naturegirl

My memory foam pillow freezes up when it's really cold out . The foam hardens up in the cold, but body heat eventually softens it up. I'm not sure if it's the type of memory foam or if all memory foam does this. I no longer take this pillow camping with me for this reason though.

I have an Outdoorsman tall that has 3 legs. I absolutely love this tripod. I'm hard on equipment and it has stood up well to my use. I've had it at least 2 years and have used it too many times to count and in all conditions from rain, snow, dirt, etc. I personally like the tall because I don't always glass sitting and with this one I can easily sit, kneel, or stand. I pack it pretty much everywhere. it is just a part of my day pack. I'm sure there is something a little lighter out there, but I, like you, questioned the durability. Outdoorsman will let you try out their equipment at their store before you buy it.

Great video!

cat paws down south and bear feet up north are my preference. Bear feet do not work well in cactus, but cat paws do okay.

I've been hunting a unit south of the valley. I typically prefer to still hunt or spot and stalk. I was still hunting on a solo hunt and came across 4 bucks with 2 does. Let me say that this was the first time I've ever seen deer rutting and I was beyond thrilled. I came over a small hill and there they were. The biggest mule deer I've ever seen in person had his nose right behind her and around them were 3 other bucks. Honestly I was surprised the other 3 bucks were so close to the doe and the monster MD. So I get my plan and haul butt up the backside of a hill to flank them and get in front of them. I got a total rush of buck fever, which was awesome. When I got to the top of the hill I was shaking so bad. I knew I couldn't hold my bow like that so I put my head down, took some deep breaths to catch my breath and calm myself down before I came over the top of the hill. The plan worked perfectly and I came out a little in front of them but up above them about 100 yards. The 2nd biggest buck walked 60 yards in front of me, looked at me/through me, turned broadside, and then just circled back toward the other deer (40 yards is my self-imposed limit and after losing a bull this is a limit I'm sticking by). Then I feel wind on the back of my neck, I watch the bucks and they do nothing, then I see the does make their escape with a bunch of antlers in tow. I did get one more opportunity at the last buck of the bunch who trailed behind the rest with his nose to the ground. I glassed him up and ran across a wash to get in front of him, but never saw him again. I have to say I'm proud of myself. I don't often toot my own horn, but for me I put two and two together on my own and got myself a shot opportunity. I also did everything just right up until that last few seconds so I've been itching to get back out there to give it another go. This happened Wednesday. I'm heading back out tomorrow and then for a couple days later this week. My plan is to go back to the general area I saw them and work it the way I did last time. It was full of deer tracks since the last rain a couple weeks ago so I know the area is being heavily used. How long does a doe stay in estrus? Why were the bucks all so close to each other - is this typical? It was obvious the dominant buck had 1st position, but I just didn't expect to see 3 other bucks right behind him. I had no planned intention of stalking the dominant buck because I know he would be harder so close to the does and the others were great bucks for me. I'm super happy I located them on a solo hunt, but I'm definitely itching to close the deal. Any pointers, thoughts, advice would be very much appreciated since I have almost no experience with the deer rut. It's obvious now for the last many years, we have hunted too early during the archery season and missed most of the rut action.

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us. I enjoyed reading about your adventures and seeing pictures of all the animals and birds. Way cool you guys got to help with the rhino

Way to go! A 10-yard shot on a pig is exciting!

I'm still at it. I sat water one afternoon because my legs were plain wore out. After sitting for 3 hours a skunk came right towards my ground blind. He had my fullest attention as I've never been this close to a skunk. he ended up walking not 5 yards to the side of me. I was concentrating on the skunk to make sure he wasn't making his way back toward me and I hear this noise back by the tank. As I'm turning my head I realize exactly what the noise is. it is slurping (just like when my horses drink). Sure enough I saw antler tips. I grab my bow (which I had laid down), but by this time he was walking away, hopped the fence, and kept on walking. I grabbed my GPS and attempted to follow, but quickly realized there wasn't enough light, I didn't have my backpack or even a flash light. I did go to Sportmans after everyone recommended a can call and they were sold out. I did buy a grunt call that also can be a doe call so I gave it a whirl as he walked away, but I got no response. Sometimes I have had beginners luck with calling, but not this time. He was gone. Anybody got a can call I can borrow? I'm in Queen Creek/South Gilbert.

