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My kid got his first buck. Story to follow.

Well, after my wife killed her bull (see other post from a few minutes ago), it was time to get my little princess some practice. She turned 10 this past Saturday, and has her first big game hunt at the end of this month (3A/3C deer). There was no hesitation in her as she dropped the hammer on some squirrels. Lucky for her, she knows someone who does euro mounts (big brother) and made her a nice trophy for her birthday.

My Daughter Sage drew a unit 22 cow tag and made a great shot wit the 28 Nosler, to take her first big game animal. Blessed to have her big brother Clay there to help get it done.

It’s probably still fine. Make a boatload of green chili or tamales. Thats what i do any time i have meat i need to get rid of. Always good to have burritos in the freezer

Well its bitter sweet! I just sent off my late rifle tag to Arizona Elk Society to be donated. I am moving back to Arizona & starting a new job on the 22nd so not gonna be able to get time off for my hunt. I am super pumped about moving back, but bummed I won't be able to use my tag this year. I am ok with it as I know a wounded warrior will get to use it & have awesome time. I would like to thank Tom Wagner & Arizona Elk Society for helping me complete the tag transfer. What a great way to give back to our vets!!!!!!

My nephew Chase was up next, made the drive to 3A3C to help him after packing out Sages elk, got him on a cow Friday evening and he made a great shot with the 300 shortmag. Thanks to Clay and Tanner for helping with the pack out.

Great job and congrats!!!!

My son and I took off this past weekend for a father-son fly fishing trip to the San Juan while my wife and daughter were on a girls trip. I haven't been to the San Juan in 11 years and its always been bugging me to go back, especially to get my family really into fly fishing. We've all fly fished a couple of small streams here in AZ and Jacob has landed a YOY rainbow w/par marks, but that's it. We got to Abe's about 1pm Friday afternoon, got checked in, license purchased, and some local fly patterns. I was nervous about Jacob wading since he's the skinny kid who has to dance around in the shower to get wet, but he did great. I had a life jacket for him to wear, but the guys at Abe's put us in a spot where he wouldn't need it. When we got there, I asked a guy if we could squeeze in downstream or if he'd prefer we go somewhere else and he graciously offered Jacob his spot. Its nice to see (especially for Jacob) that kind-hearted people are still out there. We started off close together with him upriver of me and me not fishing until I knew he was ok wading, getting his casting game on, and knowing what to look for when a trout takes his fly. He was amazed at all the big trout swimming within a foot of him and he fell into a groove. After an hour or so, the river started clearing, so we moved up to the next good looking spot. I re-rigged his set up, removing the weights so the emergers acted like true emergers and, after 20 about 20 minutes, I hear "I got one!" I coached Jacob on how to use the rod and we were able to net his first real trout on a fly rod. It was a fat 15" bow and I could tell by the look in his eyes that he was completely addicted to flyfishing. That was the only fish of the day, but we stayed for the hatch. Jacob said "How about we stay for 30 more minutes." when the hatch started. Three takes and three misses later, an hour had gone by and we finally worked our way back to the truck. He made it clear that he LOVED dry fly fishing! As we were walking back, I turned around to snap a sunset pic, and I saw a 10-year old boy walking with the swagger of a seasoned fly fisherman. Jacob's first real trout: 15" fat bow Kid with swagger (can't get it oriented right) We got up early Saturday morning, had breakfast, and were on the river by 8:25. It didn't take long for Jacob to hook into another bow, then another, and then he had some real fun. He hooked a 15" fat brown and figured out why I've always said I'll take a 15" brown over an 18"-20" bow any time. I managed to finally get on the board with a smaller bow, but I was finally on the board and giving Jacob some competition. We took a quick lunch break and short nap back at the truck and then decided it was time to get back to our spot, hoping someone hadn't come in. During our lunch break, I reemphasized his casting technique to work on because I spent a big part of the morning undoing wind knots and/or changing leaders because the knots were so bad. That worked and his casting came back solid. I noticed several fish rolling subsurface, so I took my weights off and, after missing a few takes, I ended up landing a 15" fatty bow, too. Jacob and I both played that game off and on, after I set him up with the same flies I was using and removing his weights. We stayed until the hatch went off and I managed to land two bows on my brand new TFO 4wt. Jacob missed a couple of more takes, but is definitely loving this new addiction. He asked me several times on the drive home when we're coming back to the San Juan. Yesterday, we finally set up or fly-tying bench and organized our kits. He was off school for a fall break day and he ended up tying four flies, following the instruction book. His elk hair caddis (#12) needs work but its a great start. His beetle, wooly bugger, and nymph were all pretty solid. He's loving this whole fly fishing thing and I'm loving having a fly fishing buddy! 15" brown Lunch Break My 15" bow Jacob's fly tying

