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again if you want to save yourself $2-3k to get out of cell service, simply leave your phone in the truck or at home.

$175 All Flambeau decoys Excellent shape (as new) Made in USA 6 full body geese (not 8 - sold 2) 6 magnum goose shells 2 Mallard feeders 2 Mallard resting 13 Mallard water keel All duck decoys are ready to go (cord and lead weights) and in excellent shape. Extra cord and large Avery decoy bag included Safford~ (480) 274-330seven Would prefer to sell all decoys together. $175

I went out Sunday morning just north of metro phx . covered up in birds!! 😢only got 4 though

Really. We seen a ton especially with the talk grass

Contrary to these coues deer hunting charlatans, mature desert mule deer are much smarter and harder to find. Especially in the central AZ units

It's my understanding that the WM has to verify that the kill was not illegal. The vehicle thing is pretty straight forward and may account for the ease of getting the salvage permit.

I’ll start off by saying I don’t know if this is the proper “category” for my post, but I feel that it is as good as any. This is more of my journey as an archer than anything else. I am beyond blessed that I was born into a family that owns a large piece of land in Texas, in good deer country. I grew up hunting the place with my father, grandfather and cousins and have had many “firsts” there in the world of hunting. I started bow hunting when I was 12, exclusively here in Arizona and exclusively for deer. It was more of a way to spend more time afield with my father, I was never a very good archer as a child/young adult and the limited opportunities I had always failed to pan out due to lack of practice and nerves. I stopped bow hunting around the age of 15 and didn’t pick a bow up again for almost 10 years. When I did, all my childhood experiences and failures quickly caught up to me and I gave up within the year. Fast forward to mid 2020. Amidst a major career change and the pandemic, I knew that I needed a “new” hobby to occupy my time. My parents recognized this and my father who is an accomplished bow hunter generously offered birthday money in the amount to afford a modern economy type bow to get me back into archery. I ended up with a bare PSE BowMadness unleashed. I researched endlessly, watched videos, talked to pro shop employees, and came up with a solid setup. I practiced for a couple months and shot literally thousands of arrows and began to feel confident as an archer for the first time in my life. In early October 2020, I made the drive down to the ranch in Texas. Their archery season opens the first Saturday in October and I thought it would be a great opportunity in a target rich environment. I figured it would be easier to kill a deer there than in the desert, and even thought I may kill multiple deer during my week long hunt. I got a reality check. I missed 2 great bucks, and 3 does. Branches, string jumps, and nerves were to blame. I made an incredibly poor shot on a feral hog that was somehow lethal, and the glory of my first archery success was shadowed by failure just like all the years before. This time I didn’t give up. I took what I learned and started from scratch to build a “correct” arrow, properly tune my bow, and practiced consistently. I hunted all of the OTC season without a single shot opportunity. In March of this year, I drew an archery cow elk tag. I continued to practice and revised my setup as necessary in preparation for my upcoming elk hunt. In April of this year, my father and I traveled to the ranch in Texas to hunt turkeys and pigs and do some ranch work for the 2021 deer season. On that trip, I killed another feral hog with my bow - but this shot was far, difficult, and the arrow flew exactly as I had intended it to. I watched the hog expire a mere 32 yards from the point of impact. That was my first moment of pride as an archer. In September, I found myself in the elk woods on opening morning of my hunt. I had some good intel on the area and the elk showed up right on schedule. At 7:30 a large cow made her way in front of me at 35 yards and as I drew, she spooked. Simultaneously, I heard elk behind me. Knowing that the cow in front of me was gone, I turned 180 degrees to find 15 or so elk. I was already drawn, so I picked the biggest cow, estimated the range and let the arrow fly. I watched it sail 3” over her back. Discouraged yet again. I returned to the same location on day 2 of my hunt, and at 7:01am I watched as a bull pushed 2 cows directly to me. The bigger cow stopped at 22 yards and my arrow found its mark. After a 315 yard tracking job I had my first “game animal” with a bow. I still wanted that “first buck” with a bow. October 1st, I set out for the ranch in Texas. Opening morning found me in a new setup I had constructed solely for archery hunting. To say that things didn’t work out is an understatement. No shots fired, but plenty of frustration. The whole first day was spent working out the kinks. The second morning was foggy, and 30 minutes after sunrise I was looking at the largest buck I have personally seen on the ranch to date - a mere 120 yards away. He never came closer. The evening of day 2 and all of Day 3 were days of more frustration. No opportunities, poor weather etc. The morning of October 5th found me in the same blind where I had the encounter with the big buck on day 2. Before it was light enough to see, I could make out a deer about 70 yards in front of the blind. As the sun came up I realized that this deer was a good mature buck. I told myself if he came into range and offered me a shot I would take him. 10 minutes later he was 23 yards in front of me, oblivious to my presence. I drew, anchored, and let the arrow fly. The buck ducked at the sound of my bow, but not before my arrow reached him. Much to my surprise, the buck immediately hit the ground. I’ve watched enough hunting shows and videos to know that when deer drop from a bow shot, they have been hit in the spine and that is almost always a non lethal hit. I quickly got out of the blind, approached the buck and put another arrow in him. He expired quickly, and I watched it all from 10 feet away. The moments that followed were special in a way I will never be able to accurately describe. The light fog, the cool morning air, the sun rising behind me as I laid hands on my first buck with a bow. 16 years after I first tried my hand at being a bow hunter. All the failures, ducked arrows, twigs, straight up misses, all brought me to those moments and I wouldn’t trade that journey for anything. The buck is a mature 10 point that scores right at 120”. By no means a giant, almost enough to get into the Pope and young book. He will soon reside on the wall next to my first ever deer, which was taken less than 1/4 mile from him on the same property nearly 20 years earlier. If you’ve made it this far thanks for sticking with the long read. I hope that this post inspires those struggling to be successful as a hunter, and reminds others of the struggles it took to get where they are today. Good luck out there!

