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Ever since starting college in 2015 in Illinois I knew my time to hunt would be limited to hunting during December and January. Because of this it was either get drawn for the late December rifle hunt or do archery. With this being my senior year and the last time I am limited with time I was getting used to being an archery hunter until we got the news this summer that my dad and I had drawn late December tags we have been waiting for. The preparation and wait began and we couldn't wait till December 14th. After finishing up the semester at school and getting back home my dad let me know he was able to hunt everyday of the hunt except opening day so we knew we could be selective and find great deer. Luckily my dad was able to get out and help a friend of his who had the early December hunt and located a couple good bucks that were in a spot that his friend wasn't able to walk to. Although they were unable to connect on that hunt my dad and I knew where we would be on our first morning. Our opening morning comes around and we're sitting on the mountain at first light when we begin looking for the deer my dad had seen the weekend before. Not 15 minutes after the search began my dad lets me know that he's got a good buck found and he sounded excited. After guiding me in through the binoculars I actually found the bigger buck while he was trying to get me on the other. This is what we saw. After looking over the two deer my dad decided the bigger buck was a great deer for opening day and he'd be happy to take him. This buck had a big body and a small kicker on the left side that fit the bill for what my dad was looking for. Along with his impressive antlers came his smarts and as soon as the sun began to shine he got up and walked over the ridge never to be seen again. With it being opening day we weren't too concerned with finding him again but we were wrong. Despite sitting on the same mountain for all but one day that we went out we were never able to find him again. December 19th came around and we had seen a good amount of bucks at that point but could not find one that got our hearts going quite yet. I remember the day before when my dad glassed off a side of the mountain that very rarely produces deer and he walked back to me and said "I don't know why I even look that direction." That day was pretty slow and my dad goes to glass the same direction as the day before and I went with him this time. After some time my dad finds a buck and says he looks pretty decent. After I pulled up the spotter I confirmed that he was more than decent. Walking in the sunlight I could tell that he had a goofy right side that looked like what I thought was a double main beam. After watching him till he bedded it was time to cut the distance. We snuck to our desired shooting spot only to find out that the hill was the worst shooting bench and we were unable to find where the deer was supposed to be. While my dad stayed put I snuck closer on the near side of the hill and was pleased to glass up the deer and find a shooting bench. After getting set up and ready for the shot I would have but the buck would have stood any minute because he was out in the sun and it was a warm day. Good thing I'm not a gambling man. After and hour of staring at the same ear and antler the deer finally stood and after a 475 yard shot my dad had his buck. With one buck down we took the next day off to reorganize our gear and make a plan for the day after. Our next morning out my good friend Colton showed up to help glass. We're always racing to see who can find the first deer. I believe he found the first deer but I found the one that mattered. A beautiful 3x3 was standing on top of a hill less than 200 yards away and was very tempting but i was not ready to fill my tag knowing I had a Mountain Lion tag in my pocket and 10 days left in the hunt. I mention the lion tag because we had seen three in the last two days without being able to get an opportunity. At 9:30 that same day I was reassured with my decision to pass that buck when I spotted the very reason I passed him in the first place. I let my dad and Colton know I found the same two lions that we saw the day before. Our deer hunt quickly turned into a lion hunt and I was able to take my first lion on December 21st. We took the next day off and began looking for a buck I'd be happy with. I didn't have any specific requirements for my buck, just something that got me excited at first glance. The next few days were slow with small buck sightings but nothing big. I was looking for the opening day buck for the most part but I was confused where he went. On Christmas Eve we made a deal with my mom that let us hunt the morning. We agreed that if we weren't on a deer by 10 am that we'd pack up and leave. At roughly 9:45 i found a solid buck that I initially thought was a shooter. I even texted Colton and let him know I had found a good one. After watching it out of range we think the deer bedded down on the back side of a hill and we didn't have the time to wait him out or make a move so it was that deer's lucky day. December 26th and 27th had a lot of wind in the forecast. The wind held the deer down and we were freezing on the mountain but I did manage to find the buck that was with the opening morning buck. My heart began to race as I got my dad and Colton on him to search for the bigger buck. With the rut beginning to kick in and seeing rutting activity on Christmas eve it would make sense for him to split off. After not being able to turn up the big buck Colton began to plea his case for me to shoot the smaller buck. He was the biggest, most unique fork we had ever seen so while Colton may have had a case I was not ready to fill my tag on him. Here he is. He laid in the same spot all day and while I knew I'd be really happy to take him I just wasn't ready to be done hunting. The next day began in the same spot and while Colton and I were racing to find the first deer I found a buck two minutes into glassing and he looked like a great buck but it was too dark to tell. After getting the spotter up and letting it get a little lighter outside we were surprised to find out it was the same buck from the day before on the completely opposite side of the valley we'd looking in. I got excited when we found him so I knew I was ready to take him. After looking at another buck and watching him go behind a ridge I committed to shoot the fork only to have an airplane scare him and the does he was with out of the country and I began to regret not shooting him the day before. The rest of the day yielded zero bucks and I began questioning where I wanted to start the next day. I had realized that because of the 10 day deadline to check in the mountain lion and the Game and Fish department being closed on Saturdays and Sundays that Friday the 28th had to be the day that we had to go check in the lion. We decided that we would hunt the morning and check in the lion in the afternoon. We begin glassing the morning of the 28th and the wind had finally died down and it rained a lot the night before all paired with a cold morning so we expected a great morning of deer movement. I'm not sure if the sun hadn't warmed up the valley enough yet or what but by 9 am we had only seen six does and I was getting impatient. Mostly because we had spoiled ourselves with early, frequent buck sightings in the past. At around 9:15 I had spotted a back that instantly had my heart beating. It appeared to be the buck I found on Christmas Eve and I was ready to shoot him. He was slightly out of range and we didn't know where he'd be if my dad and I both cut the distance so I made it to the hill between us and the buck while my dad stayed back. I made it to my shooting bench and the buck had bedded where my dad could see him but I couldn't. I had the range and the gun dialed up and ready to go while I started to glass to find where my dad said he bedded. While waiting the deer out we had to decide that if the deer didn't present a shot by noon we had to leave because game and fish closes at 5. We needed the buck to get up and walk about 20 yards for me to be able to see him. As I sat there looking at the same hill for an hour and watched videos of monster mule deer Colton was finding I got a call from my dad that the deer was up at 11 am. The deer actually did what we needed it to do for once and I found it in the binoculars then got set up behind the gun. The deer stopped broadside and I made the 400 yard shot to fill my tag. We quartered the deer out and got it home and was able to get the lion to game and fish by 4. I'd say we cut it close. Thanks to my dad and Colton for the memories on the mountain. Thanks for reading

