Leaderboard

What a crazy couple of days. My friend and I hiked 7 miles in some of Arizona's nastiest country and didnt see a single elk. After calling my brother, we came up with a couple of back up plans. I got a text a few minute later saying that my brother decided to make the 4 hour drive Saturday morning. Saturday morning we got set up in a different area to try and find where the elk were. First thing we saw a big bull on top of an unhuntable ridge 1500 yards away. Next we heard a bull bugle which is cazy this time a year. We ended glassing 10 bulls but all were almost impossible to hunt with a bow. After getting a couple texts from my brother saying he had 30+ elk and around 10 bulls that were huntable we decided to back out make the 15 mile trip where he was. After finding out we lost the power steering pump cap on the jeep we fixed it with a bino cover lid and we were on our way. We met up with my brother and made a game plan for the stalk. While hiking a big ridge trying to get in front of the elk we were radioed that the herd was moving around a point and out of his view and a fast pace. After sprinting up the last 400 feet of the mountain I dropped on the other side to find fresh elk sign on a trail and just like that they got away. After collapsing on the trail for 20 minutes I stagger to my feet to make the climb back to the top of the mountain to get my pack. As I was stumbling up the trail thinking all the elk were gone I see a spike at only 20 yards! We must have saw each other at the same time and I Froze. After a minute he went back to eating. We played this game 3 time before I had an arrow knocked and ready to shoot. When he dropped his head I was able to draw and with my luck he stepped behind a small pine tree. After being at full draw for 30 seconds I was able to lean a bit and slip it into the narrow window of his vitals. He jumped, went a few yards and stopped. By the time it took me to knock another arrow and grab my rangefinder he started stumbling his last 20 yards down the mountain fell over! After 5 long years of archery hunting and hundreds of mistakes it all came together for my first archery kill and first elk! My arrow blew through 2 ribs and went another 20 yards and embedded in the tree. We came out with 220lbs of the best eating meat in Arizona!

Today I wanted to take a moment and be grateful for the CWT community. It seems weird to say something like that about a hunting forum, but it has become something much bigger than that. This year has brought a ton of new experiences for my family. Luckily the CWT family has been there for us all along the way. In January I was pig hunting when I got a picture message from my wife of my son’s gashed and bloody lip from a bike wreck. That started a series of events that lead to him being diagnosed with a condition called CMT 1A and resultant hip dysplasia. Since that time he has had one reconstructive surgery with another to take place in 10 days. I have shared parts of this on CWT and since I first brought it up tons of people have offered help and support. Just last night Adam leant is his crossbow so Hunter could squeeze in one more day of hunting on a donated late archery bull tag. We headed straight from his house to Sean’s and picked up his doe skull which Draysen cleaned for Hunter free of charge (btw he does awesome work, highly recommend him). Earlier this month Hunter has a donated cow tag and Houston spent morning and night for weeks before patterning elk for him and then spent the entire opening day out with us. Eddie Corona from OE4A provided not one but two elk tags and took time out of his very busy schedule to get the paperwork done for those and get them to us on short notice. Stanley and others provided tips and suggestions for Hunters first deer hunt on the Kaibab this year. There are so many people who have offered support, encouragement, prayers and anything else we could need. I even think AZKiller has offered some encouragement. I know it sounds cliche but it’s true that folks around here have become like family. During a year that could have been pretty challenging, it’s been the opposite, surgery has been a footnote to all of the great things that have happened! So thank you. It’s made all the difference. God bless all of you!

Not a lot of bucks were posted on here this year so I figured I'd share my buck from this season. Not much to the story. Tried glassing first few hours with zero luck. Was walking a finger wash off a main wash where we had seen some good tracks. Figured that with it being the 2nd weekend of the hunt, a lot of these deer had been pressured and would be on the out skirts of stuff in the day time. Ended up kicking this buck and another one up at 50 yards. They got to about 100 yards and slowed down to look back at me. I didn't have much time to shoot, I got this buck in my scope first and fired off a shot that dropped him. He tried to get back up and I put another one in him and that was it. He isn't the biggest buck but he's a solid 4x4 that I'm proud to have taken. I have a perfect spot in my home where he will fit.

