Tines

Sadly, it's only going to get worse as we see the new generation of "hunters" who seem to get trophy critters handed to them. Make a difference- teach a kid HOW to hunt, not WHAT to hunt....

The hound hunters won't shoot small/young lions in these areas even when there are multiple bag limits in effect! I would like to here if the new night hunting with lights has any success! Unfortunately there might be too much success shooting the WRONG critter, I'll bet.

Here's the video. Some you've seen, some new ones too! Enjoy...

Take/Hunt From A Vehicle (A.R.S. 17-301 B, R12-4-319) Pages 104 and 121 No person may take wildlife from a motor vehicle (including watercraft and aircraft), except as permitted by Commission Order, and under the provisions of the Challenged Hunter Access Mobility Permit Commission Rule (R12-4-217). “Take,” as defined by law, includes pursuing, shooting, hunting and killing wildlife. You are unlawfully using a vehicle to take wildlife if you intentionally drive around until you see the animal you wish to harvest and then make an attempt to take. “Road hunting” is illegal; so is pursuing wildlife with a vehicle, chasing or heading off moving wildlife with a vehicle, and driving offroad to get closer to wildlife. You do not have to shoot from the vehicle to be in violation. Why is this so difficult for people to grasp? If you understand the definition of "road" and "take", you're good to go...

The law is vague for a reason. It allows the department the ability to bust who they want, when they want. The way it's written, yes, we're all in violation. But each warden will interpret it to fit his/her agenda at the time. I'll continue to hunt the way I hunt and if some warden wanted to bust me for "road hunting", he probably could, based on the way it's written. Just use common sense and you'll be fine. I think we all know when someone (or ourselves) is road hunting. It's usually pretty obvious. Some won't deny it. Some will justify it to their death as they "just happened upon an animal while driving from point A to B." If you feel like you could be cited for road hunting, you're probably road hunting. If you constantly find yourself driving from point A to B to C to D and then back again throughout the day, you're probably road hunting. We're all opportunists. I shot a buck during a December hunt while driving back to camp. No big deal to me. But I know what I was doing and what I wasn't. Just be honest with yourself and use common sense.

I grew up and spent a lot of time in 37a. I've yet to see a wt in there. That's okay, I don't see a lot of things. There probably are a few in there. But like someone else mentioned, better check the regs to know what units are opened and those that aren't.

