apache12

great write up. way to go girl.

great deer, my 12 year old has his first coues hunt in Nov. hope he's half that good. I'd love to hear your hunt story. how far was the shot? what caliber gun? yadda yadda ya.

Hornaday Ammo. Look into the Savage rifle with the accutrigger, my young boys have shot on that trigger and it is really nice teaching them to squeeze slow and not jerk the trigger. straight shooter for sure too

great picture. Nice job little man

Some of you may have read my post over the past few months about elk hunting and I admit I'm a coues dear and javalina hunter not an experienced elk hunt. So when my son got his elk and surprised him with my old Buck knife as a gift. you know the ones old standard folding blade with the copper and wood handle. I thought it was pretty weathered with a beat sheath and that he might be OK. I had a newer gerber that I'd used in coues. I thought with the two knifes and a sharpener I'd be fine. Well, I was surprised that my Gerber was far quicker to get dull and the old buck stayed nice and sharp and didn't need one sharpen. So, I'm sure there are fine Gerber knifes but I thought I'd ask if there are some thought on a good all around knife. Or is it like asking for a good all around rifle, just not possible and I need multiple knives? thanks

I'm so happy for my son, we had some close calls on the first two mornings and he could have got down but he stayed positive and Sat. afternoon he got it done. We scouted our area a few weeks ago and lots of people on the forum gave us some good advice. Then we got up Wed. night and scouted all day Thusday and the elk were just were they were on the previous scout trips everything was in place and so opening moring we thought it was as good as done. We sat our canyon and the activity was perfect we thought it would be any time we'd find the cows with the bull we were hearing. My son than started questioning his shooting location and wanted to move. I should have said it was fine just like we planned, but I wanted him comfortable for the shot so we moved across a meadow to another little perch and right was we got across two cows can around our perch and into the meadow about 20 yards from us. I said "shoot", but this was just not like he had planned it in his head, so as he tried to get into a shooting postion 5 more cows came around the corner and all ran right by us within 20 yards and across the meadow. We almost laughed it was so funny. But I knew if we had just sat tight it would have been perfect. good lesson. That night we glassed a few but could get close before we lost daylight. Next morning we went back to same area becase we didn't think we ruined that area. Got in early and the bulls were all around us it just a matter of time. then just as the sun came up shots ran out and the elk moved in all directions and we couldn't get a shot, I know I can't hunt without anyone else in the field but we just started to feel like eveything was going against us. We must have heard 15 shots in the close area while the day before had none, it was weird. He has a couple possible shots but they were good. the best one he had he passed because he said he couldn't see the head to be sure it was a cow, he later learned it was a cow, but I'm proud of him for doing the right thing. In depseration I called Shane Koury of Koury Guide serivce, we had exchanged emails months earlier and he said if I need help to give a ring. Well, I called because I was getting nervous. He was great, and I told him where we had been hunting and he new the area down to each hidden water tank, very impressive. He said try about two miles east of where you've been. He said hike a wicked steep ridge and glass into the small finger canyons behind that. He said the area you park wont look like much, but "trust me, it's good on top". So, we went to that spot and couldn't find a path up, it was steep and coverd with thick brush, we backed out and hiked a narrow cut up, it was steep, I was in front of my son and through some brush two cows jumped some logs and were looking right at us, I hit the deck and looked back to see my boy rack a round and drop to his knee and fire. Great memory. Both elk turned an went back up the hill, I thought he missed. He said I hit it dad, but I said at that range we'd know. We walked up to the spot and sure enough bright blood, and quite a bit, just to make sure we followed it a few feet more and could see good blood, so I told him to sit tight and why we were waiting for a about 45 min. Well he couldn't make but 30 mins so left and we followed the trail, I had him in front and told him to chamber a round. The cow jumped in front of him and he dropped to a log, and the great thing was we waited while she tried to climb and when she turned and stopped he put one in the shoulder and that was it. So his first shot actually hit the hind quuarter as it was going away and went into the vitals from behind. The bummer is the quaters had some damage. The other bummer was I've never dressed an animal in that steep of an incline. I learned some that night. My boy worked hard, got bloody, and humped out two loads on his frame pack. I'm actually glad we had to hunt hard for a few days, we stayed out all day and I'm proud of how he didn't complain. Finally, I have to say the biggest thank you to Shane Koury for his help, I'm sure he doesn't want get in the habit a giving free advice when he's a guide, so the best I can do it tell everyone that if you need a guide I believe Shane to have all the qualities that I would look for in a guide. Please just call him, I think you'll know in conversation that he's a positive part of our hunting community. Sorry for the long post, but it was a great time with my son, and lots of people on the forum were helpful and I want to thank them. My younger son as a coues tag to Nov. I hope it's as much fun for him

