Don Martin

I was fortunate to draw a White Sands oryx tag for the Oct. 2010 hunt. One of the neatest hunts I've ever been on. Way too short and for someone who hadn't ever seen a live oryx, it was quite the challenge on a two day hunt. Oh we found oryx, lots of them, but having never been there before and not knowing how they respond to hunting pressure really posed a lot of challenges for me. My "team" on this hunt was my brother Gary and my good friends Jay Chan and Dave Bruns. These guys are as good as it gets when it comes to long range glassing with awesome optics! These boys found critters far, far away. The problem of course was judging them. I passed and passed until Sunday afternoon and then it was time to get serious. I confess I missed a giant cow at a long distance (400 yards) but I connected on a good looking bull. If I hadn't taken "The Claw" (my shooting aid) with me on that tortuous climb up that last vertical mountain, not sure I could have made the shot I did. Notice the two holes almost side-by-side on the bull's shoulder! My gosh can these guys carry copper... Man I wish I could do it again, knowing what I know now. If anyone who draws this tag needs a "hunting buddy" this fall, give me a call. I'd really enjoy going back. I've had all my friends apply for a tag too. Don Martin Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

Blanked again. Missed everything! Gosh I've got a lot of bonus points in Nevada! Don Martin Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

Several years we had the pleasure and honor of hunting "Uncle" John Brigham from Bullhead City on his cow elk hunt in unit 7W. Uncle John was 90 years-old at the time of the hunt. He was a real trooper on that hunt, but unfortunately he didn't fill the tag, though we saw a lot of critters. Uncle John also fishes by himself in an aluminum boat at Lake Mohave. Heck of a guy. That's the oldest hunter I know of. Don Martin Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

Was the collar orange? If so it was a wolf. I saw one near Springerville feeding on a dead moo cow. Started to follow us I videotaped the event just in case that wolf came up dead and I could prove it was alive and well when I left. Here is what I called up on the last day of javelina season in Unit 18B a few years ago. From time we saw her to the end (21 steps) took just over two minutes! And she had javelina parts in her stomach. She didn't come in cause she was hungry, she came in cause she was going to kill something? Time was 11 a.m. Go Figure! I too have had deer, pigs, and angry cattle come in, and one time on the Antelope Eaters hunt in the north part of Unit 10, my then partner Bruce Hudson called in 17 cow elk while using the Tally Ho mouth call. I even called in a mounted up cowboy in Unit 18B who said he heard the screams and wanted to know what the racket was! That's what makes calling so neat..you just never know.. Don Martin AWO

Well despite some good weather, ole wily went into some deep dark spots and for the most part stayed away from the 131 teams and 312 hunters we had at last weekends Antelope Eaters XXII hunt! Final tally was 45 coyotes, 35 taken on Saturday, 10 taken on Sunday. Top teams with four coyotes were Kingman residents Mark Olivas and Larry Hanson, and Eleazar Santiago and his partner Toy Whitten. Four teams had three dogs, Bob Casson and Larry Anderson, Ken Holtz and Jim Arthur, Andy and Joel Lunsford, and Thomas DeLeon and David Baldwin. Winner of the Savage model 116 FSS was Kingman resident Joe Herrero. Many thanks to those that donated to this event. They included the Wildlife Conservation Council, the Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Antelope Foundation and the Arizona Elk Society. Our largest corporate sponsor was my friend John Patel who donated 10, two-might stays at the Marriott Residence Inn in Surprise, right next to the spring training baseball fields! Awesome time for those that hunted. We also gave away $2,600 cash in hunter incentives ($1,300 each day) and gave away an additional 28 hunter incentive prizes valued at $25-50 each. Half were given out each day. Big news is that noted varmint caller and TV personality and all around great guy, Fred Eichler of Predator Nation is coming to Antelope Eaters XXIII on March 16, 2012! We will be drawing for Fred's hunting partner for the hunt and he is bringing his cameraman along to video this event. If all goes well, look for the show on Fred's show on the Outdoor Network. Thanks to everyone who participated! Don Martin Hunt Chairman Antelope Eaters XXII

