idgaf

I've been double charged on a CC I only used once. Does that mean I get two elk tags??

I got one of those crappy late season archery bull hunts or a limited opportunity muzzy hunt. Darn the luck right after I finished paying off my taxidermist from my last crappy late season archery hunt.

I remembered at the last moment that I had a javelina rifle tag for my stomping ground in 36c. My intent was to go traditional and hunt with my dad's 1975 Shakespere Super Necadah that I found in his backyard recurve. My second option was to take my cabinet queen out for a dance. I have a 1945 model 70 30-06 with a lyman alaska factory mounted scoop with a weaver quick detach mount. Best laid plans usually go out the window and this was no exception. I intended to load some ammo for it considering you can not by a cap for a cap gun at walmart right now. I ran out of time and grabbed my dad's recurve, my bow, my daughters 243 and my 357. I was going to hunt with something. Opening morning I left my house in Show low at about 4:30 am headed for the area where I spent 9 days chasing rumors and myths about double drop tine bucks and 190" class typical bucks that once roam the desert flats and I did not see in all that time archery hunting the rut. I sign into the ranch and head straight for my camping spot with my weapons secured on my trucks back seat. I get nearly to my spot when a thick horned muley crosses in front of me and stops at fifty yards to taunt. As I am reaching for my camera and then the batteries it bounces out of my view and spooks a herd of Javelina. With the herd running down the arroyo I am trying to find an accessible weapon to no avail. I sheepishly laugh tell myself "typical" and head to my parking spot. I get out grab my dad's Super Necadah ultra modern (in 1975) recurve and through my 357 in my pack and go. I spend the day shooting cactus patties and putting stalks on quail breaking three of the four ultra modern (in 1981) fiberglass arrows that were in my quiver. I get to an arroyo that is absolutely loaded with tracks which I follow to my goal getting within range at about twenty yards. I nervously release my last non broken arrow and wiffed by about three feet. Javelina are running everywhere when I remember I have my pistol in my pack and I miss three more times at well under 30 yards. Good shooting day on my part. Day 2 I decide that Javelina are not the reason to have a Javelina tag and use this time for a conditioning regime for when G&F awards me my Sheep permit and climb the rockiest steepest area I can find. After seeing a half a dozen deer and a giant squirrel I get off my rocky perch have a sandwich and a negro modelo and decide to get back to the flats. I forgot my camera at the truck deciding that I would not need it I walked a little further and then see a couple of does. I watch them as they bounced about twenty yards farther and see a couple more does and a 170 class buck. Thinking well that is about the biggest buck for the area another buck comes out making the first buck look small and my camera is 2 or 300 hundred yards away in my truck. I could kick myself for that. I guess I needed a reminder that I should always be prepared. I walk the washes again and stalked quail to 10 feet, examined old pottery and looked at some black flint substance that I believe my predecessors made their broadheads from. I get to a spot that looks just to good with tracks and rootings. I reach into my pocket and grab a bear call I have had for years and called for a few moments when a big gnarly boar comes out of his napping place and sees what the noise is all about. This time I grabbed my daughters 243 making the 70 yard off hand shot an afterthought and taking an animal with ammo I reloaded for the first time. I was in my bed at home by 10. Nice break from reality.

AZslim thats my goto call. I have called in nearly everything with it, even a bear. TJ, you got that right. My new overlords, um i mean bosses, are being very thorough on their potential investment with me, keeping me on my toes and in business mode constantly.

