Backpack hunting for coues

[azslim]

I prefer to shoot them from the truck, the mirror makes a nice rest for my rifle and they are usually close to the road........

[deerhunter]

Base camp doesn't have to be way out in the boonies. I dont believe further is always better. A lot of the places I hunt are no more than a couple miles from the truck and hold plenty of quality deer. But the country very nasty and most people aren't willing to walk it. There's no sense in loading yourself down and walking to the next county if you dont have to .IMO . Learn the country you hunt like the back of your hand and you just might be surprised at what it really holds....

 

+1

[triton]

AZ Slim, are you back from Alpine already?? PM me when you get a chance. Curious to see how it was up there.

 

Jim Cook

 

PS. at least get outta the truck and shoot from the shoulder of the road..

[CouesWhitetail]

A lot of the backpack hunts I do are 1-3 miles from the road. One of the big advantages to backpack hunting (besides those already mentioned) is that you don't wear yourself out everyday hiking in and out. And you get more sleep so you are more rested and relaxed during the hunt. Plus you can hunt until dark without worrrying about a long hike out. I just find it a nicer way to hunt. The solitude is great and the more relaxed pace without long hikes and drives to a hunt location is wonderful.

 

 

[Distance]

The largest Cous I ever took was about .75 miles from the road. It was the last evening, last day, of a 7 day hunt. We averaged about 8-9 miles a day (going out twice a day). I guess they just are where you find them. Sometimes the pressure will push them up, but I've seen big ones running with Muley's in the lowlands during the season.

I like the long hikes because it adds to the adventure. when you only get out once or twice a year to hunt big game, make the most of it, but be safe.

[AZP&Y]

A lot of the backpack hunts I do are 1-3 miles from the road. One of the big advantages to backpack hunting (besides those already mentioned) is that you don't wear yourself out everyday hiking in and out. And you get more sleep so you are more rested and relaxed during the hunt. Plus you can hunt until dark without worrrying about a long hike out. I just find it a nicer way to hunt. The solitude is great and the more relaxed pace without long hikes and drives to a hunt location is wonderful.

 

+1 . Another idea is when scouting to drop a MSR DROM bag prior to a hike in hunt (knowing you are going to come back) to hunt later. They are pretty critter proof and easy to stash. Just remember where you put it Pack it in , pack it out.

 

 

AzP&Y

[mp_moody]

Hunted Unit 29 last year and learned that hiking up and down those mountains twice a day to get back to camp was a pain. We ended up caching most of our gear in a decent glassing spot and coming back to it before sunrise/sunset. I would love to backpack hunt, but my only concern is setting up camp in a good coues area and scaring everything away. That and having to haul enough gear to sustain myself for a few days. Sounds exhausting!

[jamaro]

I am not trying to be a jerk but I just want to know becasue I have heard different things on Caches.... Are they legal??

[AZP&Y]

I am not trying to be a jerk but I just want to know becasue I have heard different things on Caches.... Are they legal??

 

 

I think that's a valid point and I don't take it as being a jerk.

 

I personally always cache something and have retrieved it... I have left water for weeks and once for 5 months, but had a member on here retrieve the drom bag and if he wouldn't have retrieved it, I would have gone back to get it myself.

 

The way I look it , I've picked up TONS of garbage from others and don't want to be caching with the intention of contributing to the problem.

 

2 weekends ago along my section of the Arizona Trail , I came home with 3 RUSTED -coleman white gas fuel containers with bullet holes in them that had been on the Coconino for probably 10 years. I just couldn't let them sit there in such a pristine environement.

 

http://www.aztrail.org/

 

In my opinon a cached water container is not part of the problem, but a necessity for long distance hikers/hunters.

 

AzP&Y

[catclaw]

Sometimes a backback hunt is more than just about good quality and or quantities of game. It is the solitude, quiet, scenery, testing yourself both physically and mentally. Being able to survive in harsh elements. Good game is just a bonus.

 

In Arizona country, 10 miles is not too much but 5 miles gets you in far enough so long as you are not hiking towards other roads.

 

I can't think of any spots that are 10 miles away from access in another direction! Well maybe a couple are close, but the only reason to go that far is if you found one from the air and are just needing to get into him.

 

2-3 miles in is about perfect.

 

[fx4hauler]

What kind of contianer do you cache your water in?

[AZP&Y]

What kind of contianer do you cache your water in?

 

 

THey come in 2L-4L-6L or 10L.

 

I have used them for years over lots of miles. they are very durable.

If you are going to stash them it's a good idea to try and get them 'scent free' if possible because critters can and do sometimes find them...

 

The can be found @ REI or most quality outdoor stores...

 

Another key feature is the MSR water filter attaches directly to the DROM bag if you are going to filter from a seep,spring or tank.

 

MSR Dromedary Bags take the hassle out of filling, carrying, and pouring water in the field. MSR designed their Dromedary Bags to withstand the most trying conditions. With a temperature threshold from freezing to boiling, and abrasion-resistant cordura construction, these sturdy Dromedary Bags hold up to the most rigorous adventures. MSR added a low-profile handle making it easy to fill. MSR Dromedary Bags have added perimeter webbing allowing you to attach it to your pack or hang it up at the base camp. The bonus 3-in-1 cap ensures effortless filling, drinking, and pouring from the Dromedary Bags.

 

Product Features

Material: Cordura laminated with food-grade polyurethane

Weight: [2L] 4.6 oz; [4L] 5.4oz; [6L] 7.2oz; [10L] 8.5oz

[fx4hauler]

What size do you like to cache? I'll be going on a 5 day hunt not sure how relible the water is.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

Great Posts and Thread, guys....

 

It was said... "Big bucks are where you find them." That is the truest statement of all IMO... 35 yds from the road or 3.5 miles from a road... and everything in between.... big bucks are in every (coues) unit in the state they get big cuz no one sees them... The only reason I have an interest in Backpack hunting is for the hunt quality (as also mentioned), I rarely have the time for a BP hunt, so I try to limit my morning hikes to 1-2 miles from the ranger or truck.... that is a 30 to 45 minute walk if you hustle.... sometimes I am hunting from my ranger.... how far you go has far less to do with success than how long you stay....

[AZP&Y]

What size do you like to cache? I'll be going on a 5 day hunt not sure how relible the water is.

 

 

I cache the 6L drom bag and carry in the rest of my water. I have another 2L MSR DROM and 2 naglene bottles that hold 32oz each for a 4 day hunt.

 

Just to clarify :

6L= 1.59 gallons

1 gallon weighs *8.35 pounds (so you can get an idea how much the 6 litre bag weighs).

 

As Amanda stated the nice thing about a pack in hunt for the most part you aren't burning up hugh amounts of energy except going into a wilderness/or the backcountry and your way back out...

 

Good luck and hope to see some pics of the hunt!

 

AzP&Y