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I picked up my cousin from the airport on Tuesday April 28 around 6 PM. We drove back to my house, loaded up his gear, had some dinner, a few spirits and then went to bed. We woke up Wednesday around 2 AM, loaded up the bow, arrows, shotgun, ammo, glass, expensive gear and were on the road by 3 AM. We stopped for fuel and breakfast in Wilcox around 6:30 AM and made it to our camping spot in the Chiracahua mountains by 9 AM. After setting up camp, we took a drive in the SxS to do a little scouting and immediately broke the frame where the steering linkage attached on the passenger side. We limped it back to camp and attempted to repair the break, but found more damage and were unable to fix it enough to confidently use it. We jumped in the truck and headed to another area, seeing several birds along the way. We took video/pictures and marked the spots on our Flatline Maps and OnX. After a great taco dinner and a few drinks we hit the cots. We woke up early Thursday morning, made coffee and while warming the truck up had birds walk-through camp. Driving up the road around 6 AM, we had two toms gobbling and walking down the road at us. We videoed, took pics and laughed at our good fortune. Actually we were pretty giddy. The weather was slowly coming in and rain was forecasted to show up later in the evening. Knowing this, we drove to several different areas and put on around 30 miles to the trucks odometer. We found a bunch of birds including a nice double bearded tom that we wanted to go after for the opener. Just before dark we went to the double bearded tom area, found him and attempted to roost him, but the rain made visibility poor and we backed out, guessing where he would sleep for the night. Nothing is better, IMHO, than soup when it’s cold and raining so we had some ramen with leftover taco meat for dinner. After watching some video from the day we went to sleep. The 3AM alarm clock came early and soon we were speeding up the mountain, driving excitedly and splashing our coffee on our laps trying to be first to the spot. Arriving first we parked the truck, got our gear out and laid it out on the ground. We figured we had at least an hour and a half before fly down so we sat in the truck, had some coffee while listening for gobbles with the windows slightly down. After 20-30 mins we started hearing birds gobbling on the roost and they were extremely close. Too close maybe. We quietly and as quickly as we thought was possible without spooking the birds, got geared up and walked towards the calls. We didn’t think we had time to set up any decoys so we left them next to the truck. We set up just uphill from where we guessed the roost was and sat down. The birds were fired up and the 4 males were gobbling their brains out. After what seemed like forever the darkness gave way to grey light and we heard a fly down. I started ranging a few trees, stumps and logs. Then more wing flaps and cackles. After a few minutes we could see birds on the ground. I was kneeling with my bow just in front of my cousin who was itching to call but hadn’t made a sound yet. A strutting tom started our way but wasn’t the double bearded bird I wanted. He went by on my left at 30 yards and it took some self control not to loose an arrow but somehow I managed. Then I saw him. Mr double B (what we named him) was walking towards us. I got ready to draw but he knew something was up. He started following the first bird to my left and at 36 yards my cousin clucked and stopped him. I drew back, settled my pins and the arrow flew towards him. I watched it miss just right and he gobbled at the sound of the arrow hitting a tree behind him. Mr double B walked a bit more left, strutting and stopped at my cousins cluck at 43 yards. I evidently didn’t learn from my mistake and missed him again to the right and hit another tree behind him. That was all he was willing to put up with and flew off down the hill never to be seen again. 2 more toms walked out and stood nearly in the same spot. I aimed a bit left of the bigger bearded bird and let the arrow go. Naturally I missed a bit left. He too gobbled at the sound of my missing arrow when it hit behind him. He moved a little away and I settle my pins, let it fly and saw/heard the impact of arrow hitting feathers. We watched him staggering away, dragging a wing and I took another shot (my last arrow in the quiver) but missed way over him and never found the arrow. I ran after him and finally caught up to him and gave him a neck twist/squeeze to end it. My cousin ran up and hugged me. We high fived, hooted, hollered and jumped around like 5 year olds. I checked the time-5:35 AM. Then ranged the truck- 93 yards. We both stood there in happiness and disbelief. I tagged the bird, we took pics/video and then walked back to pick up my arrows. I texted my wife and some friends then we headed back to camp with perma-smiles. We saw 7 more birds on our way back to camp, 2 of which probably would have been easier shots but that’s how it always seems to be once your tagged out. Once at camp I gutted the bird, put him on ice and we started celebrating. After a steak and egg brunch we drove up higher for cell service to make some phone calls and look around for more game. We had salads for dinner and passed out after watching the hunt video several times. The next morning we slept in a bit, made breakfast and called some birds into camp. It seemed the birds were everywhere and not pressured at all. The day went by quickly and before we knew it we were having pizza with pastrami chunks off the black stone for dinner along with some spirits. Sunday we woke up to gobbles in camp around 6 AM, got up and made breakfast. We packed up our camp, stopped just before reaching private land and videoed 3 toms strutting and screaming for 15-20 minutes or so. Afterwards we drove into Wilcox for lunch, fuel and headed home. Definitely one of my most memorable hunts and I can’t wait until someone I know draws so I can do it again. We saw 31 toms, 20 hens, zero Jake’s, 24 deer and one coati. 7/8”- left spur 1”- right spur 11 1/8” beard Happy safe hunting! -Sig

I don't post much but can't resist bragging on my son and daughter's first birds. My son shot his on the juniors hunt and I turned my first season tag over to my daughter. Having them be successful on a hunt was truly one of my greatest accomplishments. .410 with TSS loads at 15 yards does the trick.