Ive got a few pics. Wife had a cow hunt and we saw 60+ bulls

I do not know where to post this topic, so Amanda please move as you see fit. After not hunting deer since Jan 17 of 2012. I planned this trip for me and my nephew for this week he was off of school, but for whatever reason he was not allowed go at the last minute. Not wanting to waste the opportunity I came solo until Sunday Jan 6. I used Jan 1 as a travel day and played road warrior against the sonoran skiers as I traveled down from my home in Show Low. I will also be trying three different hunting styles; stillhunting, stand hunting, and spot and stalk, in that order. (Road hunting is always an option) I am trying to take that next in my hunting progression from mature animal hunter to a person who gets true giants. My wife does question my sanity. No guarantees if I will be able to take the step, but I am trying. Day 2 began with me leaving camp just after first light and within five or so minutes of stillhunting I saw the only deer I would see for the day. It would test my resolve on whether or not I can do it I had this guy at twenty yards for a couple of minutes. Please excuse the blurriness when I put the bow down and grabbed the camera out of my pocket I started shaking like crazy. A little after I grabbed my composure I stopped by to see an old friend. An ocotillo that I thought was big and out of place on the flats 30 years ago, but is even larger now. I have been hunting this area since it I was big enough to pump a pellet gun. A short time after that I ran into my first batch of Javelina spooking them in every direction. I remember reading on the javelina forum just to stay still and they will come back. which I did and a pig at twenty yards for a while and eventually wiffed the shot. I am now 0-8 on my last eight shots on these little guys with every type of weapon. I keep hunting all day until about 2:30 and I stumble upon a herd of javelina. I had the wind perfect and started taking pictures as I inched forward. There were several but I picked out the napping as the one I wanted to put my tag on. You can see the line of his back behind the "V" of the palo verde. I missed a 38 yard shot which normally I can shoot a dime at that distance. After looking and not finding any signs of a hit I was retracing my steps when another pig woofed at me and kept coming closer. At fifteen yards I felt it was self defense and fired my third arrow of the day knowing this was a hit I gathered my arrow only to be in disgust that I made a bad shot. These little guys have my number. I gave it an hour or so and started my trailing. After losing the trail after a short distance I walked the arroyo in frustration and found him about 150 yards from where I shot. I read some excerpts from Carl Hathcock's book about focusing in on the sights which I did. I guess I did not realize it had turned towards and instead of a broadside shot it was a quartering to shot. The entrance was exactly where I aimed the exit was right before the opposite hip. Up next for day 3 Standman Style. I admire Standman's ability to stay put for hours at a time. I think that is a form of punishment in Guantanamo. I have told myself I will stay until two o clock no matter what. I am only hoping the giant coues are thirsty and the rock climbers could not find any bio-diesel to power there subaru's. I will be in the shade of Elephants Butt waiting for whats next.

Thanks, Its no problem on the job part. Nothing official yet but managed to keep everyone I work with employed together. I hope I can get out for few days before the end of season.

One of these days I will go from novice photographer to amateur photographer and look out. Days 9 and 10 kinda run together with all the other stuff going on. Last time I checked the calender it was January, but mother nature was telling me otherwise with this guy. He was well over four feet long. I only had about two hours before I had to go up the freeway to my next appointment so I took a couple of pics of this little guy and left You got to admire the effort. I tried to shoot one of these guys friends but ended up with nothing but feathers. Anyone can shoot quail but hitting them with an arrow and allowing them to live is a true talent. I broke my bino's so I will try to waterhole sit once or twice before the end of the season in hopes of getting one like that flatlander coues at least I hope to.

After volunteering at my former job for a few days I finally made it back down to 36c for what I thought be 5 or 6 days. Best Laid plans never seem to go the way you want. Due to some things I did not anticipate I will only be able to hunt two plus days. There have been two things I have learned in the last 24 hours or so. First is there are two kinds of people in this world the ones that cant wait until Friday and the ones that cant wait until Monday. I realized which one I am and its not the fun one. Second thing is hunters put themselves through heck for fun. Day 8. I get up from sleep and have the luxury of starbucks. I am staying at my brothers house for this one. I decided that today I would go to the top of the mountain about a quarter of the way up I stop and look and see deer in each direction I am not headed. Good sign I hope. I go further then look back down the mountain and realize the last statement from the last paragraph. We, as hunters, do this for fun. Further up the hill I see a buck that I could have "cut em off at the pass" and got within at least the edge of my distance, but instead just watch to see what the heck he was up to. Found this guy giving me his intense glare I get back to the truck after spending some time on top of the mountain and decide to hit a few waterholes to see if there are any ducks around for pictures and maybe an archery shot. This is mid-day on the flats as flat can get, miles from the slightest undulation of hill where a coues would be. I look I and see this guy I immediately think shooter whitetail, but then realize I am three miles from the nearest hill and it's just a nice young muley then it turned. I drove down the road thirty or fourty yards or so and grab my bow. I go to where I watched and took pics of this buck for several minutes and I drop to my knees to get the arrow under the canopy of mesquite branches as I start pulling back he takes off like he is shot of a cannon. This buck falls under the cool category. He is so far from where his genetics tell us where he is suppose to be I would have been happy to shoot him.

