etc. 7. When you kill your birds and cook them, don't over do it. Leave duck slightly rare and you'll enjoy the meat much more. I almost forgot...don't forget your Duck Stamps!

I agree! We are very fortunate to have all the public land we do throughout the state. Heck even the private land is hardly ever posted, at least around where I live. God Bless America and Arizona! My wife keeps toying with the idea of moving back to Indiana where she grew up. They better start transplanting elk quickstyle or I'm not moving a muscle! In all seriousness I don't see how anyone can stand living east of the Rockies.

Thanks for the heads up! Going to try to get mine in before the system crashes!

Wow! That's like a natural history museum piece. Excellent work Jim. Can't wait to bring you my next critter worth mounting!

Very nice Ike! Thanks for sharing with us here on this site! Nick

Nice of you to honor your Grandpa by saying a few words about him here. Sorry for your loss! May the Lord comfort you in your time of grief.

Our youngsters truly are a blessing. Great pics with the kids! Thanks for sharing your passion of the outdoors with your kids and the site!