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I have debated about what to say about this as I know some have mixed feelings about these highly sought after tags being donated. But after thinking about it I hope that if we are able to share the story that more people might enjoy the experience this increasing the good that has come The selfless decision someone made to donate the tag. A little background. In April of last year my son Hunter (9 at the time) was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Toothe. CMT is a degenerative neuro-muscular condition that causes muscle atrophy and reduced sensitivity in the extremities. As a result of this condition Hunter also had hip dysplasia in both legs which led to two separate reconstructive surgeries last year. He turned 10 in August and we squeezed in a youth Kaibab hunt as well as a cow elk hunt (from a donated tag) between surgeries. I was proud of his effort as he did whatever he had to and filled his deer tag and stuck with it through three cold days for his elk hunt but that tag went unfilled. He goes to PT twice every week and probably will do PT//OT until he is skeletally mature. We are blessed that his lifespan is not impacted and for now he can walk and ride a bike likE his friends, other than limited strength and the unknown of when and how fast the degeneration of his nerves will occur. Well a couple week’s ago Eddie Corona from OE4A called and asked if Hunter would be interested in an antelope hunt. This has been an aspiration of his for several years since accompanying me on scouting trips for my antelope hunt in 2014. So the next day, after going to PT, and the dr and getting x Rays we met Eddie Corona and picked up the tag. It’s been his top choice every year since so of course we were in. Then to find out it was Unit 10 tag, well, we were over the moon. I hope to share this experience with as many as possible and want to make sure that those involved know how much this means to a kid who has not had an easy past 12 months. Thanks to Eddie and everyone who helps OE4A in anyway and also to Darren Couturier who donated the tag. We can hardly wait to share the journey with everyone.

Yeah, this is why I was hesitant about posting. Lots of people question the system and start getting sour grapes when an 11 year old kid gets a world class tag. The tag is donated by the hunter to a qualifying charity. The charity has a list of qualified individuals who have submitted paperwork from a doctor who confirms that they meet the requirements. In Hunter’s case he has a permanent disability but children with life threatening conditions also qualify. Veterans have different requirements around combat injuries of certain severity. But I can tell you that the kids we have met at OE4A events are sick. At the OE4A banquet they have pictures in their slideshow of the kids who have passed away since their hunts. The wounded vets organizations sometimes have a hard time finding vets who meet the requirements but are still capable of the physicality of the hunt. The organization appoints the tag to a qualified recipient at their discretion. Last year Hunter received a late rifle cow hunt. This year the organization knew that he was better suited for walking and was really excited about antelope hunting. When Eddy called about the tag he said the donating hunter said he would like it to go to a kid if possible because it was a father and son who both donated their tags. The other tag went to a 17 year old boy. Hopefully that answers questions and people will continue to support these organizations. I know last year when we were driving home from Hunter’s elk hunt, he asked me if we could hunt again the next weekend. I reminded him that we were going back to CA for his next surgery that week. His response “Oh yeah, that is coming up.” We didn’t kill an elk on that hunt but for a few days he forgot all about surgery and the half body cast he would spend Christmas in, and the PT after that. He didn’t have to go watch his little brother play on the football team that he couldn’t be on. He just went hunting with his Dad. I can’t tell you how much that meant to that little dude and especially his Dad. So I am grateful for everybody who provides a tag or volunteers or spends 200+ nights a year helping or scouting or guiding these hunter’s. It means a lot.

Traeger show at Costco Tempe today. I just picked up a Traeger Junior 20 and they have a few other models if anyone is interested. I paid $369 including a cover, cookbook, and bag of pellets.

This stainless grill has not been used for about 10 years. The last time used it functioned as it should. It needs some bigger wheels, the ones on it now are too small. I did a half a$$ clean up on it. It ain't new , but it's free. I do have a fork lift to load it. Grill dimensions are 16"x36". This grill new was over $1500.00 the four corners are the only parts that are not stainless, so they show some rust.

A few pics of last year’s adventures.

