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I have shot animals from 10 yards to 900 yards. I shoot a lot and will not take a shot at anything if I don’t feel 100 percent confident in the set up. I also will not take a long shot if I don’t have someone watching and that someone is my kid we both communicate very well with each other while in the scope. We owe it to the animals we hunt to make good decisions in the field!!

I've been after it for a few years with my bow and last week I was finally able to get it done! I decided to go all out this year and recently bought a brand new Mathews and have been shooting a few days a week. It just happened to work out with my work schedule that I had a few days off during the week. I spotted this buck solo at about 150 yards and he bedded down shortly after. I had the wind and took my time. I got within 50 yards and the buck stood up presenting a quartering away shot. I took a few deep breaths as he still didn’t know I was there, I put my pin on him and watched my arrow hit its mark. I gave him about 20 minutes and sure enough he only went about 100 yards. I’m even more proud of this buck because I was solo. I was a little overwhelmed with the work I needed to do but with everything my dad taught me hunting it was a piece of cake. Wish my dad and brother were with me but they got caught up with work. We will have many more hunts together. What a great learning experience for me. Can’t wait till January!

Finally got it done on my first velvet buck. After countless failed stalks and hours behind the glass over the last few hot summers, it came together. It's funny, I like to tell myself that I'm gonna hold out for a bigger buck than my last (3x3 or better). I was after this guys bigger 4x4 brother but after not being able to find him, this guy stood and presented a shot, and I couldn't help myself. Some day I'll hopefully get the 4x4 I'm looking for, but it's just too much fun and rewarding to tag out with a bow. I gotta say I was impressed with the sevr broadheads. He was quartered away and I hit the last rib, with about 3/4 of the arrow penetrating on a 68 yard shot. I watched him drop in his tracks after running 20 yards. I have never shot a broadhead that flies as well as they do either. Big thanks to my good friend Syd for guiding me in and being there to help out.

Watched it three times. Still reminds me of The Hangover.

Oh and we usually had sandbags made out of old Levi’s in the truck. These worked well when on a prairie dog town or on those longer shots on small rocks.

Some of the realistic shooting we did would be practicing picking off golf ball or soft ball sized rocks on a hillside. There were certain places we would go that had areas that were target rich and offered you uphill, downhill, and flat and level, near and far. We would never vandalize any large rocks target shooting, the rocks would be blown to pieces if hit and would not disturb the hillside. I still go to these areas as an adult and it brings memories back of when I was young and learned about holdover. I thought it was the coolest thing, shooting a 22lr at 200 yards in the wind and had to aim high and to the right/left and have it hit what you’re aiming at.

I completely agree. I am not the best at anything hunting related, but I think I have better calmness and awareness then many. I jumped 2 4x4's in 12ae last year on the early hunt. I had to make some adjustments to get a shot. I ranged them first thing at about 212 yards. I tried to use a dead tree as a shooting rest but it started to sway. I dropped down to use a downed tree as a rest, and my 40lb pack tried to suffocate me so I had to get it off. I got back on the deer who were moving away and they were trotting off. I wasn't going to take a moving shot, but I waited on them. I think disappearing behind the tree surprised them. And they would stop occasionally to try and see me. They stopped 1 time to many. I didn't have time to range again, but I knew they were probably about 250-275 so I held a touch high knowing my rifle was sighted in about 225. It only took 1 shot.

I got permission from Amanda to run this thread. I realize it is a shot in the dark for anyone to be interested in this raffle but figured if one person bought a ticket it is one more ticket sold! Most of you through the years have seen me post pictures of my son Cole. After spending two years in Detroit on his mission he is finally getting to chase one of his passions and that is wrestling at the college level. I have included a few pictures from hunting, a link to his state championship match and information on the raffle for $2000 grand prize! Cole has already sold his quota required by coach, I'm just promoting to try and help! If you do choose to buy a ticket for $100.00 Please indicate in the space provided that the wrestler you are sponsoring is Cole Mortensen! Thanks everybody for reading and putting up with us. Jeff This match was 2016 senior year! Link to purchase a raffle ticket! http://www.totalcamps.com/westerncoloradowrestling

