donniedent

Well, I've got what I would consider a prime area to hunt this year. The reaon I'd consider it prime is because I've been in there 5 times and saw bucks 4 of those times. Smallest being a forkie and the largest would go about 105. The only time I didn't see a buck is because I spooked him before I got to see him (saw the tracks he left moments before). I am not a seasoned coues deer hunter by any means (haven't even taken one yet) but you should now a good area when you see it. Just got that feel to it. I would also agree that if you can find an area that holds a few deer and fewer hunters you've got something going on and you should spend some time there. Donnie

If you lay down in the open during an electrical storm, don't lay on a snake. That about covers it! Donnie

Doing a fly camp in Oct. in 21, I'm trying to shed gear not add more. No quads, no wall tents, no pillow, no warm coffee just me and my best buddies sleeping on a rocky outcrop above some awsome coues country. Wake up, roll over, sit up, cross my legs and slowly start glassing the canyons that I've slept above all night. Not even gonna take my binos off the tripod before I go to sleep, they'll be mounted and ready to go when I wake up. Don't get me wrong, new gear is fun and exciting but I'm finding that all the new gear doesn't get me anywhere but poorer. My father-in-law in Wyoming said it best. I was bragging about some new-fangled piece of gear I bought and he says "I don't know how the heck I killed 40 elk in my life without all that stuff, I just don't know how I did it". Makes you think huh??? Donnie

I second that one Desert Bull!!! I'd like to see a department that listens to thier WM's. I'd like to see the department systematically shut down most of the deer units in the state for at least 2 years to let some of these herds start to bounce back for this mismanagement we've seen for the last 25 years. I'd like to see a department that cares more about manageing game instead of manageing hunters. Donnie

I'm not sure that they've made it over that far west yet. At that latitude the closest you'll find Coues is 21. I personally believe that it is only a matter of time before coues deer find there way over to the southern part of the Bradshaws and work thier way that direction. I found a whitetail shed in the northern part of the Bradshaws 3 years ago, so I thinks its only a matter of time, unless there are too many lions running around those hills.... which I'm sure there are. I've seen some great coues habitat in 20c though. Donnie

Have to agree there! Try the Hornaday 139 grain loads in your 7 mag and see if you don't change your mind. Of course I believe that one can never own too many guns. If you must choose, go with something a little more interesting like the 257. Donnie

Wouldn't let me vote but I missed 7W arch bull with 6 points

Nada for me my bro drew 5a archery cow.

Straight from the department, there's no question in my mind why I shouldn't believe it! Doesn't really matter anyway, even if they did b.s. us we'd never really know for sure. Just seems to me like alot of guys are getting cc hits.... alot more than last year. Heck... maybe CouesWhitetail.com is a good luck charm this year... Oh and a couple other forums too . Good luck on the draw. Donnie

For me to believe that there were more apps this year than last year I'd have to see the actual numbers myself. Sorry, I spend alot of time talking to alot of non-residents and I can promise you that alot of the ones I know backed out this year. I for one would not put it past G&F to fluff the numbers. They also have a good Mule deer management plan in place too right?? Donnie

For me to believe that there were more apps this year than last year I'd have to see the actual numbers myself. Sorry, I spend alot of time talking to alot of non-residents and I can promise you that alot of the ones I know backed out this year. I for one would not put it past G&F to fluff the numbers. They also have a good Mule deer management plan in place too right?? Donnie

only 10% of non-residents git a tag. that means 90% of residents git one this happen every year. JS I know how it works partner, all I'm saying is that last year there weren't as many of us getting drawn for elk around here as there are this year not to mention lopes, I've never seen so many guys from 1 or 2 forums getting drawn for Lopes. You might not have been here last year though. I'm telling ya, G&F is trying to save major face here, they in no way want the state to know that applications were down 40% and they lost all that liceance and app fee revenue because they kicked prices up too high all at once. I was over on MM and there were many many non-residents that bowed out this year. Many more than the ones who stayed in. Thats only one forum imagine the thousands who backed out that don't bother with forums. I'm telling you... there is no way that apps were up this year! Donnie

