CEI
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After 5 days of living out of a backpack, this just seemed like a good idea...at the time
Unfortunately, no tags filled. Found a moose shed at 11,000 ft, and saw some amazingly beautiful country.
For the most part every area I hunted had 3 to 4 day old elk sign and plenty of orange tape. This last week was muzzleloader season and there were LOTS of hunters in the OTC units.
The weather also turned wet and cold Saturday and Sunday and the high country saw it's first substantial snow fall. My guess is that the majority of the elk are headed to lower elevations and private property at this point. It will probably warm back up and some elk will move back up to higher elevations, but I will be focused on hunting lower for the remainder of the season.
Since this hunt took a back seat to the mountain goat hunt this year I am not too worried about filling my other tags. At this point I've given up on finding "Triple Double" and am just looking for some meat for the freezer. I have 3 more days to hunt and the rut is definitely in high gear. Still hoping that the elk herds are busted up enough that bulls will be out looking for cows the next couple of days.
I did call in a young rag horn bull, and stalked into 40 yards of a nice 4 point buck without getting a shot. Other than that, only saw a hand full of cows and had a close call with a bull moose wanting to come in to my elk calls.
Here's what camp looked like when I went to bed Sunday night, and then shortly after I got up Monday morning.
- Laine -
It's now the last week of the 2013 Arizona Archery Elk hunt. The rut is slowly picking up and there are some areas that are really starting to go, but many are still hit and miss.
Above, Joe Decker poses with his mid 390 AZ Archery Bull. He took this stud in central AZ with the help from his brother John Decker Jr., owner of Bull Basin Archery.
The bull above has the 2nd best backend we have seen this year in western AZ.
We have been in the field for 2 weeks now and it's a tough year to find bulls over 370, even in units like 9 & 10.
There was a 450 bull taken by Payson, which will probably be the biggest bull taken on a Arizona draw hunt this year. Units 21-23 have produced some of the best bulls in the state.
Region 1 has produced the most 370+ bulls this year. This is the result of average antler growth in eastern Arizona and poor antler growth in western and parts of central AZ.
With that said, there are still some big bulls that will hit the dirt, between now and the early rifle hunt.
The bull above has a typical under developed backend, which is caused by poor nutrition during and before the antler growth stage.
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We've all heard about it, but what exactly should a female hunter consider when it comes to layering clothing in the various hunting seasons? There is often a misconception out there that layering consists of one thing and one thing only.a really heavy layer. Often, women feel compelled to bundle like the Michelin Tire Man, cocooning themselves in an unusual amount of heavy jacketry. (Yes.jacketry is a word.at least here at Prois Hunting). Not only is this method bulky and unnecessary, it is not at all the best method of thermoregulation in the outdoors.
So, you might ask.What IS the best method of layering?
Well, we might reply.it is as easy as 1,2,3.
1. Baselayer- A wicking Baselayer is a must. Not only should a Baselayer function as a wicking undergarment that will pull moisture from the skin to help keep you warm. It should be able to function as an outergarment as temperatures climb. Thus, allowing it to breathe and wick to keep you cool. From Prois, we recommend any of the Ultra Shirts..all engineered with polyester birdseye fabric that provides that ability to keep warm in cool climates and cool in warm climates.
Please remember- you do not need several baselayers at a single time unless you are truly in very cold climates and undergoing little physical exertion. You can add warmth in those conditions through optimal insulatory layers.
2. Insulation- Simply a warm midlayer. Nothing more. The insulation layer should optimally warm the core. We highly recommend a vest or light jacket for this layer. I personally recommend the Pro-Edition vest, Reversible Sherpa Vest or Sherpa Jacket for this layer. You do not need super technical fabrics and windstopper for this layer.just warmth. Additionally- all of the aforementioned pieces have scapular pockets between the shoulder blades and lumbar compartments across the lower back to hold activated hand warmers- thus increasing the core warming in cold climates.
