Ron G.

Beautiful pictures!

Normally whenever I go out specifically to shed hunt, I don't find much, if anything at all. This weekend I used the guise that I was scouting for archery deer. It ended up being a good weekend for bone... (At least for me!) First antler I found I was out driving around with my wife and son on some roads that I hadn't been on in a while. Looked out my window and what do I see... I guess some roads don't get driven that often... (same antler, different view) The next day I went out scouting for deer. After walking a couple of miles, I finally stumbled on something... I think it is a deer antler, but it is pretty old, and pretty unique. After only seeing elk and antelope, I was glassing a treed ridge about 800 yds away. As I was scanning the trees for bedded animals, I saw something that looked like antler tines. I broke out my new Jim White tripler and after looking at it for awhile I convinced myself it was an antler. I decided to stick to my original plan and continue down the ridge I was on before cutting over to the other ridge and looking for sheds, I mean deer, over there. I finally cut over to the other ridge and had just entered the trees when I stumbled on this... I was thrilled! I continued down the treeline keeping my eyes peeled. About 50 yds further I saw something white up higher on the ridge. While going up to what was actually a stick I about stepped on this... In this picture you can see the white stick at the top of the picture. I was thinking 'Sweet!' I hadn't even gotten to my original sighting and had found two 4 pt mule deer sheds... I got to the clump of trees that I thought was the trees I had glassed from almost 850 yds away. I wasn't finding anything, so figured it was just a branch or something I saw instead of an antler. Just to be sure I backed out into a clearing to get a better view of the treeline. I was pretty excited to discover I was still about 75 yds away from the 'real' clump of trees. I zig zagged my way over there, and right where I had spotted it from across the draw was this... I think this may be my first matched set of antlers, and definitely the first matched set of mule deer antlers I've found. I was definitely excited and kept my eyes open the rest of the way back to the truck, but didn't find anything else. Backpack full of bone... Not bad for a morning outing. Here is a picture of the weekend's finds: Here are a couple of pictures for size reference... I was pretty excited and thought I'd share my excitement with everyone... I never did see any deer...

I'll have to look into getting me one of those!

Neat finds! Looks to be some beautiful country!

Looks great! Might want to put a couple of drain holes in the bottom unless it isn't fully sealed/welded at the bottom to let rain drain out. How much do you figure you have in it and/or how much will you charge for making me one? Are you going to secure it to the tree with Lag Bolts?

Neat pictures! Thanks for sharing! Ron

I know this wasn't listed in your options, but it may be something to consider... Have you looked at the Leica Geovids? Either 10x or 8x? After I got my 15's, I realized what 'nice' glass was and after doing research to upgrade my around the neck binos I decided on the geovids. It took me a while to decide on 8x or 10x, and to be truthful, the jury is still out. I haven't owned them long enough to know if I decided wrong in choosing the 8x. So far I am very happy with them. I went from 10x Nikon Monarchs. I had trouble holding the monarchs steady when glassing free hand for more than a few seconds. Not sure if it was due to them being so light or what. I often felt like I was looking, but not seeing with them. I haven't had that feeling yet with my 8x leicas, but then again I haven't really looked at a nice bull or buck with them yet, and I'm sure I'd be shaking anyways when I get a nice one in my field of view... The leicas are heavier (and bulkier?) I believe than the el's, but the leicas are about the same weight as my 10x monarchs and small bushnell rangefinder combined. With the geovids, the range finder is built in, and works great out to 1200 yds. So far I haven't missed the extra 2x, but only time will tell. Most times I will need the extra power I will have my 15's with me. There have been plenty of times that 15x hasn't been enough. In comparing my 10x monarchs to my 8x leicas, I feel like I see more (or better) with the leicas. Not sure if it is due to the better clarity of the leicas, or wider field of view. Anyways, I hope at least the discussion about 8x vs 10x helps you some... Whatever you do make sure to get your hands on whatever pair you are considering and look through them. Good luck and hope you don't mind me mentioning a 3rd pair if you are really set on the el's... Ron

Good luck to you and your clients this year on getting that bull Lance! He looks like a nice one!

Very nice pics! Great buck! How about a story to go along with the pictures. Congrats and he looks great on the wall.

I'll take #3! Please be kind enough to provide gps coords in UTM format so I don't have to convert them!

Very nice pictures! Thanks for posting!

Whoops, looks like Tony beat me to it!

Here it is straight from the regs, page 87 under most common violations: Shoot Too Close To An Occupied Building or Residence (A.R.S. 17-309 A 4) Page 96 Without the resident’s permission, you may not discharge a firearm within 1/4 mile of an occupied residence while taking wildlife. All structures including barns, sheds and cabins should be assumed occupied. And from the actual ARS 17-309 A A.R.S.17-309 Violations; classification A. Unless otherwise prescribed by this title, it is unlawful for a person to: 1. Violate any provision of this title or any rule adopted pursuant to this title. 2. Take, possess, transport, buy, sell or offer or expose for sale wildlife except as expressly permitted by this title. 3. Destroy, injure or molest livestock, growing crops, personal property, notices or signboards, or other improvements while hunting, trapping or fishing. 4. Discharge a firearm while taking wildlife within one-fourth mile of an occupied farmhouse or other residence, cabin, lodge or building without permission of the owner or resident. Don't really want to comment on this incident, but I think people hunt (and shoot) a lot closer than 400 yards to residences all the time. I know up where my parents live almost every place bordering the subdivisions have salt and water, and sometimes feed out. So, of course the animals are going to be there. I have had stories relayed to me of residents getting upset seeing people hunting 'their' animals... I just wish there were bulls of this caliber up by my parent's place!

Great video!

Thought I'd share these pictures my dad took of a hungry rattlesnake that was next to my parent's front porch.

Running 3-4 times a week, anywhere from 3-4.5 miles depending on if I run on the treadmill or outside. Also hitting the weights a couple of times a week and have just started hiking with a ~30 lb pack for 30-40 mins a couple of times a week. Hoping to do some more hiking while scouting here the next few weeks.

Reminds me of when I first got mine all set up (put the lens covers on and looked through them. Crazy things were too wide... Almost freaked out because I'd looked through so many pairs while researching. Once I realized what the deal was I just offset the objective lens cover 'rings' and they close tight enough now. I'm also using the Outdoorsmans post... Ron

Seeing how it was just off the front porch and last year my dad found one on the front porch, I don't think this snake ever got the chance to finish the meal...

Very unfortunate. Prayers go out to all affected...

Thanks Tony and everyone. Maybe now I won't have to buy as many copies of the magazine to share with everyone! I need to check out those other stories as well now! Ron

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing!

I'm planning on going to the fall turkey seminar, so I'll introduce myself to you. Ron

Had a good time last night at the seminar. Thanks ABA, DCA, and Corky.

Neat pictures David. It was good to finally meet you this weekend. Any idea what plants the elk are eating out in the lake bed? I've heard that is what pulls them down there. Hmm, maybe a good plant to use for a food plot!

Probably a stupid question, but if I wanted to try and get 'drawn' with a couple of buddies for the leftover tags, we could all put in on the same application, same as the regular draw, correct? More of a everyone or no one route. Understand that if there is 50 permits, and at #49 they draw the application with three names on it they toss it and go to the next. Is that correct also? Thanks for the additional information on getting it in before the 20th!