Yuma Outdoorsman

3rd week of January is always when it’s best in my area. It’s that way year after year. I’m sure some are already rutting and some might be done, but it always seems the majority of them get after it towards the end of January. They will rut clear into February in my area.

Congrats man!

Shot a pretty cool bird in the desert a couple weeks back. She was a little leucistic. Never seen one like this before. Check out the feet and topknot color. Hard to see or much different it is in photos; in person it was pretty wild.

I’ve heard the same thing as you as far as 39/40AB. I’ve been in 44B and the bigger bucks seems to be solo still. In another few weeks though that should all change.

I’ve heard there are some herds rutting pretty hard down this way. I personally have only seen pre-rut action with bucks being solo and getting violent with the smoke bush trees in the washes.

That other area had too many hunters in there during the rifle hunt and they chased the deer out. Also, these rain storms have pushed them away from water so deer have been tough to find. I know several sheep hunters that have seen some big bucks up higher than the sheep due to all the rain. I’m a flat land hunter 😂😂 I like to glass looking down, now up hahaha.

Saw a cool ram in 44B. This video is from about 200 yards away zoomed in on a cheap Sony camcorder. I ended up running into him again and got 40 yards from him before he trotted off. 8789D770-F7DB-43B5-8B86-5F78E76FFBB7.MOV

Congratulations! Awesome buck.

Every year the “rut” posts start right after rifle season, it cracks me up 😂😂...it’s so variable year to year it’s hard to pattern but in my experience around my area I’ve seen most pre-rut stuff going on through December and the peak rut being middle end of January into February.

I’ve never really been much into scores. I honestly have little experience with it. I have shot several bucks but none are close to anything a lot of people would call a “bruiser”. Having said that, what would you guess this buck to score? I’m guessing him to be about 27” wide and in the 150-160” range but I really have no idea. These photos are unedited and straight from my trail camera.

Sorry guys, my original intent was not this. Just a simple question because I am not skilled in scoring. Thanks for all the opinions and reasoning behind it! Epstein didn’t kill himself!

I’ll shoot him for sure. I think he’s a beautiful buck but scoring wise I wasn’t sure. I appreciate all the responses though. I like seeing the opinions and reasoning for your estimated scores.

Ya it is but pictures are taken about a month apart. Where he’s been feeding it’s pretty green so he’s had some decent growth since then.

Hybrid? No coues deer in my neck of the woods.

This buck last year didn't have any eye guards. This year, he has them on both antlers. I thought that was pretty interesting. In years past, I've never seen one gain eye guards one year to the next except for maybe forkies turning into 3x's. Both side by sides have one photo in August and one photo in mid-September of this buck. 2018 vs 2019. The angles are a little different but I have a ton of photos of this buck from this year to match last year.

One thing about the Dbacks is they are just good enough to let their fans down year after year by flirting with that last wild card spot.

Couple weird dead heads from a few years ago. We found them 15 minutes apart.

Sweet picture man!

I have had this buck on camera for the last 3 or 4 seasons. Each year he gets a little taller and a little wider. I keep going back and forth, if I had the chance to shoot him, would I do it? I think this year, that will be a yes. Something about a big forkie just intrigues me. Would you guys shoot him?

That is awesome! heck of a buck right there! Congrats and good job!

I haven't shot anything over 170" I'd guess but I do have a 27" 5x5, couple decent 4x4's, and some decent 3x3 and 3x4's that I was lucky enough to take in the past. I guess for me seeing how I've already shot a 3x3, 4x4, and 5x5, it would be cool to take a 2x2 to finish the series off. If I get the chance, I'm probably going to take this buck. I'll post more pictures of him in October and let you guys see how he finishes up, as long as he keeps coming in. Thanks for the responses.

My first buck will be tough to top. My dad and I cut his track one morning and I tracked him right to his bed. Made a 50 yard shot with my .243 and he never got up. It was November 2001 and I was only days away from turning 16.

This might sound funny but I know I'm not the only one waiting for you to get back out there and post updates. I wish more people would do in the field updates with photos like you have...then again, we aren't all lucky enough to get to hunt there. Thanks for doing this.

I got my buck back I shot in November. I originally was going to have another guy do it but he has developed arthritis so badly that he can no longer do taxidermy. I was not able to get my buck to Noel until Mid-December and on Saturday he called and said he had it all done. Just can't beat the turn around he offers and the work he does. Out the door was $475. Now, this buck isn't a monster by any means but he fits perfectly in a specific spot in my house.

No, it’s an open room in the house, sort of like a den. Our kids had stuff all over the ground so I had to crop the picture 😂