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Capt. Don Martin

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Posts posted by Capt. Don Martin


  1. Well we assisted three hunters=one  juniors-two adults and got three cows!

    I'm just gonna say that we didn't hunt in the areas others here are saying you'll find elk.

    We glassed up every elk herd we found, and some were over two miles away! Never did any "blind hikes!"

    Tough hunt for those that don't do a lot of hunting up there. I've been hunting on the Boquillas since 1972 so got a "feel" for the elk there.

    I agree there are too many tags in this unit.. I have no issues with the kid's hunts, but for the AZGFD it is a money maker!

    The quality of the bulls have gone way down over the last 10 years too, but we saw a number of 6x6's in the herds we hunted.

    If anyone knows someone with a late rifle bull or muzzleloader hunt tell them to call me.

    We offer 2x1 hunts for $2200 ($1100 each) and have almost 100% success.

    I don't really care for the late antlerless hunts, cows are pregnant, and it is a lot tougher to find the herds.

    Here is what we got in October.

    We do juniors hunts for less..

     

    Don Martin

    Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

    928-303-9481

    info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

     

     

    Johnny. Joe and Jimmy Hererro Unit 10 Oct. 2019.jpeg

    Bill Schleeter Unit 10 antlerless Oct. 2019.jpeg

    Robert & Carl Coles Unit 10 juniors )ct. 2019.jpeg

    • Like 2

  2. For those that have a Unit 10 muzzleloader or late bull tag, I'm offering some professional help at a very reasonable price. Just spent almost three weeks up there and saw a number of bulls with the herds we worked including a couple that weren't broken up in the 340 class.

    I've got a 30 foot 5th wheel I can bring up and supply complete camp if you need that service. Or can do just guide only..

    Don Martin
    Arizona Wildlife Outfitters
    928-303-9481
    info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Johnny. Joe and Jimmy Hererro Unit 10 Oct. 2019.jpeg

    Bill Schleeter Unit 10 antlerless Oct. 2019.jpeg

    Robert & Carl Coles Unit 10 juniors )ct. 2019.jpeg

    • Like 1

  3. For those who are seeking the permanent bonus point given by the Arizona Game & Fish Department for completion of the one day Supplemental class, the first class for 2020 is now open for enrollment.

    When: January 4, 2020

    Where: 7 Mile Hill Range, Golden Valley Arizona (Kingman)

    Times: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time)

    Max number of attendees: 35--first come first serve, and must register with AZGFD, waiting list of no more than 10 persons will be made in case of cancellations!

    Cost: $8 paid at the door

    Who can attend: Anyone ages 14 and older who have taken and passed a hunter education class in another state since 1985 and has proof of graduation can attend this class. Proof must be sent to Chief Instructor Don Martin in the form of a text to 928-303-9481 or by email at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Young persons ages 9-13 who have graduated from a hunter education class can only attend with the Chief Instructors approval.

    Notes: This is an extremely fast paced class and young persons may have difficulty is passing the final test!

    A local motel will be offering a small discount for attendees, call Chief Instructor Don Martin at 928-303-9481 for information, but obviously attendees can register at any motel of your choice in the Kingman area.

    Right now there are still 23 seats open! Remember first come-first serve and only those registered on the AZGFD website will be accepted into the class.

    No firearms permitted in this class@ It is a "cold facility!"

    If you register and then find out you cannot attend, please go back online and remove yourself from the roster so that other persons can attend.

    For more information contact Don Martin at 928-303-9481 or at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Don Martin
    Volunteer Chief Instructor
    Region 3
    Kingman, AZ


  4. For those who are seeking the permanent bonus point given by the Arizona Game & Fish Department for completion of the one day Supplemental class, the first class for 2020 is now open for enrollment.

    When: January 4, 2020

    Where: 7 Mile Hill Range, Golden Valley Arizona (Kingman)

    Times: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time)

    Max number of attendees: 35--first come first serve, and must register with AZGFD, waiting list of no more than 10 persons will be made in case of cancellations!

