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My son had the early November hunt. We had been watching his buck for about 5 weeks. we had photos and films of him and estimated him to be between 96 to 105. Rough gross was 100 3/8 and netted 96 6/8. Shot was 560 yards, with sun in eyes. he was not behind gun enough so the shot was a little high. but went in and came out the left side behind lungs. Crazy did a 90 degree turn in body. He used my gun since he likes it better..LOL. First day tag out before 9:00 am. I had built both of us 28 Noslers his had a APR hunter action and mine had my Bighorn SR3, We had shot over 300 rounds in each gun over the summer from june (when i finished barrels) to august, Then in sept and oct another 100 or so. We plan to change the barrels out this spring for next year. Shooting brux barrels 195 grain bergers at 2950. Next set of barrels i have a new reamer being built that should help get some more speed but will shorten barrels for weight. Also bought a new chuck to eliminate stress on work TBAS system. Then came my hunt for late November. We hunted every day except for the first day. We saw this buck one day during hunt on the move and was able to located him on last day glassing from the vehicles. Unfortunately with the fog rolling in and out and rain coming every few minutes when i spotted him I had to tale the shot or loss the opportunity. I had practiced for this for years now and knew i had it. 830 yards right behind shoulder and dropped him right there. Never dropped one with a shot behind shoulder but wow it was neat. Been worrying about the boys these past years that i finally got one. I wanted my dad to shoot but he passed since he has a hard time shooting far.

So I never really posted about my kaibab buck for 2018 so I figured I would now. Was lucky enough to draw the tag with very little points. A guide was on my mind but the I didn’t have the funds to make something like that happen. Made the trip up a few times with the family to learn the area and see what I was getting into. Also lucky that people are willing to share a little info on what the deer should be doing sense it’s such a lucky tag to have. The hunt time arrived and was lucky to have my buddy Devon with me for the hunt which I owe him a lot for being able to make it and I had my uncle and cousin there for the first three days as well to help out. The first three days were amazing and we cover tons of ground from north to south on the far west side of the unit. We saw tons of deer and some big deer but I never made an attempt to get in on them we just glassed and watched. What a show we got to see with them rutting all over. By the third evening my finger was getting itchy but I still didn’t make any attempts on deer. My uncle and cousin had to leave that evening and it left just my buddy Devon and I to hunt. Fourth day came and that morning we watched a big three by four that was very tall for a while plus some other smaller bucks chasing and we watched some other hunters go after him. Still didn’t go after anything that morning just watched. That evening we went to a different spot and I picked up a buck right away that had one doe and bedded right away. It was also my daughters fifth birthday and I felt it was the right time to make an attempt. We got into 450 yards and ran out of cover. Buck was bedded with his doe with a rock right in front of his vitals so I had to wait it out. Waited for about thirty minutes and then the doe finally stood up and the buck stood as well presenting a perfect broadside shot and I took it and the buck wobbled down hill and fell over. The celebration started between my buddy and I and I couldn’t of been happier. What a great moment and plus it was on my daughters birthday so I felt it was meant to be. I am sure I prob watched bigger bucks or maybe that was the biggest buck I saw which I have no clue as I had never seen that many shooters in my eyes before. It was a hunt that I will never forget and I got to do it with a my great friend Devon and my uncle that got me hooked on hunting from the start and his boy. I can’t wait tell I draw that tag again.

Shot my first elk on Nov. 30th. Couldn't be happier with him.

While hiking in unit 1 about 10 years ago I found a leg hold trap up in a tree with a mountain lion foot in it. Apparently the lion got caught and was able to run off and up the tree. Then chewed his own leg off to get rid of the trap.

Same..

One day.....ONE DAY....I will have my OWN late 12A tag in my pocket.....

Shout out to Vortex for standing by their VIP warranty claim. I was flinging some arrows in my backyard last month and accidentally left my rangefinder in the yard. Came outside the next morning to find that my dog had mistaken it for a chew toy and did some real work on it. Photo below... I sent what was left of my rangefinder in to Vortex in a Ziplock and 2 weeks later I received a brand new rangefinder-- no questions asked. They even threw in a chew toy for my dog. Nice touch! All around positive experience. Wanted to take the time to recognize a company that keeps their word (w/ a side of humor).

