kazpilot25

So what I'm getting is that the two most popular sizes are 10x42 and 15x56. Seems like starting there and then branching out to 8x42 and 12x50 might be the best option. Seems like the major factors are clarity, weight, and comfort. What about ergonomics? How they feel in your hand? I know the 15x56 doesn't really matter since they'll be on a tripod, but on the 10x42's it might make a difference.

Also, what's most important to you in binoculars? Besides clarity of course.

So over the weekend I went down and scouted unit 36B for the early rifle hunt. I know it was opening weekend for archery, but it was the only time I had to get down there for the next month. To my surprise, I saw only one truck down there with 2 archery hunters. Is it pretty normal for 36B to be dead for the early archery hunt? As for the scouting trip... I saw between 15 deer total. I'd say there were probably 10-12 doe, a couple forks, and one MASSIVE buck. I took Duwane Adams' glassing class a couple weeks ago and have been itching to put what I learned to use. Before this scouting trip I was never able to glass up a bedded deer, or really any deer unless it was early in the AM and they were close. Well, this trip proved to be different. I glassed up a bedded buck at 1000 yards sitting under a tree at around 9:30am. I glassed up a couple doe that were bedded under trees between 700-1000 yards. Then on the way out, we made one last stop (to pee), and I figured I'd glass while I we were there. I glassed up the biggest buck I've ever seen at about 850 yards bedded under a tree in the shadow. He was a perfect typical 5x5 plus eye guards in full velvet. It was BEAUTIFUL! I watched him for about 30 minutes before he bedded back down and out of site. It was amazing to me how he literally disappeared when he bedded down the second time. He laid down in the grass in the shadow of a tree and his entire body disappeared. I could only see a small point on his antler. With such little pressure in there for the archery hunt, I expect him to still be in there come my hunt. I am planning on going back out to try and find him again before the hunt. I was wondering if you guys think he'll still be in the same general area? I figure he should be as everything I've ever read says that they have about a 1 mile home range. Seems pretty big in the scheme of things, but as far as finding him again... Any suggestions? Also, while down there we were checking out an area that was just about 3/4 mile north of the border and we were in some areas that seemed remote. I was wondering if I were to encounter some smugglers down there, like actually be spotted, would they try to avoid the situation? I'm just wondering because it seems like they could easily snag someone up or shoot you in that area and nobody would ever know. What's the best way to deal with that situation? I am always carrying a loaded sidearm, but just wondering.

Awesome! Take 'em out!

Great binos. I had a pair and loved them.

I haven't seen one yet... But I'd sure love to. I'm like you guys, I want to shoot one!

I heard you guys were going down there for the middle hunt. When we going scouting? Let's head down in the next couple weeks. We've got a couple cameras to check (if they're still there).

Sounds great. I'll have to try that should I tag out.

So I found a couple more pictures I took while scouting so you can get a better feel for the buck I glassed up. I'm still working on a name for him. Anyways, I zoomed in on the little guy so you can see. One shows his width pretty well, the other shows the girth of the tines and velvet. I'm hoping he grows a little more over the next couple weeks.

Truck got it. I'm with you guys. That was actually my first thought.

I wish I had some extra dough laying around. I'd be jumping all over this!

Done.

That's pretty much what I figured. After about 10am it was too hot to stay out there much longer. I'll have to check out the cerro colorados adobe hut. Sounds pretty neat.

Still working on getting one. Maybe next year? Christmas? Anyone here looking to donate one? ha.

bigorange, I've heard a lot about the spotters they have out there, that's why my mind started racing. I just hope they continue to want to remain hidden, not get us to prove a point. Kaffer, I'm hoping to keep a close on him. I don't have much time to get out there, but now I have to try every chance I get.

The Jr. hunt is later in the year so I'm good on that front. The only hunt before mine is the archery hunt, which as I said, I'm not worried about. I'm really hoping he's still in there. As far as illegals, I ask because when I was down in that little canyon about a mile off the jeep trail, I felt very vulnerable. I got a big wiff of marijuana and I felt like someone was watching my every move. It was a creepy feeling. I was down in an area setting up a trail cam on a saddle so it was pretty low lying.

Jimmyc, The class is a glassing class that Duwane Adams does. Basically takes you out in the mountains for a couple hours and explains what to look for, how to look, when to look, and you glass and find deer. It was a good experience and he's a great guy. I'm pretty sure he's a sponsor of the site so I can post his website (if not, sorry moderators). It's http://arizonabiggamehunting.com/

Thanks for the info, I was down in 36B over the weekend and saw some illegals way down near the border, but no smugglers.

Kaffer62 I've typically had good luck dealing with the AZGFD people, but not this time. She literally told me she wished "you hunters would stop calling so we can process these applications. Every dang (yes, she said it) time you call I have to stop what I'm doing to answer your dang (yes, she said it again) questions." At least I got what I needed out of her, and that was her telling me I got my early 36B tags!

PM sent

I called last week and the lady (not so nice) said we did get drawn for the tags. My check has still not been deposited either. I'm starting to get a bit nervous, but I'll hold out for a couple more days before calling again.

I wouldn't camp alone, like the others have said. But no matter what, keep a sidearm close by. You never know what/who is going to come into your camp. We're staying in the campground on Ruby Rd. just West of Pena Blanca Lake. There are usually quite a few hunters staying right there, so if you come alone, you should be safe camping there with the rest of us.

Wondering if anybody has a good 30-06 load they can recommend. I've been using 150 gr Hornady SST bullets with about 50.5 gr of Varget powder. I had an issue last year with a deer we hit at about 100 yards in the middle of his back, and he took off never to be seen again. I don't want that happening again so I'm thinking about using either Barnes TTSX bullets in a 168 gr., Nosler ballistic tip in a 168 gr., or a Sierra GameKing in a 165 gr. I'm also looking at trying Alliant RL17. Any thoughts?

Anyone?

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