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Due to school and work my oldest son could only hunt today. We boogied out to Remington to where I shot my deer last year. Past a lot of vehicles and camps and heading out to our destination. I was thinking to myself that it was going to be tough hunt due to all the activity and being the 3rd hunt so far. We get set up and start glassing, about an hour into it I see movement near the top of a hill. I see a deer, small spike…but there is movement behind it and it’s the big one I saw 2 years ago with a palmation left side. I range them at 380 yds. Very doable!!! Jake stays on them while I get into position. While I’m dialing scope in for the shot Jake says it’s moving back over this ridge. I quickly find him and he disappeared. I asked Jake if he wanted to take the spike. He said, why not. As we were watching him feed he says “dad, there’s another deer in the bush next to him.” I glass that area and there’s another buck, I could see antlers and tell him to get on it. I range it at 375 yds and I dial my rifle in for that range and hand it over to him, I take his rifle and get ready for sloppy seconds. For about 15 minutes it is milling around eating behind some Ocotillos. I hear him taking some deep breaths trying to calm his nerves while I watch him. A few minutes go by and the buck turns broadside. I tell him ready when you are, a few seconds go by and “boom”, deer drops and tag punched. His biggest deer to date. We high five and look for other deer movement, he keeps telling me “ dad, I’m shaking too much to keep my binos still”, I know the feeling all to well I tell him. We pack up and head that direction. I leave him with the deer to clean while I look for the bigger one. No luck for me. He started to drag it, but kept getting hung up on the prickly pears and Ocotillos. I tell him it might be easier to drape it over your shoulders and carry out. Sure wish I was 19 again!!!! Mile and half hike out, carried out without any issues or complaints. Very proud of him. Dropped off at butcher for more burger and steaks and a real nice Euro mount.

Just a proud post. Wife has killed 3 bucks in a row from 97”-99” she finally held out. Wife and I had a rough 4 days with wind and weather. Looking for 2 specific bucks I had found on my previous hunt that were substantially bigger. Found 12-15 bucks over the first 3 days with her turning down a high 90s” but turned him down on the 3rd day. With no luck we were about to call it quits on the last day when I glassed up this guy. Wife was okay with him so we made our move and she made a great shot at 169 yards. No long range needed with her stalking skills. She is a real trooper and loves her some Coues bucks. She finally broke her 100” goal.

So the past year has been a real roller coaster. Last year my daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and it has been super tough on my daughter and family in general. We struck out on all youth tags, but picked up a 3rd choice general hunt coues tag. I wasn't sure my daughter was ready or could handle the challenge. Long story short, I'd like to thank Kev for his help. He found this buck for us opening morning, in a location my daughter would be capable to make a decent shot, and we were able to make it happen. Seeing my daughter being herself again made this one of the most memorable hunts I'll have.

So as I mentioned in another thread, we bought some llamas this year in hopes of making a small side business out of it. I'm a horseman by heart, but llamas have grown in appeal to me over the years. We've done some camp trips over the summer, I took them Mule deer hunting in Colorado, but we didn't use them much. Last month a friend and I went into the backcountry to try our hand at some Colorado Elk. We took 3 llamas, 2 of which were rookies. We went a few days early to scout. We found the elk the night before opener, but due to the terrain, we decided to pack up the llamas and move closer. On the second day of the hunt, my buddy was able to harvest his first Elk. We packed half the meat out to our spike camp. We went up the next morning and a bear ate a whole hind quarter that we failed to hang high enough in the meat tree. Overall, we spent 7 days in the backcountry and packed the llamas over 22 miles of the roughest country Id care to take stock. They did phenomenal. Definitely one for the books.

That was a freaking blast man. I thought he was mid to high 70s from the truck. Always cool when they get bigger on the ground. Congrats again to her, she's a trooper!

6.5 PRC FalKor MT7 short action Proof 22” barrel 4 port beast seamless muzzle brake Grayboe PHX stock Trigger tech special trigger Hunter bottom metal 3 round magazine. $3800

Surprised that there hasn't been any 'trophy' pics posted from the past weekend's early hunts. My crew did our usual hunt and ended up killing a couple. Had a couple of old friends come in from out of state to join my son and I & some local friends. Buddy from Utah killed a 2x3 and my son killed a nice 3x3 with good eye guards. Was a great time! Anyone else have some luck on the early hunts? S.