Great stuff on the knives. So tell me if I did this right? My boys elk was on the side a very very steep ridge, I'm sure you've all been there. But with a coues I can muscle it a round and take care of it. This was so steep that when the elk dropped it rolled until it him some logs. We just me and the boy we couldn't move it to a flat spot so I tide the two top legs up hill to some trees and gutted and cut the anus, and then sawed to the throat. The problem was that the gut pile and blood spilled out and know I was fighting to keep my keep in the slop. I also didn't want the elk to slip into the mess. I skinned it legs up the the spin, just over acually and quartered and took the strap. It was hot 70 or so and I wanted the hide off quick. Then the tough part. I tied the bottom legs and flipper her legs up hill on the stretched out hide and then spun her around legs down, then skinned her spin down to the legs and quartered and took the straps and loins. I struggled with the neck meat and did my best. My boy wanted the hide but I admit it was tough to do a good skin job on that slop. We couldn't drag her down with all the downed logs from the RC fire. Any thoughts I want I could have done different or easier? I wanted to gut it because I like the liver. Yum. and I wanted my boy to get bloody.

I'm so happy for my son, we had some close calls on the first two mornings and he could have got down but he stayed positive and Sat. afternoon he got it done. We scouted our area a few weeks ago and lots of people on the forum gave us some good advice. Then we got up Wed. night and scouted all day Thusday and the elk were just were they were on the previous scout trips everything was in place and so opening moring we thought it was as good as done. We sat our canyon and the activity was perfect we thought it would be any time we'd find the cows with the bull we were hearing. My son than started questioning his shooting location and wanted to move. I should have said it was fine just like we planned, but I wanted him comfortable for the shot so we moved across a meadow to another little perch and right was we got across two cows can around our perch and into the meadow about 20 yards from us. I said "shoot", but this was just not like he had planned it in his head, so as he tried to get into a shooting postion 5 more cows came around the corner and all ran right by us within 20 yards and across the meadow. We almost laughed it was so funny. But I knew if we had just sat tight it would have been perfect. good lesson. That night we glassed a few but could get close before we lost daylight. Next morning we went back to same area becase we didn't think we ruined that area. Got in early and the bulls were all around us it just a matter of time. then just as the sun came up shots ran out and the elk moved in all directions and we couldn't get a shot, I know I can't hunt without anyone else in the field but we just started to feel like eveything was going against us. We must have heard 15 shots in the close area while the day before had none, it was weird. He has a couple possible shots but they were good. the best one he had he passed because he said he couldn't see the head to be sure it was a cow, he later learned it was a cow, but I'm proud of him for doing the right thing. In depseration I called Shane Kourey of Kourey Guide serivce, we had exchanged emails months earlier and he said if I need help to give a ring. Well, I called because I was getting nervous. He was great, and I told him where we had been hunting and he new the area down to each hidden water tank, very impressive. He said try about two miles east of where you've been. He said hike a wicked steep ridge and glass into the small finger canyons behind that. He said the area you park wont look like much, but "trust me, it's good on top". So, we went to that spot and couldn't find a path up, it was steep and coverd with thick brush, we backed out and hiked a narrow cut up, it was steep, I was in front of my son and through some brush two cows jumped some logs and were looking right at us, I hit the deck and looked back to see my boy rack a round and drop to his knee and fire. Great memory. Both elk turned an went back up the hill, I thought he missed. He said I hit it dad, but I said at that range we'd know. We walked up to the spot and sure enough bright blood, and quite a bit, just to make sure we followed it a few feet more and could see good blood, so I told him to sit tight and why we were waiting for a about 45 min. Well he couldn't make but 30 mins so left and we followed the trail, I had him in front and told him to chamber a round. The cow jumped in front of him and he dropped to a log, and the great thing was we waited while she tried to climb and when she turned and stopped he put one in the shoulder and that was it. So his first shot actually hit the hind quuarter as it was going away and went into the vitals from behind. The bummer is the quaters had some damage. The other bummer was I've never dressed an animal in that steep of an incline. I learned some that night. My boy worked hard, got bloody, and humped out two loads on his frame pack. I'm actually glad we had to hunt hard for a few days, we stayed out all day and I'm proud of how he didn't complain. Finally, I have to say the biggest thank you to Shane Kourey for his help, I'm sure he doesn't want get in the habit a giving free advice when he's a guide, so the best I can do it tell everyone that if you need a guide I believe Shane to have all the qualities that I would look for in a guide. Please just call him, I think you'll know in conversation that he's a positive part of our hunting community. Sorry for the long post, but it was a great time with my son, and lots of people on the forum were helpful and I want to thank them. My younger son as a coues tag to Nov. I hope it's as much fun for him

