Sam

Wow! Great bull on a tough hunt. It sounds like you know the unit and spent alot of time out there. Good job and yes most of understand the tears associated with joy! Boy, to be 25 again.......

You are a stud - yes girls can be studs too! Congrats on a job well done the hard way. Great deer and great trip with your dad. Ok, so when can I introduce you to my daughters. They complain when I say we're going up Camelback Mt. Sam

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Looking at my own kids, I can only imagine the heartache. Seeing terminally ill kids is the hardest thing. I'm glad he was able to have a hunt that many people can only dream about. As for the burglars that broke into their home - I agree with CMC! Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up. But, then again, I think big brother should lay down heavy hands on all those who steal from others.

I'm thinking of a few other words besides "jerk hunter". That's really a shame that things like this have to happen.......

I have 15 BP for Antelope this year. Been putting in on and off since 1985. Hoping for my first tag this year! If I get drawn, I don't know what I'll do?? I think I'm too young to have a heart attack. Five points going in for elk. Good luck everyone.

I would have to say I always put in for units that I am most familiar with. This is my deciding factor. However, draw odds are also factoring in now a days. Seems like it is best to play the odds on the 2nd choice, because they most likely won't get to your 3rd, 4th , or 5th choices. Years ago, a guy could save his less desirable units for choice number 4 or 5 - not anymore, almost every unit is desirable for someone.

I was in 36A for 5 days. To our surprise, we didn't see any illegals or drug runners. I agree, I think the crossings slow down in the colder weather. There seemed to be less trash and water bottles around. In years past, I remember seeing alot more trash. Of course the BP helicopter flew over twice a day and the trucks were on the main dirt road - they never ventured down the 4 track we were on. We decided to keep our coolers and personal gear locked in the truck - kind of a pain, and this was the first time I chose to do this. Less deer too......

Yes - I already got my license in the mail - even though my turkey app was rejected once again....

Congrats to a great season - a whitetail and a bull elk! Wow! Looks like Christmas may have come early this year.....

Tough weekend to be hunting - great job!

I think your set-up sounds great Travis. I'm just reluctant to change. Not that I'm a great hunter, I could use every advantage around. I guess I'm just stuck in my ways. Heck, I don't even have a cell phone. I never realized that 175 grain sabbot would only drop about 3 inches at 200 yards. One of these days, I would love to go on a primitive elk hunt. I just need to work less........especially in the fall. Sam

Good point......I think the gene pool is diminishing in many species, including our own.

This is a tough subject - it has always caused heated debates. This artlicle is a bit bias and one sided. The cattle industry has always had a big influence on management decisions within AZ. Sometimes too much. The ranchers deserve the opportunity to continue with their lively hood; however, a big portion of their grazing lands are leased from the government - state trust land and National forest lands. We can't manage them just for one group. This is just one more conflict that ranchers have to deal with - just like the drought and lower beef prices. It is unfortunate that cows are killed by wolves, but there are funds set aside to reimburse ranchers. However, AZ's deer and elk populations are also affected by the reintroduction of the Mexican Grey Wolf. Just look at the deer population in Unit 27 - this unit has wolves roaming through it and killing deer. Maybe we should we have left things up to Mother Nature and accepted things for what they are - no more wolves in AZ?? After all, mom's know best...........

Great country and two great bucks! I agree, it seems like the deer were a bit lower this year........

What a great hunt. I agree with you that every hunt can turn up a good buck, and both of these are great bucks! That was a heck of a shot with your blackpowder........what caliber? My distance is about 100 yards. But, I'm pretty primitive - no scope, no sabots - just the basics. But then again I grew up shooting instinctively with the bow also......people think I'm crazy???? Sam

Wow - that is such a great story. I shared it with my wife and kids and told them that I expect the same from them next year:).

Spoiled, but not ruined. I agree, there is no better way to keep a kid excited about hunting. It took me quite a few years until I was successful.......

Great idea!

Wow! Great job! Congratulations to the young hunter. I wish my daughter had the ambition to backpack in 5 miles and set up a camp. I just showed her the pictures and she may think twice about working a little harder next year. Thanks for sharing.

Congratulations. There were afew cold, nasty days this past weekend. Patience is the key. At least you were successful - me on the other hand, had alot of patience, but no deer in the freezer.

Great write up. It must have been very exciting. You guys sure beat the odds on this hunt. Congrats to everyone!

For five days, I hunted the Cerro Colorados hard. I saw some does, but no bucks. My brother in law saw a nice 3 point, but couldn't get a shot - of all places a few hundred yards off the road, close to a tank. He was too worn out to climb up high again, so he sat by a tank. I went back up the mountain. I glassed many hours, hiked high in the wee dark hours of the morning, walked edges of canyons in the high wind trying to jump a bedded buck - nothing. Sat out the rain and hail and a little snow early one morning. I shot one there two years ago, saw a few bucks while scouting this year, but being the 5th hunt, I think there was just too much pressure in 36A this year. Not to mention the 2 mule deer hunts. Very disappointing! I think this late November hunt is a joke. In 20 years of whitetail hunting, I have never had such a discouraging hunt. I'm not complaining, just pointing out that during this 10 year drought, there doesn't seem to be as many deer out there. Luckily, I have a little venison left from a mule deer last year.........Good luck to the December hunters.

Thanks for the nice thoughts. Now I have to say buy to my family and head off to look for some whitetails.....bound for 36A.

What a great way to get these boys hooked on hunting. Congrats to the kid that got the deer. The bigger buck must have been a dandy.

I'll be down there with my brother in law. Green 2007 Jeep, off the Batamore ranch road. I agree, not as many deer as in years past. May move to another area after a day or two. Too many tags and not enough water.