Rembrant

The #3 non-typical was also taken from 23. Maybe that's the photo in Rock House? Mike

Ain't never been in there, so's I can't verify that. Mike

The #9 non-typical was taken in unit 23 by Clay Goldman of Payson. It was harvested in 1993. He's the guy that runs Mogollon Taxidermy in that town. The photo of that deer is in the Arizona record book. This animal scores 148.6" and has at least 10" of antler broken off! If it was all there it could possibly score higher than the controversial King buck. The photo does not do the antlers justice, because you can't see that most of both main beams past the G2's are palmated as wide as your hand all of the way out to the end. A significant portion of the left main beam is busted off, (with who knows how many points) and a moster G3? on the right side is broken in half. Clay allowed me to take photos of this skull from all angles. It is simply unbelievable. I don't have his permission to post them. Maybe someday I'll ask. You can see it at his shop in Payson. A buck of these proportions is freakish for any unit. It certainly does not typify the bucks in unit 23. A stroll through the record book is fascinating. It is really interesting to see the variety of units that the monsters have come from. Mike

If I was a betting man I would put my money on the guy who has seen all the big bucks - that would not be me, Mike

Coozfever, I'm glad you posted pics of your deer. And I'm glad you posted them first before revealing the scores. I figured the larger ones to all be over 100". They got a lot of ooo's and aaahh's from the other guys too. I really was surprised to find out they don't score 100". Those bucks are big and beautiful, and you've done well to collect that many trophies. We all probably know someone who would think that if a Coues buck doesn't score 100", then he's not a big buck (I sometimes wrestle with that thought myself). I think its a travesty if a guy gets excited enough to shoot a high 90's deer and is then dissapointed to find out he doesn't score 100". If I ever let an inch and a half dissapoint me, then I should have my head examined! And re-visit the reasons why I hunt. Thanks, you've helped me with my perspective. What beautiful bucks!! But your greatest blessing is the one holding that skull! Mike

Most of the desert plants are protected. But the reason they are is because landscaping folks have a history of ripping off the desert of LIVE plants and charging people that want them in their yards. It has gotton so bad that a person is required to have a permit to transport a desert plant from private property! Dead cacti are also protected; sagauro and cholla in particular. You can get a permit from the Forest Service for a dead and down saguaro if you jump through hoops, stand on your head, pay ten dollars a linear foot and go to where they tell you to. I really don't think anybody would mind if a guy had a yucca stick. If you gathered a hundred of them and were selling them in a retail store the yucca stick police might be lookin for you. I also know that the BLM allows the public to gather rocks and dead plants from BLM land, but only "as much as a person can carry to their vehicle in their hands." There's some wiggle room for ya. Mike

In my early 20's, while climbing out of a big ponderosa over a bear bait, a limb broke and so did I (seven stable broken vertibre). Since then Arthur's been steadily creaping up on me. You know, Arthur Itis? Anyway, just this year I picked up two rake handles to help me climb desert mountains (I think you guys are way ahead of me with the yucca stalks). And I know this is gonna prolong my hiking carrer. For big scary Backpacking trips, I tape ankles, knees and use 2 sticks. These are awesome! Now if my footing is wrong, I can correct it while I distribute my weight on the sticks. My knees don't have to be crooked while I negotiate my footing. When it gets real steep, my arms help pull me up the mountain. Now I lean on the sticks to get a blow instead of my knees or having to find a seat. Coming down the mountain, I use the sticks below me and ease myself down a step or two. This is where the longer length is important. Coming down is when we biff it, right? Not any more. I know I don't want to shoulder my rifle and use two sticks while hunting. Maybe one stick, or I may not use sticks at all while hunting - haven't figured it out yet. But getting in and out of the mountains is a whole new ball game for me now. Great topic! Mike

Happy birthday More D!!!!!!!!!!

