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My heaviest bird to date…..just under 26 pounds.

Thought I'd share this year's bird, as I enjoy reading others posts on here and figured I should contribute. Had to endure some brutal wind on this hunt but was able to find this guy early on his roost. Got set up where I thought he'd go and of course his fly down path was not what I had planned for when I got set up in my spot. Despite that I was able to keep him interested after he flew down with the softest purrs and light yelps I could make on a slate call. He tried his best to convince me that I should go to him, but after about 30 minutes of that game (and thankfully no real hens around), he finally made his way to me. He hung up at about 70 yards, but I changed it up with some yelps from one of Little Creeks mouth calls. That flipped his switch and he came into range. One shot and he was done. Prior to the shot, this bird had some of the most radiant red and blue color in his head that I've ever seen on a turkey. I suspect he had been perched on that tree all night by himself with only one thing on his mind. A big thanks goes to Little Creek as he makes some very good calls and is a member here. Good luck to all those with tags left to fill.

This was a tougher year for me. With the dry warmer winter it seemed like the birds were a week ahead of schedule. The youth hunt felt like a normal first adult hunt. The first adult hunt felt like the second adult hunt. I was able to hunt two days during the first adult hunt and got close each day but was not able to get a shot. I was able to get back out today but the wind really picked up before the birds flew down and made calling really difficult. I was able to get close enough to see the two lonesome toms but calling didn't really work in the wind. Luckily the wind died down after a couple hours and I was able to find another Tom all by himself in a different area. It seemed like the hens are already laying on there nests with all these solo toms today with no hens in sight.

I picked up my cousin from the airport on Tuesday April 28 around 6 PM. We drove back to my house, loaded up his gear, had some dinner, a few spirits and then went to bed. We woke up Wednesday around 2 AM, loaded up the bow, arrows, shotgun, ammo, glass, expensive gear and were on the road by 3 AM. We stopped for fuel and breakfast in Wilcox around 6:30 AM and made it to our camping spot in the Chiracahua mountains by 9 AM. After setting up camp, we took a drive in the SxS to do a little scouting and immediately broke the frame where the steering linkage attached on the passenger side. We limped it back to camp and attempted to repair the break, but found more damage and were unable to fix it enough to confidently use it. We jumped in the truck and headed to another area, seeing several birds along the way. We took video/pictures and marked the spots on our Flatline Maps and OnX. After a great taco dinner and a few drinks we hit the cots. We woke up early Thursday morning, made coffee and while warming the truck up had birds walk-through camp. Driving up the road around 6 AM, we had two toms gobbling and walking down the road at us. We videoed, took pics and laughed at our good fortune. Actually we were pretty giddy. The weather was slowly coming in and rain was forecasted to show up later in the evening. Knowing this, we drove to several different areas and put on around 30 miles to the trucks odometer. We found a bunch of birds including a nice double bearded tom that we wanted to go after for the opener. Just before dark we went to the double bearded tom area, found him and attempted to roost him, but the rain made visibility poor and we backed out, guessing where he would sleep for the night. Nothing is better, IMHO, than soup when it’s cold and raining so we had some ramen with leftover taco meat for dinner. After watching some video from the day we went to sleep. The 3AM alarm clock came early and soon we were speeding up the mountain, driving excitedly and splashing our coffee on our laps trying to be first to the spot. Arriving first we parked the truck, got our gear out and laid it out on the ground. We figured we had at least an hour and a half before fly down so we sat in the truck, had some coffee while listening for gobbles with the windows slightly down. After 20-30 mins we started hearing birds gobbling on the roost and they were extremely close. Too close maybe. We quietly and as quickly as we thought was possible without spooking the birds, got geared up and walked towards the calls. We didn’t think we had time to set up any decoys so we left them next to the truck. We set up just uphill from where we guessed the roost was and sat down. The birds were fired up and the 4 males were gobbling their brains out. After what seemed like forever the darkness gave way to grey light and we heard a fly down. I started ranging a few trees, stumps and logs. Then more wing flaps and cackles. After a few minutes we could see birds on the ground. I was kneeling with my bow just in front of my cousin who was itching to call but hadn’t made a sound yet. A strutting tom started our way but wasn’t the double bearded bird I wanted. He went by on my left at 30 yards and it took some self control not to loose an arrow but somehow I managed. Then I saw him. Mr double B (what we named him) was walking towards us. I got ready to draw but he knew something was up. He started following the first bird to my left and at 36 yards my cousin clucked and stopped him. I drew back, settled my pins and the arrow flew towards him. I watched it miss just right and he gobbled at the sound of the arrow hitting a tree behind him. Mr double B walked a bit more left, strutting and stopped at my cousins cluck at 43 yards. I evidently didn’t learn from my mistake and missed him again to the right and hit another tree behind him. That was all he was willing to put up with and flew off down the hill never to be seen again. 2 more toms walked out and stood nearly in the same spot. I aimed a bit left of the bigger bearded bird and let the arrow go. Naturally I missed a bit left. He too gobbled at the sound of my missing arrow when it hit behind him. He moved a little away and I settle my pins, let it fly and saw/heard the impact of arrow hitting feathers. We watched him staggering away, dragging a wing and I took another shot (my last arrow in the quiver) but missed way over him and never found the arrow. I ran after him and finally caught up to him and gave him a neck twist/squeeze to end it. My cousin ran up and hugged me. We high fived, hooted, hollered and jumped around like 5 year olds. I checked the time-5:35 AM. Then ranged the truck- 93 yards. We both stood there in happiness and disbelief. I tagged the bird, we took pics/video and then walked back to pick up my arrows. I texted my wife and some friends then we headed back to camp with perma-smiles. We saw 7 more birds on our way back to camp, 2 of which probably would have been easier shots but that’s how it always seems to be once your tagged out. Once at camp I gutted the bird, put him on ice and we started celebrating. After a steak and egg brunch we drove up higher for cell service to make some phone calls and look around for more game. We had salads for dinner and passed out after watching the hunt video several times. The next morning we slept in a bit, made breakfast and called some birds into camp. It seemed the birds were everywhere and not pressured at all. The day went by quickly and before we knew it we were having pizza with pastrami chunks off the black stone for dinner along with some spirits. Sunday we woke up to gobbles in camp around 6 AM, got up and made breakfast. We packed up our camp, stopped just before reaching private land and videoed 3 toms strutting and screaming for 15-20 minutes or so. Afterwards we drove into Wilcox for lunch, fuel and headed home. Definitely one of my most memorable hunts and I can’t wait until someone I know draws so I can do it again. We saw 31 toms, 20 hens, zero Jake’s, 24 deer and one coati. 7/8”- left spur 1”- right spur 11 1/8” beard Happy safe hunting! -Sig