3. Shell- Yep- the shell. The shell should be the item to protect you from all that Mother Nature throws your way. This is where waterproofing, wind-resistance and protective features are important. Your optimal shell choice will be completely dependent on the geographic locations and climate conditions you will be hunting in. For moisture-rich regions, we recommend the Eliminator Rain Jacket/Pants which are waterproof and breathable. For regions in which the temperatures may change from 20 degrees in the morning to 60 degrees in the afternoon we recommend the Pro-Edition or Generation X Jackets which offer windstopping and water resistance. They are lighter weight and are very effective in cold weather with a good insulatory layer. For the cold climates we recommend the XTREME jacket and pants which offer water resistance and 150Gm Thinsulate for added warmth.
The Pro Edition line is also now available in the Mothwing Mountain Mimicry pattern
So there it is. The secrets of layering. Stay tuned as we continue this series with our picks for layering options in various hunting conditions. it will be riveting!
For continuous updates from Prois, please feel free to subscribe to our blog! http://www.proishunting.com/community/
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It's now September 18th, so why aren't the elk screaming in Arizona? It's complicated and truthfully, we may never understand all of the dynamics of the timing and strength of the elk rut.
Check-out this post from June: http://orghunt.com/2013-elk-rut-intensity-will/
I really think it is important to look at the facts, as I hear so many assumptions.
I will say this again, the cows must be healthy, and the fatter they are, the sooner they cycle. FYI-We had an extremely dry spring and late start to the Monsoon.
Other hidden factors:1. Bull to cow ratio2. Pressure
Arizona produces some of the biggest bulls in the world. Typically, the archery hunters are pretty successful with a 2 week long season during primetime.
This year, big bulls are still falling, but at a much slower rate. With a slow rut and water in abundance, it's a good time to call in big bulls that are on the prowl. Many times this is a stage of the rut we see around the 1st of September.
Tactics we suggest during a slow rut:
1. Sit water or wallows2. Spot and stalk3. Spot and call.
Keep Grinding! No Excuses!!!-Craig
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Yesterday, I headed up to elk camp in Northern Arizona. On my way up, I was able to talk with about 20 different guides and hunters.
The first weekend of the 2013 Arizona Archery Elk Hunt has been extremely slow. Rutting activity has been very minimal, with many of the big bulls feeding and hanging around the edges of the other elk.
We believe we are a week behind the the typical year, but that is just an educated guess. Although we received large amounts of Monsoon Moisture, most of it came after the 15th of July. In my opinion, that's a huge factor, especially because we had a very dry spring.
The good news is...
It's going to get better, we just aren't sure if cows are going to start cycling in bunches or slow and steady. The rain has cleared up and the elk should start to become more predictable.
Rut Report-
Unit 1-bugling and activeUnit 2-isolated buglingUnit 3-isolated bugling, slowly picking upUnit 4-6-Very Little ActivityUnit 7- little bugling, some reports of bulls going hard, but very isolatedUnit 8-little bugling, extremely slowUnit 9-Isolated Bugling, very slowUnit 10-isolated Bugling, very slowBlock or Western Multi-Units- Bugling Decent, Reports of Isolated Fighting and hard buglingUnits 21-23-Little Bugling, but getting better
Big Bulls are still falling!
Units 7, 21, 1, 27 & 18B have already produced some tanks this weekend, 370-417 inches.
We strongly feel, some of the biggest bulls will still come from 21, 22 & 23. This area had the best feed and moisture during the critical antler growth time period.
We are seeing RECORD class Mosquitos!
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The best way to get a copy of the ORG is to Pre-Order! You get it cheaper and FASTER! This year you will also be entered into our Killer Gear Giveaway, if you Pre-Order! The earlier you Pre-Order, the MORE raffle tickets you will get.
For more details click here!
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My Utah Archery Elk Hunt is over!
Just after the last blog post, I glassed up the big 6. I immediately knew he was a good bull and in a good spot. He wasn't as big as Mr. Heavy, but he was the 2nd biggest bull we had seen.
I decided to pursue and I am very blessed to bring him back home.
You will be able to see some video and the entire story will be published in the 2014 Utah Hunting Edition of the ORG.
- Craig
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It's been a few days... Long hard hunting days!
We have found Mr. Heavy everyday, except this morning. I have had him under 60 yards twice, only to have him slip out from under me.
Skipping to last night.
My dad found him in the same spot where I almost got a shot at him on the second day.
There was less than an hour of shooting light, so I drove and long trotted back up the ridge. I had good wind and I knew the country well.