You know what, it sure seems like alot more residents are getting drawn this year. I really think G&F was just blowing smoke about apps actually being up this year. I think the truth is they were down... way down.Look how many guys drew Elk and lope tags. How often do you see that???? I think G&F is just trying to save face and say that apps were up when the truth is they were way down... especially on the non-res side of the coin. I'm calling B.S.!! Donnie

Mine was hit but I don't know if it was for me or my brother-in-law... we shall see.I'd bet the results are up by Friday at midnight. They'll want a bigger turnout for the deal at Ben Avery and you can bet they'll get one if the results are posted Friday. Donnie

In addition to everything else mentioned, make sure when you are trimming your meat right before you cook it... cut all the "silver meat" off. Its really just tendons but alot of guys call it silver meat. I've been butchering all my own meat for the last couple years and if you have the time I'd say do it yourself. Example: We as a group took 9 animals in Wyoming this year, I myself took 2. Everyone but me took their meat to a butcher and everyone else's meat tasted very gamey. All but 2 of the animals were shot within a half mile of each other so diet wasn't a factor. I took a buck and a doe and if I hadn't labeled the packages of meat I couldn't have told you which was which. I shot those deer back in Oct. and I have no meat left. That should tell you how good it was. I've got a saying I live by "If I can do it myself, why pay someone else to do it??" NOBODY will care for your game like you will. Donnie

Big congrats to your bro. Thats a great first buck!! If you don't mind me asking, what unit did you hunt??? Donnie

I've always been one of those guys that think that each caliber has one load that works the best and for the 30-06 I believe 150 is about perfect. I use 150's in my .06 no matter what I'm hunting. Some would say 180's for elk and they maybe right but I prefer 150's. They just shoot the best. Take a 7mm rem mag for example, I personally think the best all around bullet for that gun is either a 139 or 140. I shoot 140 core-loks in my 7 mil. I do plan on switching to Hornaday 139 BTSP's next year though. Anyway, stick to 150's, they will do juct fine. Donnie

Heres a picture of a grande piebald buck we saw on the way back from our Wyoming hunting trip. I feel blessed to have seen him! Donnie P.s. I had to zoom way in to get it under 100k. Thats why it looks so grainy.

I don't know if its the same buck as the one off of MM. This one has a dark patch on his back and I can't really see it on the pics from MM. The picture was taken near Meeker Colorado and I know the pics on MM are from near there as well. Either way it was a very special thing to witness. There is a good chance I'll never witness anything like again in my life. Funny thing is... it was the end to a fantastic hunt. Our group of 4 ended up filling 9 out of 9 tags that hunt. I've got about 5 min. of video of him too. It was awsome!!! Donnie

I think I saw that buck this morning! BTW he's hard horned now and he's beautiful. Little hint: about 10 miles from pavement up a VERY rough road and you spotted him south of the road??? PM me if it sounds right.... my lips are sealed. Donnie

Nice bucks congrats. Who scored it for you??? Donnie

Stick with your .270, if you try to shoot a .308 or an .06 past 300 yards you'll be aiming 12 feet over the darn thing. I have 30-06 and a 7mm rem mag. I use the .06 in close quarters and the 7mm when I can see a ways. Shoot what you got! Donnie

I agree with the part about salt not working as well in the desert. I've never had much luck with salt or deer co cain in the desert. I think maybe since the ground in the desert already has a high salt content they probably get all they need from what they eat. By far the best way to locate deer in the desert is by finding water sources. I usually look for springs, seaps, and water that collects on bedrock in washbeds. I've watched many man-made waterholes and while they do get hit (usually by does) I think the big bucks will go out of thier way to drink at a spring rather than a water hole. There are almost always roads that lead right to waterholes and they always get alot of traffic from all different kinds of hunters. You might even think of making your own waterhole. I have four I'm working on now, made out of 50 gallon drums cut in half long ways. I'll let you know how they work when I finally get them out there. Donnie

Got my 21 tag today.

I love the way you think Keith. You just love to hunt huh? You are 100% right, they wouldn't do it for the simple fact that they would lose money.