This deer season was definitely one for the books! I have been a student in Colorado now for 4 years and have always wanted to chase rutting bucks in November with a rifle. The past 3 years I had chased deer with my bow and I thought it was time to switch over to a rifle after helping on a 3rd season hunt last year. We had 4 tags total, three 3rd season and one 4th season. My roommate and I both had 3rd season tags as well as his dad. My dad, on the other hand, had 4th season. My dad has never shot a deer over his years of hunting so I was mainly focused on using 3rd season to locate some bucks for him. Weather was awful the first two days with 50mph winds and 14 inches of snow. My buddies dad barely made it in time after blowing a turbo on the drive from AZ. He only had two days and the opening day weather didn't look promising. The low temps and snow were good in terms of pushing deer down low but the lack of visibility was a dampener for the two days his dad could hunt. The day two forecast listed 4 hours of clear skies and we knew that would be our opportunity. With some luck his dad had a good 4 point down within an hour just in time before visibility was gone once again. I didn't hunt days 3 or 4 due to some things I needed to get done. On day 5 we tried a new area to the east of some private we had located some deer. Once again within an hour my buddy shot a small 3 point. While packing out we located what we thought was a good buck bedded in some aspen. We made a move to get closer and it was a small 4. I was looking for a mature buck so decided to pass. We hunted hard, located a lot of deer but nothing worthy of my bullet other than two bucks hanging on private. I was down to my last day so I decided to hunt the south side of the private these bucks were on. The evening before this there was an excursion driving the private which got the deer moving south. With these two bucks being the only shooters I decided to head south and hopefully catch them on some state land in the morning. My gamble paid off and at first light we glassed up the wide 4 just south of the property line. He was chasing does towards private so I hustled and set up at 550 yrds. He finally stopped chasing a hot doe, turned broadside, and the 6.5-300wby met its mark. I was in shock. I had dreamed of taking a nice mature buck and it finally happened. I had only hunted deer with my bow in the past and would usually shoot the first branch antlered buck I was within range of. It was an awesome morning and a great way to end. Interestingly, as my buddy, who was spotting for me at about a quarter mile behind me, was working his way towards me he bumped another buck. He came up to my frantically asking if I had seen the buck he had just bumped and told me he was huge. He was guessing a 190 inches. With that being said I knew where I was going to be for my dads hunt. My hopes were high and I couldn't wait to spend some time in the woods with my dad. I came back up a day before 4th season started and checked out a new area. I ended finding an absolute stud and sent video to my dad while he was driving from AZ. He wanted that buck so thats where we ended up opening morning. It was a perfect morning, clear skies and negative 1. Unfortunately it was pretty slow for the first couple hours. We found two herds of elk and a few deer but no buck from the evening before. We were getting ready to head out and I glassed up the big boy chasing some does just a few ridges away. We made a move on him and setup at 600. He never offered a shot and we watched him chase does for awhile over a distant hill that was difficult to access. We headed out and as we were driving back to the main road I pulled off to glass a nice canyon. Well lets just say I was so eager to glass I was looking at the canyon instead of the road and my left front tire met a rock with an edge like a broad-head. It put 4 inch gash in the sidewall and put us out of commission. We had the spare on quick but spent most of out afternoon in town trying to find a tire. We were originally going to chase the same buck by accessing the backside of the hill he went over. It was too late to make that drive so I took my dad to where my buddy had bumped that big buck the morning I shot mine. I decided to access from a new glassing point to maximize the country we could see. We glassed for about an hour without success. We were in sage so there wasn't any hiding areas other than some draws. I decided to make a move closer to the draw so we could look down into it. It ended up being a warm day so I was thinking they were down low in the shade. Sure enough we slowly crested over the ridge and there were 15 deer feeding on the opposite side. I pulled up my binos and immediately saw a large framed buck. He was the only deer bedded and he was at 400 yrds. My dad was already getting set up and within seconds that buck was dead in his bed. It was one of the best moments I had ever spent with my dad. Not only did I get to share his first deer it was a stud at that! We were all tagged out! Expectations were more that exceeded and new memories were made. I will try to post pics in the order of how it went down. 1st pic, my buddies dad. 2-4pics my dads, 5th my buddys, 6 and 7 mine. Sorry for the longwinded story but thought I had to share all 4 successes! If you've never hunted CO 3rd/4th season I highly recommend it

My gaia GPS map looks like .. a billion pins. And I've been to all the locations. Scrutinizing google earth, I see I missed a few trick tanks- and I'm definitely going to hit them next weekend on the 2 day scout I'm budgeting in. I don't know whether to hit the top or the unit or the bottom first, but It's crazy how you can see something on a map that you missed in three seasons and can't wait to get there in person. (I swear those weren't there last year!!) Sometimes scouting can be just as good as a hunt. Well, close.

I will let the photos do the talking on this one. Taylor and I had a blast today even though the squirrels were almost nonexistent.

After hunting a specific buck For 3 days with little to no deer to be shown for it I switched hunting areas and met up with my buddy Todd who had found an area in his scouting that had a few mature bucks in it. It payed off and that evening we killed this solid buck. I’m beyond thankful for friends who are willing to grind out the crappy days and come through when I needed it! Thanks fellas!

