BACKCOUNTRY

Antlerboy, Sorry you had to pump the Poo this past week. I think some of the fumes might have gotten you a little turned around. My GPS cords, are no where near the Res. But if thats where you go a lookin, Enjoy!! LC

Yo, TSM. How's this for directions. GPS cord's. 32*11.001'N. X 110*29.726'W These are the numbers logged where I found the shed. I hope you can get a chance to get out there. Remember, its the shot that counts!! LC

treestandman, I have been thinking about using trail cam's, but not sure where I would put them. I found this shed In a little canyon bottom, full of live oak and manzanita with no real game trail's. there is a spring about 1/2 mile up hill from the area. LC.

I got 5 nice pic's to post, now all I have to do is get my systems admin. tech to provide me with out-going attachment clearance. soon, very soon. LC.

I was just notified by the AZ Game and Fish, that they have extended the "ON-LINE" application deadline till tomorrow, June 9th -7pm. This is for On-Line apps only. Due to technical difficulties. I hope all is well with their data base and my Application!!! LC

Yes, thats where I added wrong. Thanks for pointing that out. dang that 12" spread, gets me all the time!!! LC

I wonder how many of you have had success hunting in the fringe zone a.k.a.. lower elevations,flats, muley areas, in units 31,32 and 33? I have never shot one in this type of terrain, but I often see nice bucks hanging around fringe areas. One time I spotted a nice young 3 point hanging with 5 mule deer. Most the time I am just passing through these areas and get caught off guard when I spot a Whitetail in these fringe zones. Has anyone had any success hunting whitetail in the lower/muley zones in unit 31,32 and 33?? LC

Oh Yeah!! , M1280, Just last December I had a experience similar to that. I was packing out my 3x3 coues about 2 miles in on Turkey creek, it was around 10am and very cold out (it got down to 15 degrees that morning) when I heard some rustling in the oaks to my left, about 15 yards away. I was not to concerned, I just kept plugging away at carrying this big toad out on my back. Well the next day a buddy of mine came down the same trail and said he came across my tracks and found Big Cat tracks on top of mine!!! Talk about watching your back.

This past pig season I had heard that a new landowner in the Deer Creek area on the Klondyke rd way was thinking about locking their gate, and cutting off access to the public. The landowner stated that the forest service and fish and game refuse to reimburse him for his cost incurred while maintaining the Deer Creek roadway. By law the landowner has the right to refuse access to the public, my problem with this whole thing is where is our permit/tag fee dollars going? If the fish and game cant re-pay the landowner for his expenses, than who will? This road-way gets 80 percent of its use via Hunters and Backpackers. What happens when the whole east side of the Galiuro Mts. are locked-up?

Actually, I got my 92-7/8", 4x4 (inc. eye guards) on Dec 27th, which happened to be the coldest low temp (19 degrees) for that day in history. I do love the Venison. My wife claims I start to get a strange odor about me. Its just her and I at home, and she does not care to much for the taste so I end up consuming the majority of the Good Stuff!! I cant make up my mind, Unit 33 or 32 Late hunt, I will have to flip a coin on that one. How about you Amanda, What's mountain range is pulling at you this year? LC

Well, here I sit viewing one of the "Best Web Sites" out there, and munching on my last piece of Venison from last years kill. I can only hope fall will come soon!! Boy, did my game processor do a fine job on this fine unit #33 Buck. One of the best tasting coues I have ever taken. Bring on the DRAW!! LC

It looks like the AZ game and fish has kept its promise, The 2004-2005 hunting regs are now on their web page @http://www.azgfd.com/. Plus you can apply on-line right now!! good luck to all. LC

I will use my Kenwood frs radios to keep in touch with my hunting partner while we are separated. they are always within reach and I do have the ear-bud and voice activated microphone in use. The "Boone and Crockett Club" puts it this way: III.. Use of electronic communication devices, artificial lighting, or electronic light intensifying devices, are prohibited. Does this mean My head lamp could get me thrown out of contention?? LC.

I have been considering using some type of mineral/salt block recently, I only wonder how does this technique play out in the "Boone and Crockett" terms of "Fair Chase" rules??

Being that Arizona is a "Draw for a tag" state, I will usually put in for a unit that I am fairly familiar with, and quit sure that this unit has some "Keeper" bucks. Once I do get drawn, I plan my scouting trips. I will get out every-other Friday thru Saturday up till my hunt. I don't go out if there is an active hunt going on in the area ,( not such a good idea to be out in the woods when lead could be flying) just my .2 cents LC

I will leave BASE camp about 1hr before the eastern sky begins to light up. Illuminating the trail with a Full blown high power headlamp with a red lens, (not as offending on game). I pack in with a large backpack,(6500cu, inch) hunting while heading to SPIKE camp. I will set up camp (usually 4-5miles in) then prepair for the evening hunt. I will hunt from SPIKE camp for 3 days, out at first light and back by pitch black. When you are that far back in you can hunt right out of camp. And most hunters will only reach the 4-5 mile mark on the farthest turn of their loop. This puts me right on the fringe of most hunting pressure. Food and water are kept at SPIKE camp, my day pack is loaded with snacks. I will camp within a 1/2 mile of water(so after filtering its not to far to carry) but I dont like to camp too close. After a kill I will pack out the game to BASE camp. I didnt use to pack the game out right away, but after loosing a great 90+ head to a hungry lion I learned to change a few things. Then head back to SPIKE camp and pack it back out. This is the only way to go in my book, the Backcountry nights tend to grow on you! LC

I was lucky enough to get drawn for the late hunt in unit 33, and I am very aware of how hard it is to get drawn for these tags, let alone any tag. I know of several locals that did not get drawn at all this year, and it really chaps my hide when I hear that some tag holders choose not to use their tags. If you dont plan to make the effort to hunt the game you drew for, then leave your application out of the box!

Hey Mike, I have hunted unit 32 several times in the last 15 years. This unit has some great coues country, I like to backpack into upper sycamore canyon and camp around the backside of China Peak. Try going up Deer Creek trail and get to" Mud Spring By Sun-up." Lower Oak Creek canyon also holds some big old Bucks. The key is to be prepaired to hike in some very rough and steep country, and dont be afraid to spike-out overnight, this will put right where you want to be at first light. In 1997 the game and fish stated that this unit held the largest population of Mt Lion in the state, so keep your eye's peeled.

try the back side of West Peak, around Lindsey Canyon and into Cedar Mountain. One of Waddells largest deer (109pts) came from this area. Good Luck!

try going into upper Sycamore canyon approx: 5 miles up trail. (via deer creek trail head) I have harvested 3 bucks in this area over the last 5 years, ranging from 85 to 106 pts. hit mud springs by first light!!! Dont forget to try some of the lower elevations around Squaw canyon, the walking is steep, but the whitetail use this area alot. good luck, let us know how the scouting goes.