OpticNerd

purple chainsaw! I'm must be abnormally abnormal.

We use to have an archery doe hunt. I can't remember when or why they got rid of it but I think it happened back in the mid to late 90s. When they 1st got rid of the archery doe hunts I thought we'd surly see an increase in our deer numbers but I can't say they've change much since then. In fact I tend to see less deer numbers now then I did back when there was an archery doe hunt. I don't know if it's because I'm not as good of a hunter as I once was or if it's all in my head. All I do know is that back when we had those doe hunts I use to find bigger and more herds of does during the winter months. It wasn't uncommon back then to see herds of 20-30 does. One of the biggest herds I've counted had 98 in it. Now days the biggest herd numbers I find are rarely more then 10-15 does. Maybe having the archery doe hunt back then was actually helping our deer numbers.

Sorry to hear your so upset over this Kevin. I really don't see these guys doing anything terribly wrong other then not checking for blood but then again I wasn't there so maybe it was worse then it sounds. Seems like more wrong place at the wrong time kind of thing. It would be different if after you yelled at the guys they continued shooting knowing you were there but it seems as soon as they knew you were up there they stopped. In my opinion the biggest error I see made in this scenario is you waving your arms yelling instead of ducking for cover but then again I wasn't there. All I know for sure is is good no one got hurt. What I don't understand is why some people bash road hunters as bad as they do. I'm not talking about the guys that drive around with guns loaded ready to shoot from the back of the truck or from inside the vehicle. I'm talking about the guys that drive around looking for game and when they find it they get off the road out of the vehicle and then go after the animal. Really what so wrong with this? Growing up this is how I hunted with my Grandpa because he was just to old to get out and hike. Now days this is how it is with my dad because he too is getting to old to hike. The only way I can get my dad to go out hunting with me is to drive roads. We'll drive to a nice glassing spot get out and glass a bit and if we don't find anything we'll drive to the next glassing spot and so on and so on. While driving from spot to spot we are looking for animals. I just don't see why this type of hunting is frowned on as bad as it is. Once again glad no one was hurt.

What's up with that UFO skyline above the buck? Nice pic!

I'm very interested to see what you find out keep us posted.

Are you sure they are Zeiss? They look a lot like these which are a Ziess design http://www.oberwerk.com/products/2540100.htm#_self They could be worth a lot if they are the original Zeiss just as a colectors item. If they are the Oberwerk they can normally be bought new for $1500-$1700 used I've seen them go as low as $700. How much is the guy asking for them?

I've always wanted a Dec rifle mule deer tag down in the southern part of the state but anywhere would do. I just hope they keep the tag numbers under 10 tags per unit at least for the first couple years to see how bad these hunts are going to hurt big buck numbers. I know for dang sure I don't want more then 10 tags for some of the units I hunt because the big bucks will get wiped out pretty quick. Going to be interesting this spring for sure.

I didn't think I would miss having them as much as I do but as of now I can only hunt on the weekends. It sure would be nice to have 2 weekends to hunt like before. Just curious if anyone else misses the old 10 day rifle deer hunts?

