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After his first deer hunt last year (unsuccessful) I put my grandson in for the youth hunt. He drew a cow tag in 4A. We scouted a couple of times and he was excited to see them up close. We got there on Wed before the hunt and drove some roads and saw elk. Thursday am I woke him up and there were elk 75 yds. from camp- he was shocked. That evening drove around and saw more elk. Friday- opening morning we left camp and were into elk but too far away for a shot. We tried following them but couldn't catch up with their quick walk. That evening hunt we didn't see anything. Saturday - AM hunt was uneventful but we did help another group with some tracking but trail was lost. PM hunt driving to where we were going to sit a herd ran across the road about 200 yds ahead of us and dropped into a steep draw area. I told him that's where we were going to sit for the evening as I figured they would come back up there to graze and hit water. After sitting there we heard some cow yelps and moved 250 yds towards the sound. after a few minutes I spotted a cow starting thru a small clearing. It went thru too quickly. The next one by was a spike. Another cow stepped into the clearing and stopped - he was steady and drawn as I waited for the shot- didn't happen. I think we had a slight case of buck fever- that was all we saw of that small group. A few minutes later we heard bugling and cows where we were initially and headed back over there. The herd was moving back across the road where they had first crossed and dropped into another draw. I told him we probably wouldn't catch up but he was insistent to follow. We ended up a ways from the road and they had stopped in another meadow area. We slow footed towards them and ended up about 100 yds from the herd. We waited for a cow to enter a clearing and the rest is history - except for the quartering and pack out. Congrats Mason Burns

I used to hunt coues the same way many years ago and love it. I still hunt javalina with bow or rifle the same way. But hunting coues that way, lots of times I was almost steping into bucks, they will take off running and I was shooting off hand and several times taking running shots and at times not taking a shot at all cause the buck did not ran uphill. There came the time where I said, I want a bigger buck, that decision opened another world of possibilities because I had to get tripod, binoculars etc, learn how to glass and learn how to shoot far. Love both tecniques! Congrats to your son and grandson! Great hunt! Ernesto C.

As a kid I was taught by my dad to slow walk, stop, look, listen and slow walk again with the hope that I might encounter a buck! My first buck was shot off hand, with a lever action, open sight, 30-30, maybe 30 yards in open grass hillside bootheel New Mexico! I’m positive my brother, who was walking parallel to me on the same grassy slow roll ridge, had kicked the buck up! The little two point mule deer never saw me and I shot him right under his ear! I have never shot a deer or elk that I “glassed” up! This season a week ago my grandson, 300 yards, buck glassed up by his uncle, rifle in a clamp! My son this morning, 300 yards, buck glassed up, solo hunt! I own a pair of binoculars now, and I love using them to scour a hillside looking for game! I personally don’t think I’ve ever shot at anything further than 200 yards and I’m not nearly as accomplished as a hunter as many on CWT! But……. I still enjoy the slow walk, stop look and listen approach and feel blessed that while I’m slower at walking than I used to be I can still get out there and hunt!

I started archery hunting with a stick bow in NE Indiana in my teens. We mostly sat tree stands...stick built, no safety harness, no binos. Moved to AZ when I was 20. Just snuck around the hills...search and destroy method, with Bushnell binos around my neck. I did manage to take a few small bucks with my 30-30. Finally got good optics and learned the patience of glassing about 25 years ago. My favorite method now. Congrats! Nice bucks!

I grew up in Idaho hunting the same way. We used to walk along ridges and slowly look over the cuts to see what was below. Lots of offhand shots. We would even throw rocks down into them if they were thick. Mulies would pop out the other side and stop to see what caused the commotion giving us shots. I didn't start glassing until I started hunting coues deer.

I drew a pig and turkey tag.

That was quick! Got hit for Turkey and javelina

Seasoned seared then broiled . Finished w/ provolone and butter

These deer wanted a front row seat for the shootouts in Tombstone yesterday. 45001.mp4

Congrats to him. I started hunting as a teen back east where it was too thick for binoculars. I move here in 77 and "glassing" never really caught on until about 1990.

It's all good...however you enjoy it and gets you out there is all that matters. Nice bucks!

Funny you should mention... your description of the shooting stations reminds me of the small arms ranges in the USAF. It literally looked like a combat zone where airman went to qualify.

As a member of rio salado I can say there was a few over bearing Ro s. I haven't had any issues with the range. There are some people that just don't have a clue and get an idea when they get a lecture on safety. I'm good with that . Dumb irresponsible people pointing loaded guns at other people on the line do show up just the same . Usually it's just some politely given directions mostly by everyone around them to make the range safe for all. And for the ones that just aren't smart enough to understand they usually leave quickly.

Well today is the last day of our hunt here in Wyoming. Missed a whitetail doe a couple nights ago, and had the opportunity at a muley buck and whitetail buck on public, but we didn't have a buck tag. Spent much of the mid-day hours fishing and having fun. I always try and keep it fun with my son and not burn him out. Today after fishing, we were driving back into the ranch we stay at and saw one lone yearling doe on the property. We were able to sneak around the horse barn without her seeing us and made a 100 yard shot. 3 for 3 on antelope tags this year.

