BirdDog20

I was hoping they would've stocked it with nothing but minnows and left them for a year. Get a good foundation of baitfish, then add the predators after the foundation is established so that the bass / catfish / crappie (if they did crappie) don't get stunted. I guess they added some lunkers ... but things can get out of balance quick if there's no forage. How does the burn look like it's recovering?

This is what we use: http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/topic/28228-camp-alarms/page__p__276487#entry276487 We camp higher up ... not in the flats, so there's only a couple of main walkways through the trees around camp which we set up.

Woot ... just found out I got 36B Nov30 hunt.

When I was in college, I saw one of the biggest buck I've seen pre-season in the Batamote Hills down pretty low. He was bedded at the crown of a hill that rose up out of the flats. There was about a 95" buck that he made look small. My dad and I both thought he went around 120". Never saw him again though. Have seen several good sized ones in Cerro Colorados on both sides and I used to hunt the Sierritas quite a bit. The one in my right hand is from there.

Then again, I might not get anything ... I didn't send it to the Carefree Hwy address. Didn't see those instructions till today and sent it on Thursday. Oh well, if not, I save almost $400.

I put in 35B nov30 for my 5th choice. Not likely that I get that one (hoping I get choice 1 or 2), but Patagonia was where I first started hunting back in '84. It would be nice to go back for old time's sake.

When is the second chance deadline for leftover tags? I was at a bowling tournament In Baton Rouge then went fishing in the Keys with my dad and we totally whiffed on the June deadline. At least my dad lives in-state. I'm going to have to try to time my overnight mail. If nothing else, I hope he gets a tag so I can bring my son back to camp and help him out, but I hope to pick up a tag myself as well.

Haha. I wonder how long that broadhead has been embedded? Could you imagine if it were a recent shot and the guy missed out on a Pope and Young head b/c he sinus'd him? Lol. That's pretty cool. I'd leave the head boiled out.

Pretty cool rack! Awesome job. Love the pictures telling the story and I compliment you on a successful stalk. Always memorable.

So what does everyone think about the new hires: Todd Graham and Rich Rod? Pretty interesting considering their past history and Rich Rod pulling 3 assistants away from Pitt right before Graham bolted for a sideways move to ASU. (Probably could have been handled better). That ought to just add to the rivalry. I honestly don't know much more about Graham. Not sure what offense / defense he likes to run. You would have to think that ASU would have the advantage with the majority of the better in-state recruits being in their backyard. However, I am hopeful that RichRod can make some inroads there. Other than that, I've always been intrigued by the deceptiveness of the spread option. Love what Oregon does ... so darn effective. I'm very curious what the Wildcats version of the spread option will look like. Hopefully our defense will suck just a little less than last year. Lol. It was horrible, but at least we get several injured starters back. No where to go but up there.

When UofA gets basketball recruiting classes like they have been the last couple of years with the arrival of Miller ... I'd have to say yes, basketball just may rule the roost for some time. Then again, we have to be excited for football and what RichRod brings. Not sure what to expect next year. I think offense will be there. Defense will make or break. Within 3 years, we should be rolling (still 2nd fiddle though )

My dad grew up in Tucson from the 30s. He used to hunt where the Sahurita (sp) and Pima mines are by Green Valley in the 50s before turning solely to Whitetail later. Nothing lives on those tailings. That land is useless. I'm also disappointed that we have lost access to the area by the Magee Ranch Rd b/c mines ate up access. Had several 100 point heads pegged there till about 2-3 years ago. I look across the valley from 36B to see if that little honey hole has been entirely displaced yet and its sad. By the same token, supposedly Rosemont Copper is managed completely different. More environmentally friendly and compatible. Mind you this is hearsay. As much as I despise what has happened in the Sierrita's I see the economic need and the hope that the land left behind won't be completely useless but managed properly. Funny thing how they held a town meeting in Green Valley which is by obvious eyesores, yet the Rosemont Copper site is no where near there. That big ugly scar on the Santa Ritas is a granite mine (if my dad's info is correct). (Voted no impact - voip network engr in Texas).

