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Well I’ll start off by saying this was one of the most challenging hunts of my life. I scouted my unit two weeks prior to the hunt and turned up two good shooter bucks. Not a ton of animals but the two I saw would work! Fast forward to the day prior to opening day and I was unable to locate these bucks I had seen scouting. I had a few friends with me for the first weekend of the season to help. Opening morning, zero antelope were observed. Decided to pull audible and head to an area that was known to have antelope, but I had never been before. For the next six days I mainly hunted in this area. Got after quite a few antelope, some that were nice bucks some that were just ok. Definitely not the numbers of animals I had hoped for. Some of the stalks ranged from crawling hundreds of yards in the wide open flats to trying to get close in the juniper’s. I probably had three stalks that I got within 75 yards of a buck. One that I was at full draw on but, the buck and does spooked about one second before my pins were settled. On Monday morning, my buddy left and I was solo the rest of the hunt. After chasing bucks all around the country, I started seeing less and less antelope. On day eight of the hunt, I decided to try a different area about two hours away. I arrived at this area in the late morning. I immediately glassed up a shooter buck with a few does. I decided to sit a water nearby in hopes to they would come in for a drink. From about 9:30am to dusk I sat this tank and they never showed. The next morning (Day 9), I glassed up the buck and does in a good spot. While stalking the buck, I had a good ole experience of Arizona combat hunting. Long story short the buck was spooked by another hunter when I was within 100 yards of the antelope. After this, I did some glassing around the area and did not see many antelope. Just a lot of hunters… I decided once again to call an audible. I drove back to the area I had been previously hunting. I put a stalk on a smaller buck that I thought would be a sure thing. Wasn’t the case. There were other antelope with him that I did not see. With the help of a decoy I got somewhat in range. Missed a longer shot and a closer shot due the buck matrixing my arrow. After this, I decided to make sure my bow was still on. Good thing I did… My bow was still on but, my rangefinder decided to bite the dust. Thankfully I had a backup with me. For the next hour, I got stuck my truck while a monsoon decided to dump rain and hail. After the cell passed, I continued to an area where I had stalked a buck with 10 does multiple time with no avail. After arriving at this spot, it took a bit but I was able to locate the herd at the base of a small Mesa. I had stalked them previously and knew that went up to the top of this Mesa to feed. I then set off on a nice two mile bow hike. I reached the area that I thought I may be able to see them and I did! I then skirted the rim of the Mesa and got within 200 yards of the heard but I ran out of juniper cover. I decided to sit by this last juniper hoping they would do what they had done in the past. After the antelope got up from being bedded for about 30 minutes, they slowly started in my direction. After what seemed to be forever, the does were about 45 yards from me, but the buck was hanging back. The buck finally came in! At 72 yards… I dialed, drew back and the shot broke. He was quartered away and it was windy. I hit him in the back ham and the exit was middle middle. I immediately saw blood on both sides of the buck. He quickly ran off 20-30 yards with the does but then stopped. After the does ran off he took a few more steps and bedded. He was not doing well. I stalked into to about 50 yards and put follow up shot in him and the deal was done! Spot and stalk antelope on day nine never felt more rewarding! Not a big buck by any stretch but I was super happy!

The Lord blessed me again with this awesome buck today. Crazy thing is I passed this buck up twice on two different days, totally mis judged his size. Today not sure what it was but I saw his antlers in a different light and decided he was good enough. He walked right under my stand and I was lucky enough for a 7 yard shot. A quick score before he went in the freezer came up with 109 2/8". His size was very deceiving, and his mass added up. And before anyone asks, I was alone, didn't have 20 guys on 20 different hills, didnt use radios, also the closest power lines were at least 14 miles away! I thought about posting this in the classifieds, but didn't want to anger Stanley 😬

1st Blake Henderson 2nd Kaenaah Gibbs 3rd Zane Cope Thanks to everyone who entered. Big thanks to everyone that donated!!!!! I'm having trouble getting the video up but as soon as I can I'll post it

I've been on this forum for months, figured it's better late than never for an introduction. My name is Austin, Whether it’s fishing, bowhunting for deer or scouting for elk, I’m always looking to learn new techniques and share experiences. I’m here to swap stories, pick up some tips, and contribute where I can. Looking forward to getting to know you all and diving into some great discussions! Cheers!