Did you try using a Senko rigged whacky style at about 30-40 feet? I've had some good days when the bass were deep using this set up. Takes a while for the big worm to get down there, but the bass will hit 'em. Guy from lake Powell turned me on to this. Share the wealth I say. Don Martin

My best story is about a pike I hooked while on a fishing trip to Canada about 10 years ago. I was using a double willow leaf spinnerbait tied to Fireline and a steel leader when I hooked a beast. Fought it for a while when all of a sudden line went limp. Pulled in the spinner and the hook was straightened out and a gob of white flesh from inside the mouth was on it.. I took a dozen of those spinnerbaits up there and came back with two. And those were mangled! Locals loved the walleye but I said any fish that will chase down a spinnerbait for 20 yards while leaving a wake is my kinda of fish. They wanted me to throw the "Hammer Handles" up on the bank for the bears but I said no way. I love to fish for pike, but have caught just a few at Lower Lake Mary years ago. Neat fish, but slimy.... Never tried top water, that sounds like a blast! Don Martin AWO

Leroy: I've been seeing those spreader rigs on the fishing TV shows that hold from 2-4 rods. You ever try them? Looks like you are doing great as usual..keep us in the loop. I am hoping to get to Alamo in the next couple of weeks. Don Martin Striper Hunters

Bobcats and mtn. lions are good eating! Meat has the color of a quail breasts. However I don't eat no coyotes...especially when you know what they'll eat (anything). Did you know that in AZ since they are classified as big game animals you HAVE to bring out the meat? Yep, check the regs, when we killed a in 18B ( I called it in, my brother shot it) a few years back I boned it out and the folks at Region III asked to see the meat when we took the lion in. One of my Strip deer hunters (archer) a few years ago arrowed at cat at a water, and when we took it in for the mandatory inspection, they asked again to see the meat. If you don't have it, you might have an issue...I take photos of the boned out carcasses just to show the G&F folks that I did bone it out. I'm telling you lion is awesome! But just like anything you got to take care of it, skin quickly and cool it out, and package just like any other meat. Cook slow.. Don Martin AWO

Not sure if he did or not. Pretty darn spooky though, letting that lion go. Good thing it was a young one. Don

Blake and others: As to the room rates comments. First of all Blake you might have called or e-mailed if you had issues and I'd would have been happy to explain everything to you. One of our members, Jim Jett goes up there every year before we get things started and talks to the hotel/motel owners in Seligman and gets a price that is locked in for the brochure. When Jim was given the prices this year, which by the way, we have no input on, he advised one owner that their price was a big jump from last year and she insisted that was what she was charging, take it or leave it! By the way, there is one location up there that is definitely anti hunting according to Mr. Jett and you won't see their name on our brochure. But they are full every year. I have spoken with Cindy Seff and advised her of the situation. I have all the room rates from 2010 for comparison, some are higher, one is not for sure higher than last year and a couple are just a few dollars different. One thing I would like to know is if anyone gets charged MORE than is listed on the brochure. Are some of us happy about this? No we are not, but give us another place we can hold this event that has motels/hotels in the middle of the country we want hunters to hunt in and we'll sure listen to you. However, the Black Cat and most of the hotels/motels and eateries in town have been good to us and the sportsmen we bring to the hunt. We are planning to speak to the Chamber of Commerce before next year's hunt to make sure everyone is one the same page and understand our concerns. FYI I have been bringing up my trailer for about 5 years now and stay in the woods, but that's just me and my partner's decision. If anyone has a question, please feel free to call me (928-681-4867) or e-mail me at awoguide@ctaz.com and I'll be glad to tell you what I know. Hope you all decide to come and help out with this predator suppression effort. You all know the prey species (elk, antelope, deer, javelina, turkey) need all the help they can get. Especially this time of the year. Good luck and good hunting! Don Martin Hunt Chairman Govt Liaison Mohave Sportsman Club Hey, I got a call from the Stagecoach 66 motel in Seligman. The owner says she has a number of very clean, rooms with two beds, for $55 a night. If you still need a room, try there. Don Martin Fellow hunters: I just returned from Phx with a truck load full of "hunter incentives"---formally known as raffle prizes! And when i got home I had three huge boxes of items from my friend AP Jones who has donated a ton of neat stuff for this event including class, dvd's, ghille suits, you name it we got it. I've got confirmation of a donation from my friend who owns numerous large motels including the Marriot residence Inn in Surprise, who is donating 10 of his get-aways to our hunt. These have a retail value of over $500 each, and wow are they ever nice! I won one last year and my sweetie and I went down and stayed there while I was attending some meetings and even if you live int he metro area, what a neat get away this would be for you and your wife....Just got confirmation that the Arizona Bowhunters Association is getting us a new PSE bow, plus I know the Arizona Antelope Foundation is donating a bunch of their items plus a membership or two. This will be not doubt the largest amount of prizes and the highest value of items we have ever had at one of our Antelope Eaters hunts. Still time to enter, download the application and get it in to us by March 4th and we'll be doing last minute in-person registrations at the Black Cat Bar in Seligman from 4-10 p.m. on Friday the 4th. Those last minute registrations can only be done with cash, no checks, credit cards, etc. Hope you all can make it, gonna be at great time for all! I'll be putting out a list of all the prizes we have in the next few days on the MSC website, www.mohavesportsmanclub.com Don Martin Hunt Chairman Antelope Eaters XXII

