recurveman

I personally lean more towards cousehunter84. I think any buck is OK to shoot. I find it hard to think about calling a 70 inch buck small. that would be like calling a 130" eastern whitetail and a 150 inch carp a small buck. I don't know to many people that are going to pass those bucks. Then again you are talking to the wrong person. The last 2 years I've shot 4pt bucks (including eye guards). It wasn't because I was looking for that buck. I was just looking for A buck. These bucks were just the unlucky ones. I find it difficult to judge a bucks size when I'm pulling the trigger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think alot of what you consider "big" has to do with experience. I haven't shot many coues deer. Heck I'm happy to just get one. Now on the other hand I have passed many 360-370" bulls and never even thought about shooting them. Why? Because I think of them as your 80" buck. Then again when you have much bigger already hanging on the wall you have hopes of finding something even bigger. It is all perspective and everyone's is a little different. Next year......nothing under 90".......unless that spike walks by......it would be tough for me to pass that little buck. Later, recurveman

Well this isn't the year for my backpack trip but I did think I should get way off of the road. I found a spot that was back in about 1.3 miles and was a solid hour and fifteen minutes walk from the truck. I got up at 3:30 and left for my morning hike. The hike started about 4:15 and ended a little after 5:30. I wanted to make sure I got to my spot before sunup. I found a tree and sat there waiting for first light. It was kind of cool seeing all the people in their vehicles driving to their spots down all the roads. I just sat their thinking they were already behind the 8 ball. I glassed hard for awhile and then just sat there watching while eating a bagel. About 9:00 I saw 3 deer in the distance. I pulled up my range finder and saw that two of them were bucks(both small 3pts with eye guards) and they were heading my way on the ridge across the canyon. I figured they would come closer and I didn't think there was anybody around me so I figured I would let them get to an easier spot to get them before I shot. This poor buck finally stopped at 250 yds. and that was all it took. I smacked him(or at least I thought I did). I got my scope back on the group of deer and saw what I thought was blood and a good hit on the opposite side of the deer. Then my bipod fell off of the rock. I got my scope back on the deer and all I saw was a buck and it didn't look like it was hit. I figued I shot the other buck and didn't need to shoot 2 bucks with only one tag. I watched the doe and buck walk away without the other buck and figured I hit the buck for sure and I hoped it was a good hit. After a long walk over there (I'm pretty sure it was just as far down as it was across) I found my buck and the fun began. He was a little 3 pt with eye guards. I figure he will score around 70 or so. Not a monster but I would have shot a spike it he walked by first. Next year I'm looking for something much bigger. I took pics but didn't finish the role. I've got a few more hunts this month and will put pics up when I get done with the other hunts. I quarted/half deboned the deer and put it in my pack. I really needed a better pack. I didn't realize how bad my pack was going to be when I had that much weight in it. Next year I will get a nice pack frame system of some sort and be much happier. Here are the things I learned. 1. You are not trophy hunting when you "field judge" your buck through your rangefinder. Then finish your "field judging" through your scope as your are clicking your safety off. The buck is going to get shot. 2. Sometimes it is better to let the deer walk to an area that is actually possible to get to before you shoot them. 3. When you are hunting a long ways from the road you should know that a smaller buck weighs just as much as the big ones. Shoot a bigger buck. The walk out won't be as hard. 4. There isn't much meat on a buck but it sure does weigh a ton after a few hours carrying out on your shoulders. 5. Make sure you have a pack that is very comfortable when loaded down with a deer. You will be much happier than me. 6. When you have two bucks that look exactly the same you better just shoot once and make it a good shot. It is really tough to tell which buck is shot and you don't need two bucks. There will be another hunter watching you. 7. It's cool to only hear shots in the direction of the road. You pretty much know that you are deeper in than other hunters. Next year.......nothing less than 130.......or maybe a big spike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Later, recurveman

I follow NASCAR very closely. I could probably name most crew chiefs, car owners, make of car, ect. I'm pretty much a nut. With that said I'm not sure it would even be a thought on what to do. I would be hunting with no questions asked. It is that simple. If you are a NASCAR nut you could always get the XM radio and bring it on your hunt. I listened to the Busch race on the way home today. Later, recurveman

I'm getting ready for my 36B Nov hunt and I'm going to a new area for me. Basically between Sycamore Canyon and Summit motorway. I'm looking at a few spots that are back in a little but I can't decide which one to start out at. I'm wondering how far you would think you need to go to get rid of the hunters. I've got a few spots that are just over a mile off the road, one spot at about 1.5 miles and another at 2.2 miles. I'll walk as far as needed but I'm wondering if anybody actually has better luck when they go more than a mile off of the road. I've never hunted this area before and I'm wondering what others have experienced. I would think that the deer would probably be much calmer once you hit a mile back in. I don't know if the added distace is just wearing out shoe leather or actually worth the effort. I'm actually going to be surprised if I see many hunters back in a mile too. I'm sure that a few will wander but I doubt that many will get more than 1/2 mile back in. Just think how many hunters wouldn't go a mile off of the road without a GPS. I was kind of bummed when they came out with that gadget. Thanks for the info. Later, recurveman - I think more than a mile is a long ways to go for a spike!!!!!!!

I'm not the biggest fan of the backpack thing. I think overnight would be fine but 3-4 days would probably get to me. I won't have a problem doing a little more walking but I like the comfort of a nice meal and a soft warm bed. I do plan on being where I need to be at day break. I think that is a must. If that means I get up a ton earlier and hike in the dark then I'm OK with that. I just don't know if I would be a big fan of a small camp 5 miles back in. I've done it before when I was bear hunting but I'm not as excited about it now that I've done it a few times. Later, recurveman

Ya know I never really thought about where to put the tag. I just always put it on the antlers or horns. I hate putting it on the antlers when I'm taking pics. Normally I will take a few pics without the tag and then some with the tag on. But I think from now on I'm just going to put the tag through the leg and be done with it. That takes care of my picture taking issues. Later, recurveman

I'm just going to walk to Mexico and wait for a big deer to cross the fence. Then I'm going to whack him. Maybe I'll wait for a forky if I'm going to walk that far. Later, 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