HuntKaibab Report post Posted December 10, 2008 Ok well this isnt exactly about coues hunting but it is about huntin. ok well me (14) and my father (50) have been hunting big game in arizona for the 5 years i have been able to hunt and 3 years before (dad had the tag). Anyway it seems like whatever we do we never have success hunting here. Here is our past hunts... heres dads past 2000-6a deer no success 2001-6a deer no success 2002-6b deer no success 2003-36b deer no success 2005-19a deer no success 2006-19a deer no success 2007-19a deer no success, 10 cow elk no success 2008-19a deer no success, 6a cow elk no success not good odds now heres my past few years 2004-24b jr. no success 2005-12 AW jr. anterless... SUCCESS!!! finally first big game kill in az for my family 2006-not drawn 2007-6a jr. cow elk tag no success, 12 AW antlerless... Success! 2008-12 AW antlerless no success as you can see we havent had the best odds in the world. are we doing something wrong? I want my dad to kill something in az so bad i cant explain. We have put in for elk every year but only gotten 3 cow tags which none we were able to fill. anyway what do you guys think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted December 10, 2008 Sorry to hear about the lack of success for you and your dad. I can see that a few of your hunts have been for tough hunts and that doesn't help to increase your odds of success. My thoughts are that to be successful on a hunt you have to scout, plan, and prepare. The more days you spend scouting......and I mean actually scouting, glassin, checkin' tanks, talkin to locals, past hunters etc......all increase your chances of success by leaps and bounds, the more days the better!!! Sure, a guy can get lucky and lots of folks do, but don't rely on luck. The more you prepare for a hunt, means the less dependant you are on luck and the better your chances of success! Next time you or your dad draw a tag call me, I'll help out in any way I can. JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted December 10, 2008 That's great advice. Listen and do call when you draw another tag, definitely take Jim up on his offer. Another thing to look at is HOW YOU HUNT. I'm sure he'll explain that too. You are young, with plenty of hunting years ahead for opportunity at success. I commend you on wanting your Dad to reach success also. You came to the right place. I too can help when that time comes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueschaser3 Report post Posted December 10, 2008 I can definately relate to that and i believe on my end it was due to the fact that my Dad never hunted in his life. I got into it on my own. Kinda had a buddy that learned with me also. at that age i read every book whether hunting related or biology related on every animal that frustrated me at the time.....pretty much and big game in arizona. Being that my dad took us out every weekend but really couldnt give any advice i started from scratch. The very first thing i learned is obvious, you gotta hunt where they are. Second i think the way my dad took us out....pretty much aimlessly walking was more accustomed to hunting eastern US. The #1 best thing i did was buy the best glass i could afford, at 16 that was a 500 dollar pair of Pentax 16x60's. A good all day/ multi day pack was the next. The best thing you can do is some of what was mentioned previously, especially scouting, but sit and GLASS GLASS GLASS, let your eyes walk. Once you learn the prey you will understand them and where to glass based on time of day/ time of year/ location. I became so obessesed with it that now its all i think about and all i spend my money on. Finally at 13 i shot my first Javelina, let me tell you that is a great animal to learn on. They take a while to figure out but you learn stalking, especially handgun or archery, planning the stalk, figuring out where they are headed and the like. I am sure you will get some great advice on this thread and it will pay of theres folks on here with endless knowledge and usually more than willing to help. Deer can be tough especially on muley hunts in 6a 6b area herds have suffered quite a bit due to droughts and the like but they are in there. every single day you go out you will learn more so never confine gettin out there based on hunting, scout get out in a favorite spot even if you didnt draw. Picking up archery is great because the seasons are so long and quite a bit of time to get out. i can honestly tell you that now at 24 i am just finally starting to be confident in my hunting and knowing what im doing and there is still limitless things to learn. But because of picking it up on my own i am very proud of what i know, and being good at what i know. Because of my efforts i have taken a few good animals with more to come, including taking others on hunts and filling a number of cow tags, a 160 muley and 103 coues in two days this year, my late bull this year, Pigs with everything from traditional archery to rifle and again hunting tags and helping others where nothing was brought home. Its all in the Hunt, its an obsession and like anything if you learn it and stick to it you will progress quickly you have plenty of time to do so. PS. If you ever draw a tag or would like any advice on the subject i hunt those units, except kiabab, very often and would be glad to help or point you in the right direction. -Tim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ultramag Report post Posted December 10, 2008 most of us have been there, keep trying never give up have patience. It took me years to kill my first deer now I have filled 3 tags in a row they keep getting bigger. hang in there read all the stuff you can and spend as much time in the field as you can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted December 10, 2008 What methods have you and your dad used to hunt the elk and deer? What times during the day relative to sunup & sundown are you in position? