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Scouted this buck, had his pattern and was able to get on him at first light. My oldest son set up for a 300 yard shot and after the buck stood from his bed, he touched off his shot! High fives, hugs and uncontrollable yelling quickly followed lol... -Ryan

Thomas got it done opening morning. 518 yard shot.

He goes by many names .. We English speaking folks know him as the Alpine ibex. In Latin, he’s known as the grandfather of all of the goats; Capra Ibex. In his native ranges he goes by several monikers; le Bouquetin the French speaking regions of the Alps of southeast France and western Switzerland, lo Stambecco in the Italian Alps, der AlpenSteinböck in the German, Austrian and eastern Swiss Alps, and Kozerog in Slovenia where he lives in the Julian Alps, the southern arm of Alps proper. To many hunters, he’s regarded as the King of the Alps; Der König der Alpen. I am in this crowd of hunters. He’s a special animal that most hunters are afforded just one chance at, if ever at all, in their lifetime. Permits are extremely limited and very hard to come by. He’s been immortalized in his native range in statues, sculptures, paintings, and writings. Hunters for millennia have looked up from the valley floors on clear days at the highest snow and glacier capped haunts the Alps have and pondered the chance to have just one opportunity to chase the long horned goats that live in those absolute vertical reaches of the incredible range they’d gaze upwards at. I had my opportunity in western Switzerland this past week. I’m humbled to have had the opportunity to receive this rare permit at a time that coincided with my chance to finish my Capra Super 20 (20 different goat species from around the world) I’m thankful, humbled and grateful. It was a hunt I’ll never forget. The Alps gifted me one of its Kings and he’ll forever hold a spot of the highest regard in my life and in my memories from here on out. Having finished my Capra Super 20, I have so many people to thank. Each of you all know who you are. Know that you’re all incredibly gracious good people and I’m a better man for having had the pleasure of you in my life. Thank you all.

Just make sure that it is better than yours. Your welcome. Seriously though my wife's and daughters rifles are way nicer than mine. That is true for everything from binos to boots. Them hunting with me is entirely worth it.

I know we always worry about spring and early monsoons for antler growth and what not but these oct rains are what really anchor javelina to new growths in the wash bottoms come Jan/feb.

Heres my OTC Buck, shot him Monday just after noon, took about 8 or 9 days of spot and stalk/sitting. Have a shed of his and last 4 months of cam pics. This is my biggest coues and my first archery coues...addicted.