Well if you guys are interested I can do a chapter 2. Bad news is they just closed my office/branch. Good news is I have a ninety day severance package and a deer tag in my wallet. I am planning on going for 4-6 days next week before I start my job search if you are interested I will take you along. Anybody need an electrical salesperson

Here are few things I try to keep in mind when I am stalking. Take them for what its worth. Keep the wind out of their noses (obviously) it does not have to perfect just out of their noses. When you find an animal you are going to stalk look all round it to find the extra set of eyes that will bust you. The animal you are stalking is not the one that usually catches you. Use the terrain to your advantage. This may sound weird but try to sound natural, meter your steps and work slow when your in sound range. You will make noise, but make it as naturally sounding as possible. Almost try to sound like another animal. The buck I took last January knew something was above him, but he assumed it was non-threatening and actually came closer to check it out. Don't give up on a stalk until you see the animal bouncing away. I have ratted myself out to many times when I have done everything perfectly and just gave up when I could not see the animal. Most importantly, Practice. I spent yesterday (when not looking for deer) stalking quail trying to get a 20 yard archery shot. Good Luck and don't give up

Congrats that freaken cool

Well my six days in 36c came and went. I pushed myself to the limit and did not come out successful in the standard sense of putting my tag on a deer. I am successful in a greater way to me, I was able to look temptation in the face and not compromise. I could have easily taken my third pope and young class buck in four years and decided against it , because it did not meet the standards I set on myself. A friend of mine asked me what size of buck am I looking for and I simple stated one that takes my breath and I do not have to think about if its a shooter. My taxidermist once put me in check about scores. He said and I am paraphrasing you do not register an animal in a record book to honor the hunter. You register the animal to honor the animal and the place it was taken, anyways, I gave my fullest effort hunting from Dawn til dusk every day and probally saw less than most hunters will see in a morning of glassing. Thanks for coming along with me I will be back once I get a few moments to break from reality and enjoy the bonus photos from 24a. Day 6. Started off with me waking up excited to go to the top of the mountain, then I took one step and my feet and knees went into full lock out. They refused to work I decided it might be best to drive around a little bit and find a waterhole and sit at it until lunch time. I do enjoy the sunrises in the desert. I go a little farther I see a small(ish) four point at the end of my range. I go to take his picture but he bails right when I snapped the pic. I go to the first waterhole that I was going to sit and a bunch of hitchhikers come to my truck as I am getting my gear ready and try to get into my truck I find a waterhole on the southside of the ranch that I have seen quite a few coues come into. I grab my gear and go finding a place with good wind and adequate cover to keep my oversized butt hidden for a few hours. I look and the wind becomes dead still for a moment. Getting bored I had this guy keeping me company getting rid of those pesky ants. I finally had some action a doe came in and I took several pics but for some reason none of them came out. I ended my trip with my head held high, feeling like I was in championship bout with an old sparring partner going the distance and then losing a split decision. Bonus day 7. Fortunely, I have a job where my scenery changes and after I completed my work I was headed back up the hill when I decided to take a detour for the last two hours of the day. I climb to the top of the hill and immediately catch these guys getting ready to kick each others butt. One of them flipped a cactus patty about ten feet in the air and then started his attack. The second picture he has him on the ground you can notice his back line above the cactus. It would have been easy to stalk up to them they were preoccupied but instead I just enjoyed the show. I walked a little further and thought to myself for just a moment thats a pretty good whitetail. He came closer and closer until he got within first pin range. Once again thanks for reading my longwinded story and cramerhunts is right this is only the first week of January. I am going to find the difference between very good and great . I will not compromise this year to see if I can actually accomplish my goal. I hope the next time I post a pic its a grip and grin picture with a giant.

