BOHNTR

Little hike by the house tonight.......they're pretty vocal. Can't believe nobody is hunting them. IMG_3891.MOV

Bugling around my place this am until about 0730 hours.

I don’t have Instagram but I was sent this photo telling me I’ll be measuring one in 60 days….ha. I guess so. That’s a big bull for a straight 6x6.

Ha…..below? Tell that to the 427” 6x6 taken on the Rez. I think in the eastern portion of the state antler development has been average to above average from what I’ve seen.

I’ve seen avg/better than average growth in 3B/1/27 areas. Saw a pretty good bull tonight by the house with about 20 cows….sniffing and chuckling already.

I could go for that too…..I would oil up the ol’ Brackenbury recurve again. But those hunter numbers would not support the financial goals of the game department.

That already happens. Archery seasons are longer than rifle and muzzleloader seasons. I’m okay with that, as I understand the reasoning (level of difficulty to attain success). If I want to to capitalize on the longer and early season, then I need to become proficient with that weapon system (bow and arrow).

You ASSume I’m a crossbow hater. Not at all, they are a viable weapon that has a place in the hunting community. They just are not a bow and arrow. Just like a muzzleloader is not a bow and arrow. Shooting a crossbow is MUCH easier to become efficient than a bow and arrow. FACT. This is why archery hunts were historically longer……their difficulty level is much higher than all other weapons. Doesn’t make them better or worse, just different. You want to keep what you’ve always done, which I completely understand, with a different weapon system. While I understand your reasoning, maybe it’s time to hunt with a more suitable weapon in the appropriate season? Nothing personal, just an objective view.

He sounds like a good candidate for a crossbow……but in their own season or HAM type season. Sadly, more and more people are abusing the permit system. JMO

Actually there are a few people that produce them and/or know where they are produced. I believe our very own Dick Tone (AZ archery instructor/bowhunter) has helped folks procure one when needed.

Are you backpedaling? You said, " that isn’t very fair to an animal now is it ??" Which would indicate that you feel pursuing game animals with a bow and arrow and a mouth tab is not fair to the animal as if it would not be as accurate and/or successful??? This is why I gave you specific and credible examples of those who have done it. Was that not what you were referring to?

I know SEVERAL bowhunters who have killed MANY animals with one arm and a mouth tab. Do some research first and then comment.....might look up Dwight Shuh, Tom Hoffman and some others who had to do it when they had shoulder surgeries. As I previously stated, where there's a will there's a way.....it's not suppose to be easy. JMO.

Where there's a will there's a way. Archery isn't supposed to be easy. Sorry, but when I can no longer pull a bowstring, I'll hunt with another weapon in it's proper season. What I will not do, is demand I get to still hunt in the archery only season with a weapon that is not a bow and arrow. The sad thing is, there is a place for crossbows in our season(s), much like the HAM hunts. I see more and more 'abusers' of this permit each year. This should be the next issue the commission addresses, IMO.

This evening (8/15) behind my place........still in velvet. Sorry for the blurry photo, but it was pouring!

This guy was still packing velvet today (8/15) behind my place.

Raghorns only 😉

Scott Reservoir (WM’s) was just above a pond in June……it’s nearing the fill line now. A few micro bursts up stream helped with that. The canyon feeding it could be heard a mile away roaring during a mini-flood. A1 on the Rez is also very high from consistent heavy rains for the last two months. At least it’s helped those two. Sure hope we get a good snow pack this winter.

I'm truly sorry for your loss......but, man, I have to say that I'm thoroughly impressed and motivated with your outlook and what you're going to do. Many guys like us crawl in a bottle, become introverts, bitter, etc........but you, my friend, have a great plan. God bless you and post up some fish photos for all of us to see!

Saw a bunch of these this week up here in the White Mountains…..lots of chicks too.

Unit 27 bull

1978….. a Columbian Blacktail shot with my longbow at 23 yards. Lit a bowhunting fire that has never gone out.

I saw 7 different bucks on Sunday……best one was a 79-80” type buck. It was the nicest one I’ve seen in that unit for a few years now.

Apache-Sitgreaves lifting all fire restrictions beginning tomorrow morning. Fair amount of rain received so far with a good forecast for the next 10 days.