Coach

Awesome year. I really like these type of "recap the year" threads where we get to see all the great trophies and highlights a person or family have accomplished. Great job!

Unfortunately, that's public land hunting. As others have mentioned it's still first come first served. If you get there first and he decides to sit right next to you anyway it'll be uncomfortable, but not unheard of. These days it seems one of the biggest challenges in hunting is finding a good spot isn't really obvious with the hopes that someone else won't also find it - but that is tough to do. On the other hand, there are people who stake out 5, 10, even dozens of spots with trail cams and stands but they can only be in one of those at any given time. Just putting your gear up in an area doesn't give you any special rights to that spot. Maybe he's banking on the chance that you'll be sitting somewhere else the day he decides to hunt there - and maybe he'll be ethical enough, if he does come in and find you sitting there first to back out quietly. Best of luck on your hunt.

Sneaking into bow range on a buck with a bunch of does has to be the ultimate challenge. I've tried it lots of times and the closest I've gotten is - well, not very close. So many eyes and ears and the terrain is open and noisy. Just keep at it. From what I've heard, sooner or later, that guy will make a mistake. Hasn't happened for me yet, but I figure every time you get busted you learn something. And the more you fail and learn, the better your chances on the next stalk. Best of luck to you.

Man - that is absolutely awesome. What a great season for this young lady, and what a great job you did helping her make the best of some great tags. Huge kudos to you both.

Hard part is finding where the squeak is coming from. I've had that from time to time and can only hear it when I'm wearing it. It's almost like that noise from under your truck that only happens when you drive it. You pretty much need to be under it while it's moving to find out where it's coming from.

So, just to be clear. When the spear-heads want to talk smack, 2014 - CATS WIN.

Great job to both of you!

TJ's a tough old bird - chases wounded piggies into catclaw thickets on hands and knees. He's also the kind of man that would give the shirt off his back, or his last dime to help someone in need. The news that he's OK aside from some bruising is just awesome to hear. TJ, my best thoughts and prayers to a speedy recovery.

It's still like 2.65 or so up here on the mountain.

Wow, that is terrible news. TJ & Peg will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sorry I don't have any pictures. While doing some canyoneering around Moab last year, a guide pointed out an interesting plant species. I don't recall what it was but it basically looks like dirt that has been frozen giving it an upward/downward structure. Apparently, these plants can be thousands of years old are a key component of cycling oxygen into the soil, making other plant life possible. I thought he referred to it as diatomaceous earth, but that is apparently the remains of hard-shelled algae. Anybody know what this is? edited, I found a picture.

We hit it a long time ago. But there are still plenty of elk, coues, muleys, goulds, merriams, javis, 'yotes, lions, bears, bobcats, foxes, coatis, p-dogs, ducks, geese and quail to keep us busy if we hunt hard and know the seasons and laws. Say what you want about AZ, but with almost the entire state designated public land, and with hunting seasons that literally span the whole year, there really isn't an argument that outdoorsmen and women don't have ample opportunity to get out and enjoy the state. That's not even scratching the surface of prospecting, 4-wheeling, canyoneering and other things you can do 365 days a year on millions of square acres of public land.

9 out of 10 times I stay out of these threads. The minute someone says merry X-mas I get defensive. Taking Christ out of Christmas is to me, like spitting on the grave of soldiers.

Great deadhead, Clay.

I'm a little particular when it comes to boots. Being well equipped from optics to packs, to the right gun/load - it seems never ending. But boots, that's literally where the rubber hits the dirt and you can't do much without taking care of your feet and ankles. I usually wear Cabela's boots because they have always been great for me. My current boots are the Meindl Perfekt Hunter. Great boots, but they are wearing faster than my old Mountain Hunters, also from Cabelas. So, I'm looking for my next pair of boots and trying to look for the very best ones. I'm looking at Asolo, Kenetrek and now Scarpa. For the record, I bought a pair of scarpa Mojito "approach" shoes, and these are definitely some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. The other thing Scarpa offers that Kenetrek and all the rest don't is they are in European sizes. For me that's a big deal because I'm actually a 12 1/2. 12s are usually too short, 13's a little loose. And nobody in America seems to think that 1/2 sizes should go beyond 11. So I'm looking at these: http://www.amazon.com/Scarpa-Mens-Kinesis-Hiking-Ebony/dp/B005LCOZDK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417741267&sr=8-2&keywords=scarpa+boots And they've got great reviews. Anyone out there tried them yet?

I'm sure the devils enjoyed the game on TV. After getting spanked at home with no bowl chances, that is.

Nice job. What a great looking buck and being out there huntin' with Dad has to be icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing.

Prayers sent. Best wishes, Ernesto!

Can't believe I missed this. Bummer.

My perfekt hunters are on about their 5th year, and probably will last another 5+ years. And while I'm a little hard on boots, I use Obenauf's to keep them in good shape. The majority of wear is along the bottom third of the boot. The reinforced rubber/kevlar along the bottom has been beaten through by miles of hard hiking and now the leather is exposed and stretching out a bit.

I think we can all imagine the meeting where graphs showed that adding more tags during non-rut hunts meant more proceeds for the state and more opportunity for sportsmen. It was an easy sale - "Everybody wins". Problem is, like so many things that look alluring, the bad, ugly side doesn't show up until later. At which time "I told you so" doesn't mean squat.

Only in California. They'll have special protection laws for cockroaches before they fix their gang problems. Been there, gotten my truck stolen from the Sea World parking lot, only to turn up in Tijuana when they ran out of diesel. Interesting thing about CA, they've got a huge conservative population - the ones who built businesses and prospered in the real-estate boom. Then the Berkley and SF nuts took over their politics.

Not sure how I missed this thread. Wow, Creed. That is a BEAUTIFUL buck right there. Huge congrats!

Hunts - Mexico deer hunts, TX hog hunts (can probably get those donated). That kind of thing. Gear is great, but winning the chance to go on a really cool hunt is pretty universal, IMO.

That's friggin awesome. You guys just gave this man an amazing gift. My hat's off to you!