Man, just read what I wrote yesterday. Funny thing was I knew what I wanted to say, but I was so mentally and physically drained I could not interpret from my brain to the my fingers. Day 5. Started out as usual me making coffee in the cold and I decided to head to the Grand Canyon. I spotted a giant buck in there a few rifle seasons ago. I would have shot but I had a kid I use to work with, with me and he whined to the point that I gave in and he missed by about 20 feet. As I drove down the little two track the memories of hunts past hit me from that road. Like My brother taking 25 inch three point when we were in my Jeep CJ5. After much discussion we put it on the back seat and buckled it in with the head and rack hanging out the back like a drunk guy with a heavy head. I wish I still had that labtop with those pictures on it. Here is a pic that does not do the buck justice. I get to my predetermined glassing point and glass for a few minutes thinking I will work the edge of the canyon glassing from every reasonable point until I get to the end. Right then, I see a fellow hunter working the center of the canyon. Time to change course and slow walk desert flats back to the truck. Once again I run into more Javelina, the more I watch there behavior the more curious I get. I go a little farther and notice Kitt's Peak off in the distance and wonder how the hunting is up there. It should be federal so part of the 36-c not the Tohono o'odom Nation. I get back to camp earlier than I have all week and start making lunch when a hunter working his way back along the fence line stops by. We chat a little bit and found out he was on a three point earlier but was busted by one of his does. We talk a little further and he confirms that one of the bucks I thought was only a rumor is real. Drop tine. This gave me motivation to get at. I start working the flats again with new vigor hoping to get a look at this buck. I ran across a solo 3 point that did not want his picture taken, but was within range of an archery shot for a time. I go a little farther and run into more Javelina making this the fourth separate herd I have ran into. This one had a couple of screamers in it that yelp when they ran I got the male really mad for a moment and he wanted to fight. The afternoon was uneventful for the most part with exception of a creepy owl that followed me. Right then my camera batteries died again. Ghost hunters, I guess I have a lot pottery shards where my tent is. I guess for tomorrow I will have to play Moses and go to the top of the mountain. There is an old waterhole that was I believe was a WPA project from the Roosevelt era up there. If I can make it my knees and feet are rebelling right now and the bottoms of my feet are pretty red and purple patina from the miles walked. My wife gave me some words of encouragement by saying "don't settle get the one you want." I have to remind myself this is only the first week of January and whether I am hunting Camelback Mountain or A Mountain I will not lower standards this year.

Day 4. I got my mojo back for the most part. All things started out pretty routine 4:00 am start the coffee, make lunch, make breakfast (in that order) grab snacks drink coffee, fill thermos and head out. I was going to go into Solano Canyon for most of the day, but that voice in my head kept saying go with what you know and those bucks you saw a couple of years ago will be two years older. So once again I gave in and steered a course for redondo canyon by the house. Interesting side note a family friend was born in that house back in the 40's I believe. I realized the three major disadvantages of solo hunting while travelling the 45 minutes or so to my destination. First it is always my turn to make coffee. Second, if you shoot something you have to carry out yourself and take your own pictures. And most importantly I have to open and close the 10 gates or so from where I am camped to where I am going. I get to my parking spot about an hour before sunup and start for an hour or so to my first glassing spot. I notice the sun coming and go to take a picture and my camera is completely dead. The batteries are brand new and lithium 8X so I was a little annoyed. I think I got that Ghost Hunter thing going on where spirits manifest and suck up your battery life. I managed to take a couple of cell pics. After seeing absolutely nothing except a few cows. I noticed the silence. Not a bird or cow or breath of wind. Not to sound sappy but I understood for a moment the cliche "silence is deafening" I looked up and realized I needed to get higher up the hill and check out the other side. It was a place I had not been in twenty years, climbing to that area was like being on a stairmaster for two hours. I was feeling the burn but once I got to the top I was rewarded with seeing two does. I was considering going standman style in pass between the two mountains, but decided against it and just went to the plain old fashion glassing. I was rewarded within a few minutes and found a thick branch antler buck. I texted my brother with what I thought he would score and his characteristics. Long main beams, Thick, really long eyeguards, Short points and a really big body. The guy was fat. He kept replying "SHOOT!!!" but I was still not sure. I watched him for several minutes trying to figure out what he was doing. He was in the shade moving to the sun in some ocotillos. I kept wondering why is doing this. I really wish I had my camera working he kept posing for me.. He is in that picture somewhere but you can get an idea of the terrain I started my stalk once he disappeared on the other side of the ridge. I was still unsure on whether or not I wanted to shoot him. I was getting closer and realized I had a perfect spot for him on my wall next to my buck from last year on one of those things that hold euro skulls that I got from Amanda. i made a three quarter effort stalk and where I got to where I thought he was I saw two does getting harassed by a spike a hundred yards or so below me. I walked down a little farther and spooked everything in all directions. I made the mistake that I always tell myself not to make. A stalk is not over until twenty minutes after you think its over. The buck was moving to protect the virtue of the does from the overzealous teenager. I am kinda glad the buck did not take my breath. After a quick jaunt to three points for advil, propane and batteries i came back and hit the flats. After a few hours of slow moving I found a tall body three point that did not want to pose for me. Please excuse my ramblings on this one I fell asleep twice writting it. Two days left its time to get salty and not stop until I find the giant.

