recurveman

I don't know where the water hole was but he told me he saw a ton of bucks and quite a few smaller 4 X 4's. He actually saw one buck come to the drinker that he thought was a shooter but didn't get a shot. I'm not sure where his quad was but I'm sure it was in the same spot. I think he is just scared to leave his quad anywhere that he can't see it. Personally, that is why you have insurance. Here is another thing to remember. We've shot a ton of animals one night (or in the morning) and sat the tank the next hunt and shot another animal off of the tank with the gut pile and bones right there at the water hole. (You can't really move elk). For some reason I haven't seen gut piles affect the animals nearly as much as I would have thought. I guess they don't realize that is where their buddy just got whacked. Later, recurveman

My buddy just got back from the BAB. He told me a story about a gal that showed up with her husband and wanted to sit the water hole that he was sitting. He was already there so they went up to the next water hole and she shot a nice 4 X 4 buck. He knew she shot a nice buck because my buddies brother actually helped get the buck into their vehicle and got all bloody while helping her. When I was talking to him this evening I told him that there was a gal that shot a nice buck on this site. He came to this site when I was on the phone with him and he said that she was the gal that he saw on the BAB. Now here is the really funny part. My buddy spent the entire trip up there and was only going to shoot a very nice 4 X 4 or nothing. Well they got nothing (3 of them) and passed on a ton of smaller bucks. Then Red's wife, who is looking to shoot the first branched antler buck that comes her way, shoots this nice trophy. I wonder if the deer gods think it is funny sometimes. Later, recurveman

DiamondbackAZ - what would you consider your breaking point for putting in for a deer hunt? $200, $500, $1000, $10,000? The point being this. What if your breaking point is 200 and they game and fish wants to raise the price to $2500 for the "serious" hunters? Are you still a serious hunter or a poor hunter? I personally am going to pony up for me and my wife to hunt all species in AZ next year regardless of price. I love to hunt and that is it. Not that I'm rich but it is my past time. I don't think it would be fair to out price everyone. The nonserious hunters have just as much right (even though it frustrates me) to the game as the serious hunters have. Here is the solution. Raise the price of the application fee and keep the tag fee low. Most of the hunts make more money off of the application fee than the tag fee anyways. This way the less fortunate hunters will still be able to put in and the game and fish gets their money. What would make me mad is if they raised the NR's fee's to $1800. That just plays into USO's hands. It would actually help them out. Their clients have money. The only NR's that wouldn't come would be the self-guided or friends and family that want to hunt in AZ. I also believe that you want as many people interested in hunting as possible. There will come a day when there is a serious problem with hunting. It is just a matter of time and we should start recuiting right now. Later, recurveman

I have a simple rule. If the animals head is still up I keep the crosshairs on the animal. If I think I need to shoot again I will. If the animal is still standing (which would mean his head is still up) I shot ASAP. I've seen way to many people shoot a "perfect" shot on an animal and not get it. Just remember this. Sometimes people didn't exactly see what they think they saw. I've had guys tell me they hit the deer right behind the shoulder. Sure the butt is right behind the shoulder but it is a ways behind the shoulder. Make sure the critter is down and down for good. The only downside to shooting the deer multiple times is hitting meat that you want to eat. If you keep shooting the animal in the lungs (or even guts) you really aren't doing anymore damage to edible meat. Keep shooting. Thats my motto. Even shoot the spikes. Later, recurveman - 4 days until a spike's death.

