Dodger2

I have three consistent hunting partners. I hunt with my dad and my brother for rifle deer. My dad got me into hunting and he is starting to slow down, but I still hunt with him even if it means not getting to that "prime" spot at that "prime" time. My time with my brother has been limited since he became a police officer and his shifts don't always match up with my time off, but we always put in together. I also hunt archery elk with him. Time spent in the field with family is priceless. I have also hunted archery deer with a friend that has taught me a lot about glassing and hunting in general. He has opened up his camp with his hunting partners to me on two occasions and I really appreciate that. I hope that I can return the favor to him at some point. I have some other friends that I have hunted with, but it has been at least 5 years since I have hunted with them. People change over time, and they have become more concerned about filling the tag and doing it their way that if I do hunt with them again, I will probably go my own way.

Couesdiehard, You are so right. Last year, we saw a total of 11 deer in 5 days. I wasn't a "great" hunt in terms of deer, but I spent all 5 of those days with my dad whose has always been my deer hunting partner. The other story involved my brother. These two guys are the two that I have always put in with. Any hunt with my dad and my brother is a great hunt no matter what the species is. Azpack, That's the beautiful thing about hunting with family, the memories will always be there. I can remember hunting with my grandfather when I was 6, I'll be 31 in July. It was raining and cold. I had my first cup of coffee and ate cornbeef hash sandwiches for lunch. We didn't see a single deer. That was the only hunt I got to share with my grandfather, but I always smile when I think of it. MattMan, I'll second your statement about son's and daughter's hunts...Mine are 3 years old (son) and 3 weeks old (daughter).

My best coues hunt was in 2002. The first weekend I was able to take a 2x2, it was 2nd coues. I was trying to get my brother one. We found a really quiet canyon and I sat down to start glassing. My brother continued around the hill to another vantage point. As he walked he kicked up some deer. He said they were does, however, I checked them again when they got to the bottom and saw the little 2x2. I tried to get my brother's attention but he kept walking until he heard my shot. He said he jumped about 10ft. in the air. He yells at me "What are you doing?!!" "You just shot a doe!" Of course I knew what I was shooting at and he never saw the buck. At first he was happy for me, but then he got kinda upset that he missed seeing that buck. The second weekend was the best part, IMO. The very last day, I was with my brother trying to get him out of his sleeping bag. We really hadn't seen a deer since I shot mine and he was really frustrated. I finally got him going about 10am. We walked down this canyon that we had never been to when he told me that he had to stop. He grabbed his TP out of his pack and headed into the trees. I asked him what he wanted me to do if I saw a buck. He said shoot me (kidding of course). I sat down and look at the ridge above us and saw...a really nice buck! I went back the trail whispering for him trying not to spoke the deer. My brother comes out of the trees yelling at me trying to zip up his pants. I am trying to convince him about the buck, he's like "Ya right". He sat down and rested his gun on the top wire of a barbwired fence at a post. I sat back watching the shot, and then BOOM, he drops it with one shot at about 400yds. I couldn't believe it. Then we argued about where the deer was the whole way up the hill. I was awesome, I don't think I'll ever forget that hunting memory! Sorry for being so long winded. Matt

I've got one made by Hunter Specialties that I bought about 10 years ago that attaches to the limbs of the bow. There are straps with buckles that go around the limbs and then the strap buckles with quick release type buckles that attaches to thoses. Are you confused yet... Anyways, it just goes over the shoulder and should you need to shoot just release the buckles and your ready. Just my $0.02. I think I paid like $8-$10 for it. Matt

Thats a real nice fish. I never have figured out how to catch bass. I've never spent a lot of time trying either since I can count how many I have caught on one hand.

I know that my wife asked me the other day about some checks that had been written in May so my have been cashed. On another note, I also applied for antelope in Wyoming and we had to have our apps and $$ to them in March. We will find out if we got drawn in Wyoming about the same time we find out about AZ so I have learned that the wait time is AZ is nothing compared to WY. I know it seems like forever, but 5 or so weeks is better than 4 months.

My wife and I had our second (a little girl) yesterday. She is a tiny little thing, but she melts your heart with one look. She is 6lbs 2oz and 18" long. She and her mommy are doing well.

I gave up on antelope here this year. I went ahead and applied in Wyoming.

I've shot 3. Nothing huge, but I'm hooked bad. I'm addicted for life.

