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We were ready to tough out the weather on Friday. We didn’t realize visibility would be near zero. Friday afternoon after the weather cleared a little we glassed 11 bucks and a handful of does. No shooters. Next day we hiked in a ways and after spotting small or young bucks we found 2 shooters. Classic scenario, waited til they bedded then made our 2 hour stalk and they weren’t there anymore. Started glassing the surrounding areas and spotted this buck just 248 yards away and buddy decided he was a shooter. The crazy part was that 30 seconds after he died a bunch of ravens showed up and landed in the tree above him.

This was a great and special hunt. My oldest (Gage) had been looking forward to this hunt since he found out he, and his brother had been drawn. My youngest son (Gavin) was looking forward to the opportunity to try and take his first big game animal. Day one started with 16 deer, as luck would have it there was a two point with the group. Gavin was up to bat, after getting Gavin set up, the deer ranged, and the rifle dialed, Gavin let loose. Swing and a miss! I later checked the rifle and found that the turret on the rifle was off a complete revolution. Dads fault. Little did we know it was the best thing that could of happened. Gavin was clearly upset, but Gage told him we would find a better buck, and it was only the first hour of opening day. The following day, our close friend Luke was able to come and help with glassing duty. After finding some deer, with only one small buck, Luke announced he had three bucks. The bucks were feeding and appeared to be heading to bed down. We were able to watch the bucks bed down, and make note of where they were. As we were making plans to get closer, two trucks drove past our glassing spot, waved and continued towards the bedded bucks. I was nervous, but Luke assured me they had not seen the deer. We watched as the group of seven people walked out towards where the bucks had gone into some thick stuff. Luke decided to walk out to a point, and side hill around to where we had last seen the deer. We made it to a vantage point and began to glass. A short time later one of the three bucks was seen, now on his feet watching the other group of hunters. After about 20 minutes the buck Bedded back down. Luke found a better vantage point where we figured the boys may be able to get a shot. As we moved into position, we found the other group of hunters were leaving. I was able to get the boys set up for a shot. Luke was able to locate two of the three bucks. Gavin was able to find the deer in the scope. Luke and I prepared Gage, and the plan was made to let Gavin shoot the buck he was on as soon as it stood up. We knew the better of the two other bucks had to be close, even though we could not see him. I told Gage to be ready, as we were sure the the buck would stand and show himself as soon as Gavin fired. Then the wait started. The boys stayed on their rifles for well over an hour, as Gavin’s buck stayed bedded right out in the open and the sun. We were sure the buck would stand anytime to move out of the sun. During our wait, Gavin was able to dry fire on the buck, and prepare himself for the shot. At about an hour and a half, Gavin’s buck finally stood up. Luke continued to watch as I was between the boys. I told Gavin, to breath and press the trigger. As the shot broke, Luke called HIT! At the shot, the third buck stood and showed his hiding spot. As the buck stood, Gage shot. The shot was right over the bucks back. Gage kept his composure, worked the bolt and made an awesome follow up shot! We packed up our things and started towards where the deer had last been seen running into some scrub oak. When we got to the area, Luke was able to find Gavin’s deer was down. As Gavin was headed towards his buck, he found Gages buck which was also down! After some hugs and pictures, Luke made his way back to the truck, while Gavin, Gage, and I started the field dressing and packing. Luke was going to drive around an pick us up. As we were picking out, I was able to share a story with the boys of an elk hunt I had with my dad when I was about 15, that required a pack out very similar to the one we were on. I shared with them how difficult it was, and how I would never forget it. Both boys told me they wouldn’t forget this one, nor would I. We got back to the truck around 8:30 pm. Tired cold and hungry! We wouldn’t have changed anything! The boys were thrilled with their bucks. Gavin’s buck was a great 3x4! Gages buck was his best yet. A 4x5 with eye guards. A special thanks to Luke, we couldn’t have done it without you!