I'm not a land expert by any means but there are a ton of different types of land in this state. Just because one branch won't let you shoot on their land doesn't mean that others won't. Don't forget there is BLM, forest, state trust and I'm sure there are other types too. It would be interesting to see what all of them had to say about shooting a gun on their land. I have no idea what the laws are regarding that. I would probably have to ask for forgiveness. Later, recurveman

Sometimes quail hunters can be your friends too. Last year I went down mearns hunting the opening weekend which happened to be the last weekend of the November WT hunt. I didn't know it at the time. I let the dogs out and away we went. I walked a bunch of canyons and washes looking for quail. Every once in awhile I would hear a shot in the distance. I figured it was quail hunters everywhere. I got back to the truck and drove down the road and saw a guy glassing away. I stopped and asked him if he was scouting. He said his brother just shot a buck that I kicked to him when I was quail hunting. I told him I didn't know that the season was going on and went down the road to another place. I felt bad but I bet the hunter was really happy I kicked the deer to him. The fact being is if you are in the right place at the right time a quail hunter can be a good thing too. Later, recurveman

This is very simple. It just depends. Personally, I think anything that hits the mid 80's starts to get my attention really fast and if it is 100 or more I get very, very interested. Sometimes the 80 inchers become 100 inchers after further review. Then some of the 100 inchers turn into 80 inchers once they hit the ground. Then again I've seen spikes a few times and have been really excited. It just seems like somedays you get more interested and more excited. I had an elk hunt a few years ago. I passed on more 360+ bulls than most guys see in a lifetime. I was seeing much bigger bulls and just couldn't see shooting one of the small bulls. The next hunt I go on I might get really excited and shoot the first branch antlered bull. It just depends. It might just take some time for you to get calibrated to the coues. Before long you will think that small eastern whitetail rack is HUGE on a coues. Later, recurveman - spike hunting in 5 days

I'm sorry I caused your hunt to be an unenjoyable experience. I'll try harder next year to make it a better experience. These are the things I will change. 1. Next year I will sight in my rifle two days before. That will give the deer a day to recover. Though I will have to bring more beer for the extra day out in the woods. 2. I know my radio bothered you. Next year I will try and play music that you like. Could you please email me your favorites and then everyone will be happy. 3. I'll make sure we shoot smaller handguns at night so the noise won't be quite as bad. But look on the bright side. You will be listening to the music that you want to. Again a win win for everyone. 4. Next year we will drink coke instead of beer. Though I really think we will need to add huge amounts of Mr. Jack. Again you win. No beer drinking. 5. Next year I'll clear the canyons with hand grenades instead of my bullets. I think it will be more effective anyways. 6. I also think we will drink out of bottles too instead of cans. That way we won't leave cans all over the place. Though we probably won't pick up the bottles. I'll consider that a compromise 7. I can't help you out with the drinking and driving. I've got to have something to look forward too. You've won on all of the others. 8. I know safety is of the upmost concern. Next year I will unload my gun before I put my crosshair on you while I look at you through my scope. 9. Now that I'm thining about it.......Maybe we should just camp together so we can work on our issues. I'm pretty sure we will see eye to eye by the end of the hunt. See ya in camp.....I'll bring plenty of Jack for everyone....YiPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully this will give you a little laugh because I could feel the tension through my monitor. Later, recurveman

The other thing I make sure and do is only cut where the small hair is at. That way I don't have nearly as much hair to deal with. I normally cut down the inside of the leg and down the belly. That seems to be where most of the shorthair is at. I also cut from the inside out. That way I'm cutting hide instead of the hair first. It makes a huge difference and only takes a second but saves hours when you get it home. I also like the water idea. I like to keep a 5 gallon jug (with tarp, saw and gamebags) in the truck so I can wash all the meat down immediately. I prefer to not bone the meat out in the field. I really like to keep the quarters intact to decrease the amound of surface area. Less surface area means less hair and crap to clean at home. Later, recurveman

I got stung by a scorpian and my experience was very different than yours. My toe swelled a little but throbbed like heck. It was numb for about a week. I didn't have a stinger left in me and the little bugger didn't live very long after I whacked either. I would lean more to the brown recluse or a bee. I'm not an expert but I would doubt that you got stung by a scorpian. Though whatever did take a piece out of you sounds pretty nasty. I had a buddy get bite by a brown recluse and he felt like crap for awhile. I would probably go see a doctor if you don't feel very good. Later, recurveman

