pete

The best part of hunting for hunters is topping your last. And your life memories are made by trying. Congratulations heck of a buck

As I write this dog tired and cuddled up to a bottle of aleve I feel humbled. My 13 year son had a deer tag in 24a for the second time in a row. With no luck on the first hunt we were bound and determined to make it happen on the second hunt with a added bonus of having my son's bestfriend Caleb join us. Luckly I had the tag 2 weeks prior and was able to shoot a 104 and locate some other bucks for him. With a short amount of time for his hunt we decided to just stay out all day Saturday not showing up till Friday night. Being 43 which is young to some who will read this but certainly not a spring chicken any more. I felt like a kid again hunting with these 2 great teenagers. I found my self being waited on which was always the other way around when they were young. We headed out Sat. morning early to get to a great glassing spot (24A isn't exactly a big secret to coues hunter's). Within 1 hour we found three bucks about a mile away. We watched them for 1 hour and the only fed about 10 yards across the hill that they were on. We decided to make are move to get into shooting distance. So off the mountain into a haired over canyon then back up to the top of the ridge popping at a perfect 240 yard shot for a 13 year old with a elk and a bear under his belt the confidence level was positive. We get him set up he's ready so "BOOM over son (the gun is sighted for 450 zero) aim at his belly ok dad Boom missed again you shot in front of him (buck runs over hill) darn it I missed don't worry son there is another one a little smaller standing broadside let him have it, ok dad BOOM missed BOOM missed SON TAKE YOUR TIME ok dad BOOM and that was it my son had just took a step forward into being a man. SON you got him. I would give any of my worldly possession to see that smile again wow what a cool feeling as A kid I certainly remember mine first deer. Sharing these traditions with my children while they are young is some of the best life medicine a man or woman can put in there body. When we recovered the buck and as Christians gave thanks for the beautiful creature from his creation. Looking at were the truck was approx. 2 miles back it was a unanimous decision to debone it right there. I commenced to quartering and the boys did A perfect job deboning their first deer. All packed up we headed for the truck and camp like I said I can go good but not like a teenager but they made me feel like one of them something all of us dad's want with are boys. Back at camp around four and we were whooped the boys started a fire and we sat there till 6:30 we decided to hit the hay. Up this morning at 8 another fire started, a little of pine cone baseball, a little scoring class to the best. Then how to roll a sleeping bag properly and how to put out a fire properly then 2 hour drive home to a meat cutting party with my 3 girls and wife to some fresh back strap for dinner to a bottle of aleve and the want to share this experience. What a great weekend I told my son that his buck scoring right at 91 that he would have a hard time topping that but a great time trying!! Thanks for the read Pete

Also as far as the bigger buck you boy's better get after because ol eagle eye Abbey (12 YEARS OLD ) has that tag day after thanksgiving I don't think that buck wil be so lucky with her behind the gun. Good luck to all of you out there especially all of you marching your kids around god's creation sharing your passion's with the little one's. Thanks Pete

Quick clip on 450 zero. I sight all my guns it at 25 yards after shooting out to its max range in the verifing of it's accuracy. Then I use a ballistic calculator to do the math yes at 200 yards I am 8 inches hi but for a kid or adult In MY opinion I think it is easier to hold low at close distance on a animal than to hold over at 450. I know my weapons can make that shot and for a kid that's a poke at 450. And at 500 its only 5 inches low so for ME with a good scope I can feel comfortable with my kids shooting 0-500 yards with many other factors that can [play in effect (angle, wind) when the weather is right and all the cards line up mostly likely 0-500 yards on a animal for US we know that we can ethically take a animal. I do tell the kids that guns typically don't miss animals people miss animals. Gun used Custom built Remington 300 Rum 28 inch barrel with brake shooting a 180 grain bullet with a .52 bullet CO at 3401 fps = lights out 0-500 yards Thanks Pete

Sorry trying to figure out how to rotate.

I was fortunate to draw a rifle Antelope tag in 2A with 6 bonus points. With the duties of life pressing on me I was still able to get out with 2 of my oldest kids for a couple of days. the hunt started a week earlier than I thought it started so I didn't even look at my tag to confirm till Wed's night. Told the wife would be gone for a couple of days. Actually I cant lie I asked if I could take some time away with half the kids. She was good with it what a amazing woman. We ended up camping with my wife's cousin's they had 2 4b tags. Only problem was we couldn't go till Saturday but we were going. Arrived in camp at 3 pm was able to get out to look around for a few hours with rifle in hand just in case saw a couple of bucks then headed back. Sunday morning loaded the kids and headed out. Located great buck early but chose to explore little more and didn't see anything better except for a monster on the rez line (80t) but he was like a young man trying to satisfy his ladies. So we went back to the original buck made a short stalk from the freeway was able to set up at 365 missed the first shot he ran for a little bit in a circle stopped and I let the air out of him. Truly cant describe the feeling to be able to share my passion with my children and watch the same passion's light up in them. The excitement of it for me is not the animal as much is the look on the kids face. On the way home last night my 12 year old daughter tells me ( Dad you did a great job on that antelope and that she had a blast going) That is what it's all about. For all of you that read this if you know a kid not involved in the outdoors PLEASE show them the way the AZGFD feels the same way that's why a combo license for a kid is 5 bucks. A fishing pole or elk call in a kids hand is better than a ps4 remote IMO. Ps I have o idea what the antelope scored Oh wait what it scored was I fun memory with the kids. Thanks for reading Pete

