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My 16 year old Zane drew a sheep tag this year. it was nowhere on our radar but the hunting gods smiled and the $300 charge was a sight to behold. Tag 1! i immediately reached out to my hunting buddy @buglethemin who had the same tag a few years ago and happens to be a sheep guide with Arizona Desert outfitters, which made the situation a whole lot more doable. On a side note If anyone needs help on a sheep hunt, they are a top notch outfit. We Scouting started in July, and we located some good looking target rams. One of the problems when a 16 year old draws a sheep tag is school. When the hunt finally rolled around, he missed a Friday and a Monday, and we hunted four hard days. But there were final projects, finals, etc. We located a couple possible shooters but not anything that was an immediate go in the first couple days. When we came back the next weekend, we found all the sheep had moved and that many days away between hunts was going to be a problem. We were not able to find the previous rams. After a couple more 12-15 mile days, we were still looking for that mature shooter ram. The late rains and green up and changing weather had them doing strange things. Zane finished finals and we headed back out on Friday the 19th. At this point, he had been in school or hunting sheep for 19 days straight. We had split up to cover different areas.That afternoon, @buglethemin called and said he found a mature ram in a bowl they were glassing. We hurried over (hurry means mile or two hike then 30+ minute drive then more hiking) but got to the other side of the bowl before sunset. The ram and 3 smaller rams came over the top to our side. It was too late to make a play, but we bedded the ram and had a plan for the morning. The next day, we were there before sun up and immediately located the rams. The shooter ram and a smaller ram then immediately went back over into the bowl. We hiked a three mile loop around and picked them back up. We were looking into the sun and the rams never stopped moving, and no shot presented. The rams eventually fed onto the bench on top of the range and moved west where we lost site of them. We climbed the mountain , and started working the edges looking for them. By early afternoon, we had one cut left to cover. About that time, another buddy called and said he had found them in that cut. We worked our way to about 300 yards from the edge they were over. The wind was in our face, and the plan was to wait for them to feed up and cross over and present a shot. It was a great plan, until the wind shifted, blowing directly at them. They spooked down the cliff face. We hurried to the edge, and hurriedly got a range and the rifle set up. The first shot was a miss low, and they ran another hundred yards up the opposing mountain face, bearing the top before they stopped broadside. We got a new range, and Zane sent it. The sheep ran a bit, wobbled, then was down. After 8 hard days of hunting, he had his sheep. Old ram with a ton of character, and a scarred up old nose. Game and fish aged at 9 laying down the 10 ring. i cannot thank the sheep hunting collective of friends and family that showed up to help enough. It was a grind of a hunt but ann amazing one.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Prosperous New Year to y'all. May your stockings be filled with deer, elk, and antelope tags for 2026.

Here’s some of the antelope that came in this year - all ready to be home by Christmas . Merry Christmas to everyone !

One of my pest control customers had a remodel going on and this mount fell off the wall and jacked its ears up, and a gash on the backside that can't be seen. I saw it in his garage and didn't see it there before and asked what was up. He was gonna take it to the dump. I said heck no I'll take it! Dude killed it in Nevada 40 years ago, treed with dogs and got it with a bow. Dude has probably 100k worth of mounts already and apparently felt it was worth letting go. After some super glue and stain pens this dude is gonna go above the TV in the living room! It was a 130 lb Tom. Hopefully when I actually finally kill a lion I can reuse the form and base... Hopefully.

Saw 2 coues bucks harassing the ladies today. Nothing too crazy but enough to get the blood pumping. This was the first time seeing coues bucks with does. 2024 deer hunts_1.mp4

I was able to get out a few weeks ago and check out a new area I’ve had my eyes on. I almost never find sheds, so this was a nice treat. I glassed up this shed at 700 yards away first thing in the morning. I noted the spot and continued to glass as I didn’t want to waste the prime glassing hours. Late morning I went over and picked up the shed, and just on the other side of the bushes was the match. Big or small, finding sheds always gets me excited, especially if I can find the match. Sorry for the sideways pics. I’d fix it if I knew how 🤦🏼‍♂️

Bow means any hunting instrument designed for the purpose of propelling arrows which is drawn and held by and through the efforts of the person releasing, but does not include crossbow.

I can not believe all the complaints of the changes. Been abused and finally getting resolved. Some elk camps in 9 all the hunters had crossbows. Archery is true archery now except for the few true exemptions needed. If can’t hunt with a bow then don’t put in for archery.

Got lucky and killed a good buck in NM this year with the drought. Was a very physical hunt and it was a true cat and mouse game with an old solo living stinky old troll buck. Very difficult country but was rewarded.

It's almost time to enter your kids!!! Get them entered for a chance to win! Prizes this year are as follows 1st Savage vrx 110 scoped in 308 comes with ammo to get started, vortex 10x42 binos and harness,Gerber multi tool ,hat ,small cooler and more. 2nd Savage axis 2 in 6.5 Creedmoor scoped,ammo,Vortex 10x42 binos, harness, hat,rangefinder,small cooler and more 3rd Stoeger m320 compact 20 gauge,ammo,vortex 10x42 binos, harness and more Rules are simple! Must be Arizona resident All guns must be transferred Healeys in mesa takes care of this for me. Must be able to put in for youth only hunts Sets my age limits ( 10 to 18 ) must be 10 by the time of the first youth elk hunt. **** new is a picture of the kids at the time of transferring **** This will help with future donations For the under 10 kids there's a special draw for a savage rascal 22lr and ammo It's only open to the kids under 10 Entries accepted January 1st Deadline is the last day in August at midnight! Drawing is the first week in September Enter at youthgungiveaway@outlook.com It's all lower case. Make sure to include Your name Your kids name and age And the big one is a contact number . Thanks !!! Complete rules and prize pictures are in the contest and giveaway section here

I recognize one of those!