Thanks for the heads up. I copied and pasted a section of the guidelines that discuss these changes and here it is. Maybe some good news for those who miss the 10 day hunts. Also after reading this it looks like there might be a rifle Dec mule deer hunt for some of the units. That would be an awesome tag but would probably put a hurting on the big bucks. August 27, 2011 COMMISSION ORDER 2: DEER The Department's Deer Management Goal is to maintain and, where possible, enhance deer populations at levels that provide maximum and diverse recreational opportunities, while avoiding adverse impacts to the species and its habitat. Guidelines for both species are grouped into "Standard" or "Alternative" hunt management. Season prescriptions: 1. Hunts will be for "antlered mule deer," "antlered whitetail deer," or "any antlered deer." "Antlerless deer" or "any deer" permits may be recommended for units where the deer population requires reduction or stabilization, or when conflicts with other land management uses exist. 2. Separate hunts for mule deer and white-tailed deer will occur in units having adequate populations of both species of deer. 3. General and muzzleloader deer hunts will occur on standard opening dates. When stratified, a series of 7-day hunts may occur throughout October and November with all hunts opening on a specific Friday. A December white-tailed deer hunt will open the Friday of week 50 and continue to the end of the year. The following seasons will be available: White-tailed or Mule Deer on Friday of week 43 (October 26, 2012 and October 25, 2013) White-tailed or Mule Deer on Friday of week 44 (November 2, 2012 and November 1, 2013) White-tailed or Mule Deer on Friday of week 45 (November 9, 2012 and November 8, 2013) Mule Deer on Friday of week 46 (November 16, 2012 and November 15, 2013) White-tailed on Friday of week 48 (November 30, 2012 and November 29, 2013) If only a single early deer season is selected in October or November, the season will run for 10 days. If a white-tailed deer season is offered during week 48, the season will run for 10 days. Antlerless elk seasons will not overlap with a general or muzzleloader deer season in units with hunts for both species. Season dates will be selected to avoid such overlaps. If the unit is managed under Alternative Hunt Management, 10-day seasons may also be used. If a deer hunt has unissued permits after the hunt has ended 2 out of 3 years after returning to an online application system, then those tags may be allocated to a December hunt structure the following year. 4. A limited amount of December mule deer harvest opportunity may be offered in no more than 10 mule deer units that have adequate populations with at least one offered in each Region; no more than 40 permits will be offered per unit except in units that have had a December season structure. A limited amount of December white-tailed deer harvest opportunity will be offered in most white-tailed deer units. A total of up to 5% of all white-tailed deer permits statewide will be offered in December. White-tailed or Mule Deer on Friday of week 50 (December 14, 2012 and December 13, 2013)

Good to see I'm not the only one that misses the good ol 10 day hunts. I know it's probably never going to happen but I sure hope the G&F decides to bring these hunts back. If not then maybe they can take the 2nd hunt we currently have now and split it into two weekends and postpone the 2nd mule deer hunt a week. For example the hunt would start on a Friday and close 2 days later on Sunday then open back up the fallowing Friday and go until Sunday giving the hunter a total 6 days instead of 7 consecutive days.

I'm digging that buck! I thought I was going to come up with a higher number but after crunching the numbers I guess him right at 99. No matter what he scores that's a sweet buck! Thanks for posting!

Nice video thanks for sharing! What happened to your other 2 arrows? At the start of the stalk you had 5 in the quiver and right after you hit the buck you only had 2. You take a couple warning shots first to give the buck a chance or something?

Thanks info. Not the same area but it looks a lot like where I hunted. For a second there I thought you might have shot your buck within 10 ft of where I shot mine. Congrats on your buck!

Hard to tell looks like its around 80-85. Good looking buck no matter what it scores. What unit did you kill him in if you don't mind me asking. PM me if you'd like or if you rather not say I understand. Reason I'm asking is that the area looks like the same area I killed my buck in this year. Just curious.

My mistake Jim I thought you had the 1st hunt. Looking forward to seeing how you do. Good luck!

That's the same thing I thought. Would you check out those wickead eye guards as well! Love that buck! Thanks for the pics!

Nice bucks! No eye guards on either buck there's something you don't see to often.

So how bout it Jim? You still a "leftover lover"?

Awesome elkhunter! I Always like seeing a hunter from this area being successful.

The 35s are Ok but there's a reason these units have left over tags. There's plenty of units that are way better like 22, 23, 32, 31, 29 and the 36s. I've been hunting the 35s for 6 years now and have yet to see a buck over 80 inches. I know they are out there but they are just too few and far between. The pic I posted is good example of the kind of bucks you'll find in the 35s on top of that there are a ton of drug smugglers in the 35s. I don't know why anyone would put in for the 35s unless it was a leftover. The only reason I do is because I live here.

East side of the mountain is where most of the burn occurred. Fire started in the Montezuma monument area and burnt all the way to the top ridge of car canyon majority if not all of this fire was on the east side of the Huachucas. If I remember right there where a few other fires around Parker lake but I don't think they were all that bad but don't know for sure on those ones though.

Sorry I just got a 2nd look and just noticed just how big those bases are. Incredible buck congrats!

DANG! Would you look at that buck! What a deer! Just awesome how it looks like the whole family was there to experience this with her. Title says it all. Thanks for sharing.

Don't know if this has been posted here yet but just in case it hasn't here it is Can you imagine walking up on something like this.

I don't know the guys who made this but they did an outstanding job.