Well, this weekend the boys attended a Hunter Education class through the AZ Game and Fish Department. My oldest, Seth, just turned 14 so he only needs the course for a bonus point at this point. His younger brother, Colton, on the other hand needed the course to be able hunt deer this year. I think boy boys were apprehensive, and maybe a little upset when I told them that their weekend would be spent in the classroom. However, they both enjoyed the course and paseed with flying colors.

The class they took was a two-day class, which I really prefer. Although you only have one evening to prepare for the test, it really beats spending several evenings over several weeks in the classroom. In addition, you can always use the nes online course materials to study leading up to the course.

Day One: In the classroom covering topics such as safe handling, wildlife conservation, and hunting ethics.

Day Two: During the field day, students witnessed a shooting seminar performed by the instructors, shot a .22 rifle in three positions, and experienced a simulated hunt. Finally, in the afternoon - the TEST!

As I stated, the boys did good: Seth - 98% and Colton - 96%. Good job guys!

Here is my warning! Since the kids passed, especially the young one who needed the course to hunt; I have fielded every question in the book: When can we go hunting? What tags can I just buy? Can my uncle take me hunting next week? Can we buy a tag in New Mexico? …and so on.

If you are looking for a hunter education class in Arizona, visit their site.

For the last few years, I have really become infatuated with hunting White-tailed deer. I have hunted whitetails in Texas and Indiana, and I am currently preparing for an archery hunt in Nebraska this year with IMB Outfitters. It wasn’t that many years ago that I could not bring myself to watch a whitetail hunting show on TV, and now I am addicted. I think a lot of it comes from hunting Coues whitetail deer here in Arizona on a regular basis, and the fact that it presents a new challenge and learning opportunity. However, I know other hunters that are still dis-interested or would prefer to hunt other game species.

With that in mind, I offer this small survey: Click Here to take survey

I will post the results in a few days. Enjoy!

Photo by Jason Coil

Elk season is approaching quickly. If you are one of the lucky ones who drew a tag in either Arizona or New Mexico, please visit Rocky Mountain Game & Fish Magazine online to read my forecast, Southwestern Bulls In 2008.

Southwestern Bulls In 2008 - By Darren Choate
Arizona and New Mexico are fired up for an elk season that promises very good opportunities for trophy back-scratchers. Even in what most would consider a drought, the 2007 elk seasons in Arizona and New Mexico were grand, to say the least. Many factors have changed since the end of the season, but the outlook for the 2008 season looks exceptionally promising.

          Read the full story.

Early this summer I had a picture of the following goofy-looking bull. Checked the Cuddebacks today, and, well, the bull is getting bigger, but still looks goofy. Please feel free to check out my Trail-camera website at: trailcam.drchoate.com

If you love elk, elk-hunting, and want to help ensure the future of elk, please attend our 24th annual RMEF Big Game Banquet this August in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Chapter: Flagstaff
When: Saturday, August 16, doors open at 5PM
Where: High Country Conference Center at NAU, 201 West Butler Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Event Contact: Tim Topell (928) 635-6776

Prizes include the following:
Quad/two-gun raffle
Colorado elk hunt
25+ firearms
Archery gear
Optics packages
Many more

For tickets call Tim at the number above or visit http://www.rmef.org/AboutUs/Chapters/FundraisingEvents/?statemapname=Arizona to get your tickets online.

I recently updated my Trail-camera website. I added pictures from 2006, and a few that I have already gathered this year. Please feel free to have a look at: http://trailcam.drchoate.com.

Enjoy!

This is the last week for online sales for the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle.

From the AZ Department of Game and Fish:

Arizona Big Game Super Raffle 
Here’s your chance to hunt big game trophies in Arizona and the price is right! The Arizona Game and Fish Commission in cooperation with various state and national sportsman’s groups will sponsor a raffle for the 2008-2009 hunting season. One tag for nine different big game species will be drawn in this raffle. Tickets range in price from $5 - $25, depending on the species. Mail orders for tickets must be received no later than June 27, 2008. Online sales will end July 13, 2008. The public drawing for winners will occur in July 19, 2008. Every dollar raised through ticket sales of each species goes directly toward management projects that benefit that species in Arizona.

Get your tickets today! http://www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com/

I have discussed the excitement that trail-cameras provide for me. Wondering what pictures you will have each time. Of interest to me is, an animals use of the same area year after year. When I came across the picture of a bull that I posted a picture of last weekend, I thought it looked familiar. A number of things caught my attention: g-1s that go up and “droopy” g-2s, veining in the antlers, and just overall configuration. I believe the following pictures show the same bull. Although last year, the bull had more points. What do you think? Post a comment.

8×7 in 2007

2008 bull

Over the last few weeks several people have asked me, “What kind of trail-camera do you use?” So, I thought I would post something on the topic here. I am a die-hard Cuddeback user. I own five of the Excite model, and I use them with the BearSafe product that Cuddeback builds as well. I truly believe that the Cuddeback has the fastes trigger speed, which allows the capture of photos from the side really well. Additionally, the battery life of the four D-cell batteries is great; my cameras last at leat a month, while capturing hundreds of photos. The BearSafe does protect the camera from bears, which has happened to me. However, it really offers me a little security for placing cameras on public property. The BearSafe can be bolted to a tree and locked with a padlock. At least it keeps the honest thieves away! I have purchased most of my Cuddeback lineup from Fifield Seed & Feed in Wisconsin. They are an authorized online seller of the Cuddeback products, offer great prices, and fast shipping.

A Cuddeback Excite and BearSafe in the field.

Below are a few pictures of bull elk and Coues bucks from the last few weeks. Enjoy!

A nice bull for June.

Another old, big bull.

A Coues buck.

Second Coues buck.

For a full lineup of last year’s pictures please visit My Trailcam Site.

Arizona’s hunters and anglers impacts the state’s economy with spending of $1.3 billion annually. Approximately 418,000 sportsmen spend $3.8 million per day, on average.  Several other interesting facts are published in a reprt by several organizations, and posted on Safari Clubs’s website. The full article can be accessed on SCI’s website at: http://www.scifirstforhunters.org/docs/static/EconomicImpactReport/AZ.pdf