All AZ ranges used to be that way. Ranges in other Western states still are. AZ hunters and shooters need to wake up to the way AZGFD is mismanaging this state’s shooting range program, and realize your rights to use YOUR shooting ranges are slowly being eroded away. They are being chipped away by the environmental and public health lobby (both anti-2A), by overly-cautious AZGFD attorneys and shooting sports staff, and by know-it-all safety officers who think they are the last word on guns, shooting, reloading and you-name-it. The commission-owned ranges vary in terms of management and shooter satisfaction. Some (Mohave Sportsman’s Club) don’t seem too bad. Some are real problem children. The Sierra Vista range is run by misfits who think they are the brain trust of shooting in S. AZ but who can’t get along with anyone. That range is closed more than it’s open. However, if you are one of the officers, you can bring your buds and your family and use it anytime you want. How convenient. AZGFD just looks the other way. I grew up in AZ, and remember very well going to the Usery Pass range (now Rio Salado) and having it all to myself – not once but many times. Years later, there may have been a range officer, but he didn’t bother anyone. He sure didn’t breathe down your neck like they do now. After an absence of 30+ years for work, what have I found coming back? That AZ has become a nanny-state. Loss of personal freedom is everywhere.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0xsHWGHRHSHeP6hshCS19FHHvEiTswt1wBt26rWM3xkTkJsjckq4Y7ySHD7km53Xfl&id=100064466781512&mibextid=K8Wfd2 Battle Of Big Bug: It was in 1863 near the town of Big Bug, that Theodore Boggs and three other miners were working a very productive gold claim. They had built a Dugout cabin along a hill side near where they were working. One night after a long day of working on their claim, the men cleaned up, dinner then went to bed and never knowing that they were being watched. During the middle of the night one of the men woke up to the sound of their dog crying. As the miner peered out of the only window, he seen their dog had been shot with an arrow and was crying as he was limping toward the cabin. At this exact moment, the Apache warriors then began to roll two very large boulders down the hill to crush or burry the miners alive inside their cabin. Two of the miners actually help a bed frame over their heads to keep the roof from caving in on them. With the cabin damaged from the boulders, but still standing. The Apache began to move in to finish off the miners inside the cabin. With two of the miners occupied with holding the ceiling up and trying to repair their now crumbling cabin, Boggs and one other miner loaded their muskets as well as those of the other two miners and waited for the Apache to come. The men had to dig hasty gun port holes into the walls of the cabin to defend themselves properly, as there was only one small singe window. When the Apache first charged, two of them were killed instantly and the rest fell back and began taking shots at the cabin. Two Apache's tried to set the front of the cabin on fire, but both were badly wounded and carried off by their fellow warriors up the hill side then for an hour after there was noting but silence. All of a sudden the hills lit up with a bright burning flicker and to the miners amazement, the Apache had carried off their dead warriors and now were cremating them in full view of the miners trapped inside the cabin. By morning the fires had burnt out and the Apache had fled. After this the four men raced to the town of Big Bug (Population of just 100) and told the residence and other miners of their story and to raise the alarm. This was just one of many skirmishes/battles that took place within the Bradshaw Mountains during the Apache Wars. In numerous books, articles & material I often come across that the period of 1853-1873 was the most deadly period for American miners, settlers in the Arizona Territory. Big Bug has always been a great location that yields amazing gold. During the 1860's-1880's an estimated 15,000-18,000 ounces of gold was yielded from the placer claims. During the 1930's-1940's a recorded 50,000 ounces of gold was yielded from dredging. The lone miners during this time were making an easy $300 a week from the gold they were recovering form the creek & hillsides. Very little exists today of the old mining down of Big Bug Today Roadrunner's Prospecting Club & the GPAA have good mining claims along Big Bug Creek. To this day, active mining claims along Big Bug Creek still produce impressive amounts of gold. I have worked some of these placer claims on and off since the mid 1990's and I still find nice size pickers in my pan. Theirs Still Gold In Them There Hills! (Please follow & respect State, Federal laws and land as well as private property, if in doubt just ask permission). If you happen to be traveling along the I-17 this week on your way to Prescott, Flagstaff or Phoenix, maybe stop by and check out this priceless piece of the Wild West & Arizona's past. I hope everyone has a fun & adventurous week! Stay Safe, Stay Alive, Keep Treasure Hunting!!

stinkpig hit!

I drew archery 37a My favorite Javelina unit

Congrats, me too! I drew the 28/29/30ab/31/32 archery tag. Thinking about trying the Santa Teresa's in 31. Good luck!

Kevin, text me all of your best spots and I will let you know when they come through my OnX

Spending the last few evenings processing my bull has been a lot of work , but something I always look forward to . Teaching my son to take pride in your blessings , along with teaching him skills that I hope he will carry on to his son. Having my father there this time to see me pass on the passion of hunting and the outdoors the way he instilled them in me is something I will hold tight for the rest of my life. This has been my favorite part of this hunt.

Shot placement is critical with any chambering. I would rather a double lung or shoulder shot on an elk with a .243 than a ham shot with a 338 WM. A 243 with a premium bullet such as a partition or monolithic at 2900-3100 FPS will will be just fine for elk. I know I'm in the minority here, but I detest brakes on hunting rifles. They add length and weight to the rifle, and make hearing protection and absolute necessity for the hunter and party.

.243 if under 200 yards. But if he can handle the 30-06 that's a better choice. Good luck to him on his hunt.