Coach

Not as good but had this guy in the back yard last year about this time. That's my chicken coop in the background.

If I told you what I dealt with on a 23 youth hunt this year...Any time I tell someone the story I hear a lot of "that dude would be toast" kinda responses. 7 guys in two rangers, tempers blazing, everyone armed. All I can say is keep things civil, your voice low, your tone rational...don't escalate a bad situation, and make sure everyone goes home. Any time you are upset with what others are doing, take a deep breath, look at the situation, those in your care, those looking to you as an example, dig deep and find "that guy" who makes sure an ugly situation gets diffused as quickly as possible, with nobody getting hurt, and be "that guy".

Red Rabbit - about 85 yards. Norteno - neither. It was one of the 19s, that should narrow it down

I totally blew it this year and missed the draw. First time in 15+ years. My sons and I have had a pretty consistent track record on javi hunts over the years. The boys are now moving out and moving on, so I guess I spaced it this year. If anyone ends up with a tag in 22, 23, 24A, 27 or 32 and wants a tag-along-glasser, let me know. Units outside those, I'd still be happy to tag along and learn a new area. Been hunting these buggers for years all over the state and it's still one of my favorite hunts. If not, good luck to those with tags, get those kiddos out there and make memories. I've got turkeys to chase and crappie/smallies to catch this spring.

Congrats, Shelvin - looking forward to the story. I'll be travelling the next few days so might be late on the details, but I'm super happy for you to have such a hunt.

You should tell your buddy to work out - kinda scawny. Let me guess, he scared his buck to death at 450 yards. LOL. Great hunt, and thanks for sharing.

I'd be interested in that quick clot. Have a son who has more stitches in his tongue than most ever get in their person. He has many - on the head, legs, arms, fingers... Too many stories to tell. Just grateful we've had someone willing to stitch him up on the dining room table, or pull steel splinters out of his eye - several times.

Missed the Javi draw for the first time in many years. Anyone who wants to go together on a left-over tag, I think it would be a good chance to meet someone new, maybe start learning a new area.

Just bought some of those gloves to keep in my pack. Never cut or nicked myself but I always wear rubber gloves when working with an animal, no reason not to have these in the pack over the rubber gloves. Just NEVER pull a knife toward yourself. Always cut away, push away. If you are pulling a blade toward yourself, you are doing it wrong. There's a safer way to do it.

To me, separating the big muscle groups is more about finding the places where they come together - more pulling apart than cutting, then use a fillet knife to get rid of the separating tissue. You can literally take apart a hind quarter with your fingers and little knife work. If you are cutting meat, you're probably wasting meat, IMO. Top round, bottom round, and that little "eye of round" all come apart by separating with your hands. Only the stiff outer layer from drying usually has to be cut. I've seen guys sawing away at the pelvis. It all comes apart easily with little to no cutting.

Love my havalon, and have used it to do most of several elk. The outdoor edge version is a little bigger and I've become a huge fan of those as well. I still carry my buck 119, just because I like it.

long list, hit me up if nothing pans out.

I've got a couple of boiled skulls that need to be whitened. In the past, I used peroxide in the water I was boiling them in which worked great but inevitably bleached some of the antler bases so I stopped doing that. I've seen a few youtube vids where guys would make a peroxide paste, mostly using hair bleaching products. Has anyone tried making a paste out of peroxide and baking soda or something similar? How about wetting paper towels in peroxide and wrapping them on the skull? I'd like to hear your opinions. Thanks!

Thanks Daryl.

I'm just throwing this out there - when I was like 9 or 10 and got my first pocket knife, I was in the boy scouts. Had to go through a whole merit badge just to carry a knife and then had a card - thought it was called a "totenship" card. Googled it and can't find anything. Maybe a redneck term from our troup. Anyway, there were rules to using your knife - always cut away from yourself and others, always keep it clean and sharp. Break a rule, lose a corner of the card. Lose 3 and you lose your knife. Basically, if you got cut with your own knife, or took the chance of cutting someone else with it, you'd lose it, and a scout without a knife was like ... I'll let you fill in that blank. No offense intended, but I have to say I'm REALLY surprised by the number of people cutting up their fingers and thumbs with these things. I know I've been in situations where the sun is setting fast and your adrenaline is pumping like crazy, but man - that's the time to really slow down. Getting sloppy with a sharp knife is never worth the rush you are in. I'm a firm believer that a dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one - until you start working too fast. Just hoping you guys all keep it safe - it's all fun and games till someone loses a thumb, or punctures their femoral artery. Just sayin'

Definitely see the first doe in the second picture. Not sure if the second is just below her to our right.

Good ones. I really thought I had one in the first photo but was wrong. Still looking.

I think we all reach a strange point in our lives, mid 40's. Still worrying about our now grown kids, also worrying about our aging parents. It's like we are always care-takers, but there's nothing left for ourselves. Time-wise, financially, emotionally - I really get why it's common to feel the "burn out" right about now. Personally, I see those older and they look miserable. The younger generation is mostly lost somewhere between social media, opiates,meth, alcohol & pot. I hope you find peace - and it sounds like you are looking in the right places. An awesome sunrise over a lake, the sounds of geese flying over, the deep blue of the sky in the mountains, a distant bugle as the aspens turn gold, that crisp air as summer turns to fall, the crackle of a warm fire. Take pleasure in life's little rewards. Be grateful for every minute, and take time to make those you love feel loved. Best wishes to you.

I've used Borax in the water when boiling and it is great at dissolving/loosening up meat and fat. I've also found a pressure washer is way better at getting at those hard-to-reach places than scraping with a blade. BTW, thanks for all the responses I especially like the idea of wrapping the wet HP paper towels in cellophane. That's a great idea.

Awesome stuff! If you get one down in a tough spot, give me a call and I'll bring my boys with some pack frames. Looks like you are in for a great hunt - can't wait to see how it goes!

Great looking buck!

Killer buck! You've got a great spot there. I really liked how you hunted and tracked them - that takes a skilled hunter. Huge congrats.

Man, I'm really tempted. My Tundra still has stock wheels and tires and needs an upgrade.

Not to derail this 9 page thread, but wasn't there a situation a while back where some guy had a very successful hunt (trophy terms) and took the guys who helped him out to lunch at Taco Bell or something, and everyone involved got investigated as "being paid" without a guides license?

Congrats on a great looking buck, but more importantly I'm glad you were able to get out as safely as you were. Thanks for sharing the story and warning - it's easy to forget how fast you can get hurt cleaning big game. You mentioned replaceable blade knives in the title - do you think this was something specific about the knife being a replaceable-blade style, or just their inherent sharpness? I'm just curious if you feel they are more dangerous than traditional style hunting knives. Once again - glad you weren't hurt worse and best luck on a speedy recovery.