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Back when I found out I got drawn for the 12BW late hunt, a buddy of mine, who was going to help me, got drawn for the same hunt. I didn't want to put either of us in a situation of having to decide who got to shoot first, so I reached out to a dear friend who used to guide in that area, before he let his license expire. One thing lead to another, and he was planning to go with me for the first half of my hunt. He was talking to guides who used to work for him and we developed a solid plan. My only goal was to find a mature buck that made me happy. My son, Jacob, was going to skip school and join me on this hunt, so he could experience some amazing mule deer hunting, after falling in love with Coues on his October youth hunt. This was also a reward, of sorts, for him for having straight As in his Basis School up here in Flagstaff, as well as for working his butt off to get his black belt. Jacob and my buddy hit it off great and developed a "grandpa-grandson bond" of sorts that actually put a tear in my eye more than once. My kids never knew my dad and our daughter had a similar relationship with another great guy in town. The following is a piece of an actual conversation Sunday morning: Wildlife Manager: “I’m guessing you’re one of those people who have higher expectations for yourself than you need to.” Me: “You’re not the first person to tell me that.” That was a big part of the story of my hunt. We had a great time as a trio. I got to forget about several things, including another looming government shut down, learn to hunt mule deer in the sage and deep canyons, see some rutting bucks in action, and watch a relationship build. I reconnected with myself and with what drives me. I found another piece of my own “why” again, after devoting most of the last year to get Jacob through his black belt journey. On the third morning of the hunt, we glassed up a herd of deer with two solid bucks. We put a plan in place and started the stalk. We got to within 150 yards and got set up. When the does and fawns finally stepped away, I slowly squeezed the trigger and hit my first AZ buck since 2005. “You hit him! He hunched!” was what I heard. At the hit, he ran around a tree and kept running for another 100 yards or so, so we thought. I had an ethical obligation to put him down quickly so he wouldn’t suffer. The second shot dropped him in his tracks at 178 yards. We gave him the proper time to expire, then we celebrated and took amazing trophy pictures. As we were field dressing and caping him, something hit me. There was no entrance/exit wound from the first shot. My buddy walked back to bring the truck closer and found the first buck I shot, behind the tree. My heart sank, but I knew what was necessary. Integrity matters more than anything else in my world. My dad hammered it into me and I’ve hammered it into my kids. I called AGFD and reported myself. The Wildlife Manager was extremely cool and we had a great talk. He understood what happened in my situation. We’ve all seen fatally wounded game run a long ways and act normal. They are tough animals, after all. I was beating myself up, not blaming him for throwing the book at me if that’s what he chose, considering I'm a Federal agent and a Hunter Ed instructor. That’s when we had the exchange above. He’s not wrong. In the end, I got to keep the first buck, he confiscated the second buck, and I was given a written warning because I self-reported my error. It was an honest mistake. Choosing the harder right over the easier wrong always prevails. Our morning Devotional before we left camp was about overcoming adversity through integrity. It was meant to be. I was sad to see the bigger-antlered buck confiscated, but the first buck (smaller antlers) was bigger bodied. We’ll have more meat in the freezer and still a great, mature buck. I can look at him on the wall with pride because he is, in fact, my first mule deer buck, he’s still a great buck, and I did it right. The meat from the second buck will go to families in need in the Fredonia area, and that makes me happy. I’m hoping to have the second buck back in March after attending the seized-assets auction. I have to have both to fully appreciate the whole story. Jacob filmed most of this hunt and will be figuring out how to put a meaningful video together with the footage he captured. He found a new passion and the video will be shared when it’s ready. He also worked hard to make this hunt a success and was involved in every aspect, including cooking, cleaning, filming, ranging, glassing, field dressing, caping, and packing out meat. Jacob glassed up and photographed this smaller 4x3. The 2nd (confiscated) buck...

The only way marijuana could kill someone is if a bail of it fell from an airplane and landed on them. You sound like you got your education of marijuana from the movie reefer madness.

Hunting in Mexico with a guide who has cartel ties might actually be the safest way to hunt down there.