Fellow Coyoteros & sportsmen: The Mohave Sportsman Club is pleased to announce that we have set the dates for Antelope Eaters XXII, northern Arizona's largest coyote suppression hunt. The hunt will be on March 5-6 2011 and is once again headquartered out of the Black Cat in Seligman. This is a two or three person team event, and this year for the first time, applications can be down loaded off the web simply by going to www.mohavesportsmanclub.com/AntelopeEaters.html On the application is a list of places to stay and eat. Today I found out that the Copper Kettle restaurant will also be open in addition to the ones listed on the brochure. We are also going to do another huge raffle and our goal is to have over 100 prizes again this year. Once again the MSC will be donating the first prize, a Savage Model 16FSS in your choice of standard caliber. While we have a number of other prizes promised, we are hoping to get donated any kind of outdoor merchandise from calls, DVDs, camo, you name it! So if you can help help in this manner just let me or Bob Shaw (928-530-4630) know. Please come and join us again and let's help antelope fawns and other prey species from predation from coyotes in northern AZ. Hope to see you there! Don Martin Govt Liaison Mohave Sportsman Club 928-681-4867 awoguide@ctaz.com

is there a trapping season on lion though? in certain areas? No, since lions in AZ are big game animals, they can not be legally trapped. In this case the only thing the trapper could do was release it unharmed. I told him that he should do a lot of calling in the area and I'll bet that lion would come back. He said the "pucker factor" was big on both of the releases! Here is a photo of a lion I called in on my brother's javelina hunt in Unit 18B a few years ago. This gal came in in less than 10 minutes and on the dead run. My brother shot her with a Mini-14 at 21 steps as she was closing in. The lion had a newly eaten pig in her stomach, so she came in just to kill, not cause she was hungry. Don Martin AWO

Well Mother Nature did a number this weekend up here in northwest Arizona, and a with combination of high winds, heavy rain and SNOW she saved a lot of javelina from the local butcher shop. We had about 10 hunters in our camp and on Friday managed to put one in the dirt. Then came the rain and SNOW. No one else saw a pig the entire weekend, though a couple of diehards are still up there waiting for it to dry out. I gave up and came home when my hunters left. Had to use low range 4 wheel drive to pull the fifth wheel out 15 miles to Highway 93. What a wet, mussy mess! Those of us who "survived' thus weekends ordeal all looked like dirty, drowned rats! Don Martin AWO