34a we found several bucks with a big group of does. Some sniffing around but the bucks were still hanging together. Decent pre-rut. 2 bucks took a dirt nap. My phone won’t upload pic for some reason. Will try later and post again.

If you're lucky enough to draw a tag, just enjoy your ramburgers.

SOLD I am getting away from reloading and would like to sell all together. If I end up with no interest in the package I’ll break down to itemized prices later. Package price $350 RCBS Rock Chucker press Dies: Hornady 6.5 PRC custom grade 2pc FL die set Redding 45 LC 3 die set with shell holder Redding 243 Win 2 die set RCBS 270 Win 2 pc FL die set RCBS 45 ACP 3 die carbide set RCBS 30-06 2 die FL set RCBS 44 mag/44 sp 3 die set RCBS 38/357 mag 3 die set RCBS 22-250 2 die set RCBS 30-30 WCF 2 die set Shell holders: #3, #2, #6, #4 RCBS burring tool RCBS 5-10 scale Ohaus Dial O Grain 3100 grain scale RCBS hand primer with tray RCBS case length gauge RCBS case trimmer RCBS 87060 vibrating case polisher with extra media RCBS loading block Case lube pad with lube Brass: 44 mag-50 mixed, 6.5 PRC Lapua 59-10 are once fired, 6.5 creedmoor Lapua 64-14 are once fired, 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady once fired-60, 243 win once fired Remington-60, 45ACP mixed fired press-150, 22-250 once fired mixed brass-65 Powder: 2-H4350 1 unopened other about 1/2, 1 Accurate 2700 about 1/2, 1 RL16 about 1/3 to 1/2, 1 IMR 3031 about 2/3, 1 N560 about 1/2, 1 H4831 about 1/2 Primers: WLR-600, Fed 150 large pistol-700 Projectiles: 6.5-Berger elite hunter 140g unopened-100, 6.5 Berger VLD 140G-47, 6.5 Hornady interlock 129g-50, 30 cal RN Hornady interlock 150g-60, 45 cal Speer 225g lead semi wad cutter-80, 22 cal .224 Barnes tsx 55g-40, 22 cal Hornady vmax 55g-40, 6mm sierra 75g hp 1 unopened box-100, 6mm nosler partition 100g 1 unopened box of 50 and one open box of 30, 6mm sierra 85g bthp open box-40, 6mm sierra hpbt open box of 83, 6mm Berger match grade one open box of 64 I am in Phoenix/Ahwatukee near the 202 and 17th Avenue

Went out on opening day Friday to look for a bruiser out in Redington to my secret spot 😆. Turned up 16 does and 1 decent 2x, it was 600 yds out, complete opposite direction of truck. He will live another day!!! Saturday had family obligations so I got some good rest for Sunday. Headed out this morning to the front side of Mt Lemmon to my other secret spot😅. The hill was straight up and full of shin daggers…..I absolute hate those things!!!! Found multiple doe right from the get go. Started glassing across this canyon and found 5 bucks right away. Ranged them at just under 800 yds. Where I was positioned on the down slope of this hill I couldn’t use my bipod, so I hurried down hill to a more level spot and a flat rock. They were milling around and ranged them again at 750 yds. As I extend my bipod and position the rifle I keep looking through the big binos and I thought let’s try and see my rifle is up for the challenge. I’ve shot rocks out to 800, but never a deer. 1st shot was just above the deer, I see dirt/dust fly. Reload and send another one. Same spot, more dust. I back the clicks down 2 and send the 3rd round….. bam deer down. As I get some landmarks as to where the deer fell I start walking. 8:10 was shot, I didn’t find the deer till 9:23. The mountain was so steep and so thick of vegetation I couldn’t find the rock formation it fell by. Finally found it…..wheeew. Took some pics and started the long drag out, dropped it off at the butcher and now back at home relaxing. Looking forward to my daughters WT hunt Nov 7.

What a hunt bud. Way to Grind it out guys and thanks for being patient passing several rams looking for that old mature class 4 ram. I’m still amazed on Zane’s shot. That kid can shoot. Congrats again Zane on a beautiful ram. Such a great time w great people.

Took ours to Mesa. Age spot on and within an inch from what we got

Congratulations to Zane and great job, Dad!

Are you surprised?

I have seen a lot of mearns in unit 1. One year more than 10 coveys.

Oh it's a great shotgun I absolutely love this thing, but my son absolutely fell in love with my buddies Benelli and it is lighter and has The Recoil reduction system in it so it's going to be sweet for both of us.

I 100% agree. The patch is way better than a stupid decal. Sure the lion has a whacked out face, but most of us aren't that great to look at either. The patch has the year on it, so it serves as a reminder how old you are getting.

I take my grand daughters to Paloma Park in north Peoria. Had the most luck on the east side of lake for stocker trout. Worms mostly and rainbow power bait worked best. They end up playing with all the worms.

Glassed muley country today and still found 4 coues bucks. 2 singles and one double. No coues ruttin activity yet. Did find this muley pushing a group of about 10 or so does pretty good throughout the day.

I woke up and felt something in the bottom of my nuts. Should be close