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I was blessed again with an awesome Goulds tag, and was able to take this awesome double bearded gobbler with a muzzleloader shotgun. It took me a long time to draw this coveted tag and used my 26 bonus points. We had 6 gobblers talking to us opening morning. This one came in on a string to the call and put on a show for us.

4 days before the start of this hunt, Eddie Corona at OE4A contacted me about donating this hunt to me from a very generous person who was unable to hunt. I'm a double amputee combat vet and a diehard bowhunter. Immediately I got to planning. I knew nothing about bison and about bison hunting. Luckily I got connected with Russ and Laura Jacoby. They are bison whisperers. I can truly tell you that I would not have been successful on this hunt without them. Their logistical expertise is on par with extremely complex military deployments that I've been a part of. It's amazing to see what they do. The conditions this year were tough. There is still a ton of snow on the Kaibab. 4'-7' drifts are still present up there. Without a snowmobile or UTV with tracks, it was impossible to reach the blinds and salt. And the road leading in to the north rim is closed until June 2nd. I'm not convinced that the snow will be fully melted in time to get access with a truck. My hunt ended June 6th, so I definitely hired Russ/Laura or else I wouldn't have been able to access the hunt area. As most people know, this particular hunt means you have to sit in a blind, 14 hrs a day for an average of 14 days before you harvest a bison. You have to wait for them to come off the park. I mentally prepared myself for this. And I knew I was going to take the risk and try with my bow. It took us many hours just to reach the spike camp deep in the Kaibab using UTVs with snow tracks. It was slow going, like 9mph for 12 miles slow. After we finally arrived at the camp, Russ sent us 3 hunters out to hunt half a day while he set up the camp. Myself, Randy and Dave set out on the 90 minute ride to the hunt area. Randy and I dropped off Dave and then parked the UTV to begin our mile long walk into the blind. We hunted our way to the blind and as we approached the blind Randy spotted bison already at the water source. We quickly set down our gear. I grabbed my bow and Randy grabbed his rifle. Randy was able to take a quick couple shots and down went one of the bison. One bison ran away into the Grand Canyon park and the other waited by the bison that was laying on the ground. At that point I was able to slip in to 28yds and put an absolutely perfect arrow in the last bison. I shot another arrow and hit low in the sternum, but it wasn't necessary because the first arrow was a kill shot through both lungs. He fell and was dead in 30 seconds. We were ecstatic. We celebrated, hugged, cried and shared our viewpoints on what had happened. It was absolutely amazing! I couldn't believe I had snuck in with a bow, on the rim of the Grand Canyon and perfectly shot a bison!!! It took us long into the night to cut up the two bison and load them on to the snow machines. We used Russ's winches on the UTVs and portable winches to hoist the two bison into trees to make the work easier. Another 24 hrs later we were finally back at the main camp. After our goodbyes I drove home and got to contemplate what had just happened. I think I'm luckier than I should be. I never even stepped foot in that blind. I can't wait to try the bison meat from this harvest and sharing it with friends and family! Other than that...all I can say is that I am so blessed and thankful for OE4A for what they do.

Yesterday morning I got set up 90 yards from a roost tree well before sunrise. The gobblers were on fire but had a ton of hens so they didn’t fly down to my decoys or in my direction. 20-30 minutes after fly down with nothing wanting to come in, I circled around to try and get in front of them. The flock had switched directions and was now going back towards where I was first set up. I hightailed it to get in front of them again and gave a few soft clucks. Before too long, the big multi bearded tom I’d seen the night before and last weekend was in full strut with his hens coming in. I waited until he was out of strut and shot him at about 10 yards. After some pics my friends and I were back to camp for carne asada tacos by 7:30. The bird weighed 22 pounds, both spurs are 7/8”, and the longest beard is 10 1/2”

Drew my second Gould’s tag this year with 24 points. Donated my first one back in 2011 to OE4A. Went into the hunt with high expectations and they were definitely met. Thanks to cramerhunts and my buddy Brandon for all the insight. Also. Big thanks to Ryan and Jesse for coming down on the hunt. Bird had a 10.25” beard and no spurs.

