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Drop Tine character!!! Incredible archery take. Was your mouth mouth on your boots as he came in?!? Well done composure to reap the benefits of waiting.

I enjoy the General Javelina hunts. It allows me to stalk with a bow and carry bullet as the backup. (4) Grey Ghosts out of (5) hunts, but all were taken with rifle or handgun; the one year I didn’t harvest was because I was so determined to take with a bow, I left the handgun at home. I pack lunch & snacks to hunt all day. Because those wiley piggies aren’t gonna be taken from camp, right!?! I glassed and walked and drove the Ranger all day—unsuccessful to find javelina. Driving back to camp at near dark, I found a herd of Jave 100yrds from camp! Quickly exited the Ranger, flanked the herd in the direction of their migration, and settled into my best Clint Eastwood handgun pose with the .223 Contender. Found the biggest one with my naked eye. It was walking with a stutter step. When I found it again in the long eye relief scope, I discovered it only had 3 legs. TRIPOD! Deem it unique or the weakest one in the herd, I decided it was the least likely to survive in the wild and double lunged it 75yrds from camp. The scar tissue on her chest where the front left leg should have been was healed and old. She must have had a ferocious defense to predators or the herd took care of her as their MaTRIarch. My wife thought it was too funny of a story to forget & insisted that Jave Sow be remembered… a rug with a story.

I’ll quote my daughter, “That Lope is Bad Donkey!” Great pic.

I have the Lightweight Kuiu Northridge rain set. Bought for the unpredictable Spring showers. It’s great. Pit zippers, hood, & full length leg zips are a plus. It packs down to almost nothing at the bottom of your pack. It can be worn for warmth the first couple hours before sunrise, as it breathes. It’s my experience to never pay full retail for Kuiu. They have multiple sales throughout the year, but not across all products. Check out this upcoming sale…

Speaking only for myself… I bumper pull a travel trailer as base camp with the SxS on rear of truck. I use the SxS for day trips and occasionally primitive overnight stays when I want to stay deep on the 2-tracks without disturbing game. A sleeping bag, dry food, and water is all you need.

Input from existing SxS owners and forums will reveal a lot of thoughts you might not know before getting your new toy. I don’t think your asking for input on brands (the old Chevy vs Ford debates exist with SxS brands too), but whether to own this kind of vehicle. Regardless of what brand you seek, all SxS share common ownership issues. Are you a DIY oil/filter/transmission guy, or take it to a service dealer? Will you be using this on pavement or ONLY dirt? This determines how often you will go through knobby tires. Or maybe you go with street tires? Registration is significantly cheaper if you use only on dirt roads ($31.00/yr plus OHV tag). Insurance from Progressive is $75/yr. I do my own servicing, with factory fluids— saving money and on my time schedule; Shop Amazon for best pricing. I own trailers but find it more convenient, less cost, less footprint between trees/cactus, etc by using ramps and driving the truck into where I want to go (see pic). Then unload the SXS. I believe both the Viking and Pioneer fit in width of a pickup truck. Do some research before making an impulse decision and you will be happy with this toy for recreation during the off season and getting you into the depths of where you want to hunt. There is no right answer. And you will become a better trailer driver, if you decide to go that route. Enjoy!!

Norteno- enjoyed the 23N archery video! Even more to hear you DIY!! Congrats

Here is official wording. Written permission is not a requirement.

You can check AZGFD.com for official wording. Basically 1/4mi = 440yrd away from tenable structures for all firearms, and now includes all archery, unless you have consent from the owner.

Been solo stranded twice with different vehicles, different times… walked out in the dark, and was able to recover the next day with friends. Ugggggg. (I THINK I learned my lessons, or vehicle limitations!) Since then bought a high lift jack recovery kit, winch capable to use on the front and rear of truck’s bumpers, and long battery cables to power the mobile winch. Later, I saw Joe’s gnarly 4x4 recover truck driving in the East Valley with like 5 mounted winches and variety of specialty equipment/ropes/chains. I copied his phone number and then made a phone acquaintance for myself and others that ‘do what they shouldn’t do, go where they shouldn’t go’. At that time… $160/hr starts when he gets in his truck and ends when he delivers the broken/stuck vehicle where you want it. Cash, no insurance. Probably money well spent when you figure time value of money for yourself and helpers, potential of breaking sh** trying to do it alone, plus risk of bodily harm. I have the number still saved in my phone with Carl as new owner. 🤙🏻

Ironic that I see this post tonight. I just got done grinding the balance of my antelope today. LEM model 1782 has done plenty of elk, javelina, and antelope without any hesitation. Meat &/or pork fat, there are no issues. It eats it up like kindergarteners to candy. Whatever brand you buy… Pro Tip: freeze the Grinder head / auger / blade / plates & partially freeze meat / fat before the actual grind = less heat produces better grind appearance. Invest in a power control foot pedal to stop the grind in between stuffing the grinder head’s throat.

