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Well, last year it took 3 days to get a bull down. This time it only took a few hours. It wasn’t quite the way we drew it up, but I couldn’t be happier for another year with an elk-filled freezer. We left the camper at 0500 this morning and got set up on a small incline overlooking some meadows we’d seen elk in this past Tuesday. After hearing a few different shots around us, we figured the elk must have been in the next valley over and we missed our opportunity for an opening day, first-light kill. Around 0815 we decided to relocate to another ridge line a few miles south so we hiked back to the car and piled in. As we were heading back into the spot, my wife and buddy spotted 2 bulls trot across the road about 150 yards in front of the car. They said one was likely a young 4 point and the other was a more mature bull but they didn’t get a good look at it. We decided to park the truck and see if we could get on their trail. Luckily, a little bit of snow this morning helped us pick up the tracks of the 2 bulls and we were off! As we hiked up the hill, I spotted the younger bull and thought to myself that I was blessed enough with a beautiful 6pt last year, and this year I would be thankful just to fill the freezer and enjoy another year of elk meat. If I caught up to him and had a shot, I’d take it. Unfortunately, the young bull crested the hill and went out of sight. My buddy continued following their tracks while I stayed a bit to the right, trying not to directly follow their trail. All of a sudden we hear a truck somewhere else in the valley. I couldn’t see it, and I didn’t even know another road came back into this same area but all I could think was “this truck is gonna scare these elk off and I’ll never be able to catch up or find them again”. Well maybe that truck confused the elk because all of a sudden my buddy half whispers, half yells at me. I turn and look over in his direction and couldn’t believe what I saw. I was so focused on where I thought the elk had topped the hill that I wasn’t even paying attention to where my buddy was or what he was seeing. I look over and there is the mature bull, broken on both sides, trotting 20 yards in front of my buddy’s face and 40 yards from me. My buddy immediately drops to the ground and I bring my rifle up only to realize that I’m zoomed in at 9x and can’t locate what part of the bull I’m aimed at. I quickly dial back to my lowest setting (3x) and re-aim at the bull, but it dawns on me that my wife, father-in-law, and my buddy’s girlfriend were a couple hundred yards behind us and in the general direction I’m now aiming. I take a second to double check my shooting lane is completely clear, aim at the vitals as the bull continues trotting past, and squeeze the trigger. The bull stumbles about 200 yards before finally laying down under a tree, and a few minutes later I know he’s gone. It still amazes me how fast everything happened and how much I had to adjust/take into account for my quick, 45 yard shot. From my buddy spotting the bull coming back toward us to me pulling the trigger might have been 5-6 seconds but it felt like a lifetime. He’s not quite the bull I tagged last year, but he’s perfect to me. I couldn’t be happier for another successful elk hunt and another year of great elk hunting memories. I’m slightly disappointed we’ll be heading home earlier than planned this year, but it’s for the best of reasons: tag filled.

I will post a story and more pics when we when we get done driving all over the state. But for now here is my favorite pic. He’s not a giant per the tape, but there has never been a happier kid. He hasn’t stopped grinning since Wednesday.

Hello all, I’m sure several of you are in the same boat as I am— excited to start your hunt first thing in the morning. Last year I had a semi-live hunt going on the site and really enjoyed sharing my first tag experience with you all. Luck would have it that I was drawn for the exact same hunt this year—the late bull hunt in Unit 27! I will post as often as possible keeping you updated on how things are going. Until then, here is my first bull elk from last year and some photos from scouting this past week! Hope you all enjoy following along, and I hope I can end this thread with a success post! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, John

Hey everyone. I started a YouTube series on how I place trail cameras. With the coues seasons upon us, I released my first video about coues deer. I hope you enjoy.