FYI, it wasn't a neck shot. The spot on the neck is just ruffled hide.

We've seen a few more bucks, but nothing worth shooting yet. I got my first Rio this morning. Small jake.

My son was at chucky cheese and fell out of the monster truck ride and broke his femur. I learned real quick that he is one tuff little four year old. I wasn’t there for when it happened but man has he been tuff for the aftermath. Can’t believe he broke the biggest bone in body for his first injury. Hopefully he has a speedy recovery. Getting a wheelchair delivered today so we can at lest get out and do some trout fishing at the community lakes around me that they are stocking with trout. Any prayers will help! Thanks guys

Pops arrived in the unit on Sunday and spotted bucks all week but passed em all up. I was finally able to get off work Thursday and the next day and half was spent chasing nice bucks unsuccessfully. Seems like once we work in shooting range and get set up they decided to boogie out of the area. Finally found this buck bedded and he behaved himself letting us get to 328 yards undetected. Pops waited in shooting position for an hour and half, the sun broke through the clouds and the buck started to get warm. He got up, did a little stretch and pop laid him back down in his bedding spot. I knew the buck was nice but never knew he had giant eyeguards or an 8 inch kicker until 30 minutes before pops shot. When I noticed it I said ****, but I didn’t tell pops anything. After he smoked the buck I told pops about the eyeguards and kicker and that was just a bonus for him.

Lance stole my sentiments. If I lived in the Valley, I'd head over and take that tough dude fishing, too! Good luck to both of you. It was 8 years ago today that my daughter dislocated her knee cap (7 years old) playing soccer. That was a LONG recovery period with her stubborn personality. Good luck to your son and the rest of your family!

Holy sheet! That is one tough hombre. He just earned his "Man card" early.

A 3 generation hunt? That…..is totally awesome! I wish my dad could tag along on a future hunt. I miss hunting with him. I just don't think he could handle a 13 day trip in the cold any more. Might need to try and get him out on an easier upcoming hunt. Great bucks. Great shooting. Would LOVE to see what that 195 pulling a U-turn did to that buck's insides. Did he dump?

Looks like the “Emily unit” a sonar machine used by the Navy had a few sonar hits by the beaver dam last night. They are checking it out today to see if its anything. Hopefully they can find her soon.

Can’t find the dislike for these silly teasers

Interesting side note: We had our team at the Jr. High White Mountain League Finals in Heber on Saturday. Daniel who has been coaching the Show Low team was there coaching his team on a day that had to be a tough decision but shows his strength and commitment to his obligations and team! They always sell breakfast burritos after weigh ins and all those proceeds went to the Rawlings family. That collection was presented right before finals Saturday night to Daniel, his wife and two kids. It is inspiring to see a family who has been stripped of something so precious yet stand strong! Again, prayers for those searching, may they find that little girl, and prayers for that family that they may continue to be strong! Thanks to so many who have spent time there helping search.....Flatlander........and so many others!

Thanks! I was shooting a Fierce Firearms Edge in .300 Win Mag. 200g ELD-X with 80g of Retumbo seated SAAMI. I shot one time at 350 yards.

I’ll do $65 🙃

On Saturday they were optimistic about a location that the dogs hit on toward the end of the day. I haven’t heard anything since so I assume that’s been cleared. We spoke with both Grandfather’s while we were there. They were very kind and grateful. But you can see in their eyes how heart broken they are. I haven’t been back since then. Not sure when I will make it back. It’s harder than it seems like it ought to be. if anyone is headed up I would recommend starting at the lake from orange peel and working up from there. Kayaks or canoes are helpful. I don’t see much value in the drone footage.

+1

Bare bow for $60 i will take it

even if the lake was filled with fish i wouldnt expected much with the weather.

I have walked to within 10 yards of several deer with a white light, they are like "a deer in head lights".

I was one of the hunters from this last January that hunted ranch 2. I would hunt the ranch again in a second if everything worked out. Here are a couple pictures of the buck I ended up shooting. I can tell you that I missed a bigger buck more than once the night before I shot this one. I had a blast and the ranch is beautiful. I would be glad to answer any questions that I could if it mattered. I am out of town for a few days but I am connected.