Earlier that day, 22 cows and calves piled out below me as I waited on a boulder. I was frustrated because he wasn't with them so I left. Well... The SOB was now standing under the rock (3hours later)!
Anyways...
I was almost to the edge of the clearing and a cow was bedded in the trees. I dang near ran her over, because I thought everything was in the meadow. The cows all walked past me at 55-60 yards but Mr. Heavy bugled just out of sight. dang it! All he had to do was follow his cows but instead he went off the ridge screaming like crazy.
I watched them until dark because I was pinned down by the cows. He was really ripping it up for the first time.
This morning was my morning to kill him, or so I thought. We never even seen the slippery booger.
I walked and my dad glassed the mountain and draws. I let a tank of a 360 bull walk away and past on a young stag looking 7x7(pic above).
It's been raining and I am not sure where he is again. My dad seen a big 6x6 that really impressed him, so I might take a look at him, if Mr. Heavy keeps ditching us.
-Craig #NoExcuses
I have been posting from my phone and not proofing any of this. Hopefully it is legible!
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Ok... So here are some pictures of Mr. Heavy. Now you know why we gave him the name.
He is around 385-390. He has a short g2 on his left side, but he has 8 on his right.
He is a TANK and I don't care what he scores now.
Last night I had him at 60, but a cow busted me.
This morning he was in the same spot, but he made it into the trees quick and only bugled once. I decided to back off him because they seem to be more active in the afternoon.
Hopefully, I will be blessed to put an arrow in him. I am super anxious, but I know I have to keep grinding until he slips up.
-Craig #NoExcuses
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Yesterday afternoon really sucked.
Mr. Heavy moved his cows through the trees early. Luckily my old man caught him so we had an idea to start with this morning.
This morning we made our way with headlamps up the steep mountain. We began glassing before the sun was up and found to small 6 points. 1 bull was bugling, while the other feed.
30 minutes after the sun awoke, we found a muddy bull with a cow to the north. We watched him bugle and look down hill. We knew something was going on.
6 miles from where we saw Mr. Heavy and his cows, he appeared. He had two more elk with him, and I immediately bailed off the hill.
I drove the truck around to where I last saw them but they already made it up the mountain. I followed...
I trailed them through the thick junipers until I heard him bugle. I slowed my pace as he was less than 100 yards. Just then I caught a cow bedded at 60, but it was too late! I was busted!
I followed until the tracks slowed and then caught a glimpse of a feeding cow. I decided to back off because of horrible wind and too much cover.
I am not sure where they are going to head tonight. We are going to watch both spots as he isn't being very predictable.
Anxiously waiting back at camp.
-Craig #NoExcuses
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This will be short and sweet...
Glassed up a tank last night and nicknamed him Mr. Heavy. It was late, but I could tell he was big.
This morning we were able to relocate him, but we weren't able to get in front of him. We have a real good idea where he will come out tonight. I am just going to play cat and mouse, until I get an arrow in him.We are getting a bite to eat and then back up the mountain.FYI- I have better pics but I can't share them until he is on the ground. Paranoia is setting in! -
There are 2 types of hunters who have the best chance of taking trophy big game. The guided hunter and the local hardcore hunter. These are just the facts, and they both are a direct result of knowledge and tactics.
On my way up to Utah, I realized I am at a disadvantage because I don't have the privilege of this unit being in my back yard, nor did I choose to hire help. I am a bit nervous, as traveling out of state is not cheap and it's not often that you have the opportunity to draw a great tag.
No different than most of you, I want to kill the biggest bull I can find, but I have obligations and work sitting at home, which seem to be tugging me from behind. I am very blessed to be here and right now I need a big old slobbery bull to help cure my doubts.I am joined on this trip by my parents, which is where it all began for me. For them they will mainly be glassing, cooking and pick-up men. These will all help in the process, but if I get a big bull down, my pack and legs will be heavy.
I am about ready to find out what I am made of...
No Excuses-Craig
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I am a very blessed person. I am able to hunt, guide, and film some of the most amazing things!
I am typing this as I get ready to head up to Utah for my own Archery Elk Hunt. I spent the past week guiding for Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters & was very blessed to capture this UNREAL pronghorn antelope fight footage.I am very confident that the bigger buck was either going to kill this small buck or serioursly hurt him. I am sorry it is a little shaky, but it wasn't easy to freehand and range for Cody.