Went to see the family in Texas and do a little hunting. My son got this guy with my grandpa's 222.

As some of you may know I've spent quite a bit of time hunting Coues and it is by far my passion but since I've made a yearly pilgramage to Mx for coues I've decided to spend a bit more time chasing Mule deer. Well my wife and I travelled to Wy on a 6 day backpack hunt. I was disappointed that this buck was the highest scoring buck I saw, but not disappointed in his "look" I was happy to kill him and pack him back with my beautiful bride of 19 years by my side. Next my Son drew a tag up around the house and after me scouting and finding some solid bucks he reminded me that he couldn't play basketball if he missed any days of school or tryouts so after passing a couple solid 3x4s on Friday he told me he needed to shoot something. As disappointed that all of my scouting would be as not, I have never been the father to live vicariously through his children. He wanted this velvet 4x4 ( October 28th) and so he shot him. I'm proud of him. Next I was able to finish 2018 in a blizzard at 15° on this 4x4 with a 45ish yard shot. Sorry about all the mixed up pictures in the story. I haven't mastered the new look yet.

Trying to do my part. Got more in the freezer to get put up! Brian

I put in for over 38 years and had max bonus points for the 2018 sheep draw and got tag #2 in Unit 28 (south). My son-in-law, Dan Ott, and 26+ year hunting partner, Ed Soyring, accompanied me and the guides, Tyson Hatch and Matt Holcomb of Double H Outfitters. We decided to wait till Monday, Dec 3rd to start hunting to avoid some foul weather and any conflicts with the other hunter in the unit who had been waiting for 51 years for tag #1. Congrats to Craig (and Matt) on his terrific sheep, which scored 189". We saw lots of sheep on the first day and tried a stalk but two big rams got into it and ran off before we were in position. The second day was more discouraging with fewer sheep sighted and the big one from the day before just walking off out of the area. Third day was the charm. High winds kept a herd of 7 rams and 1 ewe pinned down below some cliffs. Three different stalks finally culminated in a 176 yard shot on a very nice ram. Pack-out was easy. He green scored by G&F at 172-1/8” and 6 -7 years old. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ; and, also, to Chris, Matt, Tyson, Ed and Dan.

I've trolled this forum for a few years so I thought I should make an effort to contribute. Here are some pictures from our NM deer hunt this year. I'm a sucker for mass and couldn't pass this buck up My brother-in-law and I doubled up on our deer.