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JMP Report post Posted December 10, 2008 what's good is that you guys keep at it, which is most important. the more you do it, the more you learn. seem like you care about it enough.... to the point that you'd post on here for help. you'll get it. before you know it, you'll be posting pics on here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueschaser3 Report post Posted December 10, 2008 I must add, i do believe based on your post that you and your Father have drawn more tags in that time frame than most guys on this site have Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntKaibab Report post Posted December 10, 2008 What methods have you and your dad used to hunt the elk and deer? What times during the day relative to sunup & sundown are you in position? All great advice thanks guys...We have good optics, my dad has a pair of 10x42 swarovski's that i bought him last cristmas and i have 10x42 leupoulds mojave's (spelling?). anyway we glass alot and we find deer but its getting n them that we never seem to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueschaser3 Report post Posted December 10, 2008 All great advice thanks guys...We have good optics, my dad has a pair of 10x42 swarovski's that i bought him last cristmas and i have 10x42 leupoulds mojave's (spelling?). anyway we glass alot and we find deer but its getting n them that we never seem to do. Someday...someday...i pray, that i have a child.....that will do the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EagleEye Report post Posted December 10, 2008 I here ya but you goota put time in 1 area I have hunted for 5 years and only killed one deer in kaibab this year. But I like learning new ares also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Weston Report post Posted December 10, 2008 I'll tell you what has helped us, GLASSING, I have seen more deer each year, in our area by glassing, it takes getting use to to seeing these deer under trees far away. But, if you use those Binos on a tripod and glass you'll get better, also scout often, scouting will help you with your glassing tecnique and you will find out what kind of trees, hillsides and like I said before you WILL see them more often. Honestly me and my dad have hunted 7 years in Unit 33 it took 3 years to get our first deer, but now we get atleast 1 every year, This year was the first year I scouted heavily, and I killed the buck I was after a dream buck for me. If you put in preseason effort with glassing practice and scouting it will all follow, also make sure you go to the range often nothings worse than having a buck in your sights and missing! (I speak from expierance ). Another thing if you can get out with your dad and hunt other things, My passion is predator hunting and bird hunting, Theres nothing that helps buck feaver/ shooting at a deer when you have to make shots on coyotes and bobcats! Dont give up, it will all come together, I promise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lousyhunter Report post Posted December 10, 2008 i feel your pain, just look at my name. Me and my friend (mostly my friend) can glass deer anytime anywhere, except when we have a tag in our hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted December 10, 2008 Someday...someday...i pray, that i have a child.....that will do the same. I was thinking the same thing. Your 14 and bought your dad swaros? your making me feel bad that I spent $20 on his christmas gift this year Just keep at it and listen to what the guys on this site have to say, I couldn't give you any better advice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bchoitz Report post Posted December 10, 2008 As Red Rabbit said, what have you been doing? You have the glass and have been seeing the deer, that is usually the hardest part. Watch the deer and see what they do, where they go, and what they feed on, and where they bed. Practice in the off season and try stalking the deer, not just the bucks, but the does as well. (I can't tell you how many times I tried this growing up outside of RMNP) For elk, apply for the earliest cow tags, (October) and spend a day or two before the season scouting water holes and listening for the bulls. Your ears are better than optics for the early cow season. Go with friends if they get a hunt and will take you. I learn alot from others. Good luck! PS - How can I get one of my kids to buy me a pair of Swaros for Christmas? Bret Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