I would think based on the rainfall and vegetation that survivability of fawns this year would be optimal, plenty of water, feed,, and shelter, of course the same for predators.

is in my daughter's friend backyard, the mom has a camera there just in case.

Is it a bad sign they have financing available on ammo? 🤔

Reading is hard

Great lead in and story. Glad to hear you got back into archery, it is so addictive, yet frustrating as well. Beautiful buck, and congrats on the elk. Elk with a bow has been my passion for years.....

It's a losing battle buddy. That guy has been told the same thing multiple times, he wants so badly for somebody to agree with him!

Support your local houndsman!!!

Lots of sound suggestions. I am trying something new this year and went to a fixed Primary Arms x5 prism scope. See how that goes. Once you get out there and do it yourself, you'll find what you like and may change your mind even from what you started with. I used to think high power magnification when I started but soon found I didn't like it at all. Even in open country I still find them coming in close most of the time. Coyotes have a severe case of ADHD and paranoia, thus they don't stay put for long. So I like quick handling rifles. Good Luck!

if Mike is cooking Count me IN. His work at the fire looks amazing!

Antlers look like manzanita limbs. Beauty.

Get used to it. This is normal now. We live in a free country and everyone will tell you about their rights and forget about their responsibilities. I can just imagine confronting someone out there and letting them know that off road travel is wrong or at least irresponsible. That will not go well for me. Just look at how bad things have gotten in the last ten years. I see roads that branch off of main roads to a nice and convenient glassing spot because it’s easier to drive the 600’ than to walk over there. That’s normal now, just like being able to drive when and where you want. Calling the law on them won’t get any reaction unless they happen to be minutes away. The report that’s given if they cannot respond will be a cheap report that’s not worth the paper it’s written on because of the stack of complaints in the file these reports go.

I know this thread is a year old, but I am curious to know how this trip went and if you would be willing to give a bit of a follow up report. I’ve never taken the plunge on a true backpack hunting trip, but I’m very interested in doing so. I’ve hunted for 25+ years, but never been too far to return to camp.

This all started with my best friend and business partner Waldo wanting to take a black bear for most of his life! After my daughter Tessa had taken a giant bear a few years ago as well as myself taking a several bears in the past.... we purchased a bear hunt at a mule deer banquet put on by Terry Herndon. The hunt was offered by Travis the owner of OCHD. We made arrangements and determined we would meet in Klondyke on Thursday the day before the hunt was opening. Just a few of the honorable mentions or perks of this hunt where: 1) Travis had a big nice fifth wheel trailer for us to stay in! 2) several of Travis's close friends came just to insure our successful outcome. 3) After a GREAT dinner and a few cocktails on Thursday night we made plans on what we were going to do for opening morning! Early open morning Friday, as per our previous night of solid planning we found ourselves glassing from a great vantage point! We immediately glassed up a really nice bear. Waldo decided that the bear was worthy of his tag. After a short hike he was able to shoot and harvest his FIRST ever Arizona black bear! Waldo decided to have a life size mount recreated... in my opinion there is nobody I trust more for this special trophy than Wes with Western Taxidermy. Wes has been my go to taxidermy for many, many mounts and each and everyone of them have all turned out great! The bottom line is we would highly recommend Travis for over the top knowledge of this business as well as the excellent accommodations provided. Thanks again!

I’ve confronted people on occasion, all made excuses” they didn’t know”. In reality, they didn’t care. Not sure if any of it sank in. People suck

Go on Alaska Outdoor Forum,

Hunting is hunting. If it’s a good buck and you’d be happy with it, shoot it.

Absolutely would love to use some "pay it forward" gear. I'll shoot ya a PM. Honestly, thank you! Cwt members are top notch!

I have some misc 270 reloading items you can have if you can put them to use. I have had them in my ammo bag in the garage for about 20 years and I don't reload. A neighbor gave them to me so I'll pay it forward. If your interested, let me know.