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I had some good luck on the early archery tag. Killed this bull opening morning at around 11am. He was the main bull we heard bugling and that turned out to be his downfall. My cousin - who also had a tag - was able to get a good chunk of time off work so he was out scouting 4 days before the hunt started. He saw this bull every single day prior to the hunt. I made it up late Wednesday and scouted with him on Thursday... and again, saw this bull and his cows in the morning and in the evening. Bugling as well. We saw another 10 bulls or so in this same drainage so we figured we'd start there opening day and give them heck. We hiked into the area in the morning and we were able to chase some bugles, but they weren't as vocal as they had been the couple of days prior. We ran into a good group of elk, but they spooked and we thought we might have boogered everything up too bad for the afternoon. My dad and uncle were on a ridge glassing above us and could hear elk below them bugling every so often - even after the bigger group spooked. For some reason - even though we were pretty close - we couldn't hear the bugles. The ridge we needed to climb was pretty steep and thick with overgrowth so I wasn't thrilled about the hike to get up it, but we sucked it up and made the short, but steep, hike. We finally got up to the same elevation as the elk and spotted them about 250 yards away. I saw a group of cows and had a feeling we were on the same bull we had seen all week prior. Sure enough it was him. We watched from a distance as he ran off a couple of raghorns that were nearby. He was one of the few bulls that seemed to be ready to rut. We continued working in closer, but didn't feel like we would have the shooting lanes available if we kept stalking straight at them. We were in some thick cover. At this point, the elk had been milling around in the same small area for more than an hour. We backed out and looped around to get on top of them. For the most part, the wind cooperated. It started to swirl a bit as we got close to the elk. They were in a thick stand of aspens and the cows knew something was up. They weren't quite sure where we were though, because the vegetation was so thick. They first trotted one way and then back another way. We could see them in the aspens less than 20 yards from us. The bull let's out a bugle to corral his cows and get everyone going the same direction. At that point my cousin gave a quick cow call and the elk stopped. I side stepped to an opening to my left and could see the cows going one by one up a trail into a small shooting window. Naturally, the bull was last. My cousin ranged the cows at 65 yards and I drew back. Right when the bull stepped out and showed his vitals, I shoot. Downhill, quartering away. I hit the spine and into his cavity. He was paralyzed. I quickly moved in closer and finished him off from 20 yards. (I would love to say that my first and only shot was the arrow shown in the picture - I'll be honest with you guys, but probably not my drinking buddies ) Needless to say, I am thrilled with this bull. Good mass, lots of character. It's also pretty cool that we were able to watch him for a few days in a row and put a plan together that got it done. This early archery elk stuff is awesome. Can't wait to do it again...... in twelve years.

My wife and I have recently started doing a bit more wildlife photography and we took a trip to Yellowstone back in May. We were able to see a lot of really cool animals and figured I could share with those who might appreciate it. Hope you enjoy!

Here is my 2022 NM archery mule deer. I hunted hard for 8 days, passing many bucks before I was able to sneak in on this buck and his buddy. 46 yard shot through the heart.

I hit canyon last weekend. Caught 4 lmb in 3 hrs which isn’t too bad for how that lakes been.

I’ve spent a lot of time and money the last 5-10 years hoping to kill a big coues deer with my bow.. with the camera ban it seemed like it definitely wasn’t going to happen. The heat wave the last week I figured sitting water would pay off so I spent 5 days on tank with the most sign in the area hoping it would pay off and it did. This buck came in completely silent and by himself at 38 yards. He started broadside when I shot and nearly turned 90 degrees by the time the arrow reached him but it went in at a good angle and caught his vitals and ended in his spine. I knew he was big but couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how heavy he was..

Posting for my dad: its been a helluva coues gun for him Tikka T3 lite stainless 300WSM. Left handed with muzzle break topped with a Leupold VX-7 4.5x18x56mmLR w/ adjustable turrets. Bipod, shoulder sling, 2 magazines and 3 boxes of Federal Premium 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Turret has been calibrated for these rounds Said he will throw in a soft case for safe transport home. $1,500 I can try to answer any PM's but its better to go to the source for particulars- Call or text Brent 602-513-2089

We've all felt this way at times. But he's like a hemorrhoid. He grows on you. Can't be too thin skinned on the deer forums. Facebook is even worse. @Boarman03 the otc hunts are doable. The only elk I've killed were those hunts but it required many trips to make that happen.

Fantastic bull and great story! Which unit? Eddie

Awesome write-up. Thanks for sharing. Fantastic bull!

You don’t have anything else to do. Did You just get home from not filling another elk tag or something?

You are way off. you are the grumpy one, and when was the last time you contributed anything on here

I just shoot and hope

You say "don't shoot a buck you have a picture of", well I dont think thats enough. By setting out cameras this year, you could identify a watering hole that is very popular a certain time of year, come back a couple years later and kill on that water. I don't feel that is allowed as it is using the camera info to aid your hunting. Same with putting camera on a water that has nothing on it, you decide, because of that info to NOT hunt that water in a couple years. That as well I feel is cheating since you are using the camera info to make your hunting decisions. Even if you say don't shoot bucks you have pictures of, well I have shot a 9 year old tooth aged mule deer buck in Arizona, elk can live even longer frequetnly, so you are black balling yourself in that area for a long time if you take that literally as well.

Exactly the way I would see it. Because the camera was used in the aid of taking game no matter how it’s translated.

Essentially breaking the law, yes.