After finishing up with the Kaibab hunts we had the opportunity to tag along on a few leftover tags. As most have mentioned already, the October hunt was HOT and the first few days of the first November hunt was WINDY! Either way, it was good times all around and here's a few pictures to share. Hope everyone enjoys! Quite a few pictures and stories to share so I'll try to sum it up as best as I can. Opening morning sunrise. Lance standing next to some water bottles left for the illegals by the "humanitarians". I will say that in 6 days of hunting, not one illegal was seen. BP or somebody is doing their job. Did I mention the weather was bad?? This was a crazy mist being blown in. It almost felt like we were hunting near the coast. There's always great food in a TLO camp. We had Tri-tip, bacon wrapped dove/shrimp/jalepeno, seasoned whole chickens (split), baked potatoes and much more. Thanks to Ben's father, Jeff, for much of that!! First hunter is Luke. Luke and I had just a couple of days to hunt during the October hunt. Luke is a blast to hunt with! He's taken a couple of Coues bucks with us. He's pretty dang lethal and LOVES venison so keeping him off the trigger is work in and of itself. Ha! So it was a good thing we found a good buck for him on the first day. After a slow morning, we finally found two bucks running together at about 9am. The bucks were a tad more than 500yds. Luke was shooting my rifle and both are capable of making the shot. But I've made a pact with myself to do everything I can to get as close as possible. I really felt we could cut the distance close to half of that. We watched both bucks lay down so we then bailed off the point to a ridge just in front of the bucks. We get there to find the bucks in the same spot. The distance was now 240yds. The grass was pretty tall so laying prone with the bipod wasn't an option. Luke felt pretty good about this rest. We felt like we could sneak a bullet through the branches but our first shot nailed one, of course! The buck stood up and walked out of the top of the tree but stopped to give us a second shot. Luke made it count and the buck dropped in his tracks. Here's Luke with his biggest Coues buck to date, a 3x3 with some extras!! Next is Ben. This was Ben's first deer hunt. Due to school obligations, he only had 3 days to hunt. He took two tom turkey's with TLO in NM this past spring and although he's quiet, he's a really fun kid to be around. The first part of this hunt was tough. The wind blew hard! Bucks were found but nothing came together until his 3rd (and last) day of hunting. Here's Ben set up on a buck on the 2nd evening but light faded faster than we'd hoped. Either way, the weather was predicted to be better the next morning and it was. First thing the next morning we found a good 3 point buck not more than 200yds from where we were glassing. This was Ben when the buck was found so you can imagine how excited he was when 5 seconds later we were saying "SHOOT!!". Well, Ben missed the buck a couple of times and he got away. We continued to glass and later that morning found another buck across the canyon. The buck bedded and the plan was made. Once again, we moved as close as possible and got set up. Here's Ben dry-firing on the buck before the shot is taken. The distance was 375yds. Coaching Ben and teaching him the clicks on the scope. Ben made a great first shot, breaking both front shoulders. The bullet entered a little low but the buck didn't go far and presented Ben with a good follow up opportunity. Thanks for shooting straight, Ben!! First Coues stripes Here's what's left of the 110gr Accubond from Ben's buck. Last is Scott. Some of you might recognize Scott from some of our other pictures or videos. This is Scott's 11th hunt with TLO. Scott's become MUCH more than a client over the years. Just like when any of our closest friends draw a tag, we were just as excited to help Scott on this leftover hunt. After passing on several bucks, we glassed up this buck by himself where not many people, wind OR sun venture into. He was 400yds away. We got set up on him right away but things just weren't right. Lance and Scott moved down to the next point while I stayed back and spotted. The buck moved further down the canyon but with the distance Lance and Scott cut off, the shot was 350yds. With the video camera rolling, I waited for them to set up which didn't take long. The shot rang out and the buck trotted forward with an obvious broken front shoulder. But he only moved about 30yrds and stopped. The bullet entered the should but exited in the front of his chest. Must have been quartered away more than anticipated. This is where Scott gets WAY excited and misses the buck two times! Ha! But Lance manages to get Scott calmed down and he makes a good shot on the buck who goes barreling down into the canyon. This is Scott's first Coues buck and I'm sure won't be his last. Congratulations, bud on a great first buck!! First Coues stripes How cool is it that we can still chase Coues deer with a rifle even if we didn't get drawn?? Thanks for enduring!!

I understand your frustrations but that's kinda hard when from August-December there's probably a hunt going on. Just another downside to "more opportunity". Glad nobody screwed you up, though.

I agree. I realize times have changed but how many of us grew up knowing kids who cared about the quality of a tag they drew? I never knew one. I sure wasn't one. I really don't mind kids drawing quality tags. I just hope that in the mean time parents are teaching them the same principles and ideals that keeps the fire burning for us. Premium tags and giant critters are a great privilege AND responsibility. Some adults can't handle it. Let's be careful what we expect from our kids.

Pretty dang cool! Hopefully it's beefed up enough because those long, light risers have a tendency to bend in presses. 3.5lbs would be nice on our long stalks out here!

Very cool! Was this DIY? What part of MX? Thanks....

Congratulations on the pics AND the buck! Could it be possible that it's a different buck you shot? There are some very similar characteristics but a couple that look different. Might just be the angle of the kill photo compared to the trail cam. -In the kill photo his left G1 looks like it curves left. In the trail cam it appears to curve right. -His right G2 in on the trail cam seems to curve in (to the left) and also seems to be longer. The kill photo looks as if the G2 goes straight up and shorter. Don't take this as me down playing either one. Could easily be the angle of the photos. Both are great bucks! Just something I noticed. Congrats again....

That was great! I'll admit, though, I laughed because I've been there all too often! haha!

