Intro NE Arizona

[Huntsmitherz]

Been on the site for a bit off and on but never introduced myself.

Live in NE Arizona and grew up hunting but nothing long range. I got into Coues deer hunting several years ago and learned that in order to improve my odd's I needed to expand my Shooting capabilities and equipment to include long range shooting.

The site has been a huge resource of information for me in learning how to improve my shooting and upgrading my equipment to be capable of shooting successfully out to much greater distances.

 

[wildcat455]

Good to see another Arizonan posting up!
If you don't mind, tell me about your equipment choices, rifle caliber, etc for coues, what ranges you're comfortable with on them etc.

 

[Huntsmitherz]

Good to see another Arizonan posting up!
If you don't mind, tell me about your equipment choices, rifle caliber, etc for coues, what ranges you're comfortable with on them etc.

Good to hear from another Arizonan. Are you a fellow Coues hunter?

I almost exclusively hunt with a 6.5 SAUM built by GA Precision with a Leupold VX6HD 3-18 TMOA. It will out shoot my capabilities all day. I bought it from a member and it already had a load it liked with 140 grn Bergers. It helped quite a bit being able to really work on my shooting and be confident that the equipment isn't the issue.

I use the SIG Kilo 2400 ABS and have really liked the set up. Wind is always the challenge and I am still learning. This site has helped my learning curve tremendously. I have gotten fairly comfortable with it out to 750 yards and in good conditions will stretch it to a 1,000.

I don't venture too far outside this set up for my long range hunting. I also have a 6.5 284 that I like to shoot but the SAUM is my go to when I have a tag.

 

[wildcat455]

I used to hunt coues back in the 80's and early 90's with my dad. Want to say we spent most our time back then in unit 21 and 22. He's still my hunting partner, but we don't get after coues like we used to.
Nowdays when it comes to deer, (and when we get drawn) we hunt around his property in Mayer, AZ. About a half hour from where I live in Black Canyon City. When we don't get drawn, we try to come up with something. We will either go out of state, or spend the year varmint calling. This year we are off to West Virginia for some whitetail hunting around my nephews property.
Never hunted there so it should be fun.
Back in those days I had a Remington 721 264 Win Mag, among other calibers. It had a 3-9 Redfield scope on it, and worked great with 140 gr Sierra's. Used to use it exclusively for deer hunting, but then I got bit by the love and affection for the 300 Win Mag, and sold the 264 to my dad who then sold it to a cousin of mine in Wisconsin.
Equipment choices then didn't feel like we were limited, but looking back now, we certainly were.

 

[Dosh]

Welcome from Goodyear,Az. Like to get the leftover Coues tags along with several friends so we keep our bonus points.

 

[Huntsmitherz]

I used to hunt coues back in the 80's and early 90's with my dad. Want to say we spent most our time back then in unit 21 and 22. He's still my hunting partner, but we don't get after coues like we used to.
Nowdays when it comes to deer, (and when we get drawn) we hunt around his property in Mayer, AZ. About a half hour from where I live in Black Canyon City. When we don't get drawn, we try to come up with something. We will either go out of state, or spend the year varmint calling. This year we are off to West Virginia for some whitetail hunting around my nephews property.
Never hunted there so it should be fun.
Back in those days I had a Remington 721 264 Win Mag, among other calibers. It had a 3-9 Redfield scope on it, and worked great with 140 gr Sierra's. Used to use it exclusively for deer hunting, but then I got bit by the love and affection for the 300 Win Mag, and sold the 264 to my dad who then sold it to a cousin of mine in Wisconsin.
Equipment choices then didn't feel like we were limited, but looking back now, we certainly were.

I have yet to venture outside of AZ for a hunting trip but it's on the list of things to do. Would love to add an Eastern whitetail to hunting experience at some point. Good luck out in Wisconsin!

How long have you been shooting the 300 Win mag?

 

[Huntsmitherz]

Welcome from Goodyear,Az. Like to get the leftover Coues tags along with several friends so we keep our bonus points.

+1 for leftover Coues Tags! What hunt are you saving the bonus points up for?

 

[wildcat455]

I have yet to venture outside of AZ for a hunting trip but it's on the list of things to do. Would love to add an Eastern whitetail to hunting experience at some point. Good luck out in Wisconsin!

How long have you been shooting the 300 Win mag?

Been shooting the 300 Win Mag since I was about 15. So 40 years. It was one of my dads rifles. I Got my first one at 19. Again, dads rifle. Passed that one down to a step son about 4 years ago.
I still own 3 in that caliber. Literally a lifetime of hunting with it so far!

Now playing with long range shooting with it and others.

Yeah, we've been real successful hunting deer in Wisconsin. We only go when we don't get drawn here in AZ. Dad has property there that my cousin who now has the old 264 looks after.

But just to be clear, we are going to West Virginia this year!! My nephews place! Haha!

 

[Dosh]

+1 for leftover Coues Tags! What hunt are you saving the bonus points up for?

I have 12 points for deer. Continue to apply for three of the units on the Az Strip. I've been on three hunts on the strip in the last four years helping friends who were lucky enough to draw the coveted tags. Absolutely the biggest mule deer anywhere.

 

[wildcat455]

I have 12 points for deer. Continue to apply for three of the units on the Az Strip. I've been on three hunts on the strip in the last four years helping friends who were lucky enough to draw the coveted tags. Absolutely the biggest mule deer anywhere.

Start buying bonus points. Some people buy as many as 20 to get drawn.