bowsniper

The best part of the hunt for me was meeting two great guys, and making two new friends. Matthew and Ernesto, thank you guys so much for your hospitality and guiding. Ernesto, good luck with that bull later this week! Mark

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! Ernesto and Matthew, thank you for making this hunt possible. You guys are awesome! Good luck with that bull, Ernesto!! Mark

The good news is that my 13 year old son, kidbowhunter, got a youth Pheasant tag for the Yuma area on September 11. The bad news is that his old man is completely clueless about Pheasant hunting or Yuma. I checked on the G&F web page, and that had some very basic info, but gave the name of a G&F person in the Yuma office. I called him, and he said he hunted pheasant once, but he was pretty much as clueless as I was. I asked him who else I could talk to and he couldn't think of anyone. I asked him for the name of the game ranger for the area, and was told that the game ranger was on some kind of TDY, and unavailable. So I am asking my buds on cwt.com for some basic info on pheasants, questions like: What time of day should we hunt, morning, evening, all day? Do I have to have a dog? Do you hunt pheasants like quail? Just wonder around and try to kick them up? (I was never very good at quail hunting either) What kind of habitat should I look for to hunt in? Does that vary with the time of day? Anyone familiar with Yuma have a suggestion where I should start? (I know, I am e-scouting. This is like asking a guy for GPS coordinates of his best coues honey hole!) You get the idea. Thanks for your help! Mark

My prayers are with you and your family. Mark

Congrats! Very nice buck! Good observations about how wired these bucks are. They are only slightly less wired away from water, and as the racks get bigger, they get closer and closer to jumping out of their skin. Mark

Fun Trip!! I just can't stay away from Utah! Mark

One question......why is Angie your girlfriend? You better marry her quick before someone from CWT.com beats you to it!! Way to hang in there Angie! A coues with a bow is a remarkable accomplishment! You guys showed great skill and self control by waiting 4 hours. I am impressed that two of you were able to sit quietly enough to take that buck. It's hard enough for one person to be quiet. What's next? Turkey with a bow? Now that you have killed with a bow, it will hard to go back to a rifle. Mark

Now I feel like a wimp again for being afraid of a little lion. Mark

Awesome! Congrats! You will never get a more beautiful trophy. Always treat her like you did on the first date. Mark

Great job! Great shot! Congrats!

If you are using fixed blades, keep the netting up to take full advantage of the cover. If you are using expandable blades, keep it down unless you do some testing to show that netting will not effect your expandable point of impact. I thoroughly tested Rage 2 blades through netting, and found that the netting affected the point of impact significantly about 50% of the time. In either case, keep it as dark as possible by keeping all other windows closed. Keeping all other windows closed will also help contain your scent. Fill the cracks between your blind and the ground with loose dirt. Fill the cracks in your windows with black material. Put the blind entrance zipper on the front or side of the blind. If you put it behind you, light will leak through and silhouette you. Lay down an old flannel sleeping bag in the bottom of the blind to keep the leaves, needles, rocks, etc. from making noise. If you shoot with the netting down, wear all black. If you shoot with the netting up, wear black or camo. Hope this helps, and good luck! Mark

I am one very proud papa! Troy really works hard! Next stop: Yuma and Pheasants, courtesy of Matt and Ernesto! Mark

Any coues buck with a bow is a monster! Great job! Mark

Excellent! Congrats!! Mark

All right Stanley! I sure you already know that hunting with your kids is even more fun than hunting yourself! Have a blast with Greta! My youngest starts hunter ed September 8 and I can't wait! Mark

Way to go! Things work out for GOOD people! Mark

WOW! I have been on the road for a few days, and when I check the thread, Great News! But I gotta say, not surprising! The brotherhood on this forum really takes care of their own! Matt and Ernesto, thank you so much for helping out this clueless bird hunter take care of his boy. I'm still on the road (Detroit, yuck!) but I'll contact you guys next week when I get back. Thanks again! Mark

You are in deep do do buddy. AZ G&F regs prohibit the "taking of the same buck twice"! Great Job. I know that you worked hard and spent many weekends looking for this buck! Awesome! Mark

Spot and stalk on a coues deer is extremely difficult. It separates the men from the boys. (I am a boy) Your best bet would be to set up a blind or treestand near a water hole. Mark

OUCH!! But you did the sensible thing. Remember, what goes around, comes around, and you will get yours (big buck) in the end. I sure wish there were more hunters like you around where I hunt. Mark

Congrats on a very fine buck!! It sure is sweet when all your hard work gets you success. I am starting to like the scouting even more than the hunt itself! Mark

Keep at it! Good decision to wait for a better shot! Mark

Fantastic buck Clay! I know that you worked your butt off for this guy, and you deserve every sweet inch of velvet! He is going to make an incredible mount. I am sure glad the 'stand issue' worked out, and you did not have any issues with that. If you are going to do a velvet mount, carefully consider the options, as they all have advantages and disadvantages. I personally like the freeze dry method. Way to get er done! Mark

You bet I need a couple of references! I have been paying way too much! Please let me know where I can get it done for that price! Mark

+1 Mark