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Geez….never said there was anything wrong with filling the freezer, just made a suggestion that would, likely, over a couple of years, help increase the number of deer and the size of animal harvested-bigger antlers and more meat. I’ve been enjoying slim Jim’s, summer sausage and green chili breakfast sausage from the forky I shot last year, but the 30lbs or so of meat I got from him becomes real expensive when you consider all the costs that go into a hunt. Unless you live close to your hunting area and process your own meat, it’s much cheaper to just fill the freezer from Costco. Not as satisfying, but cheaper. I hunt because I enjoy the entire hunting experience- time at the range, waiting for the draw results hoping I hit the lottery, new gear, old gear, driving to my spot, solitude of a solo hunt, memories of previous hunts (especially with my Dad, who can’t get out much anymore, but still calls me ever day I’m out there 15 min after sundown to see how the day went), hiking, glassing and hopefully getting the chance to pull the trigger or squeeze my release and put something on the wall AND in the freezer. If the consequence of shooting a deer is sitting out the next season, I’d be sure it’s worth it, and let a smaller buck walk. I’d guess that a pretty good number of hunters would do the same thing. If a hunter puts in the time, effort and financial investment to put themselves in a position to legally harvest an animal, they are responsible to decide what they are willing to put their tag on. Just be sure you really want it.

Took the kids, wife and father-in-law out fishing Saturday. We decided to go to Whitehorse, a lake I haven't fished in over 10 years. I didn't know what to expect so I brought rigs for catfish, trout, crappie. Well the large mouth bass were sure hungry. We caught about 5 in the 11" range and I caught this nice 16"er that was almost 3 lbs. These were my first largemouth I've ever caught. On Sunday I took my son out shed hunting here around Flagstaff and we did turn up 1 muley shed. Overall a good weekend outdoors.

What exactly is wrong with killing a buck to meat in the freezer?

Did a 1 3/4 day a few weeks ago with my daughters. Slayed the bluefin 40-100 lbs. Limited out for both days the first night. Get out there guys, it is a great year!

Far more grandmas, grandpas, moms and dads applying for tags that dont hunt just to transfer a tag than antis hurting draw odds.

Pics of fiance and ex please....

i would get a new fiance'

If you could get it into the resell shops up there on the rim or WM’s, that will sell, maybe on consignment! I was shocked at the # of old mounts with sold tags on them and the prices that all them had on them when my wife drug me through all the shops in Heber last year out of boredom. Crazy Rich west coasters decorating their “mountain cabins”. GLWS, nice looking mount.

The Aspen Lodge in Alpine AZ has been purchased by a California couple about 2 years ago. They have become the epicenter of support for leaving the feral horses that have invaded the Apache forest alone. We, as hunters recognize the destruction that the horses have caused all across the state, but this business has refused to acknowledge the damage the horses have created and have welcomed the Salt River Wild Horse Management group to their facility. They are actively supporting leaving the horses alone and letting them continue to breed and multiply. There are other businesses where we as sportsmen can spend our dollars. It is my hope that word of their ignorant support of feral horses becomes a business detriment to them. If you are planning summer trips, a lodge to spend your evenings in during hunts.......Locate another business. This has been verified and documented by a number of people so I am not stretching the truth in any way. Please spread the word! AZSGWC - AZSFWC Humane Removal of Unauthorized Livestock on Apache National Forest Booklet (EMAIL).pdf

my ex-wife shot this ram (legally) about 19 years ago. I paid for this mount and own it :) It has no sentimental value to me and my fiancé does not want it in our new home. It was mounted by a very reputable taxidermist here in the White Mountains. This would make a great addition to someone’s cabin or put your own horns on this mount. It is plugged by AZGFD. Mexicana Ram shot in southern AZ. Asking $2,500 for this mount. DM me for more info. In Show Low but could meet in Payson or Globe if it’s closer for you. Open to fair trades

