Mr. Jonathan

The sky really is falling,... a comment that came from Lark that I agree with 100%. I think trapping is WAY more humane than bowhunting in general. Wow. I wasn't going to at first, but then I was like, "Really?" Obviously an opinion is just that, but a little validation could go a long way. And with the pressure that hunting is getting on all sides, some opinions could be left unsaid. I've watched several animals expire in literal seconds, faster than a gun even, when shot well with a bow. And a gut shot deer has maybe twelve hours. But a dog in a trap line for 24 or more is more humane? What about the dogs that get their muzzle broke in a trap and suffocate? I'm all for trapping, and I'm also for an elevated perspective on issues that demand a little more investigation. We're all ambassadors of our hunting and outdoor passions, whether in the field or on this site. Some diplomacy could go a long way, especially since I imagine that what is revealed on this site is probably indicative of what goes on in the field.

I didn't know they made them like that...

That's just awesome. Great pictures by the way! I can't imagine what the accomplishment must feel like!

Hey Paul, just wanted to say congratulations again, it was nice to meet you in Nogales. And to let everyone know, I got to hold this deer's rack in my hands, and the pictures don't even do justice to this amazing buck. He's amazingly bladed on the right main beam and it curves in to the G3 in a very unique way. Great job Paul, and good luck!

Ok, so yes yes yes to all who have said it comes down to the bow you like to shoot the most. But just to throw something in the mix on timing issues with cams, look into BowTech's binary cam system where the control cables attach directly to the opposing cam and not the limb. This helps tremendously with timing since the cams stay timed relative to each other. And another thought on the speed issue is this: you need kinetic energy to drive penetration on your shots. The most effective way to get kinetic energy is to shoot a heavier arrow, since from a physics perspective, shooting a heavy arrow slower is better than a lighter arrow faster (for maximizing KE). Now if you get a fast bow, you can increase your arrow weight quite a bit and still pull off a very respectable speed in the high 200's fps or low 300's. My bow shoots 307 fps at 27.5 inch draw and 385 grain arrows. that produces around 80 ft-lbs of kinetic energy. I could even increase my arrow weight and sacrifice some speed to get more KE. So, if you're chasing speed for speed's sake, you might as well stick to tournaments and 3-D, but that extra speed can allow for shooting a heavier arrow and getting better penetration. I'll probably get reamed for this, but those are my thoughts. Also, consider the near-zero nock travel of a dual cam versus a single cam, for all those die hard matthews guys... Really any new bow you get will be an incredible weapon. most anything on the market these days are exceptional, so shoot what you like, and keep us posted!

That is really awesome. How much would it cost a guy to get some of those done? Can the shapes be custom or do they need to be preselected from a list?

I guess I'm alone here so far, but Bowtech makes some incredible weapons, plus they are a great company. All of their bows are tribute bows to the American Armed Forces and they donate a portion of their profit each year to the Tragedy Assistance Program (TAPS) that helps families of soldiers killed in action. 1st class company, great warranties, amazing bows. In my opinion, if you're gonna ask the hoyt vs. matthews question, you might as well put bowtech in the line up too.

Archery Nevada Mule Deer August Coues Shed Big Tom Little Female Hill Partridges Wasn't able to hunt much this year with moving to AZ, but hunted hard when I could.

That is awesome, I can't wait to see a picture of the skull when you get done with it! I have a small euro of an antelope that I finished with an arrow in the skull, but I didn't keep the arrow in because it was at an odd angle. but the skull still has the hole with three blades in it. Cool stuff!

Ok, I've got some questions pertaining to this, not exactly 'advice' since I'm still learning so much. If this is out of place for the thread, forgive me. I once helped a friend track a deer that was shot through both haunches. The shot went so bad because the deer made a 90 degree turn as the arrow was released and what would have been a center shot ended up hitting the hams. Regardless of whether or not the shot should have been taken, it was, and unfortunately it went bad. I watched the deer run/hobble off, and I could see blood on the opposite ham, meaning the arrow had punctured through both rear legs. The shot hit no guts, and broke no bones, it was entirely muscle. To make matters worse, after waiting around half an hour to 45 minutes, we were left with only half an hour or so of light. We picked up the trail, and initially there was a lot of dark red blood. The arrow was soaked in blood, and to double check for a possible gut shot, there was no material or odor on the arrow except blood. we pushed the trail about 100 yards with good blood, but ran out of light and elected to return in the morning. Upon arriving in the morning, we immediately resumed the trail which promptly dried to the tiniest of pin pricks every twenty feet or so. All in all, the last blood was about 150 yards from the shot, and was literally the size of pencil lead diameter. At that point we spent a long and somber day following deer tracks and trails and eventually a grid walk that in the end revealed no deer anywhere. The trail we found went up an down several steep ravines, and not the characteristic downhill approach of a hurt deer. Unfortunately we never recovered this deer. My questions are: If the shot was purely muscular in nature, and missed the femoral artery, the only way that wound would be fatal is through continued hemorrhaging, right? Why then, did the blood trail end so abruptly? Is it a reasonable assumption that the deer lived? (NOTE: A brand new thunderhead broadhead was used, razor sharp blades, and I think 1.25 inch cutting diameter) Also, the one question that really bothers me, is did we make the right choice to leave and come back in the morning? In hindsight I feel haunted that if perhaps we had kept on the deer through the night, we would have continued to bump it and help the bleeding continue. I'd sure appreciate any input on this situation.

