Petersen

Me and a couple of buddies are heading down to 36A on Friday for a week or so. I was there three or four years ago and there was plenty running around. Hopefully I can get my first coues with a bow. If not, a muley might work as well.

I think this was best answered with simply "$$$" and "he can". Seems a lot get wound up in the radio this or that, fair chase, etc., but the bottom line is loving to hunt and having the money to do it as you please. If I was wealthy and could spend $15k-$20k a year in Nevada to hunt mulies I could maybe do the same or at least have a lot of fun trying. I just wish I had $5k to spend on one of the landowner tags for this area. As a Nevada resident I can't even draw out for the area this buck was killed in.

This is very unfortunate. As a nonresident I can barely afford the license fees, as is, and the increases effect all the residents as well. We all must remember that the "I" is not the only one hunting and these traditions, for many of us, are passed on to our kids. Taking the youngsters, as my father did with me, is a way to build experiences together and show them what hunting is all about. I am sure you all have experienced the impossibility of explaining the experience to those that have never hunted. The passion is something that can't be explicated in words. This will also have great effects in the bordering states. If Arizona does it, why don't we. Not to single Arizona out, my home state, Nevada, has already begun with their increases. This "way of life" of mine has certainly changed since my birth. Hunting has been publicized and fashionalized to great extents. There have been inventions to cover almost every dang corner of your imagination to use in the field, and it makes me wonder, "how did my dad use to do it" and "dang, doesn't anybody just go hunting anymore". Droves of persons come into the hills in the fall with more on wheels than I owe on my mortgage. That is fine, some have worked very hard for all these things they "need" to harvest an animal. I am my own critic in this regard as I have about $5k in equipment on my person when on foot, and yes I did work hard for it myself. Anyways, sorry for the banter but these matters are frustrating and depressing, but I can assure you all of this, my kids are going to be the best dang coyote and jackrabbit hunters out there. After all, they will soon be charging per game bird when they decide upland game stamps don't seem to produce enough revenue.

My dad left to go back the day after Christmas and I haven't heard from him yet. The weather doesn't look too good down there and it looks like it may clear up for the last few days of the hunt. I had an archery tag but didn't even give it a try as I was busy hunting with the rifle boys. I don't think it would of been too hard to tag a little mule deer buck if I would of had a chance to put in a little time.

Well the the first part of the big rifle hunt for the Coues is over for the moment. The bucks were just really starting to get into the rut. During the first few days the spikes were playing around and sparring with each other. Only bucks of this caliber and a large 7 point were following the does that we saw. After a couple of days it started getting better and we were locating some larger bucks. On the fourth day of the hunt we located an eight point that would easily go over 90". The mass of this buck's horns were evident in the spotting scope. Unfortunately he moved into a thick bottom during the stalk. This buck and the smaller one he was with ended up sneaking out on us. Later that day while we were glassing in the Las Guijas mountains I located a Mountain Lion and it was a big cat. That was real exciting as it is the first Mountain Lion I had ever seen in the wild and we were able to watch him for a length of time. There were about six javelina feeding about fifty yards below him as well. I think the kitty wanted piggy for dinner. On the sixth day of the hunt my father (who had one of the tags) and myself were able to close the gap on the large 8 point we watched on day four. The first stalk put us to 425 yards and at this time this buck and the one with him made us and the walked over the ridge. The buck that was with him was significantly wider but his horns were thinner and the points were shorter. We then put together another stalk and worked to them from another angle. This stalk put us at 375 yards from the deer and we couldn't get closer. The shot failed to make a long story short. On day seven a friend of ours who had the other tag located what I think was the same two bucks with four does. He was able to bag the deer that was thinner and wider than the heavy horned eight point. This deer grossed about 96 (a nine poitn) and will only have a couple of inches of deductions. The deer had a 16 inch outside spread. I will post pics when I figure out how to. Things are definitely heating up with the rut in 36A. The deer are starting move more and I'm hoping my dad will get back out there after Christmas. This was my first time hunting in 36A and was impressed with the amount of game. During the entire week there was only a couple of places we stopped that we were unable to locate game while glassing. This website helped me a lot and would like to thank those who helped me in the adventure. Travelling to a new area is never easy and it is always great to start where you need to.

It is time to chase Mr. Coues here in a few days. The problem is never being in unit 36A before. I have hunted them in 31 before and we did ok. I have looked over fish and games webpage for starters and find nothing surprising. If any of you out there could give me some tips on the area and let me now how the previous seasons went it would appreciated. Thanks.

It will be my first coues chase with a bow. My dad and buddy have rifle tags in 36a so I will purchase an archery tag. I'll be willing to take a coues or mule deer; just looking for a good time.

Thanks for the help. I'll have to check out the book sometime but I am leaving in three days. My e-mail is tylerpetersen@yahoo.com