Savage Model 116 FCSS Weather Warrior Series 6.5x284 Norma for sale. It has a 24 inch barrel with the adjustable accutrigger. The gun has less than 50 rounds through it and has proven to be a 1000 yard gun. I will also include the reloading dies along with norma brass and the load data. Gun was shooting 1/2 inch moa at 200 yards. Prices is $650 with the dies and brass or $600 without. Call or text Mike at 480-495-1094. Located in Payson

The Arizona Chapter of SCI is hosting a camp once again to serve the young hunters who drew tags for 36A, 36B and 36C. This is for the hunts that start the day after Thanksgiving. Camp is in a new location this year. It’s near Milepost 4 west of Arivaca on the Arivaca-Sasabe Highway. Look for the big tower on the south side of the road for the turn. The chapter provides breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday. They also provide breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Dinner on Saturday is a potluck. For more info, visit www.azsci.com/events

Retired Navy Pilot and Army Sniper son, we good with 6.5C. I will paraphrase my Marine DI, GYSGT Brown USMC. "the cartridge don't make the man the man makes the cartridge".

Close your eyes and point your finger on the map in the middle of the unit and you will find nice coues

Location?

Glock 27 or vortex razor spotter/cash on your end

Daughter’s hunt opens tomorrow. I think I’m more excited than I am the night before my own hunts! Good luck to all the youth hunters, and if you’re at the 36abc youth camp we’ll see you there tomorrow.

Nice man! Even for a Sun Devil !

I found some really nice bulls in the desert, a lot of them were broken up, but good bulls none the less. But, just in case, I had several blinds built and stands hung at remote water holes. So opening morning, i glasses up a nice 6x6 in the desert, with 9 cows. I was by myself, but gave chase anyways. I ranged them at 1200 yards, and took off. When I got over there, the elk were gone, and I have no idea where they went. I may have gotten picked off, or maybe they just moved on. But without a spotter, there was no telling. I looked for them till noon, walking and glassing. Nothing. since it was warm, I thought I’d get on a waterhole early, and try my luck. It was a long rough ride in, and then a short hike. When I got all settled in, I realized I had no water. I got out of the blind to hike back, but decided I better get right back in and tough it out. An hour later this guy came in, but from a direction I wasn’t expecting. He wasn’t a big bull, but I wasn’t gonna be choosy. I had to move my chair to the other side of the blind to draw. I had him at 35 yards. I settled the pins, and let one fly. To my disappointment, I could see blood dumping out of his brisket. I hit a solid foot low. But when I shot, I heard the arrow or the cam hit the blind, which really messed up the shot. Re adjusting my chair nearly cost me. I tried a few quick follow up shots, but blew them. The good news was that this bull was pouring blood. I’d spent the previous night hand sharpening the shwacker broad head, and that was critical. I could see he wasn’t going far. I dug in my pack for some stalking slippers, and slid them on. I snuck to 50 yards, from where he was standing, and had a small window in the trees that I could send an arrow. I figured I could hit liver with the shot I had, so I took it, and nailed him. At that point I backed out and called pwrguy, who brought another friend for the pack out and meat cutting. He expired shortly, with very little of a tracking job. He was probably less than 75 yards from the initial shot. Both shots were complete pass throughs. I was really thankful to take him on opening day. God certainly answered that prayer.

i have the november 30 hunt but im no help, i didnt kill anything last year and i havent scouted this year. i just found a rugged looking spot on the map and im going to try it this year

SCI ,is it $1000 dollars a meal and a free plauqe., if You kill................BOB!

I own several two stroke products made by Echo. Weed eater, blower and a chainsaw. Mix my own gas, they sit for months sometimes but always start. My chainsaw is 13 years old as is the blower. I don't cut a lot of wood probably 2 - 3 cords per year and I really can't complain about the saw. I have replaced a couple bars, and the clutch and spring assembly. It hasn't been started in months but I know right now in a half dozen pulls it would be revving.

My son won a RMEF Youth 700 in 243 about 15 years ago when I took him to the youth camp at Morman lake. He is now 28 and 6'2 but still likes to tote it around. I'm sure he wouldn't mine if she borrowed it for her hunt if you don't come up with one. It's light and accurate.

My 2017 central Az buck is all finished and home. Love it. Can’t wait to find another. 131 gross 127 net and all officially scored and submitted. Waiting for the 2018 season to end to see if this typical will receive any awards from B&C.

Got my first Coues yesterday! Been hunting with traditional archery gear 10+ years and coues proved to be a challenge. Been in Arizona for the past 3 seasons and finally got one!

Man, tough crowd. Sounds like maybe it was tough to pick up on the sarcasm in my tone. I have nothing against baiting, although I personally do not employ the method, and I am aware that there are plenty of deer left in 24b. John - If you haven't been told by now, find a canyon and glass, you will find deer. The north side of the unit gets A LOT less pressure than the south side. If you were looking for a unit where you can get remote in a hurry, congratulations, you found it. Good luck on your hunt, hopefully you end up with some pics to share!

Shooting a deer over corn with a bow is still 10x harder than shooting one with a rifle in hand at any given range!!! Whether its corn, water, acorns, minerals whatever, deer know that feeding/watering areas are where they get ambushed from predators.Just my $0.02 John7979 PM me if you still need help. There are still plenty of quality bucks in 24B just waiting for ya to take a crack at them, be it at 10 yds. over corn or 1000yds. with a rifle. Id be glad to help.