Leaderboard

We couldn't make it out on opening day due to school and sports. After practice on Friday we loaded up the jumping jack and headed out into the rain for the weekend. We got about 3/4 inch of rain on Friday so the drive in to camp was sloppy and a whole ball of fun for the tacoma. Saturday we covered a lot of country with no luck in the prime glassing time. The morning had no sun and the rain was coming and going. The temperature was warm and that kept the javelina in the flats. We changed strategy and went where we can glass a large flat area. We quickly found a herd feeding but no way to landmark the spot. I tried a new trick, I marked where I was on ONx maps and then I marked a mountain that was 5 miles away, the herd was somewhere along that line I marked on the app. We parked and started walking in, only took bout 30 minutes til we found their digs. The wind was wrong and the herd was 60 yards away, couldn't get a shot and they boogied out. That afternoon my son said he enjoyed tracking javelina in the mud and it was more exciting than glassing. I went to another spot in the flats and we followed fresh tracks for several hours but couldn't catch up to the herd. Sunday morning was clear and sunny and we had high hopes. I started glassing early before the sun rise to see what coues bucks were rutting in the area. It took less than 1 minute of glassing and a herd was spotted on the move. We made the mile stalk to where they were, took our time and picked out the largest looking male and Colby made a great shot. All in all we got 1.5 inches of rain during the hunt which was great to see.

That's absolutely doable. I've done it myself. You can transfer a tag anytime. BTW, that's my birthday too!

Man what a blessed week! To have the opportunity to go to desert. Have you guys seen the desert lately? So beautiful! Beautiful weather! And to have the ability to harvest a beautiful buck, man I'm...I have no words, I'm just so thankful! Then I go to one of the metro units and took a javalina with my bow! Wow! Happy Birthday to me I guess! Thank you Lord for the opportunity and the ability!

Don't forget to get him into a Hunter Safety Class.

I can confirm that as false as I was able to put my son in for the draw for deer when he was 9, turning 10 in mid July. As someone else mentioned, you cannot buy them a bonus point before they turn 10, but you can apply for a tag at 9 as long as they’ll be 10 before the hunt. Luckily you still have time to get him in for the elk draw.

Bergara B-14 HMR Wilderness Carbon 6.5 PRC LEUPOLD VX-6HD GEN 2 3-18X44 (30MM) CDS-SZL2 SIDE FOCUS ILLUM. TMOA W/ Leupold Rings and Base. Around 50-60 rounds through this gun, went through Bergara’s recommended break in process. Great rifle , just had some unexpected vet bills come up 3 full boxes of ammo. asking $3600 OBO

Sold for $250

Fun memories there...when I was a kid my dad was a collector and I've probably sorted several hundred pounds of various liberties, mercuries and other coins on the den floor.

What you do and don't appreciate is of ZERO concern to me. You did and do all you can to continue to draw attention to these cases. Your intent is quite clear. You are not a righteous truth warrior. I'm for 100% transparency here. I feel Mr. Debaca and Mr. Koury (to a lesser extent) got railroaded. I would love to see the wardens, commission, and courts held accountable for their abuse of power in these and many other cases. Unfortunately, I don't believe that will happen. If that is having an "axe to grind", I absolutely do have an axe to grind. I've made my position and feelings very clear. Maybe sack up and do the same?

I miss those hunts. I used to look forward to those than any of my own tags.

The biggest difference between guys like you, Trouble Sh00ter, members of the commission, and a lot of these guides is the fine line of hypocrisy. I'd bet a month’s pay that every one of us who have hunter more than a few season have unintentionally and unknowingly (as I believe was the case with both guides discussed here) committed as egregious of violations. Most of them would probably warrant a warning, small fine, or assigned education. But the commission, and you keyboard jurors, feeling max penalties and 5 year revocations are appropriate for these individuals is disgusting and abuse of power on the part of the commission.

5-yr revocation and GF will offer other members of the forum a plea deal to testify against you.

Yeah you got bad intel. The customer service people at AZGFD are not law enforcement or policy setters. They are cashiers. Most of them don’t have any idea what the rules are and word of mouth policy runs rampant without any fact checking. You can apply for hunts for which you will be 10 on the start date. For the OP, your son can apply twice a year for javelina. The next opportunity will be in May for youth only hunts that occur in the fall. The next opportunity to apply will be in October for hunts that occur in Jan-March. He can apply for any hunt, but the youth only hunts have a few advantages. If you are new to hunting there are many great organizations that help mentor young and new hunters. You might consider connecting with one of them at a camp. https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/hunter-education-events/

Thanks for the info. I'll look into it. Very possible I was given bad info from the department, wouldn't be the first time.

That's not true, if that's what was said. He can def apply if he turns 10 before the hunt. But he cant apply for a bonus point only until he turns 10.

There are actually two draws for Javelina. The one you're looking for is the spring draw in October for hunts in Jan and Feb of 2027. There is a fall draw for javelina but it is youth only so your son can apply for that and hunt this fall. You can apply your kid for both. The OTC options aren't great so I would just apply for the draws. It won't take long to draw.

Hadn’t seen much rut activity this Jan until a week ago. After a few days of rain I found 14 bucks all w does. Too many deer on the Mnt to even get in there and hunt one of them. Came back a week later and saw a buck stand up at 8Am w 3 does. Range was 1500 yards. Got the spotter out to check the details. 3x3=go time. Made a plan to get half way and try to relocate. From that spot I couldn’t see into the cut he was working down. I glassed one of his does and decided to close the distance to see if I would be able to see into that cut and maybe make a play. Got to the skyline of that cut with perfect wind and some cover I was able to see the buck behind an ocotillo. Range was 82 yards. I knocked an arrow and dialed the slider to 82. If he steps out I will get a chance. 1 well placed arrow and he ran for 2 seconds. Made a trip to the truck to drop all my gear and hiked back to process him and pack out. I could not be happier. I’ve been trying to do a solo spot and stalk Coues for 10 years now.

Shot on November 5, 2025 in rifle season on public land. First mule deer for me.