Coach

Nicely put - I was also trying to find a way to differentiate between the "letter of the law" and the "spirit of the law" but couldn't do so as succinctly as you did. That said, many courts and many LEOs adhere to the "letter" more than the "spirit" of the law. As others have stated, if you are in this predicament, you have to choose. I would choose to "finish the animal and take care of the meat" to quote a previous response. Sometimes ethics dictate NOT doing something that may happen to be legal. Other times ethics dicatate doing something that might not be legal. Sorry, but the guys who write the laws are as flawed as the rest of us. When it comes down to it, we are our own judge and jury. Either your MORAL compass points in the right direction or it doesn't, and aint a daggum court, LEO or lawyer that can point you in the right direction if you don't already know it.

Jump on its back and start stabbing it (hey - just cause it's past shooting light don't mean it's past knifing light). Jusk kidding - I agree with the others here. You finish it off. I'd rather go defend that course of action in court than let the animal lay there all night suffering - not to mention lost/spoiled meat, etc.

It's not really clear where this topic goes, but I found it interesting, funny and a little sad, to say the least. I'm not sure what Amanda's take is on linking to other sites so, I'll not include a direct link in this post. If you google "230389970226" you'll see that this topic is all over the internet. The story is kind of funny in a really pathetic sort of way. Some clown from California claimed to be hunting two HUGE mule deer in an area not known for trophy-sized bucks. According to his postings, he couldn't decide which huge buck he's been scouting to shoot, so, duh, he shoots both. Apparently this is OK in California. So in a matter of less than 1 hour, and within 150 yards, he takes the #1 typical AND #1 non-typical California state record mule deer bucks with a bow. When asked to post some field photos, he goes on to say that he would like to post them, but editors from some popular magazines have asked him not to. It starts to turn funny when you find out that this butt-hat actually bought both racks off of Ebay from an antler collector in CO. and then entered them into the record books as his own harvests. So this guy gets caught red-handed passing off bought antlers as legitmate harvests AND trying to take credit to gain money from magazine atricles and prodcut endorsements. If you do the google search, you'll see that every possible forum from softball, to wanna-be snipers, to hockey jocks are talking about this guy. It's funny to some degree, but there is definately a dark side to it. Just how wrapped up are we in the quest to take a magnificent trophy, that someone would go out on such an incredible limb to make up some half-baked, easily debunked strory like this? I've heard many stories of people losing their wounded deer or elk to other hunters, and frankly, I can't imagine the depths of self-loathing it would take to steal another man's trophy out from under them or to take credit for a harvest one did not earn for themselves. Enjoy the googling that is sure to come. If you would like a direct link to the story as it unfolded on another site, PM me and I'll get it to you. I just don't think it's right to link from Amamda's site to another without her permission. Like I said, it's entertaining, frustrating, and sad all at once. Jason.

Thanks a lot - now I've gotta blow a wad of cash on a fox-pro! Seriously, great job. Looks like you guys had one heck of a day.

Well, it's a big state covered with tens of thousands of miles of good habitat, and lots of new guys have no idea where to get started. I don't blame people for asking what unit - they simply don't understand that most units in this state have tons of good deer - some very close to home. You are right, they need to get out and do the legwork, but everyone's got to start somewhere. Not taking sides, but if someone asking for as general a piece of information as the unit a good buck was taken gets you that defensive, just remember, there are lots of people who didn't grow up in hunting families who just want to get out there and be a part of all this - can you blame them? It's freakin' awesome. Imagine driving around this state and NOT wondering what kind of bucks live in the habitat you're driving through, and then imagine realizing it but not having the slightest idea how to get started. Even if they knew what units produced big bucks - which, lets be honest, is most of them at one time or another, doesn't mean they are going to diminish your chances in the field. Of course, I'm assuming that most of these comments come from total newbies - there are plenty of guys who think they're going to get GPS coordinates to the next record book buck while surfing the 'net, but I think they are an insignificant minority. I believe in helping new hunters out, so long as they are willing to do the work, and pass their knowledge along at some point. Just my take, have a very merry Christmas. Jason

Took the boys out for some sight seeing last weekend around the 3B/1 border. Saw a group of muley does just off of Lake Mountain and figured there must be a buck nearby. Sure enough, a big, fat 4x4 was right behind them. Found another group of does mid-day with a forkie at the rear. They've been hot in the high country for at least a couple weeks. No idea what's going on in the desert - gotta go check my cameras.