Gen5 Glock 17 has about 600 rounds through it. Includes the original box and three factory magazines. Shots flawlessly. Looks basically brand new. Got this as a comparison point with a G19, decided to keep the G19 for my needs. $425 $400 FTF in the West Phoenix area. No trades. Brand new Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm with Boone & Crockett reticle. Taken out of box for inspection, but never mounted. Got this as a just-in-case when the reticle option was discontinued, but the rifle I was thinking of putting it on has worked out just fine with a 3.5-10. $400 $380 FTF in West Phoenix area, or +$15 to ship via USPS Priority. No trades. Apex trigger git for Glock 17/19/etc. Gen 5 models. Got to this to play with, didn't really care for it personally. $90 shipped USPS Priority. Again, no trades.

My son, Colton, and I first found this buck on December 17th but decided I would not to make a stalk that evening. We relocated him yesterday with a large group of does and several smaller bucks. The group bedded before noon above a wash in some thick brush. I moved in to about 100 yards but could not pinpoint this particular buck. A broken 3 point (now a 3X1) and a 2 point were visible along with several does but the deer were spread out and I could not get any closer without exposing my location. Eventually, I began to move to the next point of cover. One of the does saw me and they all started to move out. The target 4X4 stood at 70 yards but did not stop for a shop. Colton watched him and one single doe separate from the group and move across a several ridges. They eventually bedded deep in a palo verde thicket. It was now about 2 pm. This time I was able to sneak into a location just below their bed and settled in behind some cholla cactus. I was inside of 45 yards and figured they would not get up until right before dark. I waited in this position until I determined we only had a few minutes of shooting light left. The deer were not up so I had to make a move. With an arrow knocked, I stood and started to move laterally hoping the buck would stand. After about 10 feet, he busted out and moved up hill away from me. He stopped broadside and I ranged him at 79.9 yards. The orange 80 yard pin settled in and the arrow was on its way...….next was that unmistakable "thump" sound as the deer ran away. He piled up less than 40 yards away as both lungs had been deflated. After a few late night photos, we were deboned, loaded and packing by 7:30 pm. THANK YOU Colton for all your hard work and determination, not to mention, packing out all the meat!! A perfect end to the 2018 season.....looking forward to getting back out there on 1-1-19.

SOLD as of this morning the 1st of Jan.. Reduced to $355 as of December 31st.. Selling a never fired or used Ruger 22/45 Lite pistol that I bought a while back for $417. It comes with the box, 2 mags, etc. and has the threaded muzzle. Located in Oro Valley Cash only, must sign a bill of sale, be of legal age, have ID, and be legally able to own this. I can also ship to your FFL at cost. Looking for $365

Drizzle in N Central Mesa. Looked snow was moving into Fountain Hills a couple of hours ago.

Just getting some snow here at new river

If you’re ever in the White Mountains I’d be more than happy to take them. Brian

Coming down good in Payson, 1" and growing

edge we are going to up your way tomorrow, hoping for lots of snow in the hills. heres a pink for radar just click pan zoom I been unsig it since they started it, have it linked to a few websites. its pretty good realistic close to real time info alot better than most. http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Metro.aspx?animate=true&location=USAZ0166 about 3 hours ago everything from just north of white tanks to new river was snow(ie blue color) heard bartlett lake is getting snow

Around 6" on the hood of my truck in Prescott

I think it is for everything. Too many predators

G&F could create seasons especially in the spring to encourage coyote hunting day and night targeting antelope areas. It would create more "opportunities" for families to get outdoors learning and enjoying camping and huntings. G&F would sell more licenses and encourage more families to enjoy hunting and the outdoors. The deer population would benefit also. It is a unlimited resource, hunting will never eliminate all coyotes. 😄

Sweet. How old is that dude? He looks so serious, all he needs is a flatbrim hat 😀

It was a great show, grew up watching it along with Curt Gowdys show that often had celebrities on it.

I havent seen a WT rut activity yet, mule deer have been going strong all week. I posted this in my mule deer thread but I killed this buck yesterday chasing off a smaller buck, after not being able to find my target buck the last 2 times out...Bad weather is my favorite time to archery hunt.

They need to cut all cow hunts in half. Stop killing the baby makers.

Up to two annually. Not an expert but they cannot be from the exact same hunt number but can be the same unit. For example, one archery in unit X and then a HAM or rifle in same unit. Or can be different units.

Not trying to be a turd, and I no longer hunt javis, but aren't you allowed one per year? I know I'm about to be straightened out on this.. I can put you on pigs in both units if you want to pm me your phone number.

Hoss, I have visited the San Carlos Coues church 3 times and hope to go again soon.