I have a like new Rinehart target posted on Craigs list Phx and Back page. With pictures and description. In excellent shape maybe 5 to 10 broadheads and 25 fieldpoints. $65

sounds like people are saying numbers are pretty low in 3c. Being new to elk hunting I don't have a good reference for what is good or bad. but I saw at least one bull in each area I scouted, they were not in archery range but all good have been moved to rifle shots. My issue was not seeing very many cows for my sons jr hunt. If the numbers are down what would a normal amount of elk sightings be like in 3c? I do agree with a burn, there was so much new growth of that scrub bush that is was apain to hike.

Preparing for my son's cow hunt and have some spots scouted and ready to hunt, but would like to hear tactics for what to do if we miss on the morning? We are planning to sit an area right below a ridge where we can see a meadow and the opposite ridge has a very nice bedding area on it. It's about a mile from any road so we think if they get pushed by road hunters we'll be in a good spot. Thanks for any thoughts on mid day tactics

good info. I never even really thought about pusing him to hard and making sure he has fun. He's pretty tough and driven I think he might out hike me on some hills, but the idea o sitting on a spot and having a coupel good conversations sounds great. Thanks for the wisdom

Hey I just wanted to pass along some information about an guide/scout service that I recommend people look into using. I emailed the owner Sal Bracal and he was very helpful and his scouting service is extremly detailed. It was really the extra emails and phone calls that he provide that made the differnece. You can tell this is a guy that loves what he does and enjoys helping others be successful. I know he's not a sponsor, and I'm not trying to take away for the people the pay to keep the site going, but I really encourage people talking to Sal and looking into is Scouting serivce. www.copperstateoutfitters.com

I just spent three days in my son's unit scouting for his Oct. Jr cow hunt. The bulls were calling almost all day and into the night with the moon full. I scouted some deep canyons and saw some beautiful bulls but only saw about four cows vs. 12 bulls. Only two bulls were running with cows the rest were lone bulls except for a group of three rag horns. I found some areas that has good sign but really expected to see some big groups of cows. The archery hunt was going on but the pressure didn't seem to great. I'm not experienced in elk hunt, but do hunt deer, turkey, pigs, multiple times per year, I just don't know the habits of elk yet. I'm in 3c and plan on one more scout before the hunt. If anyone has and tips on just the general habits of elk (cow) post rut or right at the end of the rut, I'd love the knowledge. For example. what type of numbers will the be in? Will using a cow call to see if cows call back make sense? Will they mostly feed in the open at night and early morning and then travel to higher country to bed? If I have no luck in the early morning should I stalk a bed or try to glass a bed? It's pretty thick in the bedding areas I think it'd be tough to glass into. My area has some big burns and I found some elk traveling right on the burn line in the area that had trees still, but never saw them out in the open in big burns, is that normal, or should I just keep glassing the big open burns? I'm happy to PM anyone and let them know the canyons and areas that I scouted. I'm not looking for "hey here's the perfect spot" I like scouting that's half the fun of the hunt, just knowledge on elk habits. A couple meadows I want to try in the AM are a mile or more off the road and I don't mind hiking out there but with all the downed trees and thick new growth I know it will be tough to be quiet, will the elk spook out of the meadows if I'm coming near the edge early before dawn? Thanks for any pointers.