Josh, Thanks for addressing me as the King of 23. But more realistically, I think I'm a bit more like the court jester - I just gotta find one of those hats. Mike

Thanks! It's a good group here at CW.com. I appreciate you all (including Lark!) Mike

I think I saw your fish swimming around the internet about a month ago. What a screaming TOAD!!!!!!!! I'm glad your looking for a great taxidermist. That fish deserves it. Nope, Im not up on fish stuffers, but I trust Clay Goldman in Payson (Mogollon Taxidermy). You might give him a call. Mike

I also am praying for the family and friends and all the people that were touched by these men's lives. My prayer is that all of these people will become closer to God in their daily lives and never give up that hope eternal - that precious One that reconciliates separations - separations between loved ones and the separations between us and Almighty God. I type these words in the name of my Lord, Jesus. Amen. I like that General Patton quote that KGAINES is posting. Though I don't agree with the General that it is foolish or wrong to mourn. It is necessary. Christ said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Be blessed, Mike

Coozdeer, you are a wise man. Right on, Bcoover let's kill some deer! Make sure your family has lion tags. We don't want to miss those 'golden' oportunities. Mike

Wowie! I agree with Chris. This beats the mule/lion pic. Action, drama, danger, conflict, controversy, purpose - and leaving the viewer guessing as to the outcome. That's art. If "Trappings of the American West" were as western as they think they are, they would include something like this. How many events similar to this has your dad witnessed - and not photographed? The West wasn't won with a water pistol. That pic ought to be published in some kinda book somewhere. Thanks for correcting me about the reigns in the mule/lion pic. I believe you are correct. Just shows to go you that I don't know squat about horses. Mike

Josh, If you don't know, who in the world will?? Mike

A buddy of mine was hunting archery bull in 5B N last year, when he walked up on a dead bull in the junipers. A nice big 6 point laying there with his rack rested up against a small tree, legs out stretched and flies buzzing all around him. He stood there at 40 yds and contemplated the legality of obtaining such a fine rack - since whoever killed the bull had apparently lost it. You guessed it. The wind changed direction, the bull stood up, wheeled and took off! He was just snoozing! All my friend could do was stand there with no arrow nocked and watch him leave. Mike

If I don't find a big deer I ain't shootin one. Just pulled a trail cam out of my best spot. Got pics of a fox, a button buck, a doe, a "standard issue" 3 point (maybe 80") and a big fat female lion. Pretty cool to get a lion pic, but dogonnit, that's not good! If I see that pretty girl during the hunt, she's gonna die. Cousi1, I hunt with a couple of guys that I've hunted with a lot and trust to do the right thing - all the time. It would sure be nice to have a handfull of big bucks lined up like Mr. Bcoover. Still lookin, Mike

But thanks for the vote of confidence 25.06. If I see a 140" buck I'll probably pee myself. Mike

You guys are brutal!! I refuse to compete. I'm lettin them all walk!! Mike

Bcoover, You think that buck has a 19" spread?! I say it's got a 12" spread. That would mean the wide racked buck you are seeing in unit 23 has about a 14" spread - not 20-25". Wow, I'm glad I cleared that up! Mike

Ouch CooosiI, that hurt! - And after you said that nice thing about me killing a 100 incher! I can't spell Rembrant either; there's sposed to be a D between the n and t!!!! Whats a synapses anyway? Can I get one installed? A doctor told me once that I used to have a bunch of 'em. He ought a know about binoculars, he's got his own line of high powered ones with his name on em. I wish I knew what you know about 23, Bcoover. You sound really confident! Mike

Johnnie, I thought I was sending you to Timbucktoo. There's a 135 incher in there??! You learn real fast. Now you gotta figure out who to believe. I can tell you for a fact that I just make stuff up as I go along. If I were you, I would stick with Bcoover's advice. Maybe you'll get lucky and find that wide-racked buck he's been talkin about. I also wish a ton of success to all those with a 23 tag. (You're gonna need it!) Mike

OK Lark, Tell us what really happened. Mike

I'm liking that! Mike

The first pic looks like the cat is still alive and fighting, but he's not. Looks to me like small intestine is flinging across its chest. Fabulous pictures indeed. I heard they may have originated in Oregon. We may never know. Mike