    Cost: $8 paid at the door

    Who can attend: Anyone ages 14 and older who have taken and passed a hunter education class in another state since 1985 and has proof of graduation can attend this class. Proof must be sent to Chief Instructor Don Martin in the form of a text to 928-303-9481 or by email at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Young persons ages 9-13 who have graduated from a hunter education class can only attend with the Chief Instructors approval.

    Notes: This is an extremely fast paced class and young persons may have difficulty is passing the final test!

    A local motel will be offering a small discount for attendees, call Chief Instructor Don Martin at 928-303-9481 for information, but obviously attendees can register at any motel of your choice in the Kingman area.

    Right now there are still 23 seats open! Remember first come-first serve and only those registered on the AZGFD website will be accepted into the class.

    No firearms permitted in this class@ It is a "cold facility!"

    If you register and then find out you cannot attend, please go back online and remove yourself from the roster so that other persons can attend.

    For more information contact Don Martin at 928-303-9481 or at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Don Martin
    Volunteer Chief Instructor
    Region 3
    Kingman, AZ


  5. For those who are seeking the permanent bonus point given by the Arizona Game & Fish Department for completion of the one day Supplemental class, the first class for 2020 is now open for enrollment.

    When: January 4, 2020

    Where: 7 Mile Hill Range, Golden Valley Arizona (Kingman)

    Times: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time)

    Max number of attendees: 35--first come first serve, and must register with AZGFD, waiting list of no more than 10 persons will be made in case of cancellations!

    Cost: $8 paid at the door

    Who can attend: Anyone ages 14 and older who have taken and passed a hunter education class in another state since 1985 and has proof of graduation can attend this class. Proof must be sent to Chief Instructor Don Martin in the form of a text to 928-303-9481 or by email at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Young persons ages 9-13 who have graduated from a hunter education class can only attend with the Chief Instructors approval.

    Notes: This is an extremely fast paced class and young persons may have difficulty is passing the final test!

    A local motel will be offering a small discount for attendees, call Chief Instructor Don Martin at 928-303-9481 for information, but obviously attendees can register at any motel of your choice in the Kingman area.

    Right now there are still 23 seats open! Remember first come-first serve and only those registered on the AZGFD website will be accepted into the class.

    No firearms permitted in this class@ It is a "cold facility!"

    If you register and then find out you cannot attend, please go back online and remove yourself from the roster so that other persons can attend.

    For more information contact Don Martin at 928-303-9481 or at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Don Martin
    Volunteer Chief Instructor
    Region 3
    Kingman, AZ


  6. For those who are seeking the permanent bonus point given by the Arizona Game & Fish Department for completion of the one day Supplemental class, the first class for 2020 is now open for enrollment.

    When: January 4, 2020

    Where: 7 Mile Hill Range, Golden Valley Arizona (Kingman)

    Times: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time)

    Max number of attendees: 35--first come first serve, and must register with AZGFD, waiting list of no more than 10 persons will be made in case of cancellations!

    Cost: $8 paid at the door

    Who can attend: Anyone ages 14 and older who have taken and passed a hunter education class in another state since 1985 and has proof of graduation can attend this class. Proof must be sent to Chief Instructor Don Martin in the form of a text to 928-303-9481 or by email at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Young persons ages 9-13 who have graduated from a hunter education class can only attend with the Chief Instructors approval.

    Notes: This is an extremely fast paced class and young persons may have difficulty is passing the final test!

    A local motel will be offering a small discount for attendees, call Chief Instructor Don Martin at 928-303-9481 for information, but obviously attendees can register at any motel of your choice in the Kingman area.

    Right now there are still 23 seats open! Remember first come-first serve and only those registered on the AZGFD website will be accepted into the class.

    No firearms permitted in this class@ It is a "cold facility!"

    If you register and then find out you cannot attend, please go back online and remove yourself from the roster so that other persons can attend.

