BowFly

I believe carbons are tougher than alluminum. Alluminums may get a "slight" bend in it that you won't be able to see and you will get erratic arrow flight. And also after shooting them for a while, they can lose thier spine from slapping against other arrows and shock, hitting the target with some side-to-side wobble, etc. They are also sensitive to "extreme" weather changes, heat and cold. Carbons however, can splinter. So, test them before each shooting session by flexing them a little to make sure they are still in good shape. BUT... they are either shootable, or not. they bounce back to the straighness that they were when they were made. But, I have one arrow that has has shot rabbits, squirrels, misc. rodents, does, a 600+ lb hog, and HOPEFULLY is going to shoot a couse buck next weekend and It's still in good shape (replaced the Muzzy head a couple of times). That's a Cabelas' Buff Tuff Carbon shaft. I suggest you test allot of different shafts to find what your bow likes, and go with that. I had a Mathews Q2 that wouldn't shoot anything at my draw length except the old Beman 400s, until I added a string loop, then it wouldn't shoot anything well except Gold tips. I have a Mathews Switchback now that likes Axis FMJs, but won't shoot gold tips, or Beman MFX's very well. You just have to figure out what your bow wants. That's why I shoot a black widow recurve now... 52lb. BW PSA recurve, Cabela's Buff Tuff arrows (690 grains total), 125 grain muzzy heads, and glove release. I haven't changed that setup in almost 5 years. : ) I have taken more animals with mt BW recurve than all my compounds combined, and I havn't had to upgrade anywhing other than the string every year.

Yep... He really needs to shoot them to see what fits him and feels the best to him. What he shoots well is what is important. for the compound/recurve choice, here is a quick test to help out. Do you like machined metal or the feel of wood action? Wood - recurve Heavy Metal = compound Do you like a heavier, slower arrow or blistering speed? Heavier/slower = recurve blistering speed=compound Do you want to be able to shoot in awkward positions, i.e., off your back, your stomach, under limbs, lob short shots over logs and stuff? Yes = recurve Huh?!@#@! = compound Do you like to carry lots of gadets with you when you hunt? NO!! = recurve Yea man!! = compound Do you shoot reguarly, (i.e., daily, or close to it), or when you feel like it? Reguarly = recurve when I can = compound Do you plan to take most of your shots going to be under 30 yards? Yes = recurve Further!! = Compound (unless you said you would practice daily) Do you want to be able to shoot quickly and instinctivly like a shotgun, or take aim like a rifle? Snap shooting = recurve dead aim = compound Fred Bear said that if you can consistantly put arrows into a pie plate at 20 yards, you are capable of taking deer. But not many recurve shooters can hit an asprin at 100 yards on purpose, consistantly. (I will probably get email from the Traditional Archer's Society for that one). That should get the decision going in the right direction. It's really like choosing between a 1911 and a glock. Yea, they will both get it done, one in a traditional way, with a snese of history and style, and the other with more modern materials and technology (I like recurves and 1911's, but find a compounds and a Glocks to be very effective tools too). disclaimer: I don't advocate taking a long shot at any animal period. I normally hunt with a recurve, and have watched many, many animals walk away because I didn't feel comfortable taking the shot. I have also missed deer at 30 yards with a compound. So... it's what you are comfortable with, and how much you are going to practice. Almost forgot. Go to ARchery HQ, Randy is the only guy I trust to touch my compound bows to do stuff I can't or don't want to. Other than him, no one touches my Mathews. The guys at Bear Mountain are good guys too, but Randy is the only one I trust to work on my bow. He is an honest guy and will take care of you. Plus he stands behind the products he sells.

I'm in! I'm on the north side.

PM sent. : )

Hey guys, I have been checking trail cams for over a month now, and have not seen any mature bucks. I have seen a TON of does, yearlings, year and a halfs, spikes, button bucks, etc. but no mature bucks. I am relatively new to Coues deer hunting, but I am guessing that Coues are like other deer in general in that bucks and does live seperately, for the most part, until the rut. If I am correct in this assumption, can someone tell me when they start to mingle before the rut, and roughly when does the rut get into full swing in Southern AZ?

