Crazymonkey

No comment on the ammo but what part of 6a . I just came from the same hunt . Tagged out Friday. We were down by bar d ranch on the two track before all the nasty mud at the 83 junction.

So here it goes! So as many of you know last year I helped on a champ hunt with Dan and his son Aj. Well Dan made the trip from Arkansas out to help on my hunt . This time he brought his son Cooper . What a character ! He's a talker but new when to be quite. So my plans were to use my tc encore pistol in 7-08 but there was to much water it's a 50 yd gun . So I brought options a 300rum ,375ruger ,and my 280ai suppressed. With Dan and Cooper I took the 280ai. We went to a spot i had found a year or two . We hopped in the sxs and Cooper was talking the whole way. In at first light we were in 4 or 5 bulls . There still screaming! We started in on a bull and boom a big magnum went off . We are not the only ones in there. I soon catch cows running thru the trees. No range on them but Dan got one to stop with a cow call . I let it rip and immediately knew it was not a hit I pulled it .Back at it right after and there's another boom . We caught the group again running . I won't take that shot . Dan calls and again it stops a cow in a small opening. I send one and we think it's a hit so we start looking . There were 60 plus in that group so finding tracks was easy. No luck ! That's two misses in the morning. Back to camp for food and a re group. So with 5 tags in camp im the only one on elk so far . We get out again about 330 and Dan asked what the plan was and I wasn't sure yet . He says you don't leave elk to find elk so we head back to the same spot as in the morning. I'm not sure there still in there but we get a bugling bull or 3 😁. And now we are on the hunt . Dan is now my wind checker cow caller ,and all. We are trying to get to the bull but need to loop around to get the wind right and the sun it was in our face. Cooper was a trooper it was probably 2 miles . As I just start around a juniper Dan is trying to get my attention. He dang near had to talk full voice ( to many years in a machine shop). I finally stop and Dan had elk at what he originally said was 175 . After two missed i took my time . I sat down and rested the gun across my knee and then we couldn't tell if it was a cow or bull . It felt like for ever ! I finally get a good look and it's a cow . Dan confirmed it and now it's time . I got set and sent one . Just the gun crack from the suppressed 280ai and then the thwack!!!! It's a definite hit . She didn't act hit but I don't have another shot. We wait and another few elk fill the window . It's now 30 minutes after my shot and we are on the hunt . As we approached I see her bedded down facing straight away . Only one juniper between her and us . I get to the juniper with Dan and Cooper right behind..It's a head shot or nothing. So I take off my pack and slide it out and then get set for prone. Got a range at 125 and after the scope cleared( me breathing hard). I sent one and her head hits the dirt for good. I wasn't going to make this trip as my daughter had some medical issues and had just got out . My wife said go and I'll let you know if I need you . So I didn't know how much time I had . Luckily it all worked out and I made it home on Sunday. Last known elk count is two down ! Tony was out by Stoneman and got lost but last light got a elk and then found his truck . They got back at 10.50. I'm new to berger bullets and was using 175 elite hunter . Just a single entry. No blood and got the lungs and liver apparently but it was not a mess inside. Just holes in all.Is this a expected result? It definitely worked as she only went 10 feet maybe. IMG_20251020_083646.heic IMG_20251020_083640.heic

Congratulations !!

Headed back to 6a tomorrow myself. If anyone needs a hand let me know . That mud is no joke . Spent 2 hours Saturday getting the truck unstuck and another 4 getting the trailer out and back on the truck after folding the nose jack pulling it out backwards . GOOD TO SEE SOME KIDS STILL GETTING THERE DEER AND ELK EVEN IN THE WEATHER!!!!!!

Left yesterday to park the trailer for our general hunt . The roads are slick but mostly passable. Did get the truck stuck towing the trailer . My fault it was getting dark and I thought I could swing around and into the spot I wanted. Buried the truck mid axel . Unhooked the trailer and worked the truck free . Used a strap on the back of the trailer and pulled the trailer back on the trail . But in the process folded up the nose jack and now had the trailer stuck sitting nose deep in mud . A few calls and my buddy Joey came to the rescue. He's got a place up blue ridge area. Made camp and will fix trailer on Wednesday when back up . Not hardly any kids hunting . It's usually packed up there . Only had one come by this morning . The kids in 6a are in for a ruff go as it's slick as snot. Be safe it don't take much to get stuck .

Weather again tomorrow it looks like but then better . Be safe and good luck

Going to definitely change my tactics . My hope was to use my tc encore in 7-08 but with just a red dot it's only a 50 yd gun . So im taking the 280ai, 375ruger, and if the weather is good maybe the 300rum . It's a 700 deluxe engraved blue steel so I don't want it in water . Might be a short hunt for me due to family medical issues with my daughter. I was going to eat the tag but wife says go . If she calls im out . So going to go hard at it and hopefully my helper and his 11 yr old can keep up.