Congrats. Really nice buck. I'm glad all the hard work paid off for you.

Loved the story. Really nice buck. Congrats. Noticed that the bucks were on the does earlier this year as well.

Born and raised in Tucson, I grew up with an appreciation for the mountains of Southern AZ. Finally moved away after college in '95, but I always come back every year for deer season. Too bad I couldn't afford a lifetime license back then, I would have saved a fortune. Every year, instead of forking over $96.25, it runs $384. That $675 cost for the lifetime would have paid for itself many times over in the last 16 years. But hunting Arizona for the challenge and camaraderie is part of my heritage and I hope I can pass it off to my son as well. At 74, I'm nearing the end of an era hunting with my dad. He stays in shape for hunting (and bowling) ... but how much longer could it last? Gotta enjoy it while you can! And besides I could never hunt in Texas over a feeder. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to draw a late hunt tag (36B). First one in 10 years. Drive in from Houston area was grueling. 12 hours to get across Texas to El Paso alone. Left Wednesday and got to my dad's house 22 hours later (usually takes 17ish - but i must be getting old ... had to pull over to nap. Better safe than sorry). Took Dec7 - Dec18 off for the drive / hunt. Day 1 - Saw 18 deer, including 3 bucks. First thing in the morning, had a shot at a decent buck, but I let him go looking for a 100pt head. I couldn't see the eyeguards or the 3rd point out at 600 yards. But he did have some mass. Attached 2 pics which I enlarged. A little blurry ... I thought it was an old forkie past his prime, so i hiked up the mountain and jumped a decent 3x3 twice. It didn't have mass, so I let him go as well. My dad's 74 now, so he doesn't go on the crazy hikes like I do any more ... anyway that original buck fed down to ~ 250 to 300 and turned out to be a decent 3pter (so he says). I think he just wanted me to take him. Lol. Day 2 - Not much doing. Went higher up on the mountain, but it was blustery and tough to glass. Just saw a bunch of doe. Day 3 - Went down to Pena Blanca. Big mistake. He had heard there was a burn, but we didn't realize just how severe it was. Amazing. I wish I took pictures. Funny how the deer trails recovered first ... you could see the yellow grass paths going all over, but it was desolate. Took the opportunity to drive Ruby Rd and many of the 4x4 trails off it. Some great looking country that i've never seen before. I was impressed with what the Border Patrol had set up with the sentry outposts high atop the peaks. My dad and I joked that they may have set the fire because it sure made it a heck of a lot easier to keep a visual on all the cuts and draws. Day 4 - Went back to an area down Arivaca Rd. This was the start of the rain. Great looking country, but I think the rain had the deer in a different pattern. I got soaked as I tried to walk them up after not glassing up anything. The deer ended up being in the bottom of the cuts out of the weather (and out of sight). At least I validated that they were there. Day 5 - Dang rain ... harder than the previous day. I love that the rains had come. The country needed it ... but dammit, couldn't it come during the week i'm not hunting. . Learned my lesson from the previous day. Tried glassing from the truck. Made a makeshift shelter out of the extra scraps of emergency ponchos. Day 6 - Rain finally stopped, but not much doing. Just a handful of doe. Met a hunter from Utah who took a nice 85-90ish head. I'll have to post it later. Cool to see one of the other 4 non-res hunters in 36B. Day 7 - Last day. Went back to try to find the first buck as my dad said he was heavier than the one Utah took. Sat all morning into the afternoon, but didn't see him. Then started slowly climbing out of the canyon we had been hunting. I look up and saw a doe silhouetted on a heavy ocotillo hill. Didn't see anything else around, so we started moving again and two other doe spooked out. I look up again and there he is. I could see him looking down, ears alert, could see the rack / curl. I could only see his face and neck clearly. Super thick. I thought I could see the top of his back and thought there was a prickly pear hiding the rest of his body. I ended up aiming for where his front shoulder should have been and let go a round. And ... like that, he was gone. I got up there and there was rocks in the way. No blood. Anyway, that's the bitter sweet end to my hunt. If i would have shot at his throat through the only clear opening I had, I could have dropped him. Incidentally the deer i shot last year was 325 in a crosswind angling into me a bit and i hit him at the base of his spike and turned him into a unicorn. No wasted meat! But I was leery about shooting this one and hitting him high. The shot setup was makeshift as we were on the broadside of a hill and he knew something wasn't quite right. The plus side is that he should make it another year. Sorry for the length. Since I have no pictures of dead deer, i can only offer some scenic pics : Experimenting with panoramic mode on my camera. Fog rolling in on us. My dad's makeshift stove to make hot chocolate up on the mountain. Everything collapses back into the can. Nice to heat up rocks for a hand warmer too. Lol.