Thanks Guys! I was thinking Coues acted like other sub species of white tail. I just wanted to verify. Wow... I knew the rut kicked in later here, but I didn't realize it hit that late in the year. That's good to know. borderboy - sorry to hear about your mounts being stolen. Man that's just wrong... Thanks again guys! I appreciate the info.

Hey Ya'all! My wife and I own a travel business specializing in bowhunting and fly-fishing services, we can include your air, rental car, and hotels into a package deal as needed. If you haven't gotten your trip setup yet email me bowfly@destinationagent.com or info@adventurebowhunting.com (website www.adventurebowhunting.com). Even though we specialize in Bowhunting and Fly Fishing, we can hook you up with guides for just about anything (deep sea fishing, combination hunt/fish trips, etc), anywhere and we will setup every aspect of your trip for you. We will provide you with a complete itinerary packet before you go, in most cases we can even help you obtain your tags and licenses. We can even setup side trips for your wife if she isn't into hunting (golf, cruises, family reunions, skiing, and sight seeing trips). Check out the website (www.adventurebowhunting.com), then contact us if your interested. It won't cost you any more than if you booked it yourself, and it will save you time and money too. We also book for many other countries as well. Maybe instead of south Texas, you consider Mexico, or New Zealand or somewhere like that at about the same price as South Texas. You might be surprised how much it costs to hunt other countries compared to the cost of driving or flying to Texas. Thanks, and good hunting! Charles www.adventurebowhunting.com 520-400-5144 info@adventurebowhunting.com

Thanks for including me on the email. That is an awesome Deer o'lantern! Good job!

Howdy Y'all! Although I am still kind of new to the site, my family and I just moved back to AZ after being gone for about 6 years. We lived in Colorado, and then North Carolina. I am originally from Louisiana, and love hunting hogs up close with a recurve, and bowfishing. Since there aren't many hogs out here, deer will have to do. Kidding... I love hunting deer too. I am a computer guy be trade, but I am in the process of building a custom archery trailer, and need some help. I am looking for a good carpet guy, I need to put down 26' X 8.8' and I would prefer HD carpet squares, so I can replace them as needed without the expense of ripping the whole floor out. I live up on the north side of Tucson. If you know of anyone close by, shoot me an email. Thanks! Charles (BowFly)

Nice buck! 124 1/4

The bouble Bull blinds cost more for several reasons. 1. the material is specially made for DB (the fabric, and the camo). 2. the material that is cut to make the windows can't be reused 3. they are heavier duty material, lasts longer 4. holds your sent in better 5. doesn't flap in the wind 6. doesn't reflect light (that spooks game too) 4. only one zipper, the windows are flaps, no noise - I can step into mine with the infinately adjustable windows (never have to open the zipper at all) 5. 6 second setup (that's how long it takes me to put up my matrix) 6. The hub system is made out of metal/steel. 7. There are additional ties to steak it to the ground at the side hubs. 8. Comes with it's own cotton bag and sling to carry it (cotton not to make noise when you slide it out of the bag) 9. you can use the tie straps to tie foliage to your bling to break up the outline better 10. There is a roof flap for duck/water fowl huntin, or to let some heat out in the summer. 11. all black interior, you wear black inside, no animals can see you, including humans for that matter... 12. They are super cool guys, that stand behind there products. They have the longest warranty on the market. Brooke's and Keith (one eyed stinky Pete), are the real deal, they design them based on there real world hunting experience, and have killed thousands of animals around the world to prove the there blinds are the best for a reason. They are built that way. man, the list goes on and on. I have seen first hand, someone using one of those ameristep blinds on a water hole, and the antelope went half a mile around that water hole to go to one where there was a double bull (public land). I have had deer walk to 5 feet from my blind, with me and two kids in it. never spooked them at all. AND I PUT THE BLIND UP WHEN WE WALKED IN THAT AFTERNOON. do that with an ameristep blind. For the guy that shoots a long bow, I do too. Mine is an English flatbow, about 5 feet long. They make a recurve height blind, at no additional charge that is about almost a foot taller than the regular blinds. Besides, I don't have problems shooting out of my blind with any of my trad bows. Randy has some up at Archery HQ in Chandler. He is a great guy, and runs one of the finest shops in the western US. If you are down here in Tucson area, email me and I will let you check out one of mine. And if my post here doesn't help you out, call double bull... 1-800-523-2395 here is a video clip from bowhuntingworld magazine. if that link does't work try this one