traded

Thanks everyone, here’s another one we just knocked down on the muzzleloader hunt.

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.

Here’s a couple archery bulls I helped with in New Mexico I know nobody likes the tramp stamp, but that’s the way things are now unfortunately.

Nice work! Congrats!

Happy birthday!!

Couesnsheep I think does the dog food with meat, and others too. I am doing some of the same with old meat right now trying to make freezer room without wasting meat.

Yup. See the bull in my avatar? we called him over from the res, he hopped the fence and met my arrow....tried to run back but a tree stopped his progress. thankfully.

Were done!

Perhaps a rifle like the Weatherby Camilla which is built for the stature of a woman. Is she right or left eye dominant? 7mm-08. To reduce recoil, use a lighter bullet like a 120gr in 7mm (120 Nosler e-tip, 120 Nosler Ballistic Tip, 120 Barnes TTSX) http://www.weatherby.com/vanguardr-camilla.html Savage discontinued their Lady hunter, but maybe you can find one on Gunbroker. https://www.savagearms.com/firearms/centerfire/hunter-series/11-lady-hunter The 6.5 Creedmoor seems to be the answer to all questions these days. There is a great choice in ammo, rifles too, just like the 7mm-08. Case capacities are near equal (and with 120g bullet in each, recoil would be near equal), and I would prefer the 16% larger frontal area of the 7mm. For a scope, you both would have to decide if she is going to dial turrrets or use a BDC type reticle. For a FFP with turrets under $1k, maybe a reliable scope like the SWFA 3-9 or 3-15 (watch for their Black Friday sale). or SFP Nightforce SHV 3-10 with illuminated forceplex reticle. https://www.sportoptics.com/nightforce-shv-rifle-scope-c611.aspx There are numerous second focal plane scope options with BDC. Doug at Cameraland can line you up with good prices and great service.

Tikka T3 Light in 7-08.

Expect plenty of hunters glassing the Coconino Rim from down below in the upper basin. If it is dry, you can boringly sit water all day. I had a tag two years ago that went from dry to 10" snow and -15F, so be prepared for extremes. Most of the bulls I have seen have been at the very first and last lights. Have a good hunt.

You mean WAS ha ha

hsd a bull buggling his head off this morning chasing cows like nothing was wrong with him - my friends son snuck in on him and shot him at 44 yards . He had a little blood on his face thought he had took an antler tip while fighting - I boiled & cleaned the skull for him -a swacker broadness has went in side of face -angled through sinus cavity lodged in the bone under the eye . Arrow shaft had snapped off even with the hide . Bull acted like nothing was wrong

Toughest bull in 22 North This is a late rifle bull from 22n I killed a few years back. If you look close you can see a arrow shaft and wackem broadhead. While gutting/cleaning this bulll as I was reaching into the chest cavity I thought I felt a broken rib. To my suprise there was this arrow shaft completely lodged in from side to side healed up. There was a baseball sized white mass healed up around the broadhead protecting the gut inside. This guy had this arrow lodged in him for some time!!!

Here is that bull i referred to. Hate when people post a story without a photo. Don't want to be that guy. You can see the arrow from the last shot still lodged in the spine. i think this in 2008 or 2009 and i was 23 or 24 at the time. 1st and only Archery tag. That tall piece of grass growing up in front of the near side 3rd point still bugs me. Not sure why nobody told me to take my hat off either.....