Missed the dove opener to fish a few days out of San Jose del Cabo in Baja. The marlin fishing was insane, landed & released 3 Striped from 80-100# and lost another after about a 15 minute fight, plus a beautiful 80# pez vela released and a few dorado kept one day, the next day I just wanted to fill the freezer and took 5 dorado, we missed two wahoo on the troll and killed a few skipjack for cut bait.

If you only want the meat, buy some beef from the grocery store, it will be cheaper and taste better.

Hey Nick, I have a cabin in 5a and know it really well. I will be up there most of November hunting late archery bulls and helping on a bunch of hunts including late rifle 5a and 5bs. 5a is loaded with bulls and you’ll be just fine. Shoot me a PM and I will offer a bit of advise I think will pay dividends. Mark

Nesika v long action 6.5x284 Brux 1:7.5 twist hex fluted barrel 24" Tt primary trigger Custom made picatinny rail Shv F1 4-14 ffp Egw rings Mesa precision stock in frog skin Bedded under front of action and recoil lug Throated for berger 153 hybrid. I've put 10 rounds through it Gunsmith Magnum Mike I've got to many irons in the fire. $3500 as it sits. Brass available with purchase. Located in north phx.

7WSM Custom brake, polished factory barrel. Gun shot sub 1/2” groups with hand loads. Bedded and trued action. Adjusted trigger. All work done by a qualified gunsmith. Great turn key deer/elk slayer. This was a backup gun. Free ammo 5 boxes of new ammo. (See picture) $750 Less than 100 rounds down the barrel. text only. 4806203906

$350 Smith & Wesson M&P Pro 5-inch barrel 9mm. Pistol is in excellent condition. Fiber optic front sight 9-17 round factory magazines blade tech kydex holster Buyer must be legally able to own/purchase a handgun CCW holder preferred.

Savage 223 rifle, shoots sub moa with handloads and can consistently hit 1000 yards with 70 grain berger eol. Comes with two original magazines and can include scope and sling for a little more. Asking $450 in phoenix

Got the call yesterday and was approved. I was 4 days Shy of 90 days

1st place Blake Henderson 13 2nd place Kaenaah Gibbs 12 3rd Zane Cope 15 Thanks everyone who entered!!! Big thanks to everyone who donated !!!! I'm already gathering stuff for next year's giveaway !!!!!!! I'm having trouble getting the video up but I'll add it as soon as I can

Congratulations to the lucky winners!!!!

What a surprising call today and much appreciated. Thank you for all your work to help keep kids in the hunt!

Good buck. There’s only one unit that one could pass a buck like that up. Good ol Mount Lennon in 4B. Great shootin.

Congrats on an awesome buck! Seeing him in these pictures it seems crazy you passed on him two times prior. What a stud coues!

I've seen you hike, you'll never make it

if you do it right there is no reason at all to not be able to get them inside of twenty yards. Understanding elk behavior and language is key. proper set up, and pay attention to wind. being proficient out to 60 makes the 30 a layup.

Agreed on the right now aspect. I imagine this quota thing is a long term goal, maybe I'm wrong. I'm thinking that while archery gets closed down early bigger mature bucks out there are living and becoming studs. Not great for the OTC archery guys right now but I think that overall trophy quality will surely increase each year. Seems great for the rifle guys although I am not one. But I believe this will have a trickle effect for lack of better words and guys that play it right will start killing monsters if they put in the work in the following years. Whether that is archery or rifle. I can't believe that guys shutting down a unit early during archery that are shooting first come first serve animals are going to ruin it for the real killers out there. Honestly I see this as a huge opportunity for the guys that are willing to hunt hard and each year it will get better. But as usual I'm just another turd with a fraudulent opinion.

But with the quota now in place and guys killing dinks wouldn't that allow the guys willing to put in work and get away from roads to have chances at some studs? I'm just thinking it will still allow the animals off the beaten path to get mature?

Wanted to share a deadhead and shed I found this past season. I almost got a shot at the deadhead buck the year before but he outsmarted me. Too bad he didn’t outsmart the lion that got him. Hope I can find the buck who dropped the shed. He might have potential to be a goodun.

First 8 shots after bore sight at 50.

The fires haven’t been nearly as tough on the unit as the 1200 tags they issue for coues deer.