I know this is long. I was going to keep it brief, but thought I would add more detail, as I like to analyze each hunt and try to learn something from it. I had this same hunt 7 years ago, which my brother from Indiana joined me on. He was able to hunt with me the first week only. I got selective after seeing my trail cam picture of a 340 class bull. We hunted him that whole first week, having close encounters with him and passing on smaller bulls. My brother had to leave, and so did this bull, with all 20 of his cows. I did not fill my tag that season. I drew this tag this year and my brother flew out to hunt with me again. This time he was able to stay for most of the hunt, but not arriving until Sunday late morning. It was the first time I had missed opening day of an elk hunt, let alone the first three days. My anxiety was through the roof. When my brother arrived, I told him, "this time I'm killing something while you're here". My early criteria was 5x5 or bigger. My early scouting was discouraging...very little sign where I hunted before, hot temperatures (85 degrees), very dry, tanks very low... The first Monday and Tuesday saw little action and only a few bugles. Wednesday we hunted all day in the rain and had a blast. The rut was firing up. We had close encounters with a nice herd bull twice, but couldn't get a shot. We did 12 miles chasing bugles all day. Each day after seemed to get better. Even with the full moon there was good action, although the bugling shut down by 8:00 am, so we had to find them bedded. We had close encounters each day, with 4 or 5 in the 330 class. Most within 30 - 70 yards, just couldn't get a shot opportunity. I am very conservative with my shots, and will not try to force it. Up to this point, my brother had been struggling to produce good cow calls, using open reed calls that I had. He did pretty good in camp, but in a set-up he got "stage fright". I could tell he was pretty discouraged with himself. Heck, I've been using these calls for 25 years and still struggle now and then. He said, "they don't like calls with a Hoosier accent". On the last Tuesday of the hunt I gave him one of my diaphram calls to try. To my surprise, he did pretty good with it. I also broke out the....Hoochie Momma. I resisted this for 9 days, as I really don't like the sound of it, compared to diaphragm/reed calls. But he could make consistent cow sounds with it. It was getting down to the wire...Tuesday afternoon...our 9th day. We wouldn't be able to hunt the last day of the hunt, Thursday, due to my brother having to fly out. So we had two days left. After doing some camp chores, it was getting late, about 4:30 pm. We were pretty worn out and feeling a bit lazy so we decided to just walk a short road behind camp, about a 1/2 mile back. We would try a new calling strategy. I would initiate the cow calls with a couple different diaphragms, then he would mix in with the Hoochie Momma...so they wouldn't be shocked by it if they came in. Then I would move up in shooting position and leave the calling to him, as needed. We set up at the end of a point. With some cow calling, we provoked a bugle across a draw. He seemed to be hung up, when another bull bugled to our right. We adjusted our setup and got ready, as this bull seemed to be coming in. I had told him, "the caller is the quarterback, you have to draw that bull in and stop him for the shot". He whispered in the radio, "do you see them coming from the right?...get ready". Here come two cows and a calf...trotting in to find their friends, with a small bull following about 40 yards back. I ranged the cows at 25 yards as they trotted by, got nervous and kept on going. As the bull's eyes went behind a tree, I drew my bow. The bull took a further line to follow the cows....I estimated 35 yards. As soon as the bull was in the clear, my brother hit the Hoochie, stopping the bull. My shot was true, as clearly seen by the Nocturnal lighted knock...low, right behind the shoulder...THUMP. As the bull ran off, we both hit the cow calls. I listened...but no crash. Holy smokes! What a turn of events, in just minutes! My brother walked up to me and we quietly discussed what had just happened. We slowly/quietly walked up to where the bull was hit. It was easy to follow his tracks, dug into the pine needles as he ran. Within 50 yards we found the arrow, covered in bright red blood from tip to knock. There wasn't a lot of blood, but enough to follow, with some difficulty. It took about 45 minutes to cover about 150 yards. At that point, we were finding clots and where he stood, bleeding from both sides, barley dripping on the ground. Now it's dark, and we break out the headlamps. I'm a pretty good tracker, but on my hands and knees I could not find another spec of blood or disturbed pebble. We began a grid search along the line he was taking. We searched for a few hours, then walked back to camp, grabbed a bite, and rode the quads back to the site. We continued to search all over the ridge top with the quad lights...until 2:00 am. We went back to camp and washed down some Alieve with peach schnapps and got 3 hours of sleep. We were back out there at 6:00 am. I used the Backcountry Navigator app on my phone to coordinate our search grids. We searched the ridge top, and the surrounding side draws/canyon. We finally found him at 1:00 pm, nearly 1/2 mile from where I shot him. What a MIRACLE! I was humbled and overwhelmed....I broke down and cried...in front of my younger brother. This had never happened to me before, with archery/rifle kills...elk, deer, javelina...one shot and they die within site. I have been on quite a few of these tracking jobs for others that didn't turn out well. The hard part to understand was the shot was perfect, both lungs. How in heck could he travel 1/2 mile?! Miracle #2, the meat was still good! It appeared he had been in shade until the last hour before finding him. Also, that night was the coolest we had, 50 degrees. I had my doubts, but had to take a chance. There was a slight rot smell, I think from the blood and gut cavity. I skinned back the hind quarter and sniffed the meat...not bad. I cut through the meat, to the bone and sniffed...not bad. We took the meat to the processor, who said it looks and smells great. Cooking some backstrap confirmed it was still good. It was an epic hunt! We had close encounters with nice bulls, saw some awesome country, and had a great adventure with my brother. Lessons learned: #1 Don't get discouraged with lack of sign/activity in a place known to hold elk in the past. Have patience. The rut will kick in and opportunities will happen. This season had several negative conditions stacked against it...hot, dry, full moon. It was still a great hunt. #2 Hunt hard. If the success rate is 20%, hunt 5 times harder than everyone else. According to my brothers step counter (not sure how accurate these are) we covered 64 miles in 9 days and 9,000 feet in elevation change (up/down). #3 Have a good hunting partner that will encourage you and continue to get out of bed every morning at 4:00 am. #4 Don't discount a particular call because you "don't like it". Try everything in your tackle box and figure out what they're biting on. #5 The last day we were in camp, my brother came up with a yellow jacket trap, using a water bottle and apple juice. GEEZE! Do this on day one! They were a real nuisance. I got bit by one day one and stung on day 10. #6 Avoid the temptation to track the animal right away. Wait an hour. I was confident in my shot...certain he was dead. I don't know for sure, but it's possible I pushed him. It took 45 minutes to track 150 yards, but maybe not enough time. #7 Don't give up on the search. I was confident in the shot and knew he was dead. We searched for 15 hours and covered many miles in steps. The Backcountry Navigator (or similar app) is a huge help with this. #8 Don't give up on the meat. I believe my bull was dead for 18 hours. The meat was still good. Arrow covered in blood from tip to knock: Two happy hunters! Meat ready to go: Shot entrance: Shot exit: Went back 9 days later to look for a lost radio. Not much left: Interesting...the toe is covered with a hard sheath.

