Leaderboard

And I'm not talking about the current state of the nation. I knew the odds of me drawing a sheep tag were slim to none, but it happened in 2019. The odds of what happened on my deer hunt this past weekend however, had to be far slimmer and certainly unbelievable without proof. Whether the destination of the day or the particular part of a ridge or canyon, I have told myself a hundred times "that is where you're going to find a lion." With an abundance of hunting pressure on opening day of the third coues hunt in the unit, I went 2.5 miles to the deepest and darkest canyon available from my hunt party's area before sunrise on Saturday. The drainage of the canyon was surprisingly void of deer at first light, so my partner and I kept on the last several hundred yards up a shale face that crested into one of the steepest and biggest Google Earth tricks that I've ever played on myself. I immediately thought, "crap it is going to be tough to find a buck in here, but this HAS to be lion country." One tucked in doe and 5 minutes later, and I had finally found what I'd been dreaming of every day on the mountain for the last 18 years. There sunning sideways on a large boulder along a steep draw, stretched out my first glassed lion with no idea we had slipped into its lair. Unbelievable. The excitement nearly doubled when my rangefinder read a number starting with one of a few magical digits, 4. With the state of cat and a series of boulders and rock faces to navigate through, I closed the number to 400 yards even and set up prone. I waited for an hour and a half as it roll occasionally from side to side. I tried to guess how everything would play out including when, how and for how long it would get up for a stretch, but I was in no mans land. I knew nothing first hand about their daytime behavior and came to the conclusion it could be hours before anything changed. With a solid rest, no kittens joining the party and a forecast of high winds picking up well before noon, it was time to put all the load and range work to use. Timed to a break in the early morning gusts, 2 quick reports and a cloud of dust rising from the rock pile beneath is all that could be seen. For the first time ever, the deer tag in my pocket didn't matter anymore. We found 3 kills all within a few hundred yards. Upon arrival, I feared the lion had crawled its way into a hole that I was going to have to dig out similar to several javelina over the years. But luck continued on my side. My first lion, a 2-3 year-old female. Another first was my young cousin's buck on Friday, his first day ever hunting. Obvious first timer with his headlamp still on his head at noon. I hadn't noticed all day or when taking the photos either! Haha. It was also my first weekend with a new pack and I couldn't have carried the lion out like I did for camp to appreciate without it. A buck on Friday and a 80-90 pound lion on Saturday - what a way to break it in. The Savage LWH has also taken a sheep, coues and lion all within the last year with the 6.5 ELD-X doing its job 3/3, dead right there. And the most unbelievable part? After 18 years behind binoculars across the state with zero lions spotted, a second lion on Sunday after creeping into just 380 yards. It didn't have a care in the world, like it knew none of us had another tag in our pocket. We watched it along with deer a couple hundred yards to both sides for an hour before we let it lay and moved along. I've always heard "anything can happen" when it comes to hunting, and after the last 2 years, it isn't so unbelievable anymore.

Hey Elk hunting crew, So I am super pumped up! Headed up north to hunt with The TLO Outfitters crew on a late muzzleloader tag. I have been fortunate enough to draw a tag. Bummer to the story is my Dad can’t make it with me. He has been struggling with health issues. Send some prayer his way if you read this. I have been encouraged to go despite him not being able to make it. I will keep this thread going with more information as we get closer to opening day.

I shared my photo last night of a buck I was able to take but the highlight of my weekend was seeing this big ol buck my nephew Deagan was able to take. He just turned 10 earlier this year and was able to do the hunter’s safety online. We had a waterhole being used pretty regularly and had a solid 3x3 buck that was coming in consistently every other morning, even with the cooler weather. I told my brother in law, the best opportunity to get Deagan a shot would be to sit a trail on this drinker and have him get that 3x3. He agreed. Friday morning, they got up at 4:30 and drove to the waterhole. They parked 700 yards south of the waterhole and walked in slowly. First light came and nothing showed to the drinker. At first light, Deagan told his dad “hey I think I can hear something coming.” My brother in law Joe told him he didn’t hear anything but to keep his eyes open and try to stay quiet. 30 seconds later, this buck stepped out. Joe ranged him at 150 yards and Deagan said he had him in the scope. Deagan shot the first time and shot over his back. Being in a small canyon, the echo caused some confusion for the buck and he just stood there looking around. Deagan jacked another shell in and dropped the buck on his next shot, never needing to shoot again. Joe said Deagan jumped up and started fist pumping the air and was going crazy. What a great father/son moment they were able to experience. Best part is, they thought he had shot the nice 3x3 and instead it was a beautiful 4x4 that just happened to be the biggest buck using this waterhole. Deagan is hooked for life. I’ve attached a photo and video of this buck from before the hunt. FullSizeRender.mov

Real men use bourbon

Me and my youngest squab chased down a couple covey today.