FYI - my husband has 15's and I have 10's. He has taken over using my 10s when I'm not there. He likes mine a lot better because of the larger field of view. He said he has has picked up way more animals glassing with my 10s than his 15s. He's not wanting to spend the money this season, but next season he will have 10s he said.

I have a pig tag, but have been solely hunting deer this season. Twice I've come across pigs that were pretty close and I just watched them feed and go on their way. My husband has been on them a couple times with his buddies. Funny thing was he was on a herd of pigs and game and fish was doing surveys that day via helicopter and they ended up hovering right over the pigs he was on. Nothing you can do but laugh at that one. Good luck everyone!

I've bought both from Sportmans in Mesa optic counter (just a month ago) and also from Outdoorsman. I had great service at both places. Outdoorsman let me try 3 different binos outside on tripods which was very helpful. Sportsmans also was helpful when helping me pick out binos for my son for Christmas.

The difference is the respect you have for the animal you are hunting.

I do like you and have been doing it since my kids were little. We go to Saguaro and there is a beach we typically go to. We always have a black trash bag and fill it up. I'll stop and grab cans people throw out their windows. Our camp sites are always cleaner when we leave then when we got there. I'm not fond of picking up after lazy slobs, but I try to dome some here and there so nature looks more like it was intended to.

Cool looking buck! Congrats!

Crazy cool buck! Congrats and way to stay after him!

So fun! I will NOT tell my husband about this! Our 5 year old picked out a $20 helicopter for Christmas for him and he absolutely loves it! He actually enjoyed it so much that he ended up buying one for his buddies at the station. Please post more videos as you get them

Are you talking about horseshoe park equestrian center? I live in the area and I was just at Horseshoe Park a week or so ago and I didn't see any new store there.

Beautiful post! Thanks for starting this. If the predator call isn't taken, I'd sure like to have it. (update - it's been fun with the call. Taking it out this weekend to see if we will have any beginner's luck) EDIT: My pay it forward items are gone Again, this was a great post.

Since I've posted these pictures, I've been shown other pictures from the same tank with a lioness and 2 cubs, kittens, "immature lions," or whatever we should call them. My husband and I have been talking and would like to hunt lions and coyotes after the unit closes for pig hunts. We do not know much about predator hunting, but I do know that the lion population is healthy in this particular area so we will at least attempt to do our part and hunt the hunters. Most hunters I know (and most definitely myself) hunt deer, elk, etc., but never hunt predators. I haven't personally hunted this unit in a couple years, but I have been there a bit over the last couple weeks. There's definitely still a great population of pigs and I managed to see about as many mule deer as I always have in the past. Just yesterday I watched 4 bucks (one was a monster-biggest I've ever seen) with 2 does. I had 3 stalk opportunities and got 60 yards from the 2nd biggest one, but couldn't close the gap any closer and the does busted me. Not too bad for a solo hunt though. I haven't spoken to G&F yet, but I will to inquire how he thinks the deer population is doing knowing the lions appear to be thriving in the area.

We live in the far southeast valley, but "in town" so to speak and this is what my next door neighbor caught. She came out to feed her chickens and this bob cat was in her coup. All but a couple of her chickens were dead. it got scared and climbed out, but it came back the next night for all but one of the remaining chickens. This is when they got the cat trap out. Their coup is right next to our property. We have close to a mile buffer of houses between us and the mountain. I was just a bit surprised and actually was hesitant to believe it until I saw the picture. I guess I know where the neighborhood stray cats went because I haven't seen them in awhile. I know nothing about bob cats. About how old is this cat? It's in a standard sized cat trap.

Awesome buck!

Great buck that went to a well-deserving dad

Congrats! Sounds like an exciting close shot!

They sure are beautiful animals. My neighbors have had their farm for over 20 years and this is the first bob cat they have seen. Is that old enough to not have the mama hanging around?

Congrats on a beautiful buck!