It sounds to me like the only logical thing to do is slow down or stop human population growth in AZ. Stop building houses, increase the wide open spaces. I vote we have tags next year for realestate developers. A six month archery season should do it, oh, and make it leagal to hunt over Starbucks! Yep, uhuh... that would do it. (this is a joke and in now way intended to encourage anything stupid, like hunting in city limits).

OK... I just recently moved back to AZ after being gone for a few years. I understand that the counties of Pima and Marizopa have passed laws in 2006 that state you cannot feed wild animals on purpose. I called the AZGFD to inquire about other counties, and private land, and I was told, "The deer belong to us (the AZGFD) and we don't allow you to feed them". Does this seem a little, I don't know, CRAZY to anyone else? Did the GFD buy the deer, and I didn't know about it? Anyway... what is the real law? If I have private land outside of Pima, or Maricopa, I can legaly use a Moultree feeder to supliment? Now before anyone gets upset, I am not wanting to hunt over the feeder. I have a self-employed rule that i don't hunt within 100 yards of a feeder. I want to take good pictures and try to catalogue some of the animals on the ranches I hunt. I don't think this is unreasonable. I have hunted Texas for years (not saying how many...), among many other states, and we don't have any problems there with feeders. As a matter of fact, in areas we put new feeders at a rate of about 1 feeder per 10 acres or in some areas even 1 per 5 acres, the deer population doubled within 5 years. I have worked closely with GFD in several states where hunting over feeders are legal, and together (the GFD and me), have done some really good work and increased healthy poulations of animals, not just deer. I have also worked with GFDs in states where feeders are not legal, and I promise you, the states where feeders are legal, have more deer. Not just more, but bigger, stronger, healthier deer. If you think of a hunting state, where there are plenty of strong, healthy, deer, they either used feeders, food plots or the there is just a ton of agriculture. I was told by the AZGFD that feeding deer doesn't help them with nutrition, I don't believe that for one second. After we put in feeders in Texas, we had 2 fawns for almost every doe that following year. So, common sense tells me that if you put out enough feeders, and don't hunt over them, your deer will eat, and you will have more, healthier deer. Especially if you mix the corn with mineral and vitamin suppliments, along with food plots, I promise you will have bigger, healthier, stronger, deer. And if you have strong, healthy deer, you will have less and less predation and disease. Enough Ranting... sorry I got off track. Alright,, so feeders are not legal, what about food plots? What about deer management in general? (Which by the way, I was told by AZGFD that was there job, and they didn't want our help). I can't find in the regs anywhere that it sayes feeders are illegal. Anyone else know where it is in the regs? And no, I am not asking about bears. Couse, Elk, Javalena, Mulies, birds, even Pronghorns... anything? Is it just me, or is something wrong here in AZ? BTW, I am glad to be back... but it looks like I got here just in time to watch things go horribly wrong.

Double Bull man... the quality is unmatched. Keith and Brookes still design them and control the quality. TDB is by far the best. Hands down. I have spent more money on blinds than I would like to admit, but once I bought one DB, I will never buy anything else.

Oh yea... almost forgot. Feeder for Sale! $100 used two days, and includes about 80lbs of corn. Would trade for decent trail cam.

