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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.

Only if the other applicants have several bonus points. If four kids are on the app. The total points are divided by four. From past experiences, skip the jr. Hunts and put him in for the general hunts the chances are much better because there are way more tags.

RAM, probably,

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

What I thought was occurring: And now:

Structure

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.

I'd throw a wacky rig right at the front corner. You know there's a 5lber there under the shade of the propane tanks.

I wonder if there is a truck on the front of that?

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.

I have this sks if you are interested?

I think some people don't realize kids don't have to put in for jr. Hunts.

I don't believe you are interpreting the process correctly. Putting in with others only help your son's chances if the others have more bonus point than he does. If that is the case, it would help your son but lessen the chances of those on the application with him. The points of all individuals on the application are averaged out.

Awesome…congrats!

Muzzleloading shotguns are supposed to be tight patterning long range guns. Only downside is you only have one shot. How often do you even need the second shot and after the bird is running how affective is the second shot anyway. With the rising cost of turkey loads why not. The new TSS loads are $10 plus a round and the cheaper copper plated lead is getting harder to find.

That's a great bird, and to do it with a muzzle-loader is even better. What made you decide to use the ML on a hunt that took 26 points to draw? That takes some pretty serious confidence IMO.

Great looking tom. Always wanted to try a muzzleloader shotgun. What muzzleloader are you using?

Nice. Super sweet you went muzzy shotgun too.

1- Find a gun that fits them - to many of us hand them our big rifle and it doesn’t fit them - the youth model shorter stocks are key …..my kids shoot the Remington youth model 243 and have shot many cow Elk and have down just fine . 2- get them out shooting it ! 3-be patient - 4- have fun !! these are some of the funniest hunts I’ve been on - can be very frustrating….. but so much fun !

There has been up to 80% kill rate in some areas .suit Yourself . I would wait too. You don't have enough points for a descent unit . You can look thru hundreds and not find a good one on a regular year. This year is Gonna be Crap. Good luck.!

Needed help tagging some calves so I called for some cowgirls and their dog. Their ol gun dog wouldn’t let the mama cow near his boss. IMG_0899.MOV