Sorry about pics not sure had to change

Got to spend four days up in the mountains with my son bear hunting on the San Carlos Rez. We were hunting in unit C with Trophy Bob Stevens Who is a remarkable outfitter and philosopher about life. We saw a lot of critters in that place. My son ended up shooting his Bear at 270 yards ,spot amd stock. I shot my bear at 40 yards called him in. Years ago it would be all about killing bears which and somewhat it still is but more importantly for me it's spending time with my son in the mountains passing on the tradition. We have to get these kids more involved so when we're too old to fight for our gun rights they'll do it for us.

my bear was there in 6-7 minutes he was being real sneaky. I was calling as light as I could . Great lookin bears!!!! How long did it take your bear to come in on the call?

[the coues look just fine .you will have a good hunt . Please contact me prior I have a scoop for you .quote name=208muley" post="671432" timestamp="1471488245] Congrats on the hunt! Good times!! How do the Coues deer look? I've gotta jan tag in C... Chomping at the bit waiting to get up there and start the quest.

Our guide was the best he and I have been friends for a while but that was my first hunt with him. Very knowledgeable about the Rez he has been a outfitter for 34 years never had another job. "Trophy" Bob Stevens if he can't guide you he will recommend the right one Congrats nice bear. How was your guide the reason I ask is that someone I know was up there this weekend and had a horrible experience with his. It is a shame they make you have to have one now.

Thanks for catching that 25-06

If it's not sold I will take it Thx Pete

I'll take them I'm in Waddell I ll pm you my phone number

At one point in my 30 year career of hunting I swear I read something to the effect that it is OK to cut a Barb wire fence if you are retrieving big game animals as long as you repair it. Does anybody know if this is true or false Thanks for your input Pete

We own a farm and a ranch by know means am I looking to cut a fence. Somebody had mentioned it to me and said they thought someone can do it on my property. My theory is church is a good way to get to heaven but cutting my fence will get you there faster. I was seeing if the rules were written any where. Thanks Pete

At one point in my 30 year hunting career I swore I read something to the affect that you could cut a barb wire fence as long as you repaired it to recover a big game animal. Has anyone seen this or is it a myth. Thanks Pete

300 rum is SPF THANKS DENNIS

My gunsmith seems to be cranking out my new ones and now with a deposit dropped on the next one and the need for some new scopes it's time to thin the herd. Although I know that all my weapons are in great shape they due carry some marking's and scratches They are not safe queens. 1: Thompson encore pro hunter 25-06 maybe 100 rounds down the pipe. Nikon monarch 4.5-16-44 1 inch tube. 28" fluted barrel on a camo forend and thumbhole stock. $800 shoots factory ammo under a inch but not by much. 2: 257 weatherby built by Dave Van Horn boyds thumbhole stock 25" custom barrel maybe 100 rounds down the pipe. leupold bases and rings (30mm). 1/2 gun have all load data 1200.00 3:Remington 700 7mm mag bdl 24" factory barrel custom muzzle break has a McMillan edge stock ($640) has leupold 4.5x14x56 VX3L 30mm also have the wood furniture to go with it.20 moa rail 1800.00 with McMillan 1300.00 with out. 1/2" gun real light. 4:Christensen arms 270 wsm Remington 700 action ,24 inch carbon barrel, timney trigger, muzzle break,carbon 1/2" gun with hand loads. leupold vx3 4.5x14x50 30mm with target turrets. mil dot reticle $2500 5: SPF Christensen arms 300 rum 26" carbon barrel, Christensen action,muzzle break, leupold 6.5x20x50 30mm vx3 shoots 165 gr accubond 3330 fps just under a half inch.fine duplex 2500.00 6: 270 Winchester built by Dave Van Horn custom thumbhole stock, custom 24 inch barrel, trigger job, vortex 4x14x44 30mm scope duplex. 1200.00 have a pet load for it. 1/2" gun 7: Smith & Wesson model 27-6 357 mag. I truly believe the model 27 was their best one it's on the N frame with leather holster. 6 inch barrel $750.00 8: Smith and Wesson model 27-8 357 mag 4 inch barrel 8 shot with crimson laser grips.no holster 850.00 Feel free to call me at 602-821-1768 Thanks for looking Pete

The weatherby was the (sub-moa) rifle from the factory not a mark 5 The 300 Rum has about 75-100 rounds from me I bought it from cabelas gun library and it was used so not sure on previous owner. Lands and grooves are perfect. As far as grouping with these rifles it is all consistent not a one time deal. And for more pics just text me and I will send them through my son's phone. I only have a old school flip phone and as you know to text it takes about a hour

Sorry forgot I'm in Goodyear Will be heading through Tucson to 30a on weds this week

Either the 7 mag or 300 rum make a great 1000 yard gun. I do know for sure it takes a good rifle and a heck of a shooter to be accurate at that distance.

I do take more pride in my hand loading than in my rifles. Trust me it takes a heck of a shooter to shoot a 1/2 and I'm not one of them that's why I use a vice during load development.

I do take more pride in my hand loading than in my rifles.

As far as trades I'm looking for high end scopes.