IT's all good. Hey, I love Arizona as much as the next guy, and want to bowhunt as much as I can. Also, I think each person should hunt how they were tought, as long as it's legal, to honor those that took the time to teach them to enjoy the outdoors. I think there are a TON of good people here in AZ, I just want to figure out what is going on with the regs and laws, and why some things are the way they are. I am a pretty easy going guy, and I hold myself accountable for the actions I make. Unfortunately, many don't and that's why we have some of the laws we have. I was always taught to leave it better than you found it, don't do anything to hurt someone, and we are all stewards of nature. Nature deosn't belong to us, but we need to take care of it so our kids and grand-kids will get to enjoy it, as our fathers did. It's not a difficult concept, but apparently some weren't tought that lesson and it hurts us all. I had some good conversations with other guides, outfitters, and just good ethical hunters from this thread. Through the conversations, I found lots of good people and I am glad I posted. This was my first post on here, and definately got good feedback, and learned a ton about the system (it's been about 7 years since I lived here, so that helped bring me up to speed). All in all... good people, strong feelings, and lots of good hunting around the state. You can't go wrong with that, right? P.S. - I was directed to county regs where it states feeders are illegal in Pima and Maricopa counties as of 2006. So, I couldn't put up a timed feeder even for pictures. So, I ultimately got my answer. I will just have to hunt with my camera for a while, and I am OK whith that too. : )

I actually took my boys in a backpack before they could walk. Just be prepared to keep the trips short. If they are ready to go, then take em home (stop for ice cream on the way), so they have a good memory of the trip. They are 5 and 8 now, and hunt with me reguarly, not even video games will slow them down. Start with some action, like rabbits, or squirrels, or hiking for Couse. Sitting will bore them to death though. I hunted in NC out of a ground blind with them, and let them bring a little game, like connect 4 or a coloring book if I wanted to stay more than an hour. It took me a while to learn that they can't sit still, and they can't be quiet. It's not possible, and they can't help it. So don't get upset at them, they really can't. I found morning hunts were better for them. Just be prepared, they will tell everyone if you miss... : ) but that's just part of the fun. My boys both hunted as soon as they could hold a bow, or BB gun. I started them with a little buck BB gun, then a red rider, then a Gamo kids sized pellet rifle when he was 5, but the cricket is a good one too. I just figured a Gamo would not hurt me as much if he shot me by accident and he couldn't cock it by himself to shoot again. The bows are the same, I started them both on black Rhino bows, made for kids, they are great. Now my 8 year old has a bear Oddyssey and LOVES it. More than his gamo, well, maybe not more, but he loves it. I say, if they want to go, take them. Just make sure you don't get upset when they want to head home. Just tell them it was a good day hunting and you were glad they went with you.

Hey, it's really a matter of what you like. You might go to Sportman's Warehouse and try them out. I use Nikon Monarch's 10X42 mostly. Very clear. I also have a pair of Carter's Astro Bino's I use instead of a spotting scope, but for a good all around pair, you can't go wrong with Nikon Monarch's. But, if you can, go check them out for yourself. You might even find some you like better, and be able to get them online (eBay) for a good deal too. My 2 cents.

Oh yea... JakeDunn, I heard the DNR put those lions up there in the Kofa's. Didn't they catch them in Phoenix area then take them out there? That's what they are doing down here south of Tucson. We got several over the past few years from what I understand. But hey.. that's totally natural to move them from the city and put them somewhere else, right?

Hey thanks for the offer JakeDunn. I appreciate it. I might take you up on it (I am from the south, where we believe if you help plant, You can definately help hunt). I took a little time to read some of the other postings on here, and I see that feeders and food plots and salt are all ongoing issues. I think I found the answers I was looking for, and confirmation of some thoughts and ponderings. We are simply a state divided, private land is really public, and you can do what you want as long as you don't ask. OK... well... yea... not much else to say there. You guys have a good one, and good luck with working out the details of what's natural and ethical, and whos freedom is really free, and let the rest of us know how much freedom we can have, and when and all that. With that... I drive a Dodge 2500 Cummins, and pulled a broken down escalade out of traffic today. : )