Blake and others: As to the room rates comments. First of all Blake you might have called or e-mailed if you had issues and I'd would have been happy to explain everything to you. One of our members, Jim Jett goes up there every year before we get things started and talks to the hotel/motel owners in Seligman and gets a price that is locked in for the brochure. When Jim was given the prices this year, which by the way, we have no input on, he advised one owner that their price was a big jump from last year and she insisted that was what she was charging, take it or leave it! By the way, there is one location up there that is definitely anti hunting according to Mr. Jett and you won't see their name on our brochure. But they are full every year. I have spoken with Cindy Seff and advised her of the situation. I have all the room rates from 2010 for comparison, some are higher, one is not for sure higher than last year and a couple are just a few dollars different. One thing I would like to know is if anyone gets charged MORE than is listed on the brochure. Are some of us happy about this? No we are not, but give us another place we can hold this event that has motels/hotels in the middle of the country we want hunters to hunt in and we'll sure listen to you. However, the Black Cat and most of the hotels/motels and eateries in town have been good to us and the sportsmen we bring to the hunt. We are planning to speak to the Chamber of Commerce before next year's hunt to make sure everyone is one the same page and understand our concerns. FYI I have been bringing up my trailer for about 5 years now and stay in the woods, but that's just me and my partner's decision. If anyone has a question, please feel free to call me (928-681-4867) or e-mail me at awoguide@ctaz.com and I'll be glad to tell you what I know. Hope you all decide to come and help out with this predator suppression effort. You all know the prey species (elk, antelope, deer, javelina, turkey) need all the help they can get. Especially this time of the year. Good luck and good hunting! Don Martin Hunt Chairman Govt Liaison Mohave Sportsman Club Hey, I got a call from the Stagecoach 66 motel in Seligman. The owner says she has a number of very clean, rooms with two beds, for $55 a night. If you still need a room, try there. Don Martin

Blake and others: As to the room rates comments. First of all Blake you might have called or e-mailed if you had issues and I'd would have been happy to explain everything to you. One of our members, Jim Jett goes up there every year before we get things started and talks to the hotel/motel owners in Seligman and gets a price that is locked in for the brochure. When Jim was given the prices this year, which by the way, we have no input on, he advised one owner that their price was a big jump from last year and she insisted that was what she was charging, take it or leave it! By the way, there is one location up there that is definitely anti hunting according to Mr. Jett and you won't see their name on our brochure. But they are full every year. I have spoken with Cindy Seff and advised her of the situation. I have all the room rates from 2010 for comparison, some are higher, one is not for sure higher than last year and a couple are just a few dollars different. One thing I would like to know is if anyone gets charged MORE than is listed on the brochure. Are some of us happy about this? No we are not, but give us another place we can hold this event that has motels/hotels in the middle of the country we want hunters to hunt in and we'll sure listen to you. However, the Black Cat and most of the hotels/motels and eateries in town have been good to us and the sportsmen we bring to the hunt. We are planning to speak to the Chamber of Commerce before next year's hunt to make sure everyone is one the same page and understand our concerns. FYI I have been bringing up my trailer for about 5 years now and stay in the woods, but that's just me and my partner's decision. If anyone has a question, please feel free to call me (928-681-4867) or e-mail me at awoguide@ctaz.com and I'll be glad to tell you what I know. Hope you all decide to come and help out with this predator suppression effort. You all know the prey species (elk, antelope, deer, javelina, turkey) need all the help they can get. Especially this time of the year. Good luck and good hunting! Don Martin Hunt Chairman Govt Liaison Mohave Sportsman Club

The Mohave Sportsman Club will be hosting its Antelope Eaters XXII coyote suppression hunt on March 5-6, 2011. It will be as always headquartered out of Seligman. This year we allow two and THREE person teams. Go to www.mohavesportsmanclub.com and click onto Antelope Eaters to download an application. We will have a huge raffle again this year, brand new Savage 16FSS in your choice of caliber (non-magnum) goes first, then we have high end motel get aways, fishing trip, and tons of other prizes. Come and help out the prey species in northern Arizona by taking out some of the fawn, calf and poult-eating coyotes. Questions call me at 928-681-4867 or awoguide@ctaz.com Thanks, Don Martin Govt Liaison Mohave Sportsman Club

Is this a trap or skeet gun? What is he looking to trade for?

