sigfour

I’ve had a great couple of weekends hunting with my son- 15 and my cousins son- 10. My son drew his first ever bull elk tag, an early muzzleloader tag. We scouted and practiced shooting several times leading up to the hunt. My cousins son drew a youth javelina tag that would start 2 weeks after. With my truck loaded with camp and gear my son and I left home around 11pm the night before the hunt. Arriving to our hunt spot about 3am, I listened for bugles in the dark while my son slept. 45 minutes before light, I woke him up and he got dressed, we geared up and headed out. After glassing, walking and calling for about an hour we finally got a response. Soon we saw an elk coming from the valley below us. We set up the shooting sticks and waited, cow calling some to keep him interested. After a few minutes he came into an opening and we could finally tell he was a branch antlered bull, our goal. One look through the scope and my son said he wanted to take him. With the muzzleloader sighted in at 200 yards, I tried to stop him around that distance but couldn’t. He kept coming straight to us. Finally at 125yards, after trying bugles, cow calls, etc, I let out an awful squeal/howl/sound and that stopped him. Reading the script he turned broadside for us. Guessing he would be around 10” high at that yardage he held the crosshairs at the bottom of his belly and behind the front leg. Smoke clouded our view at the shot and when it dissipated we could still see him standing there, although hunched up a bit. I frantically reloaded the rifle as my son kept watch. Reloaded, I put the gun back on the sticks and told him to aim for the heart. I moved a bit to the side so I could watch without the smoke. At the shot, a high shoulder hit, the bull went down. After yells, screams, hugs and High fives we went down to the bull. His first shot was a perfect heart shot. We tagged him, took pics and started the hard work. After breaking him down and hanging him up in the shade of a tree we hiked back to the truck so he could start his online school (lucky we had service). By the end of the day we had homework finished and the bull in the truck. A truly amazing hunt. 2 weeks later my son and I are joined by my cousin and his son. This will be his first ever hunt. Opening day found us helping a stranger get his vehicle unstuck, which took a few hours. Afterwards we decided to take a quick look at where we wanted to hunt before lunch. We jumped a single javelina but he was too quick for a shot. The rest of the day was uneventful. Day 2, we went back to the same area and got into a decent group of 8-10. We got him and the youth .243 rifle onto the shooting sticks. After several minutes of trying to “find javelina in the scope” he finally sees them as they bust and go over the next ridge, ignoring my calling tries to bring them back. We let him drive the side x side and shoot BB guns for the rest of the day as per his wishes. As long as he had fun I didn’t care what we did. Day three was uneventful except for a few nice bucks we saw. Day 4, Monday we are back in the same spot glassing early. We spot 2 javelina and slowly move into shooting range, just over 100 yards. We get him set up on the sticks again and he finds one in the scope. After a few heart pounding moments he says he is ready and touches one off. A perfect hit and the collard peccary rolls down the hill. Some hooting and hollering are followed by the biggest smile I’ve ever seen. After an easy recovery and pack out, we headed back to camp all smiling and fist pumping. At the end, just before they left for home the young hunter told me he couldn’t wait to do it again. Music to my ears.

Thank you. The elk hunt was in 22s and the Javelina Hunt in 37b

Wow. What an amazing bull. Congrats to JJ. Seriously a bull of countless lifetimes. Hearing Trent was going to purposely push/harass the bull so a tag holder wouldn’t have a chance at him sticks in my craw. Unethical in my humble meaningless option.

I thought this was a cool find and have it hanging from my truck mirror.

Thanks for all the comments, we are still smiling. My cousin in Idaho had this rug done with his turkey from last year. Has anyone had one done like this or know of any taxidermists who do ? Thanks in advance. -Sig Sorry for sideways pics.

My son went on his first turkey hunt today with a tag in his pocket. We heard a gobble right after the sun came up this morning. We had only been walking about 25 mins an called twice. We put out the decoy and got set up. He came in great but circled us the last 75 yards and got above us. We tried to reposition but the sun was right in our face and we couldn’t see. We kept quiet as he gobbled and passed around us, trying not to move. After a few minutes we backed out and moved up higher to the bench above us. I set out the decoy again and we set up above it. I let out a few yelps and 2 different birds sounded off. Within 10 mins my son says he see’s him. The Tom spots the decoy and starts running in. He breaks into a strut 30 yards from us. I hear the click of the guns safety as he goes behind a tree. I’m trying to video the best I can but I can’t control my shaking. The strutter catches movement as the shotgun gets shouldered and sticks his head up. He starts to turn away and I cluck to stop him. BOOM !!! The bird drops and starts kicking. We high five, shake hands and hug. It all happened so fast we are still smiles while hanging out in camp. a special thanks to Ammon at little creek calls. He makes great sounding calls, at least this bird thought so.

Found a shed from a buck I had on my trail cam from a few years ago. Not sure if this is an older or recent shed since it was in the shade and inside a bush. Also I haven’t seen this deer on my cams lately or while out looking. My guess is last year but???Regardless his antler is/was unique and a cool find. I’ve been out pretty regularly the last few weeks and have only seen one deer missing a side. This is in central Az. Up north I’ve witnessed 3-4 bulls that have dropped but haven’t found any... yet.

Great write up and great buck. Congrats to you on your buck and to your husband for having someone to share hunting with. Thanks for sharing

great buck ! I too love fast turn arounds but haven't had them in quite a while. Not sure I would go that far but looks like he does good work. Wish I knew someone local who did. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

My son and his hunting buddy drew 4a youth cow. First elk tags for both of them.

I will buy one or more as long as they offer them.

Just received my CWT sweatshirt. It fits great, I cant wait to wear it out this weekend on the HAM hunt. Thanks Amanda

I had to walk up and stand on the wall for that pic. My sweatshirt has super powers LOL

Sorry for the lousy phone skope video but all I had

This video is of a whitetail buck raking a tree. He was chasing a couple of does and some smaller bucks away as of Sunday 1/20. Saw some mule deer bucks also with some does chasing. This is in central AZ FYI. 02FA1834-8140-42DE-8A21-A9138A656B1B.MOV

+2

I'm in

yummmmmmm

WOW. Well done. thx for sharing

"Being closed during fawning season sure sucks." <<<< my thoughts exactly.

ok my guess- Monday July16, 10:31 am is my guess for results CC hits the Friday after deadline to update cards at 7:45 am