Ross Outdoors has indoor range. Central Phx.

Bought 3 sets of Marathon (3 trucks) before Covercraft acquired the company. Still made in Montana, USA. The cordura nylon covers DO live up to the commercial claims shown on the Whisper Channel. They occasionally have overstock sales, just go to the website. $50 off and free shipping sale ends midnight 7/4/22.

I like to support the independent restaurants whenever possible. Here are a couple of my ‘go to’ burger stops around the state when hunting & on family vacations: Mothers Bar & Grill - west Phx Haunted Hamburger - Jerome Matty G’s Steakburger - Flagstaff The House - Show Low Lucy’s Bar & Grill - Chino Valley Grand Canyon Lodge - N Rim (bison) James Ranch - Durango (locally sourced beef) Black Hills Burger & Bun - Custer, SD

That’s awesome your first was up close and personal! Often the reward of success after days of “almost happened” is sweeter than getting the harvest during opening hour. Thanks for sharing! 🐗

In the past I had extraordinary Turkey taxidermy done by Tim Brown / Bill and Beak Taxidermy. He is no longer in AZ. A week ago I took last month’s Merriam harvest to Sven Eberson (Glendale, AZ). Pick up the wrapped & frozen meat today. Super friendly dude. He has Turkeys, ducks, quail, and other exotic birds from around the world in various stages within a shop attached to his house. Sven has been a subcontractor to many high profile taxidermists throughout AZ, but has recently cut the subcontractor work and is only doing direct work with hunters now. I can’t grade his final taxidermy work yet, but so far… his honesty, meat prep, cost, intended leadtime = pretty happy. He uses freeze dried heads. You should go see him and make your own decision, but I’ll bet he treats you right.

East Valley: Mike Lund 480-406-4463. All other Valley areas: Chris Ottersberg 602-291-2965 Let him know referred by L214A.

Do not return that tag! You WILL get a Lope. How big, or unique, will be dependent on your scouting and how fast you are able to move from area to area for your target Lopes ranked #1-#5 on opening day. I just took a great Lope in 19A, which is more condensed by AZGFD‘s huntable boundaries and private land owners wanting stupid amounts of cash for land access fee. I did all my scouting/hunting on public land by corner crossing with the use of OnX; my OnX map looks like a paint ball war occurred with how many waypoints I revealed by walking the land. Your hunt success is totally doable without land access fees & without guide service. Just put the time in 3mo before the hunt to know every road, every water tank, private land boundary, and range practice for that long shot. Good hunting!

I'm first time Pronghorn hunter and have a General 19A tag Sept 2021. I've been scouting and road familiarity over the last two months when able to drive up the hill. Access is definitely challenging with this GMU! Would some experienced hunters be willing to share or confirm my newbie findings on finding success? I'm not concerned about P&Y score, as much as getting a respectable buck size and memories to last a lifetime. I'm excited and nervous over the potentially 36 less bucks to hunt (killed by archery and muzz) before my Sept hunt starts. While I've spoken to some land owners and AZGFD Warden about access to private land, it appears I'm either short on cash or late to the game for property privileges. So my hunt will be entirely on State Trust land and Prescott NF. I'm physically capable to hike in where most people won't.Yesterday I was glassing north Fain Ranch. Last week driving/observing Perkinsville Road from Chino to APS substation. Any help would be sincerely appreciated. Feel free to PM me. Thank you in advance!

Here he is… Troy Smith-Authentic Taxidermy, Chino Valley.

Idea searching for javelina when I came across this forum thread. Here is a pic of my mounts that may spur creativeness for your own hunt memories. The open mouth was taken 2018, then passive pose was taken 2019; the two fiberglass pieces fit together like a jig saw puzzle to appear as one rock cave.

Anticipation on 2022 Spring Draw led me digging around the Turkey forums months after this happened and I felt like I was there last April! Sweet story. I truly like the way you got her involved with the prep, right down to the nail polish crimp cap. Memories for both of you to last forever! Nice job Dad!

Nash, stellar character both in the classroom & the field! Next year’s straight A’s negotiation may be worthy of Dad’s tag transfer to Youth!!! Keep up your passion for excellence and time in the field with family.

Sweet success story! Often, that success is more rewarding to see someone else earn their “first” than ourselves. Nice job, Coach.

Thank you for all the supportive & congratulatory comments before/after the hunt. I will post a 1/2 size taxidermy when Authentic Taxidermy, LLC is done. Troy Smith, owner, seems easy to work with and showed me pictures of his own 1/2 size Pronghorn before deciding to take it to him, plus he was local. Additionally, he was recommended by a friend in the hunt video as competently skilled with big game. On to more AZ Spring Turkeys...🍻