Had a heck of a time on this hunt. Missed opening morning, friday night nothing showed up and the rest of the weekend was brutally windy. Member forepaw (Steve) had been coming out to help glass which was a huge help, thanks Steve! Last night looking for a little spike that disappeared into a thicket another one popped out as light was starting to fade. Called steve over to keep an eye on him while we moved into position. Got into position and bumped a doe who ran up right by where the bucks were hanging out. Got the rifle set up and this little dude came into an opening to see what the doe was running from. He stood perfectly broadside staring at us. Eenie made a perfect 200 yard shot. He immediately was upset and said "oh no i think i injured him", no buddy you got him. As he shot i saw him jump like he should have and bolt, with an audible crash in the brush. Went back to get Steve and headed up the hill. Had just enough light to take a couple decent pics. Super proud of Eeenie, he was a trooper. Mom came out to meet us and congratulate him on his first deer. Sissy wanted to get in the pic too.

Smith & Wesson 44mag Mod

I get up to him and he tries mightily to stand and get away and I quickly put another arrow in him. My nephew just got back into town from guiding in NM to pack out and my brother rushed over with cold beer. Pretty fun hunt. #4B4EVR!!

I want to start by saying thanks to the people who chimed in to my first post about being frustrated, mainly Bill for all his help and all his advice. I spent most of the summer and early fall scouting 24a with no luck. I couldn’t even find a doe. Every trip out to the Unit I learned something new but still couldn’t find a deer. Bill invited me to shadow his hunt in 24a and teach me about coues deer and I’m extremely grateful for that. I was discouraged to say the least. I figured even if I hadn’t spotted any deer I would still go hunt my hardest. Once I realized the north part of 24a was open, we started our hunt off haystack road. We hiked in about 2 miles and camped in some of the shittiest spots imaginable. Literally shitty. The cows were hogging all the flat spots, so we pushed them out and slept in their crap piles. Friday afternoon I finally laid my eyes on a group of magical does at 1000yards. Watched them for 2 days hoping a buck was in the area. No luck, so we decided to change our spots. After 2 nights of next to zero sleep, plenty of rain, and a ton of wind, we changed spots and did some “road hunting”. Driving and glassing, driving and glassing. No deer, just a bunch of hunters. Everyone I talked to was seeing doe’s, but no bucks. I took another look at the map, decided to go to the place I didn’t want to go.. way out, and way up. I found a cliff looking into a canyon, walked up to the edge and saw a doe at 70 yards. I knew it was a good spot. Spent a couple hours looking through my friends spotting scope while he sat in the truck browsing tinder.. or Christian mingle.com .. or whatever he’s into and found some does. At the point where I was asking myself “what in the heck am I doing out here?” I pan over and see a buck feeding on some bushes! I couldn’t believe my eyes... he had horns! Miraculously at the same time my buddy walks over and I’m shaking like a leaf. I ranged him at 711yards and decided no way was I taking that shot in the wind. Decided to cut the distance by 200 yards and see what the buck does. I hike down and glass the spot... he’s gone... My buddy on the spotter calls me and says “hey the buck has moved about 150 yards closer to you... wait.... there’s another buck.. he’s a TANK!” The two bucks move down to a water tank. I ranged him at 384yards. Dial my scope, zoom all the way to 16X... yup.. made that mistake.... and shaking like a leaf with buck fever I pressed the trigger... Got the rifle steadied... and he’s gone... My buddy calls me and said “dude you missed by a mile..... BUT YOU SHOT AT THE WRONG BUCK!!!!! The buck you want to shoot is 5 yards closer to you in the trail!” The buck starts walking, stops to smell the wind, and I poressed the trigger. Hit him about 6-8inches back from where I was aiming, and destroyed his spine... at that point I realized somehow I must have bumped .2mils of windage in the turret.... I watched him hoping he would bleed out for about 10 minutes before I decided to hike back to the cliff and come up with a plan. Maybe 25-30 minutes passed and he still had his head up. I was gutted. I still feel terrible that I didn’t one shot kill him... we moved spots on the cliff and I decided to shoot him again from 515 yards. Put one right through his lungs and he flopped over dead. We emptied our bags except the essentials and hiked down. My first year as a Hunter has been a roller coaster. But I finally laid my hands on an animal that I HUNTED.. an animal that I shot.. we took some pictures that I will cherish for ever, cut him up, and we packed him out in the dark.

