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Got lucky and killed a good buck in NM this year with the drought. Was a very physical hunt and it was a true cat and mouse game with an old solo living stinky old troll buck. Very difficult country but was rewarded.

Day 2 Hunt Update Another before-5 a.m. wake-up call had us dragging a bit, but we pushed back into the same canyon we hunted opening morning. This time, no other hunters were in there—just us, yes! As the first light started creeping in, my buddy with the tag whispered that he had an elk spotted. Hard to tell in the grey light if it was a bull, but based on the size and the fact we haven’t seen many cows in there, I was pretty sure it was. A few seconds later, I spotted another elk the same time my brother whispered he had eyes on a second one. Things were getting good fast. About five minutes later the light got just good enough, and we could clearly tell they were both bulls and one of was definitely a shooter. They were feeding their way across the ridge to the south of us and heading up into a draw. We were really hoping they'd pop back out along the ridge directly in front of us instead of disappearing up the draw. Another few minutes passed and then a third elk stepped out on the far side of the draw. Bingo. Three bulls, all headed in a direction that would put them about 300 yards in front of us. The three of us quietly glassed them and then all agreed on which bull was the biggest. My buddy loaded his rifle. I gave him the yardage—255 yards. Perfect. The bull stepped out from behind a bush, standing perfectly broadside, and my buddy sent it. Looked like a hit, but the bull barely reacted. The bull walked maybe 20 yards and stopped broadside again. I told him to reload and hit him one more time to be sure. And then the worst happened. His gun jammed. Probably ran his bolt too softly in the excitement. As he tried to clear it, I scrambled to sort out his mag. Five seconds… ten seconds… felt like ten minutes. The bull was still somehow just standing there. Finally got the jam cleared, took aim, and sent another round. Again, not even a flinch. We were all thinking, what is going on? Then the bull suddenly tipped forward and started going down. Yes! He went down for good and we were all super excited! As we were high fiving and giving congratulations, five more bulls came out from nowhere. It’s always crazy how many elk can be right in front of you without ever being seen. My buddy asked if we should’ve waited and I told him absolutely not—250 yards, broadside, on a great bull? I would take that any day of the week, at least that’s my opinion. Then came the part every hunter loves: the pack out. Took two full trips to get him off the mountain. Long day, heavy loads, sore legs, but totally worth it. Could not be happier for my buddy—his first big-game animal with a darn nice bull. Thanks to everyone following along with this thread, and good luck to everyone still out hunting. After roughly 20 miles in the last three days, I’m honestly looking forward to “sleeping in” until the babies wake me up probably around 6:15 tomorrow haha.

Decided to go try a new hunt in Wyoming with a buddy. He has hunted the area a few times and had good success. Arrived on a Friday morning and drove a fair amount of country trying to cut tracks in the snow. The day was a bust on sightings or tracks. Next day we split up and the morning was a bust, however the evening I hiked into a canyon and found a couple bulls and a few cows but last light with no time to make a play. Day 3, I hiked into a drainage near where I spotted the elk the day prior and found 10 bulls. I closed the distance to 270 yards and put 3 bullets in this one. Beautiful country but man the wind sure does blow up there…almost every day it seems. Great cap on an awesome season!

No sir. My wife, 3 month old baby and I got out opening day. We hiked 6.6 miles and were at a decent spot. It was hot out so we had to stay down by a creek under trees instead of going up our normal hill and getting roasted by the sun. We got to glass for about an hour. Got some good pictures with the baby and hiked back out. Didn't see anything. When we got home I realized I messed up my shoulder some how. We took Saturday and Sunday off. We picked the toddlers up from daycare early Monday and went back out. We hiked all around with all the kiddos played in the creek and had a good time. No glassing was done at all. We drove up to Humbouldt MtN observation and the kids ran around and we got some more good pictures and saw the sunset. We live in the heart of Phoenix so really dont ever see good stars. We drove out slow so it could get dark. We stopped at Sears Kay ruins and the 4-1/2 year old got to see real stars for the first time. We dropped toddlers off at daycare the next day and took the baby with us. Went to a different spot. I hiked up a nice hill and actually got to glass for a while. It was hot and didnt see anything. I could hear and see the wife was having a hard time with the baby. Hiked down and asked her what she wanted to do. She was frustrated and we drove home. My wife let me go solo the last day of the hunt. Was sitting on a hill before the sun came up. Saw three does in the first 30 minutes of light. Never saw another deer. It was 42 degrees when i hiked in and 82 degrees when i hiked out. The thing I have learned about hunting Coues is you need to put in the effort. I have been very successful hiking in to places. With toddlers and a baby it makes it very hard. Will need to wait until they get a little bit older or keep going solo. It was still great to get out with the family.