45 lbs knocked out last night. Made a special trip up north for the cold temps to make some sausage, man was it a lot of work. Chorizo, regular hot, and hot Italian. Thanks to whoever on here mentioned AC Leggs seasoning because their chorizo is spot on. Every one have a great week

I’m saying it’s funny that your username is “my rights as an american” yet here you are telling me about how the government should regulate a plant. You see the irony, right?

After I get done waiting for 14 years for my 12b west tag, I’m gonna shoot 2 bucks also. Keep one and buy the other back for a nominal fee, not a bad deal

I did, and a P&Y scorer I know did. I was surprised I was really close to his score. Within 1 3/8" gross, and 1/8" net. His score was actually higher than mine. So I will take his word for it. In the field, I was thinking 185-190". 196 6/8" gross 190 3/8" net I will get him officially B&C scored in 56 more days....

Sausage fest! Oh wait, not quite the same thing. Ha ha!! Looks good!

CouesPursuit...Keep tabs on that dude, he's NICE! What you are saying is very true! Lots of guys get all these pics of rams on water and think they have it all figured out until the weather cools and we get some moisture. Then its a whole new ballgame. Find the feed and you will find some rams. Don't overlook the foothill areas at the base of mountains. The way older, played out rams are like an old man or an old dog. They can still do stuff, but they would rather not, in this case this means climb the hill. They would prefer to be on easy street.

Good luck, dude! Sheep in my unit were clinging tight to water and shade all the way prior to that last storm 10 days ago. It is going to be interesting to see how the rams disperse but at a minimum, it may allow them to get down out of the steep crags and into some archery conducive areas. We shall see. Ram2.mp4

last person I would trust for protection is a guide even in the USA let along the craphole below

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Flagstaff weather office just updated their forecast. It appears the storm's intensity is trending down and snowfall totals are decreasing.

Sold pending funds

No disrespect at all,but can you please elaborate.

you Should set up a go fund me to raise money to buy the buck. I’m not sure how much they go for. I would pitch in for the cause. Too bad you couldn’t keep the cape too.

were you using a 6.5 creedmoor?

We have been at it since the opener. I’d guess the rain scattered them. almost killed a great buck at first light in opening morning. But the fog was messing with my rf. Passed a few spikes. It’s been pretty windy the last few days. Not sure what the next round of weather is going to do to them. Our group shot a big 3x2 Saturday, by mistake only to watch a big4x4 walk off. But no sightings of him since. as for advice, there are areas in 20c that get little to no pressure. the best advice I’d give it to keep at it! And pack cosmic brownies.

If I get chance to go on a hunt like that, pass on that.

Don't worry about the spelling and thank you for the story.I was wondering why you had to leave him overnight.Congrats again on a really nice buck.

Exactly my point...every one was spouting off about how they trusted their guide to keep them safe... lmao

Broke fown and spent 250 on kids boots. Hes 14 hope his foot doesnt grow more

Smile says it all. Can't imagine how proud you are. Love the 7.62 and love it even more after my son and I did a hog hunt last month with Diamondback AR's. Over breakfast this morning he said he was looking at going to Tombstone Tactical to look at them. I was a little bummed because I was going to get him one for Christmas. LOL So maybe I'll buy one too and just buy him a bunch of ammo.

its been a while since I saw her with that big a smile, she sent me the pic below the other day of her in her flack jacket and kevlar with her m 16 thats looks at big as she is. . tuesday she finishes MCT training. she got her orders today . going to fla Wednesday for aircraft training .jet mechanic got changed from enlisted flight crew and thats what she wanted was jet mechanic org. she is super excited , I am hoping like heck she gets stationed in Yuma. its really cool to be able to talk to her again. during the 13 weeks of boot we just got letters.

🤔Somebody better buy it or you are forcing me to break my wifes rule 1 gun in means 1 gun out. 🤫 or was it 3 guns in 1 out? Crap I forget how the saying goes... 🤷‍♂️ Ps. Shut up Dustin!!! 🤐 😂🤣😂🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