Who's seen them? A friend is getting a tag next year, hear there's some nice rocks out there.

Though a few yrs back. I know of one bull taken , killed right in the dry river bed. Approximately 2 miles above the lake.. The elk do move around, more than one would think, depending on how dry and hot the season. They tend to be more nocturnal , than normal. We did see them at the lake one yr. , over Thanksgiving weekend. Out duck hunting in the thickets., shallows. As far upriver as we could go in a boat.

Not me, never been there. But I read there are feral hogs out there too.

Just having fun. Have a great week. Great price. If anyone in Tucson would like to split these let me know. I would take 5. I just dont need 9 boxes of #4 steel.

Look on gun broker for a ruger single six with a magnum cylinder

I asked to help many times, but he kept saying all of the working out and swimming down at the UofA has conditioned him.

Retinopathy is not an easy thing to handle. You should start with blood work and your personal physician. When that gets done your physician will recommend an opthalmologist that best suits your needs.

Yup. Most of us have our phones with us now. We aren’t hauling around a laptop all day.

yes on the computer is fine but if you look on your phone it happens.

Don’t stress. I’ll be in a neighboring unit tent camping for the late archery hunt solo at the same time. Just think of how it could be worse. I’m bringing more wood cutting gear than hunting supplies…..

Had an awesome hunt for whitetail this year and got to double down on a couple of Lions with my son. Not everyday you get to do that. There were actually 3 lions total in the area.

I go to the one in Mesa and have been for over ten years. They have the latest equipment. I see Jacquelyn Wyman, she knows her stuff. https://www.pearsoneyecare.com/

Ive hunted from Morman Lake to Cedar Flats and the elk never move because of lower temps. Hunt your usual area, they will still be there.

Was a tough hunt for us. We saw a total of one buck the entire hunt. I started this hunt with a target buck in mind that I got on cam last year, but not knowing if he was still alive this year, I wasn't overly optimistic about finding him. I didn't end up finding my target buck, but after hunting the entire hunt and not seeing a single buck I was definitely stoked to see this guy at first light this morning. My dad and I started out early and got onto a small hilltop in the dark. Right about first light spotted this guy. After the shot he ran and disappeared in some trees. Waited about a half hour to see if he might try to slip out and he never did. Feeling confident in my shot decided to go check things out. Getting close to the area he disappeared, he stands up , seeing only head and neck an off hand shot put him down.

Hey guys, got this guy last Sunday on day 10 of a tough hunt. The rut was sporadic at best with some days having almost no bugles during daylight hours. I've been getting caught up at work so haven't done a full write-up, this guy came in screaming with about 10 cows at 7:15 am when it had been quiet all morning. I had to wait at full draw for what seemed like ever for his cows to clear out from between us, but managed to make a heart shot. He only went about 30-40 yards before tipping over. I'm super exited. He's my biggest bull to date, and broke my drought. It's been a few years since I've put anything bigger than an turkey or javi on the ground.

Took this bad boy this week. My first. I am a late onset hunter.

He loves it. 👍

She did it again. After very little activity we finally found a shootable cow on day 3. Was on a NASTY road(swore before that I would NEVER drive that road again) I found a nice cow bedded at 490 across the canyon. We watched her for about an hour waiting for her to move to a better position as she was partially blocked. Finally WE moved and had a good opening. Just as we were resituating for the shot the elk chose to get up and start meandering. So began the clown car circus of scrambling to get everything set up. She held 1 moa for a little wind from right to left and let it fly. Cow took a few steps forward behind a tree and disappeared. We watched for awhile and she never came out but my brother said he saw some bushes shaking. So the niece and I got packed up and headed down. My brother has recent surgery and can't walk well so it was just the two of us. Perfect double lung shot. Pretty much DRT. That's her 2nd 500 yd DRT shot in 2 hunts. after a SEVEN HOUR marathon packout our day was done. And so were we. I couldn't even drive back to the cabin I was so tired. We are so proud of her for toughing it out. What an amazing accomplishment. and she never complained once. I am STILL complaining. I hate manzanita.... The ride home....