    For more information contact Don Martin at 928-303-9481 or at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Don Martin
    Volunteer Chief Instructor
    Region 3
    Kingman, AZ


  7. For those who are seeking the permanent bonus point given by the Arizona Game & Fish Department for completion of the one day Supplemental class, the first class for 2020 is now open for enrollment.

    When: January 4, 2020

    Where: 7 Mile Hill Range, Golden Valley Arizona (Kingman)

    Times: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time)

    Max number of attendees: 35--first come first serve, and must register with AZGFD, waiting list of no more than 10 persons will be made in case of cancellations!

    Cost: $8 paid at the door

    Who can attend: Anyone ages 14 and older who have taken and passed a hunter education class in another state since 1985 and has proof of graduation can attend this class. Proof must be sent to Chief Instructor Don Martin in the form of a text to 928-303-9481 or by email at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Young persons ages 9-13 who have graduated from a hunter education class can only attend with the Chief Instructors approval.

    Notes: This is an extremely fast paced class and young persons may have difficulty is passing the final test!

    A local motel will be offering a small discount for attendees, call Chief Instructor Don Martin at 928-303-9481 for information, but obviously attendees can register at any motel of your choice in the Kingman area.

    Right now there are still 23 seats open! Remember first come-first serve and only those registered on the AZGFD website will be accepted into the class.

    No firearms permitted in this class@ It is a "cold facility!"

    If you register and then find out you cannot attend, please go back online and remove yourself from the roster so that other persons can attend.

    For more information contact Don Martin at 928-303-9481 or at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Don Martin
    Volunteer Chief Instructor
    Region 3
    Kingman, AZ


  8. For those who are seeking the permanent bonus point given by the Arizona Game & Fish Department for completion of the one day Supplemental class, the first class for 2020 is now open for enrollment.

    When: January 4, 2020

    Where: 7 Mile Hill Range, Golden Valley Arizona (Kingman)

    Times: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Arizona time)

    Max number of attendees: 35--first come first serve, and must register with AZGFD, waiting list of no more than 10 persons will be made in case of cancellations!

    Cost: $8 paid at the door

    Who can attend: Anyone ages 14 and older who have taken and passed a hunter education class in another state since 1985 and has proof of graduation can attend this class. Proof must be sent to Chief Instructor Don Martin in the form of a text to 928-303-9481 or by email at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Young persons ages 9-13 who have graduated from a hunter education class can only attend with the Chief Instructors approval.

    Notes: This is an extremely fast paced class and young persons may have difficulty is passing the final test!

    A local motel will be offering a small discount for attendees, call Chief Instructor Don Martin at 928-303-9481 for information, but obviously attendees can register at any motel of your choice in the Kingman area.

    Right now there are still 23 seats open! Remember first come-first serve and only those registered on the AZGFD website will be accepted into the class.

    No firearms permitted in this class@ It is a "cold facility!"

    If you register and then find out you cannot attend, please go back online and remove yourself from the roster so that other persons can attend.

    For more information contact Don Martin at 928-303-9481 or at info@arizonawildlifeoutfitters.com

    Don Martin
    Volunteer Chief Instructor
    Region 3
    Kingman, AZ

    • Like 1

  9. Just spent the weekend up in Unit 19A. Private ranches I contacted offering no access, paid or otherwise. Gonna be tough for those who haven't done a lot of scouting to find bucks off the private. Ranchers have been very polite though when I spoke with them.

    We saw only TWO deer the entire weekend, a doe and spike buck. Put a lot of miles on looking for public lands and antelope...

    Gonna be a tough one this year I think!

    Didn't see and real "boomers" either on private or public lands.


  10. I think it is safe to say my guys and I have guided successfully in this unit for many,many years! We've taken some of the largest rams taken in this unit, and our hunters have been 100% successful.

