BirdDog20 Report post Posted December 17, 2012 Drove in from Texas again this year so that I would have some flexibility in my departure date. 16 to 17 hour drive. 1100 miles. Crazy to think, you can leave Houston at 2pm, you're getting into El Paso at 2am. How do I love hunting deer in Southern AZ ... Had a great hunt this year. Had to learn a new area as my old standbys that served me for 10+ years have dried up ... literally and/or have been shot out with much greater hunting pressure. It was one thing when I still lived in Tucson. I love scouting and could be found in the mountains on most every weekend when I was still at the U of A. My dad doesn't get out scouting nearly as much as he used to as he's not hunting for big bucks anymore. He used to hunt specifically for them back in the 60s and 70s when Cashbox and Leo's used to have their contests, but anymore, he's satisfied just bring home some meat. We didn't camp out since I wasn't sure what area I wanted to hit. 6 straight days of getting up at 2am to drive approx 2 hours. Hike for 2 hours and be sitting 30 minutes before the sun came up. Exhausting. So anyway, I had to do all my scouting from 1100 miles away with google maps. And it worked. Spent 4 consecutive days going into a new area and saw 3 - 90ish heads at 600 to 800 yards. Had a shot at one at 480yards which i missed low. If I had more time, I would have been able to cut off substantial distance, but he was coming down for water quick. All the better in the end. There should be 3 nice heads in the area. I let them be and went back to my original area to see about a shooter buck I let go last year in my late hunt. I never saw him, but with it being my last day, I went ahead and took a spike buck that my dad glassed up just to bring back some meat. I'm really looking forward to next year with that new area though. To me, that made the hunt! Although, I am curious to what kind of hunting pressure this new site may have. Couple of interesting finds: - Found a natural seep. - Found a troop of 12-15 coatimundi's. They were all over the place. - Dismantled a staging area for illegals. Tore up the canopy they had created. Pissed on the sleeping bags (more of a symbolic statement). Drug back all the plastic they were using to mask their heat signatures back to my truck. Gave the GPS coordinates to the Border Patrol so they could do flyovers. The Border Patrol were very appreciative of us hunters. Basically this site makes sense for the coyotes to set up. It overlooks the valley coming up from I-19. They can see any Border Patrol or their pickup coming from a long way off. Amazing that this grand ol' tree finally died. Shows how low the water table is getting with Green Valley and Tubac, etc pulling water from the ground and the ongoing drought. There was a time when 684 had water running in the road. It used to be lush. I can't believe how dry that side of the Tumacacori's look now. Lastly, I just want to say that I appreciate any time that I get to hunt with my father. He cracked 75 this year, but still works out and can still pull his way up the mountains. He went out all 6 days with me and then we both helped out my uncle in 36A afterwards. I'm amazed, appreciative, but sadly I realize that there will be a point in the next few years that things will change. Can he make it to 80? He can still hike and glass with the best of them. He outglassed me on finding the does this year, but I found all the bucks, except for the one I got. Lol. I like to think that I help give him incentive to stay in shape. I know he's looking forward to that new area next year as much as I am. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mocha1545 Report post Posted December 17, 2012 Very nice write up and pics. Good job on the camp you found. Keep the faith on your Dad. mine is 88 and still talking about where to put in for elk. I don't he can hump the Coues hills anymore but he did until he was about 84. Nothing in the world better than sharing the outdoors with Family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BirdDog20 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 Thanks! Third generation is about to start in the next couple years. He comes out on my dad's hunts since they tend to be shorter and I can afford him to miss a couple days of school instead of a full week. School first! Lol. Good to hear your father is still at it too. There's hope! If you don't use it, you lose it, my dad always says, so I hope he can maintain. P.S. @ Bill Quimby - Bob Lee from TNI says hi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trophyhnter Report post Posted December 18, 2012 Great story and pics but you forgot one.....What about the pic of the martain you shot! My dad just turned 64 this month and is talking about hunting with my oldest son in 7 years! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BirdDog20 Report post Posted December 18, 2012 Lol. Martian from the UFO crash site? I didn't take any pictures of the spike other than us processing it on the back porch and the tag on the deer for proof so that I could transport it back to Texas. Was torn about taking him or not, but figured two years in a row of tag soup isn't very efficient use of meat / $$. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