...in 18A. Pretty durn excited to finally be leaving in the a.m. I have almost 3 weeks off over this 5 week hunt to fill my "Any" tag. Rather determined to make it happen this year after last year's less than desirable outcome. Eddie

Well, I was able to tag out Saturday afternoon. I was walking down a wash into the wind and kicked this buck up at about 50 yards. He went north and into a finger and stopped at about 200 yards. I was able to position myself for a clear shot and dropped him. I hadn't seen a deer all day and when he jumped from his bed, he looked bigger than he was and I just couldn't pass him up. I had a slight shooter's remorse hit me realizing my hunt was over but after looking him over and realizing I had tons of trail camera photos and videos of him, I was happy to have him. I can't wait to get out for the rut in January. Here are a couple hero shots with him and a velvet video from September. mybuck.MOV

If you can find a Ford you could drag it forward. I tryed to once in my last neighborhood. I was connecting the strap and the owner came out to stop me. They wanted to know why I wouldn’t not just ask them to move . I told her if your dumb enough to block some ones driveway I didn’t think you’d understand what I was asking

Kodiak tents are like vortex optics but for tents. The absolute very best

Spoiler alert

Get them on board early, but if they won't get on board, show them the door. Bad attitudes breed and that doesn't help success.

I am not a boss or supervisor but just the fact that you came on here seeking advice makes me think you’ll do great.

Dont rule out a bugle, they work in jan and late dec. our Oldest daughter and I were up in 6a one year hunting bobcats. we were sitting on a rocky ridge using a wood pecker tape or something like that. heard some bugling. she goes I know what that sound is ran back to the truck came back with the little Circee squealer call. Called that stupid bull into (hate to use this term) danger close 5 yards maybe. all I had was a shotgun with a 22 mag on the top. being a kid and not being affraid of anything. she continued to call and really pissed this thing off. figured it was time to head to the truck. Elk kept following she kept calling and laughing. it was pretty cool. we booked into a bunch of small pines . he sat there grunting and hitting the pines with his horns stomping his front paws. so now the trucks out there in the open with 100 yards between us and the truck. we got in the open the the elk kept coming and grunt/screaming. I picked up a big branch and thru it at him hitting it in the antlers he got even more pissed. I fire a shot in the air thing ran then came right back even more pissed. finally fired one more shot about 10 feet in front of him spraying him with dirt and crap. he walked off maybe 50 yards just grunting and stomping its paws. we kinda walked fast to the truck he was no more than 10 yards behind us the whole time. figured I was going to have to shoot that thing. Ive heard them bugling from the rut till jan, I know forsure they will come to a high pitch call anytime of the year as I have called in many deer and elk using it varmit hunting.

4 years? Really? Unless you had other BPs built up, good luck. Honestly, a late tag is usually a 12+ year wait. You hear about people pulling one around 7 BPs, but not often. Then there are those lucky suckers that draw with 1-4 BPs, but those are rare at best. I have NEVER had a late tag, with up to 10 BPs. But, I am determined that a late 12A tag WILL be my next deer tag. I had 8BPs this year and really had no expectations of drawing. Which I didn't.

Put them on blast. Who is it

Ditch the solar charger. Bring a battery pack. You need more food. I wouldn't do less than 3,000 calories per day. 3500-4,000 would be better. You will want more variety also. The same bar tastes like dog crap after a few days. You need more water for sure. If you both brought in 5 gallons of water then you would know what a hike with 40-50# would feel like. For your clothes. You wear in what you need for the hike then you are allowed a jacket and insulation layer. Everything else is just added weight. Wear wool underwear and your junk won't smell as bad. Didn't see gloves, knit hat, fire starter.......don't really care if it is legal. If you get super cold and can't get warm then its time to build a fire. TP and dude wipes go with me every time. Head lamp. I use a nightcore HC65 headlamp. Simple, light, rechargeable and can bring an extra battery. Also bring a Petzel Bindi headlamp for a backup. Weighs in at around an ounce and does a good job for a backup. You are going to sit and glass so you might as well have a nice pad for your rump. I'm on the fence in regards to the spotter. If it is country where you can see well over a mile (and you like to glass with your spotter) then I would consider it. If you are just doing it for "trophy" judging then leave it home. My guess is if you see a better than average buck you guys won't be able to stop the spotter from shaking and there will be bullets in the air anyways. I put weight into 2 categories. First, the weight that you carry into the field. Second, the weight you will carry when hunting. Don't get to wrapped up into the weight of your pack that you are going to carry in one time and then leave at camp. The weight you are going to carry around while hunting will be more of a concern than your total pack weight in my book. A pack weight of 50# isn't a big deal. Once you get over 60# then you will really start to notice the suck factor. Bring what you need to be comfortable and leave the rest home.

Seems like plenty of food. But....

I'd ditch the S&W and the digiscope

Well what do I know. Regardless of weight you need what you need. I’ve done several successful backpack hunts for deer elk and javelina. Including a few solo. The weight that counts the most is the meat your packing out. I’d bring more food and water. Like a gal a day per person if I were you. if you can’t “field judge” a buck with 15’s your too far a way to kill it even if you wanted to. if there’s no rain in the forecast I would only bring the socks your wearing for a trip this short. what part of the state are you packing in to?

Doesn't have to be a "maintained" road. If it is numbered, or could be considered "any route reasonably passable by a mode of conveyance", it can be considered a road. I just had this conversation with two separate G&F officers within the last three weeks, in two separate units.