Those hiking sticks are invaluable. Lol. I've used that one for about 12 years (at least). Painted it to make it darker and put a rubber stopper from a crutch to soften the sound. My dad put a javelina snout on the top of his (ha - no thanks!) I use mine all the time to break trails and to steady my bino's for a quick glass when I'm still hunting so i don't have to break out the tripod from the pack. We still carry our deer out whole and that third leg has save me countless times from taking a tumble. My dad ended up driving back with me for the holidays. Going dove hunting tomorrow ... my treat. Funny you mention the deer in the hill country Coach. Saw several in the middle of the night on the side of the road ... one made buck was super nice and made me go "woah". At the same time, I'm just hoping they don't get spooked and jump out in front of us only to end up in our lap. Always a great trip and I appreciate any time I get back there. Thanks for the comments.

As much as I'd like to see ASU's coaching search drag on to late December / early January ... heck sometime in February is fine with me (after signing day ... paralysis by analysis, I actually would like to see you guys dump Boise State on their heads. Always root for the Pac12 in their non conference games. Makes the league look that much stronger.

Driving out Wednesday morning. 12 hours to get across Texas, then another 4 or 5 from El Paso. Excited and ready for opening day. Glad that it's been cold. Hopefully rut starts early this year. I technically don't have to be at work until Dec19, but gotta add time in for the drive home. 36B.

Congrats to everyone on filling ... and man - Talk about a beautiful buck. Ideal. I start driving Wednesday for my hunt.

Born in 71. Little before my time considering the "conflict" ended in what '76 / '77. I was 6 or so.

Pepsi tastes better anyway. What was the hubub about Fonda? Was that back when Dubya was still pres?

Lol. That was my initial thought too. Funny to scroll down and see it in print.

A&M firing Sherman might make Sumlin a tougher pull. Lots of talk on the radio here in Houston has A&M alumni clamoring for Sumlin. If anything, it might drive up his price. You guys still in the red? Pulling funds from the state?

Heh. Apparently you did not get my joke rebuttal. Lark: now bring me my pizza. BirdDog: Ingrates, man I tell ya ... give em a little change and they expect a whole dang pizza. You people are all the same! No more handouts for you! You can go get "your pizza" or whatever's left AFTER we're done ... Dumpster diving in the garbage bin. Beggars can't be choosers ya know. See what i did there? You went the the common pizza delivery approach. I spun it around. Not too far fetched ... i'm kind enough to give you my spare change and yet, you still demand my leftovers (i.e Pizza). You want pizza ... go get it (i'm done you can have the rest).

Sheesh {feigning frustration} Ingrates, man I tell ya ... give em a little change and they expect a whole dang pizza. You people are all the same! No more handouts for you! You can go get "your pizza" or whatever's left AFTER we're done ... Dumpster diving in the garbage bin. Beggars can't be choosers ya know.