Hey guys, haven't posted here much lately. I want to start a topic about realistic, in-the-field shooting. Let me preface this with a couple real life examples. Last year I was helping some family and friends on a hunt up in the Kiabab. Not a strip hunt, just early 12a E. Lots of deer around. Anyway, these guys would get so deep into what their guns could do, going into charts, this drop, that, etc... You get them in the field, for starters they couldn't glass, couldn't hike one ridge without getting to camp and complaining. Yet they all had faith in their gun setup. If they were in a certain position, and the deer was in a certain position, they could drop it at xxx yards. But countless times we had deer in very shootable situations, but it wasn't perfect. At one point, the group of bucks we were after trotted by at 75 yards, and neither hunter even took their gun off their shoulder. It was like it had to be exactly what they expected or nothing. Contrast that with some situations where most everyone I've ever hunted with can make a shot at moving, even running deer. I've dropped one with a muzzle loader at 80 yards busting out of a bed. I can't count the times where the hunter has to make a quick shot, and does so naturally. I'm not advocating for taking low-percentage shots. We all have to know our limitations. My point is, I think a lot of folks who are just getting into hunting have an unrealistic view of hunting based on what they see on videos and only practice for that image that they perceive as the way it's supposed to be. When it actually happens you have to be able to shoot off-hand, off a rock, off a tree-branch that's bending, you get the point. A lot of guys now are shooting guns that in perfect situations can ding a plate at 800 yards or more. But in real life conditions, they can't hit a pie plate at 100 yards offhand. Anyway, just about to head off to elk camp, but this had me thinking. Love to hear your thoughts and opinions. -Coach

Managed to be fortunate enough to get a tag and fill it...Tough hunt I was averaging 10-12 miles a day and 110 degree temps...Saw plenty of critters and had a blast when I did get to hang out with great friends...Got him Aug 27th and for those wondering it was a 100 yard facing straight on shot from my knees and the arrow went full length through the body and exited the rear...arrow kept going...thanks to those of you who gave me some tips on where to start..it was worth the effort for sure!!

It just takes one bull to start feeling his oats and the others respond accordingly.

what did you have to get straightened out?

92° where I’m sitting in 22

Great buck, congratulations! You need to enter it to the Arizona bowhunting record book. Bowhunting in Arizona

Thanks wild woody. I am staying at North Buckskin rd in Heber for 5 days while I explore the unit a bit. I will be driving and listening a few nights after I get new tires at Big O today. If you have time and would like I will buy you dinner if you want to share some local information. I would really appreciate a jump start on locations. Not sure if i will have wifi to get on computer at the camper but if you want to call or text 865*850*6620 burdy

I can recall making a shot on a running buck at around 50/60 yards, it was like shooting flushing quail. All those years of skeet, dove and quail shooting went into that successful shot. Years of muzzleloader matches with mostly off hand shooting built up skills/confidence to make several successful offhand shots. Currently its PRS, NRL22 and small bore silhouette matches to keep my skills up. Years of shooting, hunting go into getting comfortable with what kind of shots present themselves in the field. Good post/point OP.

Put some metallica on and be done in 2 hours. Plus buy a roll of butcher paper and double wrap your product and be good for 3 years in the freezer. Congrats on your kill.

ive said it once and ill say it again, 3b north is the butthole of arizona. the country is cool looking, but sketchy people.

Same here but mine was 28 yards. I ranged him with my sig2400 first. My scope was left at 32 power so all I saw was A hair. I jerked the heck out of my (insert favorite trigger here) on my 6.5 creedmore tactically tactical bolt drive and went to take my selfie with my prize. Once I finally made the track over to where I last saw my prize he was no where to be found. I was faced with the flack that I missed. I think it must be the water in cities that do it.

i missed a coues buck from like 30 yards a couple years ago. i could hardly find him in my scope, the adrenaline got to me. i also live in the city

Agreed. My wifes deer last year was glassed at daylight and 5 hours later of methodically closing the distance she made a clean tri clawps 300 yard shot when he climbed out of his tree. Turn the page to my hunt jumped my buck out of thick stuff and offhand 100 yard ish shot. No click click click stuff on my rifles. They serve a purpose for some(like kuiu and flat brimmed hats) and i apreciate the guys like Lance who do the work and know when NOT to shoot that long shot even though the gun can. This thread is gonna go south fast like all the others, but a good topic.

To be honest, this makes me wish AZGFD would ban trail cams.

When we were living in Ash Fork the Williams news paper always had a big buck contest page or two!!!! The Hillside(Cauthen) gas station always had a big buck contest where I won the "average" as he always paid out a smallest, average and biggest buck contest!!! I won a Ruger 22 semi auto rifle and got my picture in the paper gotta love small town news! All my kids birthday pictures ended up in the news cause the Ash Fork rep knew us!!!!! Can't deny fame!!!

While it is a nice buck, the headline is a little misleading. Making the minimum for entry to the record book is a little different than the misleading "could break archery record". But, if you'll notice, the author is a female with the same last name as the hunter, so I'm guessing it's his wife, daughter or other relative. I agree though, it's great to have hunting including in a general circulation newspaper. That's rare these days.

I prefer the brand that gets me into the most circle jerks. That's performance you can quantify.