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Missing a big pronghorn buck after a 4 hour stalk is a humbling experience. Missing 3 bucks, over the course of two and a half days is downright devestating! And so continues my quest for a big, Wyoming, archery antelope.
As our slogan here at ORG goes, "NO EXCUSES". And as much as I want to blame my bow, or the wind, or the blind, it just boils down to the fact that I just plain blew it.
So if you are looking for a fluffy, happy go lucky type of hunting story, this probably isn't going to be it. I hope that part is yet to come. And I will try to point out some of the good things as well, but tomorrow I am headed out to scout before the archery opener here in Colorado and just wanted to make a quick record of the hunting season so far. So here it is...
After sitting in a blind opening weekend, watching trophy bucks running around out in front of me, I decided this time I was going to take a little more initiative. I had been away for nearly two weeks and was set on some down in the dirt, stalking action.
Those who have hunted antelope in Wyoming, know that there is virtually no cover at all. And in order to sneak through what grass and sage exist in this country you have to be willing to let the fire ants get comfortable where they were never intended to be; try not to flinch every time a deer fly digs into the back of your neck; and brave day after day of nearly triple digit temperatures and gale force winds.
And this is fun right?!. Truth is, it seems like the more difficult and uncomfortable I am, the more memorable the hunt ends up being. Most other hunters will understand what I'm talking about.
After three or four close encounters, I finally had 3 bucks in the palm of my hand and they were feeding right toward me. As they closed the gap to 30 yards, I was about to rise from my prone position to draw, when they spooked and ran around behind me. Knowing I wasn't going to have time to range the distance, I came to full draw, guessed the distance, and let 'er fly. As I watched the arrow sail just over the back of the biggest buck, I felt my body deflate, knowing hours of hard work just ended with nothing but a memory that I would play over in my mind thousands of times.
So day two came around and I was looking for redemption. I watched another big buck working a fence line from a vantage point at first light. At the same time, from the bottom of the draw, I could see a smaller buck slowly working his way toward me.
After unsuccessfully stalking the larger buck, I decided to head back down the draw to see if the smaller one had bedded on the opposite side of the hill from me. As I came to a wash, I slowly peaked over the top and immediately caught a glimpse of two black horns.
With the video camera rolling behind me, I snuck up to the top of the next cut. As I peaked over the edge, the buck caught my movement and began to stand. Once again, thinking I didn't have time to range him, I came to full draw, guessed the distance, and sent the arrow. This time, I heard the arrow pass right underneath him and slam into the dirt.
After months of practice, shooting instinctively for times just like these, it became very clear that I was still going to need to rely on my rangefinder. I was more than beat down. Any bowhunter knows that you wait for that one opportunity when the stars align just right to give you a shot. I had now been given two opportunities and I just knew the odds of getting another. And now, even just a day later, I am already starting to realize how fortunate I was to even have the chances I did.
continuing on...
The night before I had watched a group of bucks work down to get a drink at a puddle that was near my blind. I decided that I was in the mood to just sit there and try to get my head in the game. So, with 3 hours until dark, I re-set my blind near the water hole and began to wait.
With about 45 minutes left of daylight, I caught a glimpse of 3 bucks feeding on a hillside about 200 yards away. I knew if they came in, it was going to be right at dark. And from my vantage point, I wouldn't see them until they came over the hill 40 yards in front of me.
And that is exactly what happened. 30 minutes later, bucks started pouring into the watering hole in front of me. I could instantly hear my heart pounding in my ears. I didn't have time to count, but my guess was that there were at least eight, if not more like ten bucks. Four of them that would have likely made the P&Y standards.
With all eyes locked on the black hole I was hiding in, I came to full draw. The bucks caught my movement and scattered, then stopped. With one of the big bucks still within range, I again guessed the distance and placed my 30 yard pin just over a sage bush he was standing behind. Almost immediately after I released, I heard the unmistakable 'THWACK' of my arrow hitting bone. I finally did it!