Beautiful ram and congrats on the 20

My wife has shot most of my rifles from the 22lrs up to the 300 RUM, 50 cal muzzle loader, and many in between. By far, her favorite is the Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor. It fits all of your boxes except the weight. It is a heavy rifle, but with the weight (and factory installed muzzle brake) you get little to no recoil. It really is a fun shooter and will definitely get well beyond 500 yards. Mine shoots under 1/2 MOA with my load using Hornady ELD-X bullets. The adjustable length and cheek weld on the stock is also a huge plus for smaller shooters. Sine I am always carrying the rifle for my wife and younger ids, the extra weight isn't a big deal. https://grabagun.com/ruger-precision-rfl-6-5crd-24-10rd.html I'll also give a shout for the previously mentioned Tikkas. Great rifles for a small price tag. But with the light weight, she will feel considerably more recoil. I have a Tikka in 7-08 that I put a brake on for my wife and kids. https://grabagun.com/tikka-t3x-lite-black-7mm-08-22-4-inch.html Also check out the Ruger Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor. I don't have one, but know lots of guys that swear by them. Tough to beat the performance in a $400 rifle. https://grabagun.com/ruger-american-6-5-cred-22-pred.html

Congrats. My niece filled her tag on opening morning. One shot, DRT!

Ton of rain here in Mesa. Never seen so much rain in October. Going to take the side by side out tomorrow and scout my quail spots and see how the coveys faired through the brutally dry winter and hot azz summer. I’m not optimistic.

Will be lots of wildflowers. Thinking of going up to 23 and do some squirrel hunting. Or should I go up to Happy Jack or Morman Lake area?

I’m out side of strawberry the rocky rds are ok but the dirt roads are pretty sloppy right now

Last i have heard is they are building traps to catch the bison to relocate them.

Jealousy is never pretty, but sometimes it's downright ugly.

I swear we are getting more here in marana than we did all monsoon season.

Man tough hunt! Pre rut activity in end of dang September. Rifle hunt. Was getting nerve block in hip openeing morn cuz pain so,bad,night before i couldn't sleep. I had high hopes this procedure would help me get around a bit better so 1 day wasted and rain was coming soon. All night bulls screaming and the moon was bright. Sat morn bulls talking but not coming to calls. I managed to hobble into a couple bulls that were chatty and dang they were in thick stuff and maybe 50 yards.. I see a nice tall 6x6 with short points but tall so i get scope on him in small opening and wait to make sure all is clear but when he dropped his head to eat a rump was at his neck line... Then up out of brush comes a giant whale tail bulls head (350ish) he was standing perfectly beside the 6. 😕 My buddy whispered something to me and when i moved my head i think the sun behind me caused flicker cuz the 6 just spun head and looked at me. I got back in the scope and the toad bull was standing straight away only presenting Texas heart shot and sorry but i'd rather have good meat then the big rack. Sat. night i sat water and 1 fox visited & a G&F guy who politely backed out but i heard same guy walked right in on aquaitence in same unit opening morn of archery. 😡 Sun morn i fully expected to shoot 1 of those bulls from Saturday.. We saw 2 monsters driving in but juat not enough light for,my aging eyes then silence fell upon the woods. Sunday night sat water and thundering bull bugles echoed out 30min before dark but not in the kind of country i could try and pursue them in with bad leg and it was clear nobody was coming to water. Monday morning after a sleepless night from sorta warm weather and a annoying loud bull we set out to try and chase bugles. Unfortunately my leg was super bad, the block helped till anathesia wore off tjen back to pain so walking was super slow and every time we got to bugles they had moved 500 yards. I told buddy (bowhunter4life) i was done and i think it's time to go home cuz pain was too bad so he asked if he should go grab the truck.. I was frustrated, how can 1 go to unit 👉9👈 with a rifle and get no bull? so i said let me take some medicine and rest foot 30 minutes and he kinda backed off and gave me room to vent my frustrations a bit. Well while venting i chose to continue a conversation with i believe the bull who kept me awake the night before. we had just spoke with him and i had even raked his rub a bit while screaming at him and he wasn't so happy. I continued screaming the bugle loud directly at him and buddy hit cow call here and there 30 yards behind me and son of a gun suddenly the screamer was 100 yards off and on same level as i so i figured this bull was in play! My buddy came over and said he is close and i was like YUP! He says can ya do it and i said meds worked lets do it. Well we walked straight at bugle which was now in a draw 150 yards or so off. I screamed loud on bugle everytime he spoke and you could tell he was not very happy with me. Suddenly after a different squeaky bull spoke we saw a spindly bull (which i would have shot) suddenly dart from thick cover and just vanish we hit bugle and the bigger bull screamed back from dead ahead maybe 60-80 yards. I got down on ground and scanned with binocs then scope and could see what sure looked like legs, belly and lower shoulders of elk. I got super low and put scope on shoulder/chest cuz facing me slighly quartering left and i asked buddy to hit bugle.. Well as soon as Mike bugled the bull buggled and his belly and balls bounced confirming target and the 300wm barked!! He ran out with leg flying all over the place. We got on his trail and found 2 tiny blood drops of blood in 40 or 50 yards.. I was frustrated and was like what the heck man i just smacked him with a 200 grain bullet at point blank kinda range and i get 2 drops of blood? Just then buddy slapped me and was like right there he is!!! Maybe 10 yards to my left. L.O.L. When Mike went for his truck to see if he could get in to us i rolled the bull over and found a busted arrow shaft and broadhead that was festering out of upper shoulder. So he is not the biggest bull but i am dang proud of him. I absolutely love this bull and the fact that i received the tag the day before the hunt started and have never hunted elk in 9, i had a nerve block the morning the hunt started, i still have post op foot! I'm way blessed to have a friend willing to drop everything and go help and a wife willing to let me drop everything and go hunt. Blessed Blessed Blessed and so very thankful. i know many people that donated tags this year were just wanting better antler/horn growth but in this case i believe it was illness so please pray for the donor. Thanks As you can tell by the boiling pot i am playing catch up with my own personal harvests so i can make room for meat, heck i even did my bison after these and it was from 2016 :]

