AZ_SAWBUCK

The best thing to do is have a Wrangler. What I mean is bring someone along who can care for the horses. Not only in camp but while hunting as well. Maybe you and your partner can take turns. If you jump deer the wrangler can get off hold the horses or tie up while the shooter gets a reasonable distance away and can shoot without all heck breaking loose. One thing I have seen work in the past is if you see deer and they are not too spooked.....keep riding.... the shooter gets off and the horses and other riders keep riding while leading the shooters horse on. That way the deer will focus on the horses while the shooter can get set up and shoot. Similar to the old get out and try to get a shot while the truck drives on (I have never seen this done but heard about it). Take your animals with you to the range and set up and shoot right next to them. Obviously if you are shooting a gun that is loud as heck get a reasonable distance away, their ears will hurt just like yours if listening to loud gunshots. Puffy hair scrunches or a dissected tampon works well for horse earplugs (kind of weird but they work a lot of Rodeo cowboys use them while competing in buildings with loud crowds). It is best to pack your best animal that way you minimize chances for a wreak. Leg your animals up and know their quirks. Every horse has things they don't like even the good ones. A fresh animal who never gets ridden is way more likely to give you trouble or get you hurt out in the hills. If you aren't conditioned for your hunt and someone pushes you physically odds are you aren't going have a very good time and feel very good. Horses and livestock aren't any different, you have to condition and work with your animals if you want them to be less of a headache. Know your limitations and your horses limitations. If you have a horse that just might break in two and try you on at any given moment, don't take him on a cliffy steep trail. Its not worth getting hurt. Do your homework and do your best to know the type of terrain you are up against and plan accordingly. Don't be afraid to get off and walk. I have rode in some of roughest country in the state that a horse can go and I'm not afraid to get off and walk in hairy spots. Don't overload your animals. Just because they have hooves and can carry a lot of weight doesn't mean you need to bring everything you would as if you are hunting out of the back of the truck. We usually pack the same gear as if we were going on a backpack trip, with the exception of some better food usually frozen and canned and a few frosty beverages for the end of the day (about 3 per person per day), and a few other small luxury items and stuff for the animals. Use good tack that fits and watch out for sores. Remember never let your guard down even on a "bomb proof" animal. Good Luck and have a SAFE time out there this fall. JS

You NEED to listen to the Jay Scott Podcast on hunting these Buffalo! I find all of his podcast enjoyable to listen to when in the truck for long periods of time. Just plug the phone into the headphone jack and listen away. Good job J!

Hunting off horses has pros and cons. Give me a call 602.292.9264 or send me a PM and I'll do my best to answer any questions you might have.

In the past few years My hunting partners and I have packed in the back country with horses. Had some great trips and were fortunate enough to take some nice deer. I'm thinking of going a different route this year. Horses are a great way to get way back in there but they are ALOT of work. You not only have to pack way more stuff (Tack, equipment, feed, pellets......), but once your in camp it's almost a full time job taking care of them. Someone usually always had to stay back at camp or is limited on how much they can hunt. I'll still do it but this year I think I'm going to go a different route. I'm thinking a solo backpack trip. I'm sure there is a thread similar to this out there but I thought I would strum up a new one. My question is what are essentials and what should be left behind? I'm thinking of packing in 2-3 miles for about 3 nights. That's in your pack? There is what I was thinking........ Outdoorsmans pack Compact bed roll Bivy sac Water purification system and hydration bladder Tin cup and fork Jet boil type system Mountain house Misc jerkey granola bars etc...... Light jacket Extra socks Light tripod 15x50 vipers Gloves and beanie Super light first aid kit P-cord TP Tag game bags havalon and gloves THATS IT. O and a gun either my heavy .300 LR rifle with turret scope or super light .22-250. Can't decide on a gun. What one would you take? Am I forgeting any thing? Do I need to cut anything from the list?

I archery hunt 24b time to time....... Whoever has that trail camera there has me on it. 😂 good spot!

+ 1 for Camerlandny.com ! I bought a Vortex Viper HS LR scope with target turrets retails for $600 I paid $350. It was a demo model but looked brand new. Great customer service as well. Just call those guys and tell them what you are looking for they will hook you up!

One thing I have noticed about higher end optics is that they hold their value fairly well. If you end up paying $### or $#,### for some high end optics and they don't work out, chances are you will find someone in the market that will give you a fair price. In 5-10 years there will be glass available that is lighter in weight and has better clarity, the cost will more than likely reflect the new advancement in technology. I'm a Vortex guy. I think they make quality enough glass for what I do, at great price and they have an exceptional warranty. I have the Viper 15X50 HD's and have had no complaints in the past three years I have been using them. However I am looking to upgrade to the Razors. If I had the extra $$ to spend I would go with Swaros.