Or so I thought...As light was fading, I slipped out of the blind to locate my arrow. Just behind where the buck had stood was an almost perfectly clean arrow. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what had happened. There was hair on the broadhead, and two small specks of blood on the veins, but clearly I had not made a lethal shot on the buck. I was devestated. Questions kept running through my mind, "Did I hit the window of the blind?", "Did I hit the sage brush?". All I know is that the range finder read 32 yards where the buck had stood and I had missed for the third time.
After sleeping in the next day, and going back to check for any blood, still in disbelief, I headed home.
As humbling as it is to even admit that I missed, there is something that happens every time I fail and then keep on trying. I go through a phase where all I want to do is throw in the towel. Once I get my whimpering, pathetic self to man up and accept my mistakes, I get a fire underneath me that motivates like nothing else from that point on. I really think it's in these moments that our character is defined.
On my way home, I hit the archery range and poured every last ounce of energy I had into practice because I am going to get back out there and I'm going to kill a buck with my bow! In a way, it's exciting because I get to keep hunting. That is the bowhunter in me talking. Sometimes it's just clearly about the journey, not the destination.
- Laine
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‘HUNT App for iPhone and iPad’ Now Available from Hunting GPS Maps
Hunting GPS Maps is excited to announce the launch of our new HUNT App for iOS devices. The new App will allow you to turn your iPhone or iPad into a GPS unit that displays your location relative to public and private property boundaries, hunting unit boundaries, & displays land owner names, all layered on top of aerial imagery or topo basemaps. Easily plan hunts, access public and private lands, cache maps, and make waypoints right on your mobile device.
HUNT App users can subscribe to our hunting specific layers on a state-by-state basis. Layers included with the subscription include:
- Government and Public Lands to easily determine your position in relation to public lands.- Land owner names with property boundaries allow you to easily ask for land owner permission or see private land boundaries while out in the field.- GMUs or Hunting Units for as many different species and special hunt types as we can find available for that state.- Section Lines and Numbers- Cache Basemaps and other subscription layers for use when you are out of cell phone coverage.
The free App version allows you to:- Add GPS functionality to turn your mobile device into a GPS and easily see your location on the map.- Game Management Units (GMU)/Hunting Units for general game species (for example in Wyoming you will can see Antelope, Deer, and Elk units)- Basemaps such as Topo and Aerial Imagery layers to choose between so you can easily see Topo, Roads, Rivers, Lakes, etc.- Mark Waypoints with hunting and other icons to help you navigate back to your vehicle, camp, good lookouts, blinds, or just to mark places where you have seen game.- Mark Waypoints using a photo you’ve taken to easily document the locations of scrapes and rubs, wallows, game sightings, food sources, bedding areas, etc. Bring this data back home to your iPad or computer to help you learn your hunting area much faster!The HUNT App also has a state of the art map caching feature that will allow users to store maps for use outside of service areas. Basemaps and the subscription layers can be cached before your hunt to allow you to access maps while outside of cell service. Easily swap out cached maps for any area you want depending on your destination.To get the free HUNT App visit the App Store and search for ‘HUNT app’ or ‘onXmaps’. State specific layers can be purchased two ways:- Or Directly from Hunting GPS Maps for $30/year. http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/apple-app-subscription
For more information on Hunting GPS Maps, please contact Matt Seidel at 208-GPS-MAPS or visit www.HuntingGPSMaps.com -
First, blog post about my Utah Archery Bull Elk hunt. This post may not be formatted correctly or the grammar maybe less than par. I am posting from my iPhone.
I made the drive from Arizona to Utah on Thursday. I made it up just in time to drive around half my unit via the highway.
I woke up the next morning to glass up a few elk and mule deer everywhere.
I decided to head up on to the mountain to see what it was like. I saw a giant herd of cows and calves in an old burn. There were campers, OHVs and hunters everywhere on top.
That afternoon I decided to head off the mountain and look at some of the low country. I ditched the truck and climbed on my old honda foreman.
It was pretty dry, so my goal was to cut sign. I found an area that seemed to have several elk and it was pretty good country, so I climbed up high to glass.
I immediately found 11 mule deer bucks below me, but just one spike elk. I came off the mountain and stayed down in the bottom that night.
I got up to a thunderstorm off to the south and a few road hunters driving below the mountain. This was the opener for my Utah Limited Entry Archery elk hunt, but I was mainly just scouting.