A NM gobbler... we went over and filled 7 of 8 tags.

Hey Everyone, They put out the new 2026-2027 hunt regs https://azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/04081122/2026-27-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations.pdf

Just talked to someone that was on my hunt as well. Said he killed on his first stand first time turkey hunting. So I’ll be quitting turkey hunting now.

Was an absolutely amazing year for birds - gobblers everywhere this year - I’m not quite sure of why so much success- if the really warm dry year set them off a little earlier or the mild winter wasn’t as hard on them I don’t know - but an abundance of turkeys this year - I’ve had about 2 dozen birds come into my shop this year - way more then in years past and a huge chunk of those were from the youth hunt . lots and lots of sightings and successes .

Last year was the worst coues year I've ever experienced, meaning buck to doe ratio I observed. Pretty much evey buddy said the same.

Ruger Super Wrangler 22 LR/22 Mag: I won this at a Predator management event a couple of years ago. Comes with everything pictured. The pistol has only had about 20 rounds of 22lr through it. It's got custom buffalo nickle grips. There's two handmade knives and leather sheaths/cases for everything. $400 Ruger Carbon Fiber 10/22: I have about 150 rounds through this one. It's pretty much new. It's got 30mm leupold rings and a Vortex Viper 2.5-10x44 with a throw lever. It's really fun to shoot and extremely light weight. Does not come with suppressor. $450 bare rifle. $750 for rifle with scope and rings. Im located in Pima Arizona, but I am willing to meet within reason. I am headed to the valley this weekend and show low/snowflake next weekend. Can bring them along.

They were out May 8th last year and draw opened May 13th. So maybe end of this week.

Buy with confidence guys. Bought a few from him, and all were shipped.

I have a few very nice varmint rifles I’m looking to sell, all have very low round counts and were never shot in strings (back to back). Pictures aren’t loading if you’re interested send me a text. (480)848-8six9seven, Jonathan. Kimber Pro Varmint 204 Ruger $1500 OBO: stainless barrel with black fluting, Leupold VX3I 3.5-10x50 with rings and bases. Remington 700 VS 220 Swift $1300 OBO: HS Precision stock, reworked trigger very nice, threaded 5/8x24, Viper HST 4-16x50 with Talley lightweight rings. CZ 527 Varmint Kevlar 204 Ruger $1650 OBO: Kevlar reinforced stock, 5 round detachable magazine, adjustable single set trigger, threaded 5/8x24, Leupold VX3I 4.5-14x50 with Leupold rings and bases.

Excellent condition No rips in canvas clean inside has been seasoned and sprayed with water repellent comes in black carry bag asking $600 located in north Tucson

Don’t ask me , I read your post twice before I realized your talking bonus points not antler points

Injectors have not been done. I have been very diligent with diesel Kleen every 3rd tank. And seafoam every oil/fuel filter change since 42,000 miles when I bought it in 2010.

I was overthinking everything. I was trying to do it legit this year. I could have smashed a turkey with like a 3” beard from the passenger seat of the sedan I was driving….But I missed

This late in the season, challenge those Toms with a gobble if you can do a good one. Cut them off mid gobble like you would a bull elk.

I was in unit 1 the last 3 days and it didn’t seem that hot. I could have shot a couple out the window or stalked them but I really want to call one in. I made some nice setups did what everyone has been telling me to do, but they didn’t come in. yesterday I set up in front of one, he was gobbling on the ground. I setup, call once he immediately cuts me off close. I don’t call again, I see him out on the tree line, he just keeps walking. That’s was brutal tbh.

No bird died, but I had a freaking awesome weekend with a first-time turkey hunter buddy of mine. Good vocal gobbling action and plenty of birds. Didn't close the deal, mainly because I'm mostly a wanna be turkey calling hack but it was a blast.

Can’t go wrong with a tikka

I would like this. Where are you located?

2025-Spring-Regulations_240930(1).pdf

Thought I'd share this year's bird, as I enjoy reading others posts on here and figured I should contribute. Had to endure some brutal wind on this hunt but was able to find this guy early on his roost. Got set up where I thought he'd go and of course his fly down path was not what I had planned for when I got set up in my spot. Despite that I was able to keep him interested after he flew down with the softest purrs and light yelps I could make on a slate call. He tried his best to convince me that I should go to him, but after about 30 minutes of that game (and thankfully no real hens around), he finally made his way to me. He hung up at about 70 yards, but I changed it up with some yelps from one of Little Creeks mouth calls. That flipped his switch and he came into range. One shot and he was done. Prior to the shot, this bird had some of the most radiant red and blue color in his head that I've ever seen on a turkey. I suspect he had been perched on that tree all night by himself with only one thing on his mind. A big thanks goes to Little Creek as he makes some very good calls and is a member here. Good luck to all those with tags left to fill.

Just to let you know sportsman’s warehouse has them for 535.

TTT, FYI, I have never missed seeing an anterless buck on the 3 days they were used. Guaranteed to find em or your money back.

My son killed a bear in 22 couple weeks ago. About killed us packing it out.