I don't post much but can't resist bragging on my son and daughter's first birds. My son shot his on the juniors hunt and I turned my first season tag over to my daughter. Having them be successful on a hunt was truly one of my greatest accomplishments. .410 with TSS loads at 15 yards does the trick.

Long overdue. Get em gone! https://www.azfamily.com/2026/04/25/heber-wild-horses-face-removal-forest-service-disputes-protected-status/

That’s good news. I still think it would be less expensive( and more fun) to classify them like feral pigs, as in shoot on sight. No difference.

Drew a coues tag and a speedgoat tag. NM has been treating me better than Az!

A NM gobbler... we went over and filled 7 of 8 tags.

Smoked turkey from last week. Turned out great!

Kaibab archery. The late coues hunts are like a 4th season general tag.

Hey Everyone, They put out the new 2026-2027 hunt regs https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/04081122/2026-27-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations.pdf

Just talked to someone that was on my hunt as well. Said he killed on his first stand first time turkey hunting. So I’ll be quitting turkey hunting now.

I’ll go anywhere within the state!

My son has a 2006 Dodge Ram that was having issues we thought were catastrophic. We looked for a few days trying to find a repair shop that would diagnose the problem without charging crazy fees. While considering our options I happened across a CWT post mentioning Hunter. With nothing to lose, we decided to give him a call. After about a 5 minute conversation with Hunter, I knew we were talking with the right person. He showed up as promised and quickly diagnosed our problems. New injectors, ac compressor and many other repairs and the old truck is running like new. I really can’t say enough how I appreciate everything Hunter did to get my son back on the road. If you are having trouble with your diesel give him a call. I don’t post very often but I felt I should give Hunter(Copperstate Diesel) a recommendation. Thank you Hunter!!!

Yellowtail ceviche, blackened yellowtail, sierra mackeral smoked

Always get the motor that is listed on the placard as the max HP.

Baikal Russia EAA Corp. generation 1 over/under 410 shotgun...26.5" barrels....balanced..... fixed chokes....2 boxes bird shot down the tube.... safe queen 15 years...Beauty for the price $360.00

$1600 FTF in Chandler near Ray and AZ Ave. No trades. Very Nice Model 42 .410, Full Choke 28" barrel. Wood is in great condition, 13 7/8" LOP. No cracks or gouges, does have some light compressions and subtle scratches. Metal is very good. No rust or pitting, some light wear on the edges, all the screws are clean. Action is smooth and everything locks up tight. Overall very good for a 1953 gun with some honest wear. Not my gun. Belongs to a friend that broke his hip in a bad fall. I'm just helping him sell it. PM please

I've always really liked this model but it's been sitting around here and I've never used it. It's a pretty nice Ruger 99/44. I thought I had more magazines but it looks like only one. It's a very nice looking gun and it has a good Burris scope too. Located south Tempe area. $1600

Up for sale is a Brand NEW, unfired Browning BPS (Browning Pump Shotgun) Hunter Shotgun in 20ga. (up to 3" shells) with the Invector Plus Choke System. This is exactly as it came from the factory 12 years ago and Includes three (3) choke tubes (Full, Improved Cyl, & Mod.) that allow the shooter to change the shot pattern using a simple tool that is included. Barrel is 26" with a ventilated rib.. Also included are ~250 20ga. shotshells, including field/target and turkey loads. This is a bottom load, bottom eject shotgun so is ideal for righties or lefties. S/N indicates a 2014 ship date. Browning SKU 12211605. Price is $750. Must show me your AZ DL, sign a BoS and NOT be a prohibited possessor. Meet at my bank in NE PHX/N. Scottsdale area to complete transaction. When my bank is satisfied with your cash, we complete the transaction and you are on your way. Happy to answer any questions. Eddie

Was an absolutely amazing year for birds - gobblers everywhere this year - I’m not quite sure of why so much success- if the really warm dry year set them off a little earlier or the mild winter wasn’t as hard on them I don’t know - but an abundance of turkeys this year - I’ve had about 2 dozen birds come into my shop this year - way more then in years past and a huge chunk of those were from the youth hunt . lots and lots of sightings and successes .

That medium size Harbour Freight hard case (I think it is the 4800 size?) works fantastic for the mini. I can put my mini, a few cords, battery pack, and inverter in there and it can get kicked around without worrying about damage to the contents. If you are worried about the quality of these Apache Harbour Freight cases, don't. I don't think you can beat them for the price and they regularly come on sale. I'd put their quality up against any of the premium cases (I've owned several). I've picked up a few of the Apache 4800 for under $40 when on sale.

IMG_8131.MOV IMG_8138.HEIC HuntHarder and I did a little reef raiding out of Cholla, this was his little guy, I can’t get his big one to upload. Probably 10 lbs heavier on day two..We have some fish tacos planned for awhile.