I recently was able to take my best archery mule deer to date and quite possibly the best buck that I'll ever take. The target buck was a 4x5 with an inline on his left main beam. My brother in law and nephew were scouting for elk when they found this deer. They placed some cameras at a nearby water source and to their surprise he showed up. Not once, not twice but three consecutive days the week of opening archery deer. He hit water in the middle of the night before opening morning and didn't show up til 3 days later on Sunday evening. I got in the blind around 4:30pm Sunday evening. It was windy and sprinkling rain and I remember thinking to myself that there wasn't a chance the deer would show up in these conditions. Around 6pm the wind died down and it got real calm. A large group of doves flew in and fed/watered at the tank. Out of the corner of my eye I caught some movement. I immediately knew they were deer and upon pulling up my binos confirmed that they were deer and that they were bucks. Then buck fever set in like I've never had it before. The lead buck was a two point followed by a decent 4x4 which I confirmed didn't have the extra on the left. Then I saw him, the very last buck in the bunch. The bucks filed in to the tank and I ranged the buck at 65 yards quartered to me as he began to drink. I drew my bow and sent one his way. The deer scattered and I quickly nocked another arrow. The buck ran to 90 and stopped. All I could see was his head. He didn't seem like he was hit, had I missed him completely? Should I send one at 90? Had I blown my chance at the buck? After what seemed like forever the bucks started back into water. I couldn't believe it but the 4x5 with them. He came back to the same spot, this time he was facing me head on. I ranged him again at 65 and when he bent down to drink I drew my bow and sent a second arrow. It hit its mark and the buck blew out and ran and I watched him crash after 80 or so yards. A special thanks to Blake, Tyler, and Matt for the chance at this deer and for letting me sit their blind. This buck belongs to us all, an experience that I won't soon forget...

Sold

Can I like both? Or does that not make a cool enough statement?

Yup, The main reason I hunt. Could care less about antlers.

Yep, I thought hunting was for meat in the freezer. I guess I must be a hillbilly.

They apply for hunts every year.

My wife killed her turkey a few years ago also in 35a. We did a flying mount for hers and her head is freeze dried. Jim Leevy did her bird. I do not believe he is doing it anymore. I was not gonna do mine as we had hers and changed my mind the day i got mine. I am doing a full strut mount by cranes taxi here in Tucson. Here is a couple pics of wifes. Also don't think you can go wrong with Cut N Strut

don't give the anti's the idea.

What happens when the anti's call and report "harvests" for deer and the quotas fill? No rut hunting in the desert units. Does that happen with bear and lion at all? Just something that crossed my mind.

Got my complete Katy Perry Custom Cow kit ready to go.... Whatever it takes...

SMH....how are you supposed to get accurate data if you only require archery hunters to mandatory report and dont require it for firearm hunts. This does not make any sense to me.

Two birthdays this past week, one was mine. We had a great time combined with Mother’s Day. I smoked a NY strip roast and tenderloin. My sister and mom made side dishes……. Artichoke spinach dip, poppers, tater salad, and fresh salsa. My aunt brought a salad, my new best gal friend brought cheese dip, pies and a rum cake! Needless to say it was a fantastic time and the happiest I’ve been in a while! I hope you all had a great Mother’s Day weekend!!!!

My folks claim my first camp out was at Diamondrock when I was 4 months old and that would have been August of 60! My dad built a summer home in Alpine late 70's! Any time I have a spare minute I spend it somewhere in unit1/27 During the COVID lockdowns Alpine was mysteriously like gestapo mask, the cabin had visitors so I was desperate for a room. We stopped at the Aspen Lodge to try and get a room for the night! Got treated like dirtbag because I didn't have a mask on and they wanted bank for the room one night........we just said forget it and drove back to Snowflake. The development where my dad's place is has had many changes in ownership with properties and we have felt the long hand of Kalifornication within that development! It's like Joe said.....just stay in Kalifornication if you are just gonna bring it here to Az.........but I fear we are too late!!!!

Thank you for starting this tread. As the wildlife manager/ Field Supervisor in Unit 3C for 26 yrs. I saw the end of the horse capturing that the Heber Ranger (Black Mesa) Dist was doing, and the results. It saddens, and angers me to see what these horses have done to the habitat in not only that unit, but also Unit 1. Specifically, the Kettel Holes area. that area has been decimated and all those meadows have been converted from grass land community to noxious weeds. Any business in the white mountains that supports the horses should defiantly be boycotted, especially by hunters, or anyone interested in sound forest management. There is no place on public land for even one feral horse. Besides the habitat issues, thats a lot of high-quality protein on the hoof, that could feed a lot of people!

I am happy to get my buck today. I love hunting these desert mule deer.