Well, I guess we can all make an educated assumption now about why he was such a successful "guide". Baiting game animals for profit should be a lifetime ban, IMO.

No. But ever since they put those new maps out about five years ago. I'm suprised the NFS hasn't hired a bunch more people just to harass us and delve out tickets to justify their existence.

I wanted to give an update since it seems nobody ever does after asking for help on a hunt. Anyways, I didn’t kill a coues. Saw a lot of mulies, a lot of elk. Was relieved and a bit surprised I only saw hunters on the road. While I was out hiking and glassing I didn’t see anybody. If I was to do this again, I would spend more time north and I would hunt bears with the idea that I’d shoot a deer if I happen to get a chance.

Maybe we just do away with guilds and go back to hunting for fun? And if you “didn’t have time to scout “ it’s because your just not that into hunting

With a little luck, and a little bit of magic in the mountains I was able to take this beautiful tom this morning. At first he was hesitant to commit to coming in but after calling to him for about 30 mins I was able to connect on him at 27yards. Hid beard measured at 10 inches and his spurs where just over an 1 1/4".

Add DESERTMAFIA 21 to the good seller list. Straight shooter, easy to set up sale. Andy

So.... My phone took a shite last day to apply for elk. If you texted me since then, no you didn't piss me off. Still haven't gotten around to trying to retrieve all my contacts from my old phone yet. Just burning the candle at both ends right now. Way busy. This post was bugging me so had my wife get ahold of a friend on FB to get Nick's number again. Had a brief conversation with him this morning. Obviously he couldn't tell me all the details but last couple years game and fish had Duwane and his outfit in their cross hairs. They threw some charges at him and in the end the only one they could conceivably make stick was a baiting charge. They all felt they had everything on their side to fight it and Duwane basically said screw it he's done with the BS. Decided to just "officially" retire. He already wasn't guiding himself anyway and anyone who knows him and Nick know full well Nick is capable of taking the reins. Also since Duwane wasn't actually taking clients out himself anymore he thought this was the easiest solution. Duwane the last few years already wasn't taking people out personally, he was basically their to be in camp and jump in where ever a guide needed an extra pair of eyes. Since then the guides have been instructed to air on the side of caution and not give anyone any reasons to sling accusations. Now I'm gonna offer some food for thought. All the crap we hear about the big name outfitters here in AZ, and what they are in common knowledge amongst the majority of us to see doing as unethical, shady and downright illegal I can't help but wonder why Duwane and his gang are in the cross hairs. I honestly found it all confusing. I know so many first hand stories and even more second hand stories of all the BS that's going on these days with guides. I honestly find it very surprising that the guides that seem to be targeted lately aren't the ones that everyone knows are effin twats. And no Nick didn't say this, it's just me wondering why the outfit that teaches the guys to hunt by scouting and glassing and not rely on cams is the one under the spotlight. I have a lot more I'd love to say but maybe this is not the post for it. Anyhoo, if any of you guys were thinking of hiring Duwanes outfit rest assured everyone I met in camp have been seriously solid dudes. I would not hesitate at all to give them a whirl. And I certainly can vouch for them as far as everything I have personally seen when I was in camp. Out of all the guides out there the Adams camp is one I don't have anything negative to say about.

So you're saying 580 yard shot with a bow is unethical? JK. Great footage. Best way to see a lion is to either not have your rifle, or not have a lion tag.

Once a person, regardless of age or residency, completes an AZ Hunter Education Course (emphasis on completes) they earn a permanent bonus point. That is their one and only such bonus point ever. This new online course does not add an additional point, it’s a vehicle to provide opportunity to an adult to earn the PBP without having to travel to AZ to take a course and complete it by participating in a field day. Anyone, resident or nonresident, can still come to AZ and take a hunter education course or complete our course online with a field day and earn the point for the nominal class fee. It is a convenience for adults and if a resident would rather pay $150 to get the bonus point than attend a class, that’s their choice. Remember, we do not require hunters 14 and older to take hunter Ed and a this new course is not going to satisfy a Hunter Education Requirement in another state, it’s simply for educational purposes and to facilitate an adult earning the PBP. For years the AZGFD has been able to glean data from surveys and from in-person attendees of the Nonresident Supplemental Class we have hosted and taught in Golden Valley, AZ at the Mohave Sportsmans Club. The vast majority of the participants were nonresident hunters. The financial commitment to attend for anyone outside reasonable driving distance was considerable with plane tickets, vehicle rental, and lodging. They spent far more than $300 and I will admit to a bit of surprise at that final price for the course, I had thought it to wind up being at least $500 for nonresidents. The course has been in the works conceptually for almost two years and a lot of serious thought and work went into its creation. Hopefully the Department will see a lot of sales and revenue from it. The question is will other states finally see the potential for the same for their game & fish departments? Just remember, there is NO 2nd bonus point for anyone, earn one and done. I am sure some folks will take this course then cry foul they thought they were getting “another bonus point”. The AZGFD has been very clear that is not the case, customers need to read and be aware that if they already have a bonus point, they will not get a 2nd point for completing this course. The course isn’t a gimme either. The student can not just blow through the content to a testing area and take a test. They can cover the material and then have two attempts to pass the final exam. If they aren’t successful, they are required to take the course again and pay the fee. Sorry for the lengthy explanation, just want to clear up the “we can get a 2nd bonus point” misconception. Jim Rich MV, AZ

Non residents are getting ripped off I like it!!!