FOR SALE (Scope and bipod not included) Custom Tikka Precision Rifle Stainless Tikka T3 action with 20 MOA Picatinny rail. Factory trigger with Mountain States spring set @ 16 oz. Brux barrel 1-8.5" twist @ 20" with contoured 3 port brake (5/8x24 threads @ muzzle) Barrel and brake installed by Owen's Armory. Barrel only cerakoted in a dark grey. MDT Oryx Chassis featuring an aluminum bedding block and lots of adjustment for a custom fit. 528 rounds down the barrel . 1/2 MOA consistently at the range with 130 Bergers. $1200 Located in Prescott but can deliver to N. PHX or the Verde Valley.

Did anyone else notice the deadline us June 6th, the first Tuesday in June instead of the second Tuesday like it usually is?

Dude congrats if you need help on a mount hit me up!

I ended up with a Garmin Mini 2. Seems good so far. I used it several times this weekend to check in with my wife when I was out of cell range.

FOR SALE (Scope and bipod not included) Custom Remington 700 Precision Rifle. Blueprinted Stainless Remington 700 action with pinned precision ground.030 recoil lug and Timney "The Hit" Trigger set @ 8 oz M5 style DBM Bottom Metal utilizes AICS pattern magazines. 1 polymer magazine included. Seekins 20MOA picatinny rail. The original factory stainless + fluted barrel was rebored to .264" with 1-8" cut rifling, hand-lapped and rechambered to 6.5x47 Lapua by Classic Barrel and Gunworks. Barreled action professionally pillar and glass bedded into a McMillan A3 stock with molded in GAP camo. After a quick 10 shot break in, I tried out a few loads that shoot well in my other 6.5x47 rifles. See the attached photo. Needless to say, I think this rifle will be a shooter. 25 rounds total down the barrel. $1400 ($1250 with factory 700 trigger) Located in Prescott but can deliver to N. PHX or the Verde Valley.

I saw one at AJI Sporting Goods in Apache Junction the other day. Don't remember the price. You could give them a call.

Wow, great job!

That's a SUPER cool tom. Congrats. I'm guessing you're going to do a fully body mount.

I've got 5- 33' sticks of lined 2" Oil field Pipe Small for corners but perfect if you are doing braced corners. $300 for the lot and I can cut in half if you need me to. North PHX

Congratulations! The smile says it all. I had never seen a 4-bearded turkey before.

Great bird!

Congrats, amazing adventure! Thank you for your service to our country 🤝🏻 🙏🏼

Just got back from Texas on a DIY. I was fortunate to smash the speckled trout and was blessed with a 20 inch trout. The redfiish bite was hot and got to tag a 29inch 8lb 14oz red. I did keep 2 other redfish a 22" and a 25" I attached pictures to share. Can't figure out how to rotate them

I just listed on ebay, we’ll see how it goes

I’ll take it. Dave 602-228-1719

My daughter isn't in to hunting 😕 . So I've gotten to help friends on several youth hunts . Glass and chase bugles. Usually the cows are still close to the bulls . There are alot of eyes looking then as the cows are usually bunched up . Take your time and setup for a shot . Bogg death grip is a great way to keep them steady. It's always good to just have fun . Some of the best times in the woods for me were just helping on these kids hunts. If all else you can always sit a blind on a water source everything has to have water . Sometimes it's easier for the restless and tired kids . They can sit and rest for awhile.

Chase bugles , shoot a cow

I third scouting. You want to teach your kid not only the prep that goes into a hunt, but that hard work does pay off, and you want to be in areas with lots of opportunity for success. I also suggest getting the kid lots of practice time shooting whatever rifle they plan on using. Not just from a bench, but off of a bipod/tripod or laying over a pack, like they'll probably be doing during the hunt. Set a realistic goal for their maximum range based off of their performance and stick to that.

In reach here as well. Usually activate it August thru February. Satellite texting is pretty awesome and relatively inexpensive.

Awesome boat🤙🏼