Rembrant

Wow that's quite a deer! Thanks Chris for the pics and the story. I'm glad you posted both pics. This really helps with the perspective on the size of the rack. The Strip and Kaibab bucks seem to have big ears. And the rack is so tall that it doesn't look like it'll clear 30" wide. But with it in your hands it looks like an absolute monster. If I killed a buck like that, my wife would tell me to quit hunting. Mike

Chris, You've killed some dandy muleys. All three bucks (4 counting the goat) you've shown us so far are bigger than my best. I don't know very many folks from around here that have killed more than a handfull of big muleys, and even those guys grew up huntin the Kaibab back when they could get drawn every once in a while. How many more bruisers you got up your sleeve? Mike

Trufletch, Empirical is a pretty sophisticated word for an uneducated desert rat. I had to look it up. You used it correctly considering the first definition - "derived from experiment". The second definition is also interesting: "depending upon experience or observation alone, without using science." Most of us on this forum resemble the second definition - and a lot of experience can give ya a pretty good feel about what's goin on out there. I think most of us are right; antler restrictions don't seem to do much good. It took me a while to figure it out, but when Tonto said he was from Stupid, he means he lives somewhere in the Tonto National Forest. Heck, for a while there, I thought he was trying to tell us he lives in Massachusetts! Mike

Fabulous Buck!!!!

Good job Doug, Killing a muture animal of any species is what defines a trophy for me. And it looks like you killed a fine Utah mule deer buck. Congratulations. Mike

You didn't get the memo? Mike

Thanks Chris, this is enjoyable. Those are real whoppers in my book. Mike

Bcoover, 23 draw percentage was 19% last year. That means 81% of the folks didn't get drawn. That's usually where I end up. If it were 50% draw - a flip of a coin ain't good enough either. This is my second tag in 9 years. Missed opportunities last time (like monkeys playing football). I'm gonna bust my hump on this hunt. Already have 8 gallons of water pre-hiked up on a big rock pile. I'm glad you got your tag. It don't anger me that other people get the tag, it's just a wee bit dissapointing when I can't get one - or the back-up tag. And I know that a lot of folks can't get around too well 'cause of some condition or age. I'm gettin there. What tends to get under my skin is when "non-serious hunters" get a tag when they think they want one, and then let a long drive or a football game on TV or something else take priority and not even go. Hope you do well, with the pics and the kill, Mike

Shoot Lark, I always thought you were pro-magnum. Mike

That's the place. Typically old Globe. Crooked floor and delicious food. Mike

In some areas the springs are lower elevation, and in the dry years, that's where the deer will be. mike

I'm just yankin' your chain bcoover. I put in for 23 on purpose and got drawn. Only the 2nd time in about 9 years. I know where I will hunt, and the only guarantee is that I will bust my butt - and love it. I've kept a "23 sucks" theme going for a while just to cast doubts in the minds of people so that maybe I can get a tag every once in a while. I usually do this as a knee jerk reaction to posts that start advertising where I like to hunt. Pretty doggone selfish aren't I? There are a lot of very awesome units in this state for whitetail. 23 is only one of them, but man it's gettin hard to draw a Dec tag anymore. Last year I couldn't even draw a Nov unit 32 tag second choice and didn't get a tag at all! I am a proponent of sharing all the information we can possibly share on this website - without shooting ourselves in the foot! Don't ever tell anybody where that wide-racked buck lives (outside of maybe your dad or a brother) especially in cyberspace! That information should be shared on a need to know basis only, and nobody needs to know. I hope you kill that big deer. I want to see the pics. Have fun buddy, Mike

I like eating at Del Rey. Mike

I was watching the O'Reily factor on Fox the other day when Bill does what he calls, "The most rediculous comment of the day". The comment came from our beloved 9th district court in San Fransisco. Some folks were trying to represent dolphins in sueing the United States Navy for using sonar which these people believe is disturbing to dolphins. The Court's reply was something to the effect of, "We believe that the dolphins should have the right to sue, however there is no provision in the constitution for this to take place." I find this frightening. Let's hope Renzi can get us switched to the 12th District Court like he's trying to do. Mike

Don't presidential candidates have 5th amendment protection? You'll never get him to testify! Mike

AZ4Life, Shooting a bow is easy. Just make sure when you get to full draw - you let go with the hand that is holding the string. You're welcome. Mike

bcoover, Yep. I agree with you - 23 sucks. And I ended up with a rifle tag. Man, it's heck being liksdexic! Mike

I believe it was the mamalian variety. Mike

peckl1, You don't think Kerry is a deer hunter based on the way he described his hunting methods? C'mon man, things are different when you live in Mass. I'll bet his 'outsmarting the deer tactics' work. Heck, he's got almost half the people in this great country faked out! Mike

Congratulations Cole!! Cole sounds like a good name for a deer hunter. Looks like you are beginning to build a long rich legacy of taking beautiful animals like the one in the picture. Way to be buddy!!!! Mike

Chris, Why don't you share some of those pics with us? I dig seeing big mulies and elk and other stuff. We don't need to see the long strings, just post a few of the critters you're the most proud of. Thanks in advance, Mike

I don't want y'all singing me "Happy Birthday"!!

It's the fee thing that set you off Josh. I have to agree with you about that and a lot of other things the FS has done with camping at the lakes etc. Mike

I was just kiddin with the "turn 'em in" remarks. My humor is so weird that nobody thinks I'm funny, including my family, NOBODY! except... maybe...Lark. I hang out with authority figures all the time; Forest Service, Game and Fish, prosecuters, Pastors, counsolers, and my wife! Never used to, but since I quit being a drunk and using drugs, I've been making friends with the strangest people. Most cops are ok. Some are screwed up. That's why we should report the one's that overstep their authority. If you have a run in, and don't have the courage to report it, maybe it's just you and your own issues with authority. We are paying these people to do their job. Personally, I like it when a wildlife manager has a sense of ownership with his unit. If his head's in the right place this can only make it better for everybody. Mike

Region VI has the stratified hunts because the deer herds can handle it. This is because this part of the state gets more rain, has better fawn recruitment and stronger numbers consistantly. Region V is more North and West in the state, does not get quite as much rain as Region VI, and does not hold the strong numbers of whitetail as well. The Dept to date has not held the stratified hunts in Region V. I am not Game and Fish, but I have herd that sometimes the Dept has kicked around the idea of opening up Region V to more hunts and that (you are right, Amanda) the Wildlife Managers have fought this to maintain the quality in the units they are responsible for. Mike