     

    If you are looking for professional help at a very reasonable price on this hunt, give me a call. Got great spotters who, like me, know this area very well. The hunt is booked for the entire season, so there is no rush to take a ram!

     

    The ram that Tom B got in 2010 was guided by AWO guide Dan Reed that day. The rest of the team were watching the herd from across the valley.

     

    I had pneumonia but helped pack it out before I ended up in the hospital.

     

    Here are some other 15B West rams we have taken in the past. 15B West is a tough unit,! Also in 2015 and 2916 we took HUGE rams in Unit 15D!

     

    References available!
    1523395930_201215BWestramandFrankSuriano.thumb.jpg.d0338b9e3d89f7acf536ebb2ea6f9244.jpg828295650_tombrandt201012bwsheephunt0003.thumb.jpg.86f10ef89726c445b4f8d60e14d63166.jpg984037169_DanaHurt15BWestram2013001.thumb.jpg.c17c530c6bfd5d1b392052574e62d591.jpg20141206_141322.thumb.jpg.6ec4c346e823494e32e9d852ace16abe.jpg20151204_094720(0).thumb.jpg.0b9d6c2255aa12469d7016d7260c2d94.jpg884817302_JerryUzynandhis15BWestRam.thumb.jpg.62a497ac75261c64affc51c05c136d2c.jpg1110693914_Unit15Dram12-4-2016.thumb.jpg.10e233c080dab425f6cf6b909d1c5574.jpg1552511209_AndyandTheOldManleftside.jpg.3e6ac38f3e9bce4217380822ca50658c.jpgIMG952016122795120740888_resized.jpg.2098d73a2f20e4510c4dcefe915f44c1.jpg

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    • Like 1

  11. As this weather gets hotter, the striper fishing on Lake Mead out of South Cove will start getting better.

     

    Last year, from May to August, we caught, according to my report to the AZGFD, 4,773 stripers and 355 channel catfish! Most of our trips we got over 100 fish!

     

    Out big striper last year weighed 12 lbs. 12 oz., (Chris Favour) and I got the biggest FISH of the year, a common carp that weighed 13 lbs. 13 oz!

     

    Jacob Jacoby caught a WALLEYE, while I got a crappie and another angler even got a rainbow trout. All were taken using cut up anchovies!

     

    We set a new record for most fish caught in a night; with over 250 in one night, then over 300 the next! Shelley Favour set a record for the most fish ever caught by a lady angler on our boat with 67 fish!

     

    Thinking it will be another good year and have done some fun pre-fishing with friends and have caught fish and will be ready to open the doors around June 1.

     

    If you want to go on a fun fish CATCHING trip, think about going with us.

     

    You won't catch big fish, the average is just over a pound, but you'll catch a lot of them, and they are great eating!

     

    Call for details, I'm already booked up for all the weekends in June and July, but have some week days open. Also got plenty of dates in August.

     

    So keep your lines fresh and we'll see you on the water!

     

    Capt. Don Martin

    Striper Hunters

    928-303-9481

    info@striperhunters.com

     

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    • Like 2

  12. Fellow sportsmen::

     

    Please read the follow up post I made today regarding by broken Leicas in the optics section.

     

    I call in Christmas in May!

     

    One thing is for sure, if you have issues with Leica (or any product he sells), call Doug Paymer at Camera Land (516-217-1000) and he will get things done!

     

    Thanks Doug!

     

    Don Martin

    Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

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  13. Fellow Sportsmen:

     

    Just wanted to give you some more information regarding my post on May 1 regarding the situation with my 15 x 56 Geovid binoculars.

     

    To recap, I had fallen during a sheep hunt in December while conducting a donated hunt for the Arizona Elk Society in Unit 16A, through their Hunt For Heroes program and heavily damaged my Leica 15 x 56 Geovids.

     

    On January 2, 2018, I called Company 7 from Montpelier Maryland, who I found on the Internet as an authorized Leica repair center.

     

    On January 5, I received an email telling me how and where to ship the binoculars back to them for repair.