I'm with Red Rabbit. My meat never sees the gut pile. If I have the urge to check the guts out I usually do it after I have cleaned the animal. Then I can get nutty and don't have to worry about where all the fluids (or non fluids) go. The only bummer about that link is all the hair the guy has on his meat. He could leave most of the hair off if he did a little skinning before he took the quarters off. But the link is a nice basic idea of what needs to be done. Later, recurveman

Spikes are legal right? I'll be aiming right behind the shoulder of the first spike I see. Though I told my wife I will let her have first shot. I hope she is faster than me. I have a tough time waiting once I see the critter. Watch.....I'll shoot the biggest one. Though it will have to be the first buck. You won't hear me telling any stories about passing on a bunch of bucks. Later, recurveman

This weekend I didn't see any deer before 9am and didn't see any after about 2:30pm. Though it was so bright at night I almost grabbed started to look for a high spot and pull out my glass. I think once the moon goes away you will have better luck first light and dusk. With the moon I'm all about the middle of the day. Later, recurveman

A drop away rest isn't for everyone. I do use a drop away but I'm very comfortable with my bow and I shot a ton of arrows over the years. I had a buddy come to me last year and ask me what rest to use. I set him up with a very simple "prong style" rest. It will give you a better chance of getting good arrow flight. The biscuit must be making someone happy. They are selling a ton of them but I wouldn't put one on my bow if it was free. The theories behind it are completely wrong. You never want your arrow to come back into contact with the bow after it initially leaves it. Normally an arrow will only touch the rest for about 6 inches or so then it leaves the bow (except the knock is still attached to the string). This way the rest can no longer impact where the arrow hits the target. Your arrow flight is as perfect as it can get. If your bow moves after the arrow moves six inches the the biscuit is going to move that arrow off course as the bow moves. I guess the bottom line is if it works for you then use it. If you don't feel comfortable with it then change it. You are making changes at the right time of the year. From now until the middle of the summer are great times to make changes. Later, recurveman

It kind of reminds me of an pronghorn. I think the different racks are the coolest or all. Congrats on your buck. Later, recurveman

I could go into a real long explanation to why you shouldn't use a wisker biscuit but I really don't have the time. If your goal is to shoot 20 yards and under and not have the most accurate setup then I'm sure that you could do well with the biscuit. But the design of it has so many flaws I couldn't even begin to tell you all of them in just one post. If it was me I would buy a new rest. Here is the basics of an arrow rest. The arrow should touch it for as little time as possible. If the arrow touches the arrow rest after the first six inches then the arrow is basically slamming back into the bow/rest. If your bow is not in the same position each and every time then you will hit in a different spot. If you think I'm wrong then go to a target event. I haven't been to an event in years but I will bet that there are very few if any archers that are shooting a biscuit. Why? They aren't that accurate. Though they are very popular with hunters. I believe they sold over 2 million last year. Then again the pet rock was popular too. I would go to archery headquarters and ask them to set up a rest for you. They seem like they have a decent clue and might be able to point you in the right direction. Later, recurveman

Tam, I hope you saved the cape. Most of the taxidermists will either give you some store credit or they will boil your head for free if you save the cape for them. Most taxidermists are looking for well taken care of capes. Plus, it saves you the stink and mess of boiling the skull yourself. Great story and congrats on your buck. Later, recurveman

Thats the funny part. She was sitting in the passanger seat reading her book. When I walked by the truck we started to talk. Her boyfriend was out hunting and she was reading. But she had a TAG too. She told her boyfriend that she was just going to look for deer from the truck. If she would have just got out of the truck and walked 50 yards she would have been right where I shot my buck. I guess a little effort could have gone a long ways. I did find an awesome spot for a couple of treestands right where I killed this buck too. I know that there are more bucks in the area just by the amount of rubs and scrapes. It was just littered with sign. I can hardly wait for bow season so I can wack one the right way. This rifle hunting seems like cheating to me. Later, recurveman

