Bird Dog

I have uploaded a few pictures. I do wish we could have propped the bull up. We did lose light marking the trail as proof for where the animal was shot. All was great and glad the NPS was able to support Mark and I.

Thank you everyone for your patience. My apologies for the delay in posting pictures. I surely hope if you have drawn you have the time of your life and success.

BTW: I check 594 lbs of meat to Casey's Processing, no ribs, hooves or spine only leg bones present. "Dave's" bull scored 122" B&C. I am very fortunate to have been able to share camp with accomplished hunters and persons like the "Slone" family. This has been truly a "Once and a Life Time" experience for me. I would not change a thing about the approach except......... I wish I had more time around the camp with these fellas! Can not say enough about Dean and his efforts while Mark and I monitored our locations. Here is Mark's nice bull as well! Congrats to Mark for his steady perseverance for 30 days!

Hello everyone, sorry this has take a bit to gather together. I thought I would post some thoughts about the upcoming draw. I did have a great hunt and out of the 3 areas available it worked for me. I partnered up with a friend, Mark Slone, and we did all right! I just wanted to thank everyone who took time and shared information. Your experiences were confirmed. I will be posting a story here and I have submitted pictures with a write up to Hunting Fool magazine. Mark and I had a simple approach to avoid the drama and for the most part it worked. It took me 16 days and Mark, 30 days, to harvest. Dave's rifle did well on both! The hunt itself proved to be a different experience and like nothing I thought it would be. There was no forcing success. Bison are big of which I would have been terribly under resourced with out the help of Mark's brothers, Kevin Wilson and Dean Dunaway. Dean proved to be a consummate professional and remained helpful for over 30 days providing updated information and locations for us to use. Frankly, give Dean a call. I am thankful I don't have to do it again, but I would if I could as I never wanted to shoot out of an enclosure. The GC NPS Enforcement was helpful each time they were called and like AZ GFD very aware of the previous issues during this hunt of which feed back was given. Per GC NPS biologist, another capture is coming up in September. It is my understanding that the goal is to manage the herd at 200 animals and current estimates are 330. Good news for bull hunters is that they are not good candidates for relocation due to size.

The more I have shot this rifle the more I do like it. A new recoil pad has helped tremendously. I have settled on 260 gr. Accubonds at almost 2700 fps., so all is well in the sight in department. I have really enjoyed the adventure so far with the .375 after years ago selling my .338. The push is real but fun.

That has been a minute! Thank you for your help. Where oh where is Flatlander.......... hahah. I did have a great conversation today with AZGFD WM. So, I will just keep on taking notes and trying to figure this out while winter shows itself.

Well, that is the question I am trying to figure out. A fully guided hunt most likely will not be an option due to $$$, although looking into semi-guided options as I did with my sheep hunt years ago. The Co-op seems interesting but I have not hear much on this yet. Most likely a DYI option I will have to go with, and frankly if you separate out the conflict and look at just doing my thing, staying out of others way while making the most of my opportunity seems most attractive.

Hello CWT! I wanted to start a topic to get this going. I drew the 1st bull hunt starting 3/29. I put in for this hunt as a tribute to a friend whom pass away last year after working with him 25 years. After helping his family settle his estate I was willed his 375 H&H Ruger No.1. I had been adding bonus points and 23 points I decided to put in. Much to my surprise, my card was charged last fall on his birthday. Any other members or friends out there whom have the 1st hunt for bull starting 3/29? I was wondering if the drama has decreased recently? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hey K-rub, I sent you a PM if you are available to talk some time I would appreciate it.

Love reading your daughters story every time!

Awesome MM! Thanks for sharing.

Updated post.

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Great job Man! The pleasure was all mine to spend some quality time in the desert and a few fires with you for sure. I am happy you were able to harvest such a beautiful ram. Congrats! I am sure Clay will turn out an awesome mount and I can not wait to see it some day.

I wanted to thank the volunteers of the YOU (Youth Outdoors Unlimited) Javalina camp. My daughter and her friend Addie decided to put in together for a Javalina permit. Neither girl had ever harvested a Javalina a were excited to begin the journey together. The first weekend they participated in the YOU hunters camp and met a couple volunteers (Wayne and Kevin) whom assisted with locating Javalina. Unfortunately, we did not have any opportunities to harvest a pig opening weekend but the girls had a great time and quickly asked if we could come back for the second weekend. On the second weekend we were blessed with great warm weather and the pigs did not disappoint. The first location, Wayne, Jessica and I located pigs. We were able to get both girls set up in time for a coyote to spoke the pigs into cover forcing us to wait for a good shot opportunity. We decided that the first good opportunity should be taken due to the presentation we were being given. Addie was the lucky huntress whom had a good shot. With a good 200 yrd shot Addie had harvested her first big game animal and Javalina. Way to go Addie! Unfortunately, the javalina spooked to quickly for Jessica to get a quality opportunity. Way to go Addie! The next day, we were back at it. Kevin, Jessica and I checked multiple areas finding every type of animal except for pigs. Jessica was hanging in tough and hunted all day long. Minutes before we were to hang up the last day and last hour we located pigs tucked down deep in a protected draw. We quickly moved to a difficult downhill 155 yrd location. Jessica selected a very black pig and after some readjustment she was able to make a solid hit with a good follow up to anchor her first Javalina. A moment of silence and she was ready to see her first pig! These girls were awesome camp mates and the best part was how much fun we had even with out the pigs! I am very proud of these ladies and their efforts. Thank you Wayne, Kevin and Nate whom were willing to join us both weekends.