L.O.L. that is Casey for ya, implications and finger pointing is what he does. I don't know Eddy very well at all actually. Have met him i believe 3 or 4 times in person to get tags and once at banquet. If i had physically been able to hunt the strip i really doubt this bull tag would have come to me. But again for the folks who can't get it threw their skulls thousands of vets don't qualify for these tags or have not filled out applications with organizations participating or they are not hunters. Out of the vets that do qualify and are registered in participating program how many can travel the day after a tag is handed to them? Physically many are unable at the time of the hunt as i have been unable multiple times. OE4A i would say is geared way more towards kiddos and i see plenty of them with some awesome critters posted on f.b. if you follow the oe4a organization you would know this rather than talking favortism on here. I happen to be the only 1 who gets donated tags that is stupid enough to try and share the experience and pictures with this obnoxious, disresoectdul, jealous crowd. I do wish it were possible to switch places with a few of you physically for a year or so and let you experience life from my physical perspective.. I would live to see someone like Casey at Physical Therapy 3x a week dor hour or 2 each visit, or at the pain clinic every 2 weeks dor injections of lidocaine-steroid-torradol, or getting infusions when he gets back from a hunt because he pushed it to much trying to have some what of a normal life doing what he loves, i would love to see him or any of the like button pushers on the favortism post to have to use prednisone to walk then suffer the consequences of 5 hip surgeries because of necrosis (dead, collapsed bone) from the only drug that helped him walk to hunt or even be able to visit Disneyland with his family.. Would love to see Casey or any of you crap talkers have to go lay down and drop your pants and get a nerve block in his hip on opening morning of his early rifle bull elk hunt because he wants to be able to do it without falling all day long.. Let us not forget the knee braces, compression stockings, back braces, canes, crutches you take just incase. If any of you would be willing to accept this for a premium tag you happen to get because you are eligible and available well then i also suggest a good psychiatrist cuz something is seriously wrong with you. Since the same few as always decide to talk crap and try and tarnish the name of a man who does great things for disabled hunters of Arizona i will go ahead and keep my future hunt success to myself. Really some of you just flat out disgust me. I do hope none of you actually find yourself in this situation trust me the hopes of a good tag do not outweigh the struggles of being sick.

Very awesome. Those pictures are incredible.

Wow!! Congrats! Thanks for sharing your hunt with us Always a pleasure to read about your hunts

it Is what it is , he tried, he's not whining about his unfortunate disabilities, so we shouldn't whine about a hunt that wasn't ours..

Thankfully my wife of 18 years also spends some time with me. Her birthday was yesterday this is what we did since Wed. My tag, her birthday. I'm a lucky guy

I ask myself all the time how these guys who hunt every day for weeks straight every year do it. Not that we all wouldn't love to do it. But with a traditional job, kids, family etc. I just can't see how I could do it. So I do lots of long 3-4 day long weekends, go back to work for a few days, and then hit it again for 3-4 days. Sometimes I will stretch it to a week, but those are rare and on exceptional hunts. I am fortunate to get about 4 weeks of paid vacation time per year (lots of tenure at my job). But I can't be selfish and take all that time for myself. Even though my kids and wife enjoy the outdoors with me and most of our vacations are to the mountains, we still have to do family reunions, occasions theme parks, historical stuff, etc.

Most of my friends who r die hard hunters are now divorced. So gotta walk that fine line

30-30 - Teach her how to get close.