As a kid I can remember visiting my grandparents and cousins in Idaho and Montana. We'd all be outside eating homemade ice cream and reminiscing about old times when the conversation would inevitably turn to the time Grandma got chased up a tree by a moose, or when one got a tire swing stuck on its antlers at the cabin in Island Park, or when one chased my cousin Brian home after he fell off the snowmobile. Still today at just about every family gathering just when things start to quiet down someone will call out in his direction "MOOOOSE!" These experiences and many others shaped my admiration of the largest member of the deer family. When we would spend summers at the family property in Clancy, MT, the most prized of all sightings was a bull moose. Their huge black bodies, contrasted by wide flat, white palms in the creek bottoms or black timber are mesmerizing. While attending college in Rexburg, ID I spent as many hours as possible exploring the Big Hole mountains just outside of town. I hunted elk and deer there but was always distracted when an 8' ungulate would cross my path. One day in November while looking for a cow elk I watched a behemoth bull moose peruse the timber apparently roaming for a second cycle cow and I promised myself that one day when I had the time and money I would be back for one of the beasts. Those lean college years didn't allow me the opportunity to trophy hunt, let alone do justice to a once-in-a-lifetime venture. But I took note of the favorable draw odds, especially for residents, and committed that the day would come. Before leaving my native born state again I scrounged up the few hundred dollars to purchase a lifetime license ensuring that the NR cap for such a tag would never become a barrier to entry. So this year, 10 years removed from my post-collegiate departure, I decided the time had come to begin the process of grinding away at the 18% draw odds. I figured that even without a point system in Idaho the expectation was that I would draw a tag within 5 years. So imagine my surprise last Friday when I was greeted by this

My dad and I were able to get out for a few days last weekend. After starting off with a couple missed shots by my dad on Friday morning then not being able to keep an eye on a couple bucks we were able to glass up Friday afternoon. We headed to a different area Saturday saw lots of deer but no bucks. Sunday morning we hunted around camp i glasses up a bachelor herd of 7 bucks. We made a plan and started the climb up the mountain. My dad said since i found the deer i could get first shot so we split up thinking the bucks would go over the top after the shot. So i snuck into place when i got over there i couldn’t find the deer thinking i had gone to low. As i was getting ready to grab my stuff to back out and go higher a spike steps out so i stay put and get ready. After 4 spikes and forkies step out my buck presents himself and i shot. I watch him go down the deer stay put i call my dad and tell him to get over the top right away there’s a bigger buck! After what seemed like a hour but more like 5 minutes his buck was getting ready to top over. My dad tops the ridge and shoots his buck at 200 yards! It was awesome watching both bucks drop within 50 yards of each other!

Cheeseburger pizza Jalapeno poppers Brined and smoke turkey Beef jerky Rib roast

I am on my 2nd traeger, started out with the 20 now I have the pro 34. I use it for everything.

Yes, it’s a 2006. Nothing special feel’s like a big upgrade from our 1996 Coachmen.

CatfishKev is solid. Quality item. Easy transaction.

I almost bought the General, but after looking at the bed space and only being able to carry 4 people I decided to get the Ranger Crew. The General is definitely cooler looking, but since we've already filled the bed several times on several hunts I know I made the correct decision! I have a 2016 crew 900. It has plenty of power and rides really nice. It's also very quiet. We can easily have conversations while riding. FYI, I bought mine used in California. The ranger prices in California seem to be thousands less than Az. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions!

I'm at 237,000 on my '03! Good luck with sale!

+ 1 million

Well the tag came in the mail today. IDFG also included a nice letter outlining the requirements for reporting, all moose must be checked in with F&G, and suggesting hunting methods and explaining moose behavior. Also got the camp situation figured out today. Picked up a new-to-me 2006 Nomad camper. Should keep us dry and warm. Should start testing moose loads next week while also setting the bow up with heavy arrows/heads.

EXO is a great bag, I have had 2 5500's.

Just the ears tail and body

looks like a bobcat?

Thats why I call it a "Head Shead" instead of a "Dead Head".😏

Cool looking rack, if G$F wants them.....they can go find them................

Ethics police, comin in hot. Give it to G&F so they can auction it. The millions in app fees plus the “education fund” and upcoming tag grab aren’t quite cutting it these days.

This is so awesome!!!!!!!!! Congrats on your first bear!!!!!!!!! I drew the same tag this year for my first bear hunt ever!

Great Story!!!! Congratulations on a well-earned bear. My latest black bear hunt

you had the pictures left messages with no call back i would have defenintly taken the rack