John O

Early 36a javi and deer for the boys. Can't wait!!

Very nice. I have a question. What is your take on how often to clean a rifle used for long range shooting. I know some who clean every 3rd shot, and recently have read about millitary snipers putting upwards of 1000 rounds through their rifles without cleaning before they start grouping the best.

Shot one a few years ago. If I had to do it again, I would have passed. They are realy cool little creatures.

Well said. +1 Amen Brother!!!

I wouldn't go to the extreme to call this a "Disturbing" trend. Anyone who has been on this site for some time has seen this. I think it is part of what goes with the territory, and fortunately we all have the freedom to hunt however we would prefer, within the rules G&F has established. As for me, although I have shot several deer with rifle and bow, my top trophy to date is a spike with my bow in August. Nothing to do with antler size, but the amazing circumstances which all came together that day. This is a good site, and a healthy respect for it's members and what they enjoy about hunting is a good thing.

I've had my car sniffed by a dog at least a dozen times at the arivaca checkpoint.

Happy Happy Happy!!

Wow. Awesome!!

PM Sent

+1 Thanks Redman for saying what I'm sure many of us were thinking but didn't have the jewels to say. Funny how the vile words we would never allow our young children to use, for some reason become OK when we get older. I think free speech and expression is important, but also it's good to be aware of the little eyes and ears who might be watching.

+1 I've lost 28 pounds and still counting Wow!! Way to go Devan!!

Now that's funny right there!!

Congratulations!!

I have about 1.25 lbs of IMR 4350 that I am willing to trade for a pound of H4831. I would be willing to add a few bucks if it would make it worth the trade. Would prefer a sealed 1 lb container if possible. If someone has a pound of H4831 they would like to sell, I would also be interested. Thanks.

Sorry, not unless some h4831 is a part of the deal. The 4350 is my back-up, in case I can't find any.

Helped a guy two years ago on a rifle hunt that shot this one. His first big game animal, so he was happy. I have never seen another like it. DSC06294.JPG haha! now those are some small antlers! I would be second guessing what I saw... LOL! James Yep. I had to be sure, but I had team Leica on my side, so that helped. If there was a B&C for smallest coues, this dude would have been on the short list for sure.

Two of the finest photos I have ever seen on this site. Very nice, and congrats!!!

Helped a guy two years ago on a rifle hunt that shot this one. His first big game animal, so he was happy. I have never seen another like it.

It sounds like a spot I use to hunt in 36b where I built 2 blinds on a waterhole I packed in a sawzall and a skill saw and cut up a bunch of dead down timber and built em...... Something else to consider- There is much much less pressure on weekdays than on weekends. Often times the animals are more likely to come back to their trusted drinking spots a day or two after the weekend pressure has settled down. Two years ago I shot a whitetail on a tank at 4:00 pm on a Thursday. I love going into an area knowing I will have the whole place to myself. Some food for thought.

My youngest son Ryan and I headed out last Thursday to try and bag a pig on the last weekend of the youth hunt. His brother Jake couldn't come this time due to school and sports commitments, and family events and bad weather kept us from getting out during the first weekend. Let me start by saying that VERY few of the animals myself or my boys have taken in Arizona have come easy. Almost half were within the last few hours of our last day, and after hunting very hard. They have really stuck with it, and I have always been proud of them regardless of whether tags have been filled or not. As they get older, I treasure each hunt with them a little more. We rolled out Friday morning and headed out to begin our hike up to the familiar red bluffs where we have had reasonable success finding them over the last few years. Typically we find them 3/4 of a mile to a mile out, and have to make a long trek over to get into shooting position. To our surprise, this morning was different. Within 5 minutes I glassed up a herd of 9 pigs not to far off, and in a spot we could get to rather quickly. We packed up and headed down, always mindful of the wind as we made our way towards them. I got Ryan set up prone at 200 yards, with my 8's on a tripod behind him so I could confirm the shot. I told him I was ready, and he made a perfect 200 yard shot, dropping the pig in it's tracks. I looked at my watch and it was 9:03. This never happens to us, but man was it nice to be done so soon! We got it taken care of and packed up, and were back to the car by noon. I had pre-cooked some elk tacos we planned on eating for dinner, but Ryan wanted to eat them for a victory lunch instead (Fried elk tacos, spanish rice, sweet corn, sour cream, and peach mango salsa). I feel extremely blessed to have shared such great times with my boys in the outdoors over the last several years. On the way home Ryan and I counted, and between the 3 of us we have now taken 20 big game animals over the last 6 years since I started hunting. Thanks a bunch to some really good friends for letting us stay with them again this year, and we are hopeful my older son Jake can get one in a few weeks when we head back for the general rifle hunt. **UPDATE- PART 2** With basketball over and rodeo break upon us, we headed back out with my oldest son Jake with tag in hand for the general rifle hunt. Even though the area we were in had unusually high pressure, we were able to slip a little further back into the mountains and glass up a herd about a mile out. We dropped down and made the trek over to get Jake into shooting position. We were on a down hill slope shooting across a canyon, so my tripod served as a nice rest. First shot was a little low, and then the pigs ran in all directions. One skirted the hill about 40 yards and stopped to try and figure things out. Jake had followed it across the hill, and as soon as it stopped he made a slight elevation adjustment and put one right through the boiler room. We did our little high five session, and got our gear together for the hike across the canyon. My other son Ryan was along, and I think he was more excited than Jake. Ryan really has the hunting bug, and does a good job of keeping us going and never lets us call it a day until the last minute of shooting light is gone. It was mid-afternoon, and by time we got it dressed and packed up, we still would have had a long up hill hike to the car. I called a good friend who was kind enough to meet us at a closer pick up point, and give us a ride back. Saved our bacon for sure. We had a great spring season, all of us filling our tags and enjoying the great outdoors together. I continue to feel blessed to have the opportunity to share such awesome memories with my boys.

Part 2 updated. See original post above.

Best advice I ever heard about finding any animal- "They are where they are" Hours behind glass and boots on the ground. Good luck!!

Very nice!!

My simple advice- Start by forgetting yourself and serving others. That is what our Maker did his whole life. This will help you be in tuned to what his will is for you. I don't know you, but have read your posts and I believe you have much to offer. Good luck!

Great story and photos Jim! Congrats on a great hunt, and a memorable experience.