No I always mean to go, but I had to get out of there before I screamed. According to a G&F Manager Dan King killed that giant buck back there. I have seen Coues to the North end of the valley for many years.

Thanks for all the props on the pig and passing on that deer. My sixteen year old daughter just finished giving me a verbal lashing like you would not believe. It went something to the effect of "Are you crazy?? What are you doing not shooting that? Look at the points above its eyebrows there HUGE and you did not shoot. You will not get a chance like that again!!! I would have shot!!" Day 3 This morning started off incredible smooth and then got progressively worse. Not that it was bad, just that I never got into sync. I grabbed a thermos of coffee made lunch ate breakfast and was headed to my destination in record time. I got there and there were no bio-diesels there so I thought I was running good. I was headed down the fenced off road to my destination with full intention of staying until mid afternoon. Trying to get to my spot and version of an elevated blind I climbed the rock face in the predawn darkness. When I got to the top I realized it was the wrong rock. I proceeded to do this one more time before I found the right rock. My version of an elevated blind is a rock bluff. After about thirty minutes of getting things situated I took a couple of pics and settled down to wait until Mr. big shows up. Then the first batch of rock climbers came in. From there direction I was in plane view but they could not see. I heard how Ecuador and Switzerland have the best climbing and them speculate on why there were bathtubs next to the water and watched discuss how to cross the dam from 30' away. My only regret is I did not get a picture of the front of his sweater with the argyle. It looked liked he was dressed to impress his freshman English Lit. professor. Which is all ok they have every right to be there, but what is up with the shoes. After watching them go the wrong way twice things settled down a little bit and I began to watch the water in anticipation for Mr big. Then the next batch of bio-dieselers came in. This batch had a map app on his Iphone and at the water took a right to follow the map and kept going, even tough Elephant Butt was clearly forward. This guy was in the wilderness of Southern Arizona to go hiking with a friend and he will be back in Washington after he helps his mom with a couple of things. Time to cut bait and get out of there fast before I feel the urge to become vegan and love all things Subaru. I go to a makeshift spot after the mile plus walk out and try to make the most of my day. I finally see a whitetail while sitting still, 3 does. I f taking a picture when my camera batteries died. I saw one other thing after that a group of twas in the process miniature doves flew in. They seemed to half the size of a regular dove. I get back to camp and decide to stay in the flats for the rest of the evening. I came across one set of tracks that I would like to see who made them. Roughly three inches long. Up next for Day 4. The age old question for anybody who has hunted the northern part of 36c, Kinda like "Ginger or Marianne" or for my generation Rachel or Monica. That would be Redondo or Solano Canyons. I know Redondo very well and its has been kind to me,one time we were there was six or seven branch antlered bucks chasing does like rut crazed elk, but I am not after the "average" big deer. I am after one that will take my breath so I may go to the back of Solano.

I thought about shooting and it must have looked comical. The conversation I was having with the voices in my head, but I have a couple of similar bucks on the wall already. Now I want something huge or really cool.

Headed out to 36c for six days of solo hunting. I have not tagged a pig since 2005 so its time. I shot one with a 300 grain hollow point from my 454 casull at twenty yards and it got away since the last time I tagged a pig. I am going to try to trophy hunt for deer whitetail or muleys and shoot a legend, but more than likely will "settle" for any deer larger than what I have taken or just a really cool buck. I just need to finish my wife's cow elk hunt in 3b today. I cannnot find a cow to save my life. Good luck to everyone.

Anyone else notice that the Walmart hunter on page 3 does not have sights on his gun? He must be very good.

North side, the last picture was after we played "hide n seek" for a little bit and had caught up to us. They had double backed to our location.

I think we went to the same taxidermist. I went through that exam same situation. Took two years, lost my skull, wrong colored felt and most importantly open mouthed.

Selling my bear rug. 650.00 shipped, 500.00 FTF, or trade for ??? All prices are negotiable. I took this one to a different taxidermist than I normally use. The quality is ok but is just not what I wanted. I wanted a close mouth and camel felt, so after a year of looking at it, I decided I can not take it anymore and must sell(that and it gives me an excuse to get another one). Bear has a red mohawk down his spine and from this tip of nose to the base of his tail 5'4"

Yeah It seems the mounts take on the personality of the taxidermist. In this instance, there is some anger and the inability to listen to instruction, but very good natural talent.

price drop