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My last spare xp-100 7mm BR, now a 6.5 prc.

At 75, I still have the drive and desire to hunt, but none of my friends want to go any more. Add to that the length of time to draw a decent tag, and I rarely get to go any more. I have no desire any more to go on a mediocre hunt that has 6-700 tags and hunters on every ridge. I still enjoy archery javi because I can go alone and pack one out by myself. I guess I’m spoiled by hunting Az since the early 70’s. A lot has changed!

IMG_9838.mov Was another hot weekend on the youth hunt, not as bad as last weekend but still toasty! Can’t get dang pics to upload… IMG_9847.mov

After a couple missed opportunities Friday and Saturday, a buddy’s son spotted this guy bedded at 288 yards. My son decided it was the deer for him and the rest is history. Fantastic hunt and experience. Couldn’t be prouder

The how do you camp thread made me start to think about other related things. As I get older, I still have the heart and desire to get out there in the woods and hunt, camp or fish but I find myself going less and less even though I have more time now than I ever have. Talking with other people around my age we have decided the getting packed up to go, setting up camp, tearing down and then putting everything away at home is to too much of a pain. It seems it's too easy to just stay at home and not go. Anyone else feel like this or am I just being a Big ol' Wus?

You have to just go, exercise and the outdoors is the fountain of youth. Im sure every time you guys think of all the work of planning and packing and cleaning up after but you actually still go camp or hunt or fish you feel much better after and your glad you went??? I know i feel that way. This year I had an elk tag and spent the entire 14 days or so hunting solo. only took one day off and that was to help another hunter. It was a bummer at times but I wouldnt trade those days for anything. A few tips that may help, organize your gear for less work. I put together a small box trailer with all my gear in it. Bunk bed and camp box. All I need to do is fill the cooler and grab some food and clothes and im on the road. when i get back i just dump the cooler and grab dirty clothes and park the trailer. Its small and cheap but the bed is really nice and man its super convenient. I have a few of those plastic bins from china and all my hunting camp gear and clothes are in them, always ready to go.

JM-stamped 444 Marlin with nice checkering in excellent condition. Picatinny rail mount and new Williams fiber optic sights visible with rail mounted. 22" long barrel, 1-20" Ballard rifling, slugged at .432" diameter. s/n 97xx prefix from 2003 I planned to load my own ammo for this & never got around to it. Price includes 250pcs new Starline brass & qty 100 300gr LFN cast bullets with gas checks by Montana Bullet Works (.433" dia). Also includes Hornady die set and Lee factory crimp die. $1300 in San Tan Valley.

The big drawback for me is finding someone to go with. Friends are either too busy or don't want to get up early. If I could retire, and probably could. I enjoy working and at 72 have a lot of energy.

God continues to bless me, and today was no different! Unit 34a was scheduled to close today at sundown, so I headed down for the final day in hopes of killing a big ole bruin, but just happy to be outdoors! I had never killed a bear with a rifle (3 with bow and one with handgun) so I decided to take the old 30/30 lever action out for a try. This big ole bruin walked out right before sunset and presented himself at 42 yds. 1 shot from the old lever action and he tumbled into the gulch below, but he wasn't done as he reared up and began to come straight for my tree stand! 2 quick shots put a end to that and then the work begun! this bear stood nearly 4ft high as he walked in, a monster of a bear ( maybe some Mexican Griz DNA in him). I was a little nervous as I walked up to him, because he was so big! The pack out sucked! I hurt everywhere now! We green scored the skull at 20.5" tonight! Amazing day for a last day of the hunt! I think I'm done bear hunting! Too old for this stuff! lol. Truly Blessed!

You want to get away from people and do some hiking go down Whitmore to Paws Pocket and have it all to yourself. Hunt from Emma south, never know what you might find in there.

Don't let the old man in! I'm 69, a pup compared to some, but I have become more sedentary as the years roll by. Last year I called on an old friend (25-06) to finish the shower re-tile, he did an excellent job, and then I got sick the day before our season started and I never made it out the door. This year I called on my brother, who has never hunted, and we drew for the early hunt. I have never spent much outdoor time with my brother, so it will be a learning experience for both of us. The biggest hurdle will be teaching him glassing techniques, that you can cover more area sitting behind glass than you can cover on foot. My dad was done by the time he reached 70. It may be time to hang it up, but I'm going to fight it every year! The more I think about it, getting out and glassing may be the best antidote. Once you see something moving can only stir the movement in you.

Kids sports and work constantly dangling that OT 🥕. We still get out 5+ times a year but more would always be better.

Congratulations to you both! He looks happy and that’s what matters. Good job.

SOLD

Thanks for the shout-out, Shelvin and to those who have reached out, much appreciated!

Awesome hunt and with open sight lever action. Congrats!

My friend was up there during the archery hunt, helping his cousin. I can give you his number. They were chasing a couple of tanks.

It is tough for those of us who can hike aways when there are roads everywhere. My son and I had tags about 9 years ago in 13B and there were road hunters everywhere. Still, we were able to hike quite a bit and though he had opportunities he wasn't able to make it happen. Best of luck on the hunt. I'll have 11BP's next year and looking to hunt one of the Mule Deer Units.

Great job on a nice bear.

Congrats on a big ol bear, would be curious to hear what G&F ages him at.

Wish I knew something about it, hopefully someone will chime in with some pointers. Jason is a good guy and has been on here for a long time.

Only lab pups would lay in the yard in the sprinkler for a nap

Had another awesome day on Saturday. Dog worked her butt off.