IdahoCoues

My dad and I were hunting together on the north side of Ridge. We decided to split up for the morning hunt, and meet in the saddle around lunchtime. While hunting alone I found a nice glassing spot, and invariably got into my lunch early. I ate one sandwich, put the empty bag in my pack and continued on. While rimming around through a canyon, I noticed a pile of dried bear scat, that broken into small wafer like chunks, complete with juniper berry seeds. I gathered several of the bronze colored nuggets and put them in the empty sandwich baggie. Meeting up with my dad, we found a good spot, with visibility, to eat our lunches. I took out the baggie and placed it where he was sure to notice. He asked what they were, and I said they were “Nut Rolls”, brought by our hunting partner. He said he hadn’t noticed them when making lunches that morning. He picked one up and was examining it, contemplating popping it whole into his mouth. I just couldn’t go through with it and had to come clean. We both had a good laugh at what could have happened.

I too have heard of the small, fully mature deer my grandfather called the Sonoran Fantail. He was born in the Arizona Territory, in Cochise. He recalled a neighbor who killed one, and packed it out like a suitcase, due to its size. I also saw a small set of antlers in a sporting good store in Tucson. They were a small mature set measuring about 50-60 inches. The plaque said they were fantail, although I've yet to hear if the fantail is a confired species by taxonomists. I do have a small, heavy three point shed with a three inch eyeguard, that's a little larger than the palm of my hand. I'd like to think there is a Fantail species. Craig.

I just wanted a poll viewers, to see if anyone has ever seen an albino or piebald Coues deer. Last November, I glassed 6 Coues does and fawns all together on an open hill. The sun was behind me and all the deer were standing in the sun. One fawn stood out among the rest as being much lighter. It wasn't white like a true albino, but it was definately not the same as the others. That was the first day, and as Murphy's law dictated, I was never able to find that deer again to show any of my party. I've hunted Coues for 22 years, and never witnessed that before. Any suggestions? Craig.

I was wondering if any of you have a good site to download topo maps of hunt units. The unit I hunt has limited access, but loaded with BLM ground. I just want to be prepared, and not hunt private land by mistake. I live in Idaho, and our local BLM office is helpful, but slow. Thanks. Craig.

I've been watching the weather and getting reports from friends in southern Arizona. It appears that the area had some well needed winter moisture. Does anyone have an opinion or educated guess on it's effect on the drought, or was it not even enough for wishfull thinking. My father and I have hunted Coues since I was small, but I don't remember seeing as few Coues as I did last November, since the early 70's. Local rancher blame the drought and lions for the decline. We did find 8 dead lion killed bucks on our last trip. We did see deer, and several bucks, but antler mass and size was not up to par from several sheds we found and buck we have killed in the past. Craig P.S. Great site Amanda!!