Coach

Now that's funny right there, I don't care who ya are...

I shot a buck one year and a doe kinda walked over to it to figure out why it was acting so ... dead... then walked off. Last year in the area I was hunting, a guy had killed a buck on a little knoll, and for two days afterward most of the deer I saw were on that same knoll, some less than 50 yds from the gut pile. But like Gino mentioned, once the dogs and bears get in there it's a whole different story.

I second the "managed recoil" loads - they'll help a bunch when your girlfriend is shooting it. You may also consider a good aftermarket recoil pad (I like the Simms ones), and if that doesn't do the trick, you can also get the barrel ported for around $200. BTW, I'm also a big fan of Savage rifles. I've got two that both shoot very well and neither was an expensive gun. For the same price range that you are already looking at, i think you'll find the Savage has a much better barrell, and arguably the best trigger of any "factory" gun. Jason

Between the two you mentioned, I'd pick the 7mm. Don't overlook the .300 WSM either.

If I were a teacher from 5th grade on up I'd be packing whether my district allowed it or not. Gun-free zones are ridiculous - only the victims will be "gun-free".

Once again, "fair chase" is a subjective term much like "ethics". I don't think it's right to say that anybody who uses radios doesn't believe in "fair chase" just because their definition doesn't correspond verbatim with B&C or P&Y. There are other things that those clubs might consider "fair chase" that many hunters don't agree with. This week it's radios, two months ago it was salt and trail cams - and of course there's the ongoing "foodplot" debate. It's OK by B&C if I sit in a heated blind and shoot a buck from 750 yards on a pre-patterned food plot with a "beanfield" rifle, but stalking to within 30 yards of a coues deer in open desert country with a longbow or any bow for that matter, with help from a buddy on a radio isn't fair chase? You tell me, how does one of those qualify as "fair chase" while the other does not - in your own words - not a club's bylaws.

It's actually kind of funny. I've seen trailers and 5th wheels left all summer at certain spots around Big Lake. Ironically, one year I had a coues tag in 24A and I and a friend both hauled our campers down on Tuesday after work to get a good spot. On Thursday there was a note from the Forest Service stating that it "not allowed", according to the statute they sited, to park your trailer with the intention of reserving a spot. These trailers were not there 48 hours before I was getting the "talking to" while others are left for months on end at some of the most desired sposts in the high country. Go figure. It all depends on who complains and who is "on-duty".

Yahoo - Unit 31 Nov WT

A Van Gogh mule deer! Sweet! I'm another one of those who don't beleive B&C or P&Y is the end-all in defining "fair chase". Using a radio on a hunt, to me, is no more an advantage than using salt and trail cameras, yet somehow those are not as clearly defined vis-a-vis "fair chase". We all have our own set of ethics, and for most of us it extends beyond what is legal. Personally, I wouldn't shoot a 1 year old barely legal buck even on the last day of the season, not because it isn't big enough to stroke my ego, but because I want to see it grow a few years - that's just me (Don't want my wife calling me a baby-killer either ). I don't have anything against the guy who shoots the first spike he sees. I've used radios and in my opinion it does not take the "fair chase" out of spot-and-stalk bowhunting deer in the desert. Even with radios, I've got a big goose-egg on that one. While I agree that if we see someone doing something illegal, we should call them out on it, I don't believe that we should be jumping all over someone for legally taking game in a way we might not choose to. WRT not entering a deer in the books being ego-centric and disrespectful to the animal, yeeah, I'm gonna have to go ahead and disagree with that one. Just my $.02

So, I was thinking...always dangerous...I know we'd all like to make a fake trail cam full of C-4 with a cell phone detonater, but that's a little extreme...Couldn't we come up with a lo-jak style tracking device that would help deter some of the camera thefts? It's getting to the point that you almost have to be willing to throw the camera away to leave it anywhere. Personally, I wrap mine up in steel and cables, but as we've seen above, that won't stop someone who is determined to steal the camera. Not sure what the fix is, but whoever figures it out first is gonna be a rich SOB. I say, make it impossible to remove without totally destroying it. You may still lose it, but nobody is going to get any use out of it when they are done. Dang scumbags - and yes, I know some of you who read this forum and never post are among the thieves. Shame on you if you take another man's belongings and hard work. J

I've heard the same thing - some guys just want the head and cape, and others just the head. Wrong on all accounts, so outfitters, please make your clients take the meat just as if it were a deer or elk. And would someone PLEASE spread the word to hold off on the Lab-sized yearlings??? Just saw another bear getting hauled off near Green's Peak with milk on its chin.

Sorry AZOnecam but that is completely wrong! You can not purchase an over the counter tag or even put in for the draw for ANY big game tag in Arizona without purchasing an AZ hunting license first. WFGinNM- Im sure your license is probably in the mail and just has'nt arrived yet. -Tracy My Bad, I think I looked at your handle and assumed you were talking about a New Mexico tag/license. As the posters above have pointed out, in AZ you have to first buy a license, or pay for it with your app.

It's my understanding that you get the tag for the app fee, but you have to buy the license from a dealer once you decide to go on the hunt - anyone care to correct me? One of the more liberal systems, IMO. If you draw the tag and decide not to go, you still aren't out the $$.

"the sun is to his back...that ought to give him an edge..." Chief Dan George, The Outlaw Josey Wales. Make sure your back is to the sun, get a good 35 yds from the salt (ground distance), and don't walk in on the same trails the game will use. Also, try to set it so that you have limbs behind you (from the animal's perspective) so any movements are minimized - one last thing, don't hang your stand too low if you can help it. The higher up it is, the better you scent will get pulled away by the morning updraft. Oh, and practice from that angle - shot placement seems to shift a bit from up in a tree. Good Luck, J

Sweet - back porch "blind"

You guys are on the silly sauce.