I'm running out of ways to cook all this elk burger! Anyone have any interesting ground elk recipes?

26M! Close to the house......................LOL................Should just ask................"Hey guys tell me where your honey hole is and how cool it is"

I like the Title! Those are going to be some heavy bulls!

Good information and O so true!

Thanks for all the good ideas. I'm going to have to try and make those meat balls bet they would be a good spin on the traditional spaghetti that I always make. Adding some bacon fat to the burgers sounds like a great idea too! Thanks and good to hear from you coach! So I tried my hand at making meatloaf for the first time. I'm happy to say I think I NAILED IT! Its pretty close to Bills recipe with the exception of the sauce. I'll give credit where credit is due....Thanks Bill.....Great recipe. Ingredients: 2 pounds ground elk 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1.5 cup dried bread crumbs 1 onion finely chopped salt pepper garlic powder Sauce: 1 cup of favorite BBQ sauce 1 cup regular yellow mustard (the kind you put on a hot dog) 2 teaspoon brown sugar Thoroughly mix in separate bowl. Pre heat oven to 350 Thoroughly mix ingredients in bowl with hands. Put loaf ingredients into two separate greased bread pans, and spread evenly. Add sauce to top and cook at 350 for 80 minutes. Take out of over and let rest for 20-30 minutes. Then Enjoy! My wife and kids loved it! I cant wait till lunch time when I get to have some left overs !

Maybe I should have asked "what's your favorite way to cook ground elk"! I guess I need to be more creative. Burgers, burritos, tacos, chili, cheese crisp, is about all I have thought of. Not sure I want to try eating it raw as lunch meat. But ill have to try the others. Thanks for all the suggestions keep em coming. If some one has a good meatloaf recipe id like to try it. I haven't had meet loaf since I got married 7 year ago. My wife's mom wasn't much of a cook so she had a pretty limited palet. She just started to like game in the past few years and is starting to open up. I know my 3 year old and 5 year old would love some meatloaf.

How much is the starting annual salary?

I have a pair of 15's that have some micro scratches on the lenses. Can Vortex buff them out? I cant really tell by looking through them. But looking at them you can see the blemishes.

Entering the mud run $60, Trip to Payson with family $100, Ankle brace $17, Getting my butt kicked by the Mountain and a bunch of mud...........Priceless. If any one wants to test their mental toughness and physical ability. Enter this event next year! I think I finished in the top 25% but was a little beat down mentally.......... since the part that should have been the easiest for me was the hardest, that was trail running the 1.5 miles through the hills. My cardio could use some conditioning. I was really impressed by all the team work and motivation that was going on. This event is a class act on helping one another and motivation. Congrats to all who did the run and thanks to all the volunteers and people who put it on!

I heard that every Triple Crown winner in history was followed by a recession. Is there any history buffs out there who can tough on this? I find it kind of interesting yet disturbing, since we just bounced out of a recession. Way cool that he won the race!

My wife took the kids the other day they had a blast!

Yep Mesa Sales!

Trophy hunting right off the bat! Good luck with the draw.

I don't think you will regret it. Last season I quit carrying my 15's on archery hunts and just carry my 10's and on my rifle hunts I just carry my 15's. I did this for the same reason. I have some buddies who just carry 12's and they have no complaints.

Thanks for all the input. Clint your list is pretty detailed. I like the 1st aid kit. I am thinking of the October hunt, in the past it has been a little warm in the afternoons but still sweatshirt weather in the mornings and evenings. I like all the suggestions so far. My thinking is I want to stay as light as possible. I remember cleaning out my pack last fall after my elk hunt and thinking why am I carrying half this crap? Do I really need my GPS, a full roll of electrical tape, extra batteries, extra flash light, thick gloves that I'm only going to use for 30 minutes, flagging, all the little stuff adds up. I know the old phrase "its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it", but when you have to carry it all day I disagree. Id rather take the absolute necessities and leave the questionable stuff at the truck. I can really tell a difference when I cut weight especially when I'm hiking all day with a pack on. Plus once you take a deer you have to have some room in your pack for the animal.

Thanks for the input guys! Keep em coming.......Anyone else planning on a solo backpack hunt?

SOLD

High Country Tripod. Has some scratches from normal use. Functions great, comes with the ball head and plate. $50 602.292.9264