     

    I didn't hear anything until April 9, when I sent them an email asking what was going on?

     

    The message I got back at that time said they weren't sure if repairs could be made due to the damage to the binos, that they would need to ship the binos to either Germany or Portugal.

     

    Note the binoculars were way out of warranty and were broke during a fall. There was no issue with Leica and warranty repair, I just wanted my binoculars fixed, no matter the cost as they are the glass I use in my outfitting business!

     

    On May 1, I again contacted Company 7 and was told they were still awaiting instructions on where to send them and what if anything, could be done due to the amount of damage.

     

    Needless to say I wasn't happy with this response, as it now had been almost 5 months and soon it would be time to start scouting!

     

    I made a post not only on this site explaining my frustration and disappointment in the customer service.

     

    Then something unexpected happened. On Friday, May 4, I got a call from Doug Paymer, owner of Camera Land (516-217-1000) in New York who advised me he had read my post here, and was a Leica Distributor and offered to help me in getting a resolution to the problem!

     

    And did he ever get results!

     

    I received an email later that day telling me that the emails I had sent to Company 7 had been passed on up in the Leica organization and that I should expect a resolution very soon.

     

    The next day I got a message from Leica requesting I call them in regards to me receiving a pair of loaner binoculars while mine were getting repaired.

     

    I also got a follow up email from Doug, asking if I had been contacted by Leica.

     

    Then on Tuesday, May 8, I got a phone call from Ms. Jennine Jacques, Director of Customer Care for Leica.

     

    Ms. Jacques apologized for what had occurred and assured me that this was not the normal customer service for Leica customers. She informed me that to resolve the matter they were sending me a BRAND NEW PAIR of upgraded 15X56 Geovids at NO CHARGE! She said they were being sent next day air! I couldn't believe what I heard! I had resigned myself that I would be purchasing a used set of these binoculars.

     

    Then yesterday, May 9,my UPS man showed up with the binoculars as promised. And in addition to the these new binos, there was a gift card from Leica!

     

    Now that is what I call customer service!

     

    I want to publicly thank Doug at Camera Land (516-217-1000) for contacting me and making some calls on my behalf. And thank you to Ms. Jacques and the folks at Leica for doing what they did to get this situation corrected quickly!

     

    I'm not some big time nationally known outfitter who has a TV show, writes for national magazines, and is well known nationally in the outdoor recreation business. Nope, I'm a small, independent Arizona outfitter with limited resources who just happens to believe you should use the best equipment available when hunting for yourself or with clients.

     

    I had previously used my old 15 x 56 Geovids for many, many years, on a lot of hunts, and up until I broke them, they served me and my clients very well.

     

    And rest assured that I'll use these new 15 x 56's until I am no longer able to hunt or guide! So thanks again to all that helped resolve this situation.

     

    And if you are in the market for some new, high quality glass, be it scopes or binos, I wouldn't hesitate to contact Doug at Camera Land. He is obviously a straight up guy and there is no doubt in my mine he will work as hard for you as he did for me if you ever have an issue with a Leica products!

     

    If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call at 928-303-9481.

     

    Don Martin

    Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

     

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    • Like 4

  14. UPDATE-UPDATE!

     

    Since I made this post, I got a call from Doug (gr8fuldoug@aol.com) from Camera Land who is apparently a LEICA distributor.

     

    IN less than 30 minutes, he got more done to resolve this issue than was done in the past 5 months!

     

    Tomorrow, I should know how this issue is going to be resolved!

     

    Now THAT is what I call customer service!

     

    Note that in my post I never bad mouthed the binos, cause those Geovids are the best! I was just frustrated over what I felt was poor customer service.

     

    If I were going to buy a pair of Leicas, I would definitely recommend going through Doug as if you have any issues, he's gonna take care of you!