joeybari - really man... you should read what you quoted me on. Your post doesn't make any sense. Some of the others - Gun hunters saying it's not natural? Give me a freaking break! I won't even listen to that crap from my compound shooting buddies much less rifle hunters. You hunt with me, with a recurve, no salt, no water, no feed, no guides, no atv, no range finder, no spotting scope, and then I will listen to your "naturalist" BS. I am pretty sure you hunt with a gun too... Over salt, and water. You're the kind of hunter I don't like. You spend thousands on high power rifles, swarovski scopes, shooting sticks, a new ATV every few years, probably have never lived in the country, or ever even hunted out of this state. Probably never worn out a pair of boots either, maybe a few pair of pants sitting on a peak with your swarovski spotting scope waiting to shoot with your custom 300 winmag from Huskimaw. Hypocritcal BS.. But you think that's OK... that's totally natural, right? I say, if it's hungry feed it, if its weak help strengthen it; we are all stewards, and we are all responsible. Do the right thing even when no one is looking. I said it... you can quote it, but quote it right. OK there joeybari? I know it will tough for you to comprehend it, but read it a few times if you need to, we can wait.

The issue was with the QUANTITY of deer, not the quality. the AZGFD said AZ doesn't have the quantity of deer that most other states do. Not me. Try to take your emotions out of your response and read what is written. No where in my quote does it say anything negative about the animals here. I WAS TOLD BY THE AZGFD that you don't have many animals here. The issue was Quantity. I offered a solution for QUANTITY in the southern most regions, they (THE AZGFD) said there is no nutritional value in deer corn.

Yea 100 yards does help, expecially if its bowhunting only. I don't know what I was thinking... you guys are right. AZ is perfect, we have more animals here than anywhere, and the GFD does own the deer. AND We should keep everything natural. You're right. That totally makes sense. As a matter of fact, I am going to charge the GFD because the deer are eating my cows salt licks, and drinking my cows water. You know what... no more water from my tanks for the deer. It's not natural, we put the tanks there. So, they can't have it anymore. They have to drink whatever falls from the sky, because, down here in the country where I live, not in an appartment in chandler or mesa or a freaking large butt city, there is too much water for them. You're absolutely right... thank you so much. I will make the 300,000 acres of ranches where I guide and hunt, anywhere that I have sole rights as the guide, including the private land where you guys also hunt couse deer, offlimits, and will post it and fence it so the deer will no longer get to drink my water, or lick my salt. It keeps out the illegals and the idiots. Afterall it's not natural.

HA HA HA... Thanks Youngbuck. That's seems to be the truth. I lived up there in Flagg for about a year. Love it up there. It's alot like Colorado (but better), but not as cold. That's pretty close to where I saw that 7X7 Elk a few years ago. Unfortunately for me, I only had a deer tag.

Wow.. glad you read all of it before responding. I appreciate the responses. But let me clarify this, I don't hunt over food, I thought I made that clear. Also, I only bowhunt, but I do guide for gun hunters, and I have been managing properties for game for the most part of my life. The AZGFD said to me, that "we don't have the number of animals here as most other states". I didn't say that, they did. I am not going to explain the context because you won't read it anyway. Also, I am not talking about the high fence ranches, nor am I talking about the african game ranches, those are a very small part of the hunting in Texas. We put the feeders out because we had a low population, and I specifically said we DID NOT HUNT OVER THEM. Which doesn't matter anyway, because it's LEGAL to hunt over them in texas, and they still have more animals. Yes, I said it that time. Texas has more whitetail, look it up. Also, I didn't say the AZGFD is doing a bad job. I didn't say that at all. I am frustrated in the fact they don't want to work with land owners and guides and ranchers or anyone. They said they "OWN" the dang deer man... That's my issue. Like Snapshot said, "they are stewards". They should be interested in working with land owners and ranchers to do the best thing for the animals. Period. Also, they said they are trying to model the AZGFD after the Colorado system. Under that system, you would be lucky to get a deer tag. I had to put in for the draw 3 years in a row before I got a deer tag, and I was a resident. What I did say was, it's crazy that the AZGFD doesn't want to work with landowners to manage game, and I did say, that it's crazy for them to say they "OWN" the deer. But I did ask, what is the law and where can I find it written somewhere. I didn't see anything in regs other than don't feed bear.