My oldest son Auggie got his first deer this morning. Hiked in and got in place just in time. Glassed up a few deer then found this little guy. I said do you want to shoot a spike? He said "I'm freaking freezing, yes!". Got him set up and dialed in the scope and waited for a shot. 1 shot dropped him in his tracks, it was awesome to see through the 15s. Called Pickles to tell her the news and while he was on the phone with her a few deer right under our glassing spot busted out from under us. Of course the one taking it's time and offering some shot opportunity was a nice little 3x3! Go figure! Great morning with my boy though. Love you Auggie! You are one heck of a great kid and you make me proud! Now we gotta get grandma her first..

Ethics are usually a personal choice, example shooting animals over salt, shooting quail on the ground, ducks on water. Nothing illegal about any of those actions in AZ, but some people might have issue with it. What you witnessed above is flat out ILLEGAL at least 2 violations witnessed.

I passed this guy at 270 yards this morning. It was very tough to pass after a dry fire and everything. He was very buggery before and after his 30 minute bedding session. Hope I don't need to relocate him later in the hunt because I won't get a better opportunity!

Here is my 2019 Az strip mule deer. It only took me 19 years to draw the tag!! This was one of the best hunts I’ve ever had! Mostly because I was able to share it with my girlfriend who was there for the scouting trips and the Hunt. She was so excited to be there and watch me take a buck of a lifetime! I couldn’t have done it without her! After finding out I was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery a couple of months ago I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make the hunt. She was there every step for me!! This Buck is OUR buck!!

Same way they can check any and every semi truck on the road for compliance.

A waterless shower is how we survive when hunting up to two weeks in the field. Using Hunters field wash wipes

2 gallons per person

With this guy waiting in a smaller mountain range, unhunted by the other tag holder - Ram2.mp4

Dodd said the 5-year-old boy’s body was found about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) downstream of the crossing which had been closed hours before the truck tried to cross Friday despite barricades and warning signs. Drivers “really need to not ignore that. It’s very dangerous. It’s very hazardous,” Sheriff Dodd said in announcing the first death. “In this case, this horrible and tragic incident ... that’s what happens when you ignore these types of signs.” AZ Daily Sun, Flagstaff

chainsaw and shovel are your best friends if you dont have a winch or any help. Kid and I got stuck in unit 8 one muddy year turkey scouting. all we had was a shovel and chainsaw. dug a ramp cut a bunch of tree limbs and crawled right out

Make sure you do alot of shovel work on that before you try and yank it out.

marijuana coming across the border in az is still going to Colorado... why you ask, it's legal there... because mexican weed is 60 - 70% cheaper especially with no tax on it. The Cartels arnt going away anytime soon.

https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/arizona-man-arrested-multi-million-dollar-home-raided-in-hsi-money-laundering-drug-investigation

I know a friend is out there today trying to do the body recovery of the last little girl. So sad, i watched a video pulling the truck from the wash. They hooked a dozer up to the truck and pulled it out of what it looked like a very deep hole that seems would be very tough to know it was even there. Unreal for sure.

Prayers and sympathies for the family. To judge the situation or beat up on the families is a shame because it not like they are not living the outcome. It's only good to appropriately go over what happened so we can all learn or that remedies for the situation can be considered.

6A would be a great tag to have right now!

WTH? You can't come on here and ask for a taxi and NOT POST A PHOTO!!!

A Head of the Game, Mike Vicarro. +1 (623) 572-5067 I have known him for over 30 years and he has done three animals for me and multiple others for my friends. He will not let you down.

Nothing gets stuck ,like big 4x4 dodge diesels

dang Honda Ridgelines....

Hey everyone. I hope you all have had a great season so far. I just released episode 5 of my trail camera series. This one is about coues deer that live in the grasslands. The next one will be about desert dwelling coues. Thank you for all of the support so far and happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoy.

They close the roads so they can plow them and because people drive them with no experience, street tires ,no chains etc. Then ADOT has to stop what they are doing and clean up the mess.

Good job doing the right thing after a mistake, and putting it on cwt. It Sends the right message