     

    Don Martin

    Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

    • Like 4

  15. Fellow Sportsmen:

    As you may be aware tomorrow, on Friday, May 4 here in Kingman, the AZ G&F Commission will meet to finalize the proposed changes in Article 3 that will affect the take of game in Arizona.

     

    One of the changes is the use of trail cameras. The proposal is that live streaming cameras cannot be used at all, and that trail cameras that do not send live images can be no closer to 1/4 mile (440 yards) from a water source such as G&F wildlife waters, or stock tanks.

     

    I know there are many opinions on this specific proposal. Department and Commission feels they violate Fair Chase. What do you think?

     

    I'm wondering how many of you have sent in your comments to the Department and Commission and if you did, were your comments in support or against this proposal?

     

    Plus, if you sent in comments, for or against, do you own tail cameras?

     

    Another question is about the use of rifle scopes such as the Burris Eliminator which uses a laser to tell you the distance of the target, then actually moves the sight internally to that distance.

    Deportment and Commission says that DOESN'T violate Fair Chase, but a trail camera on a water does!

     

    Then there is the question about the use of highly sophisticated electronic fishing equipment, so that evenb allows anglers to see fish take a bait. Do you think that violates Fair Chase?

     

    Thank you for your input!

     

    Don Martin

     

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  16. UPDATE-UPDATE-UPDATE

     

    I got a call from Doug at Camera Land Inc. who is a Leica dealer and in 30 minutes he got more done for me on this issue that anyone in the past 5 months!

     

    The Leicas Geovids are in my opinion the best binos out there,

     

    Thanks Doug for all your help on this!

     

    I don't usually complain about the services of a company in the outdoor industry,but in the case of the repair of my Leica 15x56 Geovid binoculars, I want to share this experience with you if you are considering purchasing these high end glasses.

     

    Last December, on a sheep hunt, I had the unfortunate experience of taking a pretty big tumble, and in the process banged up my Leica 15x56 Geovid binoculars pretty bad, after they flew out of the case and hit some rocks (They were tethered and in a case too).

     

    On January 2, 2018 I sent an email to COMPANY 7 in Montpelier Maryland explaining that I needed the binos repaired ASAP as I had spring hunts to do.

     

    On January 5 I get an email on instructions on how to send them back. I also was told that they company had a limited supply of loaner binos, and since I had a number of spring javelina and turkey hunts to do they would see if they could send me a pair while my were being repaired.

     

    I heard NOTHING till April 9 when I send them another email.

     

    At that time I still no loaners, no estimates, NOTHING just this statement. "It has been nearly three months since your binocular was logged in and sent on, still we have not been able to provide either an estimate, or warranty determination, Since we sent the binocular on, and with our report, we have received no communication back from channels about the status of your binocular."

     

    Today, May 1, I called the company and spoke with the fellow I had been emailing about this.

     

    He said he too is disappointed and will send another email to the higher ups including the Customer Relations USA lady and will let me know.

     

    Is this not unbelievable?

     

    I've been a loyal Leica customer for many years... How do you think I feel now?

     

    How would YOU feel if this was happening to you?

     

    Don Martin
    Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

     

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  17. Despite seeing a lot fewer javelina this year, the general rifle javelina hunters in our camp this year did extremely well, going 6 for 7! And if not for a scope issue, we would have been a perfect 7 for 7!

     

    This is the story.

     

    The weather was lousy for javelina hunting for opening day in Unit 18B this year, but for three tag holders in camp that day, Jay Chan, his son Michael, and nephew Kyle who was on his first ever big game hunt, turned out great as they all scored on javelina from 50 to 106 yards!

     

    Page and I missed the morning hunt, and were in a different area that afternoon when I spotted two pigs in a wash. Page and I got out and started up a hillside to get a better view of the two pigs. Unfortunately Page got caught up in some catclaw and was unable to make it to a spot where she could see the peccaries. I was able to see one pig who was slowly walking up a ridge line just 100 yards away.