I glassed up about 50 head of cows and calves which was a promising morning. My plan is to comeback around the 1st of September, which will hopefully be the beginning of the elk rut.
I decided to do a complete 360 of the unit. I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. I did, but much of the unit is pretty dry and I didn't see anymore elk tracks down low. I am pretty sure most of the elk are up on the mountain.
I got up higher that night. It was stormy, but I finally glassed up a mature bull raking a tree.
I am heading home this morning and I guess I accomplished what I wanted to. My current impression of this Utah Limited Entry elk unit is... Too many roads. Not enough low juniper country.
No Excuses -Craig
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NEW ORGhunt.com Website Stop by our NEW ORGhunt.com website!!!
NEW ORG Blog with Non-Stop Content! We will continue to use this blog, but you will get more content via our NEW blog! ORGhunt/blog/.com
NEW ORGhunt.com Website The new ORGhunt.com website will be updating and improving constantly. The ORGhunt.com website is also adaptive to your mobile devices and you can access it via the old web address OutdoorsmansResourceGuide.com. -
Raising funds for the familes of the fallen. As many of you know, a number of the Granite Mountain Firefighters had families, so we hope you will donate for this event.For more information contact Blake Lanoue or Kaela Seisinger. -
Man, it was a full week and my anxiety is getting too me. About this point every year, I start to feel envy and catch a touch of the poor me flu after working a ton of hours. Basically, it's a big pity party in my head.
A few hours ago I came across this video by the Tines Up crew. I can honestly say, it really made me relax and think about the upcoming days ahead. This is the type of simple pure outdoor/hunting related video content I like and I believe we need in the hunting industry.
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FYI-State Trust Lands are different than federal public land, therefore they are managed and funded differently.
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ThomC, you are 100% correct! The access and crowding issues are not going to get better, it is impossible.
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Most people put a swing for the fence high demand hunt as their 1st choice these days. If on a given year 500 hunters dropped out of the draw for price increase reasons for any given high demand hunt how do the odds get worse in that scenario.FYI-That's why I believe there needs to be a change in management strategy and pricing structures.
I do believe we need more passionate hunters involved in our way of life. I think it starts with us though and not with an organization. It starts with hunters being selfless and taking their kids. It starts with hunters taking non-hunting family members. It starts with teaching and not always trying to compete.
I always have the debate with myself as to if we need more hunters, but sometimes, I think that comes from me wanting to get a quality tag every few years in my home state.
I am not perfect, as I get caught up in the hype as well, but I always fall back to hunting for my own personal reasons.
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Couesmagnet,
100% agree with you, we ALL have a role in this evolution of the hunting society.
I do believe hunter levels will drop because of the cost in the future. Only X amount of people are going to value it enough to do it on a consistant basis and this will cause price increases across the board.
We will see Public Land Access programs and fees take hold in the future. It maybe 5 years from now, or 20, but it is coming.
I believe the DEMAND for the higher quality hunts will only increase (even if hunter numbers drop) and this will NOT change with out a different price structure or a change in management philosophy.
Here is my final thought...
Hunting is what YOU make of it. If you want to go kill a big buck, than go do it. It you want to kill a yearling, than go do it. Nobody has a gun pointed to anyone's head saying, "you MUST kill a big buck or die."
In 2006, I got caught up in the game of trying to keep of with the Joneses. After that season, I said what the heck am I doing... I hunt for myself and I don't care what anyone thinks.
The web is a great place and really allows everyone to have an opinion, where as 20-30 years ago, there was only a few media outlets that fed our brains.
Best,
Craig Steele
Hunting should be celebrated, but we all are filled with jealousy and envy, which leads to nothing but excuses.
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Wildwoody,
Nothing is free.
2013 No Excuses Utah Archery Elk Hunt "TRAILER"
in CEI Outdoors Blog
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I woke up at 0300 hrs with an even worse head cold and I was starting to feel a little depressed.
Then it just hit me..."quit being a dang sissy."
We don't make money filming. We don't get paid for advertising on our YouTube Channel. We are not professional videographers.
We simply want to show a real, educational and inspiring side of hunting.
It's a little different music and maybe a touch dramatic, but as usual, I am not afraid to show you exactly how I feel or what is going through my head.
-Craig S.
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