Hey, now that's just mean! They are still my first love in hunting, even if I'm having an affair with coues right now...

Spent all last week chasing coues deer, and it was marvelous. The hunt was everything I could have hoped for on a first coues hunt, save for not actually harvesting myself. Here's a quick run down: -Had to find a new spot on our own since the first plans fell through. -Saw my first javelina. -Saw several more javelina! -Saw my first large coues buck in the glasses -Saw several more large coues bucks in the glasses! -Shot at (and missed) a coues buck -Got to see my first border crossers when a trail of 9 illegal packers smuggling drugs walked just feet away from me in a wash while I laid back in the bushes... That was SCARY! -God saved my life in the wash (see previous) -Called the border patrol -Spent time in gnarly rough country and got stabbed and scratched and cut by every single piece of vegetation I walked past -Spent one crazy night in a seedy motel in Nogales after getting scared by illegals -Got creeped out by hippies in Patagonia after switching from the southern unit with the illegals -Saw some of the craziest rutting activity ever -Ate a gas station burrito in Mammoth -Took my boots off on a stalk, got to 45-50 yards, and then the buck busted. -Saw 3 legitimate 90-100 inch bucks -Saw my first Coati! -Spent time with great friends -Had a great friend harvest his first coues deer -Found a whole new appreciation for these deer and the country they run in.

Hey all, I've got a big batch of scraps and cubes that I want to get turned into summer sausage and jerky, can anyone recommend a good butcher in the Mesa area? Thanks -Jonathan

Well, there's actually two arrows in the quiver, one's just broke about 17 inches from the business end. The whole arrow in the pic has a judo point on it, of all things (we were hoping to run across some quail or a coati). The first shot came in high through the spine and exited through the bottom of the brisket, since the shot was nearly vertical. It clipped enough lung on the way to be fatal, but the deer dropped immediately, obviously since the spinal cord had been severed. My buddy's pretty experienced and didn't want to take any chances, so he sent another arrow immediately after the first which connected with a rock and not the deer. My buddy got off the cliffs he was shooting from and made his way to the deer and put another one through the boiler room but we didn't find the arrow. So, the quiver that started with four arrows was quickly reduced to the last arrow with a judo. That's bowhunting for you.

Thanks!

That's awesome, I've never found an elk set yet- only singles so far. When do animals tend to drop in Arizona? I figured since they all rut so much later here that they'd be dropping later too.

Nice bow! Oh, and the buck is great too.

Oh man, you better be careful. I hear hunting while pregnant makes the baby addicted to hunting from the get-go. Nice buck!

Does that dog have an unusually large noggin for his body size? Nice pic!

He's definitely a buck that has received an injury to his testicles at one point. The injury, whether accidental or on purpose (some ranchers have been known to catch fawns and castrate them for the very purpose of growing strange antlers) has affected his ability to produce the cycle of hormones that include growing a set of antlers, polishing them, rutting, and then shedding them. These eunuch bucks do not rut or mate, and their antlers continue to grow year round without being shed. Since he is a spike like you say, he was probably injured as a spike, and the antlers have continued to grow in like manner. That explains the shear length and mass of the spikes. This is the same kind of phenomenon as a cactus buck, but the more impressive cactus bucks are wounded after having developed a more mature rack and then the injury produces the little velvet protrusions all over their antlers. These deer will usually hang out with does and are not subject to the rut induced stupidity that their potent buddies who are not injured will be. That is why he didn't stick around to see you. As far as how old he is, the other typical signs of an old deer apply, pot belly, sway back, gray muzzle, etc... I think the current SCI world record is a good representation of a cactus buck that was injured after already growing a well developed rack. But be gentle with these guys, they are impotent and have received enough humiliation from the bachelor groups growing up. Remember, this was not a volitional act, no self respecting buck would want to get a wound to the testes, even if it will likely keep him alive longer .

Northwestern Nevada, December 29th. I don't know why anyone would hunt this hard for a few birds, but we do. They are the smartest upland bird I know of, and a fine trophy in my book. I think I have to get some physical therapy to nurse my wounds though. Sorry for so many pics, but I really liked them.

Great shot on a beautiful dog! I haven't done anything but scare the coyotes in Nevada so far...

When you said north I was thinking flagstaff! Then I was like, there's not moose in Arizona! But the lynx gave it away, i was just having a dunce moment i guess. I love that big bull in the pic with the branches coming down.

Hey all, I just moved here this last June from Nevada. I'm a die hard mule deer bowhunter, but ever since I found out about these little coues deer out here, I've kinda been infatuated with them. The trouble is, I've been very unsuccessful in finding them so far. I've seen one up north of Roosevelt lake, and my wife and I found a couple sheds, but haven't really been able to pick any of these guys out with the glasses yet. I'm gonna be getting an archery tag in January and was hoping to hunt in 22 or 23, hopefully in the Mazatzals. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Even a point in the right direction would be very helpful. I was up at Canyon lake today and found several sheep and two rams, but no deer. Am I just in the wrong places? Am I out of my mind trying to chase these things spot and stalk around Mesa? Any info would be great help. Thanks!

Awesome! It's such a better experience running alongside the dogs, even when they get way out ahead of you. I love listening to them bark from canyon to canyon and following the tracks. It makes me learn a lot more about the animals too.