     

    I had him in the scope of my Rock River Fred Eichler edition AR-15 in 223 that was loaded with extremely accurate Fiocchi Match 77 grain HPBT bullets, but I really wanted Page to get one first, so I passed on the shot.

     

    On Day two, Jay's youngest son Ryan "The javelina whisperer" Chan came to camp and that's where Page McDonald and I met up with him.

     

    He said he would go look for pigs while Jay said he would go with Page and I. Did I mention that Page is a 77-year-old great-grandmother?

     

    It didn't take Ryan much time to find a herd, but they were in his words, "Over a mile away" and moving towards the edge of canyon."

     

    The country were were hunting in is full of rocks and boulders that makes for treacherous walking to say the least.

     

    However Page said she was up for it so off we went, with Jay in the lead.

     

    We decided that we would just take one rifle on the stalk. It would be Page's Remington Model 7 Mountain Rifle in 260 caliber, that is topped with a Leupold compact 3x9 scope and Harris 25S bipod.

     

    It took us over two hours to hike to where Ryan has last seen the pigs. It was Jay would find them on the edge of a canyon, just out of the wind, feeding.

     

    The wind was perfect and it took a while (20 minutes) to get Page set up for a shot at an adult pig. However it was well worth the wait to make sure everything was right and that she had the right pig in her scope.

     

    The big sow was just 40 yards away and broadside when Page touched off the rifle. The pig went down immediately!

     

    I made three quick blasts with the Circe predator call I was carrying and the rest of the herds froze momentarily, not knowing what had just happened.

     

    I got the rifle from Page as one of the pigs started to run off. The rest just stood still, looking around. "Better shoot quick, Don" Jay said.

     

    I picked out a boar that had stopped in the open at 74 yards. I used my walking stick to steady my aim, and fired. The pug went down and never moved.

     

    Jay told us that we had hiked well over a mile from the truck. Matter-of-fact he said it was 1.47 miles according to his GPS. And of course that is "as the crow flies" and did not represent the true distance due to the up and down topography we had walked in.

     

    The key was going to be getting back to the truck after Jay and I boned out of the pigs. That hike took more than two hours. I'm not sure how many 77-year-old man or woman could have made that trek. But Page was a trooper and got it done.

     

    Afterwards we met up with my friends St. George residents Colby Adams and Scott, and learned that Colby, who was the only one with a tag, had been successful on his morning hunt.

     

    That afternoon, Jay's brother Alan, arrived in camp after being snowed in at Flagstaff.

     

    Ryan had found yet another herd of pigs and he and his uncle were headed that way.

     

    Unfortunately, another group if hunters had also found they pigs and the other hunters did get one out of that herd.

     

    The next morning Alan, Ryan, Jay and I went to an area where in the past we had found pigs.

     

    Once again it was Ryan who found a herd, but they were over a half mile away and in a catclaw thicket feeding in the warm morning sun.

     

    Jay decided to be the "eye in the sky" while Alan and Ryan moved in towards the unsuspecting herd.

     

    Wind and sun were perfect and Alan got set up at the herd boar at 95 yards. He had a solid and he rarely misses, so it looked like a done deal.

     

    Only one problem... No one knew it, but the scope on Alan's 243 was broken!

     

    No one even saw where the bullet hit when Alan fired off the first shot.

     

    But the pigs didn't know where the shot had came from and instead of running away, the herd actually started running towards Alan and Ryan.

     

    They stopped at 40 yards and Alan fired again. The bullet hit way over the pig. Alan shot again, again and again, 5 times in all, and none of the bullets were even close to his intended targets.

     

    It was a long hike back that day for Alan, Jay and Ryan. How disappointing to do everything right only to have a scope malfunction result in a bunch of misses!

     

    We decided to switch guns and give it one more try on Monday morning. After all, up to that point we had seen pigs everyday.

     

    But the winds came up and despite our best efforts, we didn't see one javelina.

     

    That my friends is why it is called hunting and not killing!

     

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