The alarm went off extremely early (0230) and we were off to Wilcox..... Hes the best co-pilot. Met with everyone and headed out. Blind was set, as were the decoys. Birds were working really well. Levi stayed in the blind, I was in a layout in front of the blind and it AWESOME! Levi was shooting my buddy Steve's shotgun.... and shot it extremely well, likely resulting in me buying it from Steve. He tagged his limit and had a blast!

2700 tags for 10 straight years and 2 of the last 3 with bad fawn crops I would say has as much to do with it as anything.

Cancer took a friend at a young age leaving behind a wife and two daughters. His widow posted this to Facebook yesterday 12/6. Next time you go to the store, grab a birthday card or two and drop them in the mail. Peyton’s 14th birthday is a month from today. She’s having a lot of feelings about her first birthday without her dad. He passed away 2 weeks after her birthday and was sick and couldn’t stay away on her birthday. I want to Surprise her with a bunch of birthday cards from as many people who can send her a card. I know it would put a smile on her face. You can send them to 24 e Caribbean lane Phoenix, AZ 85022 Thank you in advance

The patch looks to have TAMs lion.

So after a month between when we found the bull and when I went back in and got a look . He had been cleaned up by the scavengers . Not much left of him at all . I did recover the head and give it my best at a euro . I do think it came out good but it's definitely not something I would do again. It's a chore and it's better for me to just pay to have it done . What do you think?

I have an option for you to consider, make your own, I'll teach you. This way you'll have not only a superior tool but an heirloom to hand down. I operate Arizonas oldest forge in Vulture City south of Wickenburg. In the last 3 years I've created at least a hundred forge welded axes in a 4 hour class. I have several steels to choose from but commonly use a proprietary Spanish made steel from Bellota. I still have the first one I ever made in my tool box. It's cut kindling to framing nails and I've yet to have to resharpen it. And while the axe heats up in the forge we can alternate heats and beats. Make a nice skinner or Bowie or forge a cross from a railroad spike. Blacksmith Experience in Vulture City | Vulture Mine Tours https://share.google/XNqYYHeSUDjnXJ5vY

If you're lucky enough to draw a tag, just enjoy your ramburgers.

That's hardcore. Success isn't always measured by killing something. Good for you guys!!!

Where are the elk at in the otc units? Not looking for a giant just a decent 6 point.

Woke up a little early. Had the desire for a decadent dish. Loco Moco, classic Hawaii dish with wite rice topped with a 1/2 lb burger with a rich thick brown gravy with mushrooms and onions, topped with an egg and green onions!

Just killed a small coues buck yesterday evening and my last day to hunt. Shot and killed at 513. This is my personal best at an extended range. Before was 343...

Lunch today. Pan seared panko cilantro encrusted bluefin tuna with sesame oil, shichimi togarashi, miso furikake and toasted sesame seeds over steamed rice and green onions. Fish I caught off San Diego.

3 hunts a year with 750+ TAGS PER HUNT! for the last 20 plus years I'm surprise there's any deer there!

Went out this morning for a quail hunt with a buddy out in 37A, Beautiful morning, went to my usual honey hole spot for quail and while walking to my spot I always try and go to this vertical 30’ mine shaft where (2) large barn owls like to hang out in. As I’m getting close to the opening, I see a bunch of little bones, then I see more bones/skulls. I gather up all the skulls and place them on a rock. These owls eating good!!!! Needless to say, the owls were not in there, so I proceeded to quail hunt. Knocked down 2. The drought this past year really did a number on the covey’s. Then came across this bench. May have to bring my wife and a bottle of vino and enjoy the sunset in the near future!!!!

Grilled a burger, onions, double cheese, few fat slabs of bacon and bbq sauce with broccolini and garlic, sweet potatoe and some avacado!

Steve, I am local here. 2nd week of this hunt is best as training activities will be low, thus more open areas. Download Fort Huachuca off Avenza maps (isportsman) if you haven’t already. Call or shoot a text tomorrow and we can discuss some of the areas that produce decent deer. 520-two six six-1312. bill

Just needed to be revisited. Looks exactly like the picture. Majestic

Not tonight's dinner but lasts nights. Rack of grilled baby back ribs, rotisserie chicken and a pot of fried potatoes with bacon and onion. Didn't get pic's of it plated up. Had a great time with my son and his friend on a one night trip.

I made homemade shrimp gumbo for Thanksgiving this year from scratch including broth. Very, very good....

Elk flank carne asada