I've got a new AR-31 that I'm working with. I'm getting use to it. Besides, this is the fun part of shooting a bow for me. I like making the adjustments until I get it just right, then I'm looking for something else to adjust. I'm trying to go about 2x a week. It always seems like its windy or rainy (this weekend) when I have time to go.

I only have two rifles, a .243win that I got when I was 12 and a 7mm WSM that I got two years ago. I have taken coues deer with both, so I really can't say which is my favorite. They both have their positives and negatives. I'm hoping I get drawn for antelope in Wyoming (2 tags) and I'm planning on taking both rifles. It would be neat to take one with each rifle.

Congrats!! I have a 2nd hunting buddy on the way. My wife and I are expecting a daughter sometime around June 7th. It will be the first little girl on my side of the family. My son, who is 2 1/2, is already asking me to go deer hunting. I can't wait for him to be old enough to go with me. At the same time, I can wait for him to grow up. It seems like it was yesterday when he was born.

I've seen a couple of coyotes with mange running around my house. It several months ago and I saw the first one at night running across the road. I saw it run across the road, something back, so I backed up and put my flashlight on it. I couldn't tell what it was, kinda freaked me out. A couple of days later I saw one during the day and man did it look bad. Both of them were completely bald. A couple of months ago, there was an article in Outdoor Life (I think) about someone in Texas killing a chupracabra (sp?). Turns out it was a mangy ol' coyote.

I'm thinking about 29, 32, and 33. I have hunted all three units. I have taken three bucks out of 32 and have a cabin in 29, its been in the family for 50 years, so I know the country really well. It might come down to a coin flip when it comes time to decide. Last year I was drawn on my 4th, and last, choice and my hunt was sort of miserable. I'm thinking this year it might be 33 November, 32 November, and 29 November.

I was up at Lees Ferry last week (Wed-Fri). It was cold and windy and the fishing was slow. The guides we talked to were struggling as well. The weather and changing flows are really effecting those fish. I know you where probably wondering about crappie fishing, but I had to give my fishing report since you wanted to know if anyone had been out fishing yet . A bad day fishing (or hunting) is better than a good day at work!

"Diurnal" means that an animal is activite during the daytime. Its the opposite of "nocturnal". I guess you could still call someone diurnal and they might think its derogatory if they don't know what it means. It's one of those words that makes people look at you funny when you use it.

I'm sorry to hear that your car got broken into. That really sucks. If it did occur at the skating rink there at Speedway and Kolb, it doesn't surprise me. Two years ago, someone tried to steal my truck in the same location. Luckily, someone pulled up in front of my truck with them in it and they bailed into a Jeep cherokee with Sonora plates on it. Anyways, I have lived in Tucson (20years), where I was born and live now, Flagstaff (6 years) and Phoenix (4 years). In that time, I have someone break into a vehicle in all three towns. I would say that it can happen anywhere and as our population continues to increase the chances of it happening will increase. It can happen anywhere!

I wish I could go, but I have to work. Every year that this is put on I have to work that day. I'd like to say thank you to everyone that participates in the event!

az4life, I cannot disagree with you more about your comment on how public education is funded. Please, be careful about your comments directed towards members of this site that are in that profession.

That depends...What type of carbon arrow are you looking at? Each company has their own size charts. Carbon express terminators come in sizes like 6075 which is basically the draw weight they are made for. Gold tips come in sizes something like 55-70. So it depends on the arrows you are looking at. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me. Hope this helps.

Think about it!! Look at the way I signed my post.

Congrats on a great buck! P.S. You wouldn't be a baseball player would you? Coach

I killed my first two coues with a .243. Both of them dropped in their tracks. My brother has killed 2 coues with his .243. I shot my coues between 150-250 yards, my brother shot his at 80 and around 400 yards. He shot the one at 400yards in the left eyeball (accidentally). I told him to hold high. I guess he did. Both of his deer dropped in their tracks. I took my last coues with a 7mm WSM. It took about 10 steps after blowing through both shoulders at 370yards. The .243 will do the job, but keep the distances reasonable. It just doesn't carry the energy out as far as the 7mm or .30 calibers. Thats why I changed to the 7mm. I don't know if this helps. Either gun is a good choice for coues.

I use a Scott mongoose with a buckle. I got it probably 12 years ago and have never had a single problem with it.

I was out Saturday morning and saw around 20 deer between 7:00ish and 10:00ish. We saw 7 bucks, 2 of which were in the 100" range and one 85" buck. They were still chasing the does around. I haven't seen the rutting activity this year like I saw last year. Saturday is supposed to be pretty rainy down here in Tucson so bring your rain gear.