Any luck ? Elk still bugling . We weren't up long enough to hear anything .

Up

I've seen two real good bucks a few years ago . We see lots of doe but the last year or two the numbers seem to be up . Nothing monster size on the bucks but lots more doe . Where you'd only see a few it's 20 or more and a few bucks with them.

Way to go guys!

Check with Ia Born he's a hunter safety instructor and posts class availability . He's in Flagstaff but might be able to steer you to your answer depending on your location.

Nice deer . Just another week and a half and I'll be in 6a for elk .

Might get good for the kids hunts . They can't shoot bulls but when there talking it makes finding cows easier.

We always set blinds a day or so early but know it's first come . We are in way ,way before the sun comes up just to be sure . Had a guy in my blind a few years ago . Just backed out and went to plan b. After we were all done hunting tagged out . Went in and got the blind . Dude left a hat inside. Most have some respect when they know your in a spot but some don't care.

My buddies were in 6a and got it done . Said the bulls were screaming there heads off. No luck yet in 5 b tho. Come on Joey ! 4 more weeks till my hunt then dad's is November.

Such cool birds. Did a hunt with my dad's gun club several years ago . Farm raised planted birds on a private lodge . Lazy fat birds would hardly fly . Didn't even know they were a thing here.

My buddy is in 6a and said his brother and nephew just about got run over by a 5x5 and 2 cows on the run Saturday. I haven't heard any updates as of yet. Will check in after dark and see if there's any updates. It's been hot so probably not alot going on yet.

Some jack wagon was arrested for trampling a Charlie memorial. Hope he gets more than the cuffs put on him! I'd have liked to see the guy in the crowd level the guy .

Waiting for Azfgd to finally do the draws!!!

I've got a timney in a custom Mauser action and at 1.3 lbs it's good but my rem clone kelblys action with a trigger tech diamond is a much better trigger .

The guys that ride right up and around a waterhole that your hunting right at first light and again just at prime time . You can clearly see the blind were in so no excuse! Then it's every day twice a day the same group. ** cking road hunters !!! And usually got a beer in there hand when they do get off there butt to get outa there sxs.

It's almost time to start the next giveaway! This year I've got a special draw for 9 and under kids! First place is a Savage vsx in 308 ,binos and harness ,soft case ,ammo ,a day pack loaded with essentials Second place is a Savage trail hunter in 308,binos and harness,soft case ,ammo,a day pack loaded with essentials Third place is a Mossberg compact 20 gauge ,binos and harness,ammo,soft case,some turkey hunting essentials and a day pack loaded with essentials Fourth place is a Mossberg compact 20 gauge ,soft case ,ammo, and some turkey hunting essentials Fifth place is a ground blind and blind chair THIS YEAR'S SPECIAL DRAW FOR 9 AND UNDER!!! A Savage Rascal target xp 22lr,soft case ammo, and a comb riser kit as it needs it to get kids into proper shooting position Entries accepted starting January 1st at youthgungiveaway@outlook.com ^^^^ it's all lower case ^^^^^^ Rules are the same PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME, YOUR KIDS NAME ,AGE,AND A CONTACT # Must be Arizona residents Must have hunter safety Open to all Arizona youth All guns must be transferred to a legal adult ( all transfers done at Healeys in mesa) Must be able to put in for youth only hunts ENTRIES ACCEPTED TILL THE LAST DAY IN AUGUST!! DRAWING IS THE FIRST WEEK IN SEPTEMBER For the 9 and under kids I'm not setting a minimum age for this but please use common sense they must be able to use the gun at the time of winning. The drawing is the same date for entries and drawings AGAIN ENTRIES ACCEPTED JANUARY 1ST THRU THE LAST DAY IN AUGUST AT youthgungiveaway@outlook.com ^^^^ all lower case ^^^^^ PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME, YOUR KIDS NAME AND AGE, AND A CONTACT NUMBER You will get a thank you for your entry once I go thru them . Usually within a day. As always thank you and good luck ! I'm always looking for donations to add to the giveaway ! Anything hunting related and kid friendly. I'll soon have a list put together of all the great donations and the people who have made them . I absolutely appreciate all your donations to get kids hunting.

Least I could do . They covered all the transfers for the kids . I didn't expect that as there a business and 5 transfers is more than a few dollars .I expected to pay the bill and got we covered them . So lunch is the very least I could do. Great staff and always great service.

Just a final count of entries for the year Kids over 10 there were 107 entries this year. Kids under 10 there were 33 kids entered Not to bad for the first year on the under 10 Kids. Again I can't that everyone who helped with there donations enough . HUGE THANKS TO HEALEYS FOR ALL THE TRANSFERS !!!!! LUNCH IS ON ME MONDAY AND SHOULD BE DELIVERED AT 1130.