[Etter1]

in reply to: In the Elk Woods: the strange & unreal. #22355

David Petersen wrote: jg — that’s a good presumption about a bull circling upwind of a cow in order for her to smell him … I’ve never considered that possibility before and think it’s entirely possible. In my experience elk just don’t pay as much attention to wind as deer, esp. during rut. I’ve had both genders come in upwind when calling. But with a decoy, it makes some sense. Welcome here.

Etter — I too quit using turkey dekes for trad bowhunting long ago, for exactly the reason you suggest. (Likewise, I haven’t owned an elk bugle in more years than I can remember.) When in doubt, remain silent.

As much as you and I fence, we could surely split a glass of scotch Dave.:D

[Etter1]

in reply to: Our Arizona Javi Hunt #22328

Don,

I never felt encroached upon by bird hunters. In fact, the nearest shotgun blast I heard was well over one mile away. I sure wish those big dog running suckers would have run some pigs my way!

Down here, we regularly have people running quail dogs, coon hounds, rabbit beagles, etc, etc, etc, and I don’t think it has any effect on our deer or pigs.

Running them purposely with human drivers or hound dogs changes things instantly but

[Etter1]

in reply to: In the Elk Woods: the strange & unreal. #21892

That sounds a lot like turkey hunting! With turkeys, IMO, the decoy will screw you more times than it will give you a fried breast on the plate.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Bison and bunnies #21889

Fallguy wrote: Another little tidbit that I have been told is that in the winter if the snows are deep enough that the cattle can not graze on the government pastures that the ranchers are supplied alfalfa pellets or hay to feed their cattle at taxpayer expense. Maybe someone here can verify that for me. It would not surprise me though. The crop insurance program for farmers is a guaranteed cost plus program subsidised by the taxpayers.

Nowadays, a western farmer who knows how to manipulate the system can make 2-3x as much as a regular rancher without even producing anything. Bureaucratic nonsense at its best.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Bison and bunnies #21023

I’m with you 100 percent Dave.

I’m glad not to have to deal with that back here in the East (much) but we need some strong organizations to stand up to this nonsense. Unfortunately, as always, money speaks the loudest and there is a lot more money to be made in grazing of public lands than we (the few) are probably ever going to be able to donate.

Hell, at this day in age, there isn’t even an environmentally minded political party to root for (or vote for).

I suppose I’m more of a pessimist than an optimist, but I consider myself a realist. As a realist, I feel like humanity is racing towards the edge of a cliff and nobody is manning the brakes.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Bison and bunnies #20989

It’s really sad what goes on with grazing cattle in the west. I hadn’t seen it much until this trip to AZ and it shocked me at the rate that they are allowed to graze and erode our nationally and state owned lands.

The idea that rabbits could be doing that much feeding really doesn’t surprise me but the idea that a bounty on coyotes is actually doing much to control their populations does. Studies have shown that Eastern Coyotes can stand a removal of 70% of their population per year with no reduction in overall numbers. I would have thought the same would be true out west.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Our Arizona Javi Hunt #17010

Dave, I say that mostly because we had deer moving during the daylight around us nearly the entire time. I watched does moving pretty much every morning and evening, and even watched a buck chasing a doe in a draw for over ten minutes within about 75 yards. I would certainly expect them to respond to pressure faster than javelina but maybe I’m wrong. I wonder how much the cold really affects them and if they weren’t moving a good bit at night for some reason. I’m sure if they were regularly out in the open, we would have spotted some.

I tried blind calling on several occasions without success. It was very odd to be surrounded by so much older sign and to find almost zero fresh.

As for the illegals, I bet that does shake things up. Ww heard deer blowing every night and I was constantly wondering if that was because of people moving through the desert.

[Etter1]

in reply to: January hog with a few pics #16276

Great job again Joey!

Anybody who wants to come and kill a few of these things, please come on!

Im really concerned about what they are starting to do in the NE mtns. There are more and more every year and with such vast wilderness, they are quickly becoming out of control.

These things are an ecological nightmare.

Pick a weekend in february Joe and Ill try to make it down! While I sure wish we didnt have any of them, they are really awesome for bowhunters!

[Etter1]

in reply to: Our Arizona Javi Hunt #15718

Also, forgot to tell you Bruce, just after I passed you on the way out I drove up on a covey of 16 quail dusting and gritting in the road. They ran off and I grabbed my bow. I didn’t have time to find my tab but quickly found a cock bird up on a rock at 6 yards. I drew and instantly missed by a miles and ripped a whole fletching off on a wire fence. It seemed like a fitting end as the covey flushed. Lol.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Our Arizona Javi Hunt #15704

If I shot a compound, I think I could have probably killed a deer at some point but I dont think I ever could with a tradbow without staking out a trail or waterhole.

As for the quail hunters, I dont think they affect anything. People hunting coons, quail, rabbits, and squirrels with dogs have zero effect on our deer in the east so I surely dont think they would have any influence on a javelina.

I was pretty jealous of those birders on Saturday. They were doing really really well. It sounded like some awesome hunting.

I could have filled a turkey tag as well but am not sure I could have loosed an arrow on them. Those Merriams birds were as tame as barnyard birds. I dont understand it

[Etter1]

in reply to: Deer Drag #14090

Looks great guys. I’m an Eastern guy too but anymore, I usually cut em up in the woods as well. If they’re going to be more than 300-400 yards, it’s really worth it.

If you check out chris spike’s video on youtube, he shows the technique we have adopted for deer and pigs. I can quarter a deer that way in less than 20 minutes most of the time.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Last minute Arizona advice for Bruce and I #8714

These little pigs are making us look stupid. Ive been pounding leather and glassing for 2.5 days and havent laid eyes on one yet. Bruce or Kevin either.

Deer, quail, beautiful scenery, and fellowship are all in abundance but these javis have been ghosts so far. If anybody has any recent info on javis in 34a, post it up. Please!!!

[Etter1]

in reply to: Southwest DIY Javelina Hunts? #61991

Im a a bar in a motor inn about an hour west of las cruces NM. Been stopped at one checkpoint already but my drive has been pretty uneventful except for watching 5 cops with bullet proof vests and ar15s put a guy on his knees.

I have a three hour drive in the morning and then Ill be hunting!

Ps- this is a really long drive from atlanta!

[Etter1]

in reply to: Southwest DIY Javelina Hunts? #60926

Tailfeather and I know the tombigbee from Tom Kelly fame.

I made it to Abilene, TX today from ATL. I will be getting real close to our hunting area by tomorrow evening and hope to be hunting most of the day Saturday.

So far so good as far as truck and any other hickups. Just hope my luck holds. Sure wish I had a buddy to share this journey with but Im about to make two more so should be a great trip.

[Etter1]

in reply to: Southwest DIY Javelina Hunts? #60028

4:19 am. Headed out. Hold down the fort.

[Author]

Posts