Well today was the last day of the JR hunt and my daughter was up for one last attempt. Got up at 0400 and high tailed it to a spot where we had multiple attempts and some decent bucks last weekend. With my work schedule and her school today was the only day we could go out. Got set up and waited for the sun to rise, it was much colder than we thought and she was not dressed as warm as she should have. I started glassing where I had seen numerous bucks but was only turning up does. I told her to glass this canyon where the sun was shining, I would look back occasionally and she was huddled up, rubbing her gloves together and sniffling because of the cold weather. About an 1 1/2 hrs into it I sit next her and start glassing her canyon. As soon as I put my binos up I see antlers, I got a buck and it’s a shooter!!!! She comes over, I range it at 277 yds down hill. She sets up and 5 minutes later a shoot rings out. The buck spins and goes behind some Manzanita. She asks, did I get it? I said it was hit but had no idea as to where it hit. I told her to keep an eye on the area and I would gather all the gear. As we started the descent, we kick up a really wide buck and it runs out of site, I was thinking the buck we shot couldn’t do that, plus I didn’t see any blood on him. As we get closer to the large tree as a reference point I tell her to get ready for a possible follow up shot. I start to get excited because we are near the area where the buck should be. I’m looking around and I see a lifeless body, I turn toward my daughter and give her a high five and massive hug. I congratulate her for her Thanksgiving buck!!! Hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving, this definitely has made 2020 a much better year for me and being able to cherish this time with my daughter. This is definitely her biggest buck to date. This is also her 5th WT all from unit 33. Of course she had to get dad building up an appetite for a Thanksgiving spread later today.

We are just finishing up our Christmas tree and my wife said I had to take down some of my normal decorations she made it a point to say. “And that dumb bobcat better not be in there” I mean.. I made sure there wasn’t a bobcat anywhere in sight. You think she’s going to notice?

Man, what an interesting hunt. Friday, I had the AC running in my trailer. Sunday I had the heater going. Monday we were 100% socked in from fog until I think 11 or so? Glassed this guy up at 835 Wednesday morning, at 840 he was dead. With my hunting partner, Jim spotting, the 28 Nosler made quick work with a heart shot at 436 yards. Can't wait to have some snack sticks!

BS she wasn’t deaf. She was talking to a guy in front of me. Sad part was that she had her mask down not covering her nose. I guess I’m not a civilized person since I didn’t get a mask.

Welcome to the United States of California. ......

Yotebuster is OK, he is just looking at it from a different perspective.

Congrats dude. Having that tag 3 years in a row is pretty unbelievable. You have much to be grateful for this year.

AZGFD doesn't own the airspace and airplanes and drones don't take game but they still banned the use of them for taking game.

mask shaming!

Your all hooked on this hunting thing now huh? Good for you bud.

I thought it was ridiculous she couldn’t speak to me. Had to point to a sign. Take a chill pill dude. That’s what I was getting at.

Its a giant to him thats all the matters. Congrats

Im against any more regulations. Whats next, long range rifles, big binos, etc.......?

Those that do not care, so what you are saying is you are okay with taking away a hunting method hunters use? Just wait until your new president takes away your firearm's through taxation and other methods . I know a few bowhunters would not mind if Biden did as they are against long range shooting as they deem it unethical and not fair chase. Its interesting AZGFD is using fair chase as the driving force to ban cameras. The point is- unless all hunters support each other and stand in unity- we will keep loosing what we love to do! For the guides abusing cameras- remember they are all managed through azgfd and they collect $$$ every year from them- if they were really the concern why would they not correct the issue through the guide licenses?

Halftime update, there is a lot to cover. Long story short we’ve had a little adversity but the boys and I are here and we are still getting after it. Fingers crossed.

Pretty simple if you only applied for 1 hunt number.

You don’t get man titties if you do trt. You get man titties from coming off trt and not following post cycle therapy. The whole idea of trt is to “cruise” forever, you don’t ever come off.

I wouldn’t really value a low test pencil necked doctors opinion on it unless they were high test individual himself. I know there’s doctors out there like that I could talk to. But I’d probably talk to a coach who is much more knowledgeable about the subject. like Outdoor Writer has wrote the book on hunting, but would I want his advice on hunting? No, I’m gonna ask someone that’s good at it.

Remember they get cold alot quicker then us, include them in your decisions and conversations on where to hunt and why. When they feel to be a little more of an equal then at home they will open up and you'll have a totally new relationship with your Young man or Lady.. Remember there gonna be packing your Kills out soon, train them right. Its not just a snack fest. And someone mentioned before, make sure there clothes and boots fit and hand warmers are a must. Oh ya let them help glass, its amazing what young and untrained eyes can see. And look when they say they see something, you'll be amazed. Enjoy the time it goes fast. Like hunting with Dad..

Another one bites the dust at the hands of a small 12y girl with a 9 lbs 300win mag with a break. ca ridgeline night force nsx.

I could be wrong but don't think it will drop as low as 3-7. I think many of the max point holders are applying for the same 3-4 units.