An antler restriction probably won't happen (nor do I feel it would help THIS particular issue) but to address it further, I'll share some thoughts based on what you've mentioned. Try venturing off into new areas that don't get as much pressure. Maybe you'll see less deer but I don't think I've ever NOT found deer in all of the places I've been in 33. That being said, some of those "high pressure" areas have little pockets that will always hold deer. But even when you have deer all to yourself in a pocket, I know how obnoxious it can be to have hunters all around within sight of you. But if you hunt in those high traffic areas, think outside the box and look into places that might not be easily glassed, even if they're "close to a road". You might reconsider just WHEN you go into the field as well. Middle of the week will always produce less hunter traffic. I realize some people might not have this luxury but it is generally more quality time spent in the field. A few yrs ago I found an area in the preseason that was literally crawling with deer. I glassed up 65 wt (14 bucks) from one spot in 4 hrs in an area down south and I was pretty dang excited for my December hunt. Only to find out that about 20 camps and hunters would be littered all through there during the first 3 general hunts. It's depressing but it is what it is. In fact, a good buddy of mine mentioned "I wouldn't step foot in there at all before the season starts because that area will depress you." I ended up shooting a good buck in that area on the 2nd week of my December hunt. So I guess the hunters didn't find ALL of the bucks... Good luck...

Lots of deer in 33, that's no secret. Game and Fish obviously know this too. Which is why there's an increase in tags. Based on the increase in tags and success rates, they're assuming that a few extra bucks will be shot compared to previous years (not that big of a deal to them). 33 is a giant unit. Lots of country to hunt. Even then, it can be difficult to get away from other hunters. The problem I see is the "bottleneck" issues that more permits will create. Those who get frustrated because they run into a ton of hunters every year, be prepared, it's only going to get worse. Even if deer numbers are up, 90% of hunters CAN'T (or won't) access 50% of the deer. Many hunters will hit the popular areas in ANY unit where roads go through premium country. My advice, scout a LOT. If you can't, apply for the December tag and have the unit to yourself.... Frustrating, huh?

The new Swarovski EL Rangefinder has it. It will be available in a few months, I guess. But I don't have a couple grand laying around either..

How much is a Javelina tag on the San Carlos?

Tony, We had a golden retriever with the same problem. After a drain was inserted once, about a month later it came back. Vet also recommended a change in her diet. We found that she had an allergy to wheat which is why her ears itched. She'd shake and scratch her head so much, causing the vessels to break in the ear. Hopefully you (or Hershey) don't have to do this again....

Unit 1. They appear to have fallen off a truck or something on the side of the road. Still in great shape. I'd love to claim them as "mine now"... But if I lost mine, I sure would be grateful to the person who tried to find its rightful owner (ME!!). Give me description and location (I'm sure you know where you misplaced them) and they're yours. Im staying in Eagar right now. In and out of signal. 520-241-6684 Jake

Sad, sad stuff, my friend. Lark, This is a tough one for me. I've "backed out" in the evening, only to find the critter not far from last blood and everything went as planned. I've also followed GOOD blood in the dark, only to bump the animal and end up losing it. I learn something new in the field everyday. Honestly, I HATE blood trails! I love it when they go down in sight. In the end, you've committed to that wounded animal and all meaures should be taken to recover it. Unfortunately the meat cant be salvaged, sometimes. But a lot of the times it can! And sometimes it does mean to back out and come back in the morning if that's what the "signs" are telling you. Sounds to me the problem was some random hunter who cut the horns off of a bull that he stumbled upon (if that was truly his bull). In my experience, sick animals don't go more than a half mile unless they're pushed. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule. But sick animals want to lay down and drink. Predators, elements and humans are probably the only thing telling it to "get up and keep going!"

Good luck with getting things sorted out. I, on the other hand, wore out my thesaurus trying to understand half of what was being said in the last few posts..... Bottom line, some hunters have twisted ideals on what is acceptable and what isn't. Someone posted earlier that as long as you spend time in units where older aged-class animals are being hunted (especially during the rut), you're going to run into this. Sad....

I got this buck on camera several times back in February. Sometimes he was by himself but other times he would rut does. Pretty cool! I was pretty excited to get the pictures of him as I feel he's a young buck with great genetics. While hiking out from checking the camera a few days ago, here they are, as they lay. I'll admit, my first thought was that someone had found them and put them down because they were less than 2 feet apart! HAHA!

Who needs eyeguards when you've got 125" of antler everywhere else......

I haven't been on there in a few years but I've glassed them up on the Northwest portion of the base as well...

Yeah, February...... Nothing in velvet yet. Hoping so. Congrats on your buck, btw!!