yes 3a/3c. I'll pick up a lost cow call and start woriking on it. Thanks for the help!

its actually 3a/3c jr cow

That makes good sense. I camped near the rez the days I scouted and the buggling over the fence was intense. I also saw two good balls hauling the mail toward the fence south of twin lakes. I should say great bear tracks near there as well and scat for any bear hunters. I think I know a couple options near the fence that the may run down. Any advice on which cow call? The hoochi mama like most folks? Thanks

Yea the only problem with fr 300 is that everyone and their mother is going to be driving up and back that road the the fingers that run down to the rez. I'd like to find a spot that you have to hike deep into to get away from the traffic

3c

I WTS WTT. I will only sell or trade for the complete group. Adult Bow, Youth Bow, and Target. Please make buy offer or trade offer. Trade for: Rangefinder or Rifle scope stronger power than 3X9 and nothing over 42mm. Or trade for Bino in the 15X56. Will consider cash on either side to get to where we need to be. Rinehart is the best out there for tagets. This is a great broadhead target. I have maybe shot it 30 times, always kept inside, in excellect condition. $110 new. see link: http://www.rinehart3d.com/products/#i64 PSE Adult bow: Thunderbolt II. Draw length 28 Peak Wt 70 Let off 65 String 54 1/2 Comes with three pin PSE fiber optic site. Rest, Stablizer, two releases, one is brand new, only used about 50 times. Comes with soft case. Quiver included. Target arrows included, carbon. Everything you need. Youth Browning Bow Micro Midas Pre set to 19" 30lbs Wt 15lbs to 45lbs String 27.1/2 BRAND NEW This is light enough to learn and heavy enough to hunt legally. Comes with hard case. Brand new arrow, used maybe 25 times. Excellent condition. Carbon arrows. Release for youth. Quiver. Rest, Site with three pins. Great bow to learn on or early hunt. My boy and I just don't bow hunt, we have shot in the backyard but we always just go rifle, not enough time to bow hunt correctly. This a great set up for a Father and Son. These are older bows but they are in excellent condition. the youth was restrung and tuned last year. Make offer. Nothing silly please. Oh, would consider a .243 rifle, but would rather have listed above. I can send closer pics if you are serious.posted my adult PSE and my youth Browning along with a Rinehart target for sale or trade on Craigslist and Backpage. If you want a nice set up for you and your son or daughter this is it. Older bows but in excellent shape. Please visit and let me know if you need better pics.

OK, so I'm kicking around getting a range finder in the next few months for rifel hunts not archery. How much importance would you guys put on the newer range finders like the Nikon rifle man 550 or 1000 that automatically calculate for angle of drop or incline? Hunt 34a a bunch for pig and coues and there's decent canyons about 400 to 500 across and 250 to 300 from top to bottom. Been pretty successful so far in those canyons but I've also been lucky someitmes and missed high and the deer gave me asecond shot. Any advice on range finder and reflective and non reflective as well as the angle? Thanks,

Lark, does the lecia account for angle? if so, do you find it effective?

Good info, thanks. I think at this point its just a set of 15's and the spotting scope will have to be way down the road. Can I use a doubler or someting like at my Minox 10/52 so I can just check something out that i can't see on the 10X52's? not sure hows those things work?

This may have already been a post, but I couldn't find it. I currently have a set of Minox 10X52, they are not there best but they are good quality, think I paid between $650 and $750 about 8 years ago. Normally hunt big open country and would like to get more powerful optics, such as a 15X50. Are there advantages to getting a spotting scope over binoculars? I thought I'd pass my Minox down to my 14 year old, so I would used either spotting scope or binoculars as my primary optic. In writing this I'm getting the idea that there isn't an easy answer to this question, but any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Oh yea this thing almost climbs itself I just wish I would have paid for the upgraded version that brings a nice buck under the stand and ties him to a stake. ha ha