+1 - what else can you say, but a huge congratulations!

That's really too bad that some people took the lower road - I don't know you, but from the posts here of people that do, it sounds to me like you had this buck coming to you, and guys like you and your buddy make coues hunting what it is. I hope you'll take the nay-sayers with a grain of salt and just cherish the amazing experience you had - don't let anyone take that away from you. Heck, there are bucks walking around today that would make any one of us shudder - and the guy who takes a great buck is always going to have to deal with a few jeers from the jealous types. Congrats again, and thanks for giving us all an amazing story of friendship, hardship and ultimately triumph. Nicely done.

What I wouldn't give to see THAT ONE on the hoof. My goodness, I hope you get a shot at that bad boy. Thanks for posting. Gotta go check my blood pressure!

That stinks - I hope you find it.

Nice looking rifle for sure. Can't wait to hear how it shoots. I know Casey has some good info on .270 WSM handloads.

Fantastic photos, as always, Doug. Thanks for sharing!

A huge debt of gratitude goes out to those in our community who truly made this dream, "hunt of a lifetime" come true for this young man. I know many people were out there looking for his bull, but in the end, I really believe he is still out there looking. Stephanie, you were an amazing part of this effort. To all who helped this young man in his final days, God bless you. Have a very merry CHRISTmas.

I'd like to see pix. I'm in the market for another tactical shotgun. I was planning on a 930 spx.

I would bet that there is a buck close by.

What an amazing buck - and the story to go along with it! Congrats on all aspects of the hunt - that is truly awesome.

Nice pic - I found 6.

I'd say 120+ for sure... as is quoted from the text..... PS: Jason... I just tried to text it to you.... did you get it?? Got it! Thanks Gino... wow what a great looking buck.

That is awesome! Great job and congrats to both of you!

Let's hear about those Blue Ridge Yellow Jackets taking the 3A State Championship on Saturday! Went up to Flagstaff to watch a great game in the dome against our long-time rivals, the Show Low Cougars. I have to say this - in a rivalry THAT heated between two great teams with decades of "bad blood" I was extremely impressed by the conduct of the young men on the field on both teams. Lots of respect and sportsmanship, and the persuit of "victory with honor". GO JACKETS!!!!

Enough teasing already - let's see the buck!!!

Nicely done!!!

Truly deplorable. Words escape me. Our "safe schools" CZAR... BMB - Buy more bullets. This won't end well. By the way, AZ4LIFE, I LOVE your avatar!

I have both Swarovski and Vortex. My Vortex are the cheaper ones - Diamondback I think. I bought them for my kids to use and just to stick in the center console of my truck or take to football games. I have to disagree with the assessment that the Vortex Diamondbacks suck. No - they are absolutely not in the same realm as anything in the big 3 (Swaro, Leica and Zeiss) BUT they are far better than anything else in their price range. There are very few binoculars under $500 I would consider "suitable" for western hunting, and that includes the major brands like Pentax, Leupold, Nikon - all great optics manufacturers - not to mention all the Bushnell, Simmons, etc. I've wasted a lot of money on "economic" glass over the years, but dollar for dollar, I have found the Vortex - even the cheaper lines - to be quality, "usable" glass. Great optics are very expensive. I have always told people to steer clear of ANY lower priced optics because they are generally garbage. That said, I believe Vortex offers some very good optics for a reasonable price. A pair of Diamondback 10x42s runs about $230 retail, and there is nothing else in that price range I would even consider buying or recommend to a friend looking for inexpensive optics. But I would recommend the Vortex to anyone who wants quality glass and can't justify the cost of the premium brands. Just my $.02