Whitetail hunters. We are in the process of putting together a power point presentation for use in our supplemental (non-resident) hunter education class. I need some very clean (no blood, no tongues, no holes) and respectful positioned photos of some Coues whitetails. Size isn't the only criteria, will take everything from spikes to ?? I can not pay for the photos, and the hunter won't be ID, but if they are used, know they will be helpful in showing other sportsmen about our special Arizona deer. Send to the photos to me at awoguide@ctaz.com Thanks, Don Martin Master Instructor AZ Hunter Education Region III

My lady friend and I both have 6 bonus points for the Gould's after we missed again in 2011. However I applied for a left over Merriam's tag in Unit 13B and got it, and have several friends who also drew that tag. Someday...someday... Don Martin AWO

We missed for the Gould's tags again! I think we have 6 bonus points now. Did apply and received a left over AZ Strip tag ( Unit 13B) so that will be fun. Don Martin AWO

Guys: Since the new elk regs are out, thought I would share a photo of the 6 X 6 bull I got in Unit 6A last fall. I drew a early muzzleloader tag. Got lucky when I found this bruiser on the second day of the hunt, and took a pair of shots, that were spaced by 4 days to put him down for good. Both shots were under 100 yards. Bull green scores 378 6/8 and that doesn't include 6 2/8 inches of broken off antler. Last time I personally apply for AZ bull elk. I'm A confirmed antlerless elk hunter now. Don't want to wait forever to get another good tag. Want to go elk hunting ( with my own tag) every year. Don Martin Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

Let me toss in a few points here. I've been on the Strip guiding for a long time, and like most of the guides up there, have paid my dues. The Strip is a HUGE area, about 1 1/2 million acres and you'll soon find a lot of that country has few if any deer in it. Each year I hear about a guy who had three-four-five helpers who also had never been there and off they go, in search of "Mr. Big." Sometimes they find 'em, most of the time the first timers don't. I always wonder what is the logic of taking 3-4-5 guys who have NEVER been there to an are alike this and expect to find big bucks. Remember, they are not around, under or even behind every tree up there! I have the utmost respect for those sportsmen that take on the challenge, and then get it done on their own. Kudos for them. But for the guy who has a decade or more of applications, has been there maybe one time, and won't have the time to do some serious pre-season scouting, then the odds of success are indeed slim. Remember, hunt success is 70-75 percent, so that means at least 15 or so of those "Lucky" permit holders are going home empty either by design or circumstances they hadn't planned on! There are some folks who get more than $6-8K for hunts up there, and as long as they can get it, God Bless 'em! Others don't charge nearly as much, and believe me they earn their fees! Gas, tires and most of all time, it all adds up quickly, believe me! Anyway, in my opinion there are two times in a hunters life he might seriously consider using a guide. One is the Strip deer hunt and the other is their once-in-a-lifetime sheep hunt. Make a mistake on either hunt and there are no redos! Everyone wants a monster buck or ram, and while there are no guarantees, I think using a guide does tip the scales. If you don't buy it, I understand, and like I said, I have deep respect for those that can and each year do it on their own. But if need some help, then do your homework, call folks and see what's out there. There just might be a bargain that you can't pass up! Again, this is just my opinion, and obviously being a guide I am just a little prejudiced. Don Martin Arizona Wildlife Outfitters Here is an example from 2010. MY hunter had never been to the Strip, and freely admits he wouldn't have known where to start. He did not have the time to do a month or so of pre-season scouting. We got this buck after pursuing him for five days! I had found and video taped this buck before the start of the season, so we knew exactly what we were looking for.

I used an old Knight Mk-85 .50 caliber stainless rifle. I was shooting the Barnes polymer tipped, boattail bullets, pushed by 100 grains of Triple 7. I had the Knight conversion kit in too so I used a Rem. 209 ML primer. This bull had a 5 inch straight cut on his left shoulder, look like it was made by a broadhead that just skimmed off of him. Bull was either walking towards or away from the archer. Bet that guy had a story that nobody would believe! Don Martin AWO

I think one of those rams got shot in Unit 15C North on opening day. I spoke with the G&F officer who said that a radio collarded ram had been tagged in Unit 15B West, but was taken in Unit 15C North. I think he said he scored about 144 so that looks about right. We saw a number of ear tagged ewes and a couple of ear tagged rams but didn't shoot them. Figured they are worth way more for research than for taking. They weren't especially large anyway. Don Martin Arizona Wildlife Outfitters P.S. Here is a 7 year old ram we took on Day 15 in 15B West.