[First I want to say that I love this site. I have learned a ton from all of the posters and I think it is great to have a site just for coues related topics. Well I finally got my first coues. I was up in unit 8 and I really don't think I will put in for this hunt again. I saw 5 coues the whole hunt (5 days). I normally hunt down south and I'm used to seeing a bunch of deer each and everyday. But unit 8 is a bit thicker and the hunting is a little different. I hunted the first 4 days of the hunt and finally saw 4 deer the last afternoon before I had to come home for Christmas. I walked the ridge where the deer where and saw a ton of rubs and scrapes. I was so excited that I actually found an area that has some deer sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't see a person the entire weekend in this area and figured I would have the entire unit to myself once I got back up after Christmas. So for the next few days I could hardly wait to get back up and sit those scrapes. I read all the stuff Josh had posted and I figured I would spend 6 more days up there and see what happened. I brought a tree stand with me and I was going to my "secret" location to put it up. I didn't see a single person..........until I turned my last corner and someone was parked in MY SPOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It wasn't even a parking spot. I normally just pulled off the edge of the road and there was a gal reading in the passanger side of the truck. I was so bummed. I figured I might as well go check out the scrapes and see how they looked. Her truck was only about 100 yards from where I wanted to put up my stand. So I went down the road and parked so she couldn't see me and I walked over to the scrapes. They looked really old. Again I was a bit bummed. I figured I would walk the scrape line and see if there were any fresher looking scrapes. I went up about 50 yards (Now I'm about 125 yards from this gals truck) and this buck came walking over the hill. I would like to say that I field scored him for a long time (3 seconds max). I would also like to say that I would have shot a spike by this time in the hunt. The only reason I didn't shoot a spike is I couldn't find one of those first. After I shot this buck I walked out to the road and walked by this gals truck. Her eyes were as big as pie plates. She asked if that was my shot. I told her that it was (if I was bow huntint I could have just lied and told her that I hadn't seen anyting yet. These guns make to much noise). She told me it scare the living crap out of her when it went off. She didn't realize someone was hunting that close to her. All in all a great hunt. Thanks everyone for all the info and for having such a great site.

I think the average person doesn't even get one. With that said I would think the average gross score would probably end up being in the 50's some where. I think a bunch of people shoot spikes and forkies. I believe most people think everyone shoots big ones since all they see on the websites is nice 80+ inch bucks. Just think. For every spike someone has to shoot a 90+ inch buck to keep the average up to 50 or so. If you want to look at it with a bow then it is a totally different story. I think a very small percentage actually get one with a bow. I would guess less than 5 percent and probably more like 2-3 percent. bowhunters would probably shoot a smaller buck and be very happy. So that average gross number could go down to the 40's. Though any coues with a bow is a trophy in my book. Later, recurveman

I think most of the units are great. I really think the best unit is the one that you spend the most time in. I have buddies that love the units they hunt and I wouldn't think about hunting those units. They bring back some nice bucks too. I personally would look at which units the game and fish are managing for trophy units and which ones they aren't. That is how I do my "prescouting" when I decide to hunt a new unit or a different species of animal. Good luck, recurveman

I didn't get a chance to go scout the last weekend or two and was wondering if the rut has started to pick up yet? I'm really hoping it is a bit early this year. Later, recurveman

I just got back from unit 8 (with a critter). The rut was going on big time. I can't even begin to tell you how many rubs and scrapes I saw. I saw well over a dozen scrapes on Monday and I was out of the woods by 1:00 in the afternoon. I haven't seen activity like this since I hunting in Michigan. Later, recuveman

The answer is simple. If you could only get some action for about two weeks a year would you still do "it" in the rain? My answer would be yes. Heck my answer would be the same even if it was a year long event. I will tell you one other thing too. You will get wet if it rains. Later, recurveman

Now I'm not asking for your hot spot where you are seeing all of those 130"+ whitetails. I'm just hoping that some of you have run across some mearns quail while you were out hunting this year. This is where I really think these boards can be great. If you aren't a quail hunter then you really don't hurt yourself by helping someone else find the animal that they are looking for. How great is that. So, has anyone ran into any mearns this year. I have some pups that need to learn how to hunt them and I've never really hunted them myself. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, recurveman