So, some of us got tags this year and some of us (me) got skunked. I've got my apps in for leftovers, but check out what I have to be jealous of ... Buddy #1 draws one of the "2" units in NM for mulies AND a 3a/c AZ archery bull tag. Buddy #2 draws a unit 13 NM goat tag, a Navajo Res archery muley tag AND a 13B AZ Strip rifle tag. Not green yet??? Buddy #3 draws the same unit 2 NM muley tag as Buddy #1 PLUS won the Sunrise 3D shoot raffle for a Ft. Apache Rez Throphy Bull tag. Pretty hard not to go "green", huh? All kidding aside, these are all great guys and very deserving. I can't wait to see how their seasons end up and hopefully we'll see some great trophy photos from all of them. To those of you who have great tags this year, congrats and make the very best of them. I was fortunate enough to draw a unit 16 NM Muzzy tag, and thanks to input from fellow CWT members, I've got a good jump on it. Good hunting, bro's! Jason

If you come to the White Mountains, you have to check out Jed Larson's Bowtech shop in Show Low. I don't even know what it's called, as he has only recently renovated the better part of a cell phone store as an archery shop, but I can tell you unequivocally, that Jed knows more about setting up and fine-tuning bows than any other archery technician I've ever met - he SERIOUSLY knows his stuff. BTW, his custom, pre-stretched bow strings totally eliminate the "creep" that you sometimes get with a new bow causing your peep to rotate. I've shot thousands of arrows from the bow he set up for me and the peep still always aligns perfectly without a rubber tube. If you want to check out his shop, PM me and I'll get you some good directions. Jason

What do you like about the triumph, specifically? Don't worry, it's not a loaded question - I'm just trying to get as much info as I can. I've never even shot an inline ML. Both of mine are Hawkins style - one flint and one percussion. Hopefully, I'll put a piggy to rest with the flintlock next Spring!

I'm on the verge of getting a new muzzle loader, so I'm already thinking about what kind of scope to top it off with. Right now I'm leaning toward the Knight Long Range Hunter but also looking at the TC/Omega and the Savage ML-II series (they shoot smokeless as well as BP substitutes). Anyway, I just had a chance to look through some Vortex binoc's and was really impressed. They advertise their Diamondback scopes as being able to stand up to ML recoil, and the price is really attractive. I'm also looking at the Leupold Ultimate Slam and Nikon Omega. Any suggestions from those of you who have experiece with these muzzleloaders/scopes is much appreciated. Thanks, Jason

Wac-em's seem to be the most copied BH out there. A close look at the G5 Striker, Cabela's Copperhead and RedHead (Bass Pro Shops) Blackout will tell you that this is a very solid design. I don't think I've ever seen so many "knock-offs" for a BH. Personally, I'm sold on Slick Tricks. They shoot like darts out of my Bowtech and the ferrule is like a freakin' nail - not to mention the razor sharp blades out of the box. But I shoot a LOT of heads and when my bow is tuned well, Slick Tricks, Wac-Em's and their clones, Muzzys, G5 Montecs and Magnus Buzzcuts all group like field points. It's kinda like most of the gear out there, you have to figure out what you have confidence in, and I'd shoot ANY of the BH's I mentioned above at just about anything that walks with confidence. BUT, if I had an elk tag, or I was going after bear, I would probably be shooting the Slick Tricks simply because you have 4 blades instead of 3 and they are more solid on impact than any other (aside maybe for the buzzcuts) than any other I've shot. I really like Montecs but after a pass-through they look like cookie dough - just not hard enough steel. One BH I haven't shot and am dying to try is the Magnus Snuffer SS. It's the same shape as the Montec, but much harder, welded steel. Just my $.02

Hey guys, let me first start off by saying that I have absolutely nothing against quads or side-by-sides. I'm just trying to figure out why they are so expensive compared to other off-road vehicles. A good *used* Ranger or simlilar side-by-side with lots of goodies can go for $12-15K or more in some instances. You could buy a really nice Jeep or similar "real truck" for that amount or a lot less. Again, I'm not bashing, just trying to understand what is driving the price of these things. Here's the skinny. I spent all last summer converting my 1987 4-Runner into a "rock crawler" with the idea of having the ultimate AZ hunting truck. Overall, it came out really good (solid axle swap, 35" tires, lift, etc.) but it suffers a little now "on-highway". So I can't use it for commuting and it's a little rough driving around town. Luckily, my lovely wife decided it was time for me to get a new Tacoma (lucky me!!!). So now, little sweety wants to sell "the beast" and get a Polaris Ranger or similar side-by-side. I'm all for it if that is what she wants, but it seems a little weird to have to sell a serious off-road truck AND put up extra $$ to buy a vehicle that has to be towed on a trailer and doesn't really seem to offer anything "extra". My personal dilemma aside, what is the appeal of these things that makes them cost more than a good used truck/jeep/etc.? Do they really offer some advantage above the "traditional" off road trucks and jeeps? Just wondering. Jason

Wow - thanks again for all the responses. You guys have me conviced (not that it was my choice ).

Thanks for all the responses so far. Keep 'em coming. I have to admit, when I see a family of 4 or 5 riding around in one of these it does look fun! How are they on really tough roads, like the mining roads? Top heavy, enough clearance, etc? BTW, I'm starting to see a lot of them buzzing around town - is the gas mileage pretty good?

Can you drop off your apps at the local office on Aug 11 or do they have to go through the mail?