Catching up and looking forward

Keeping on top of relevant post, blogging and sharing the stories of all the adventures we go on is not my strong suite... Going on the adventures, now that is a different story! My last post was on the tip of the hunting season last fall; where did the rest of the fall, winter and now spring go? This was a question I had to think of for a while. I did not draw any tags in 2013, but that dang sure doesn't mean I didn't go hunting!

As a hunter, especially in a state where tags are largely based on luck of the draw, its easy to feel bummed out and defeated. Looking back at the last 6 years, I have had only three big game tags in Arizona and one in Utah (albeit they were pretty dang good tags!). Plenty of hunters would love to have been as fortunate as I have in drawing tags. But where I feel the most fortunate is when I look back at all the hunts I have gotten to go on. I love being the guy with the tag, but  also I love being the guy with out the tag. Some of the best memories I have, were on hunts were I was just there to help!

This last fall was one for the books. I got to go on a ton of great adventures with a ton of great people. I know I tend to dwell on this subject but I really feel passionate about the reason I love hunting. I love matching wits with the biggest oldest bull on the mountain but just as much, I love sharing that chase and adventures with people who matter to me.  Before I proceed with my next photo dump from the second part of the 2013 hunts I was on, I have a challenge for you all. Don't be the guy who sulks in your bonus point count but rather go out of your way to help a friend on a hunt. Make it your priority to go on that hunt. Its easy when you are the tag holder to take off work and put your life of hold. Try putting that same level of excitement in to someone ease's adventures. You won't regret it.

 Now here is a real challenge, get your mother in-law to try hunting!

Weston's first elk. We got the whole dang family down that canyon to help with the packout!

 This is what a man looks like after he has just found the ram he has been chasing his whole life.

Draw results are just around the corner for the 2014 elk and antelope season in Arizona. I'm not holding my breath for tags that I might (not) draw, but I am waiting for all the phone calls from really excited friends who drew the tag of their dreams.

Gearing up for the next adventures.

Contrary to what most of my friends and family think, I am and have been excited for several other hunts this year other than just my own sheep hunt. I got to be part of several early archery elk hunts here in northern AZ. The McDonald Family Clan had a pile of elk tags and a big ol camp of great guys in unit 9. It was awesome we had tons of big bugling bulls around us morning and night. Dan, Clint and Pat all shot great bulls. It was all three of their first time archery bulls!
In the middle of that hunt and trying to work and still get in scouting and prepping for my hunt I got to be part of Eli's and Jesse's bull hunt too.

My wonderful wife Leah, her brother Weston and Dad all have Coues deer tags starting this weekend! Leah and I are going to go out and see what we see and Weston and Greg are gonna be hunting with us next weekend. I cant wait!
My good buddies Eli and Nate have December Coues tags in my very favorite unit and to tell the truth I am almost giddy with excitement for their hunt.... maybe more than they are.
And as luck would have it, not only did I draw a sheep tag, I also have friend that drew a tag down south this year. Being that I am now a "died in the wool" sheep hunter, I am going to try my hardest make it down to hunt with him in the beginning of December. Meanwhile I am going to attempt to get a TON of work done and help Leah with all of her projects and Honey-do's, and I think my mom has an elk hunt somewhere in there too.
I am BLESSED to live the fantastic and never boring life I live. I can't thank all my friends enough for always including me in their adventures and coming along for mine. Stay tuned for up dates on the shenanigans to come.

 ABOVE LEFT: Dan
ABOVE RIGHT: Cint
LEFT: Me, Jesse and Eli w/ Jesses bull

 Eli and his last day 80 yard shot bull!

A 16 year long Arizona Bull Elk hunt.

Last week I was able to sneak in and get a shot at a great bull. I want to thank all my family, my friends and Leah for putting up with me going crazy before this hunt and for coming and helping and supporting me during the hunt. I had a great time despite the really hot days and the really rainy days. This hunt was worth all the years of waiting.

Elk hunting with the boys

Jimmy, Ish and Raul all drew early archery bull tags this year! We did absolutely not one day of scouting and they still got it done. I was able to hunt with them for the first 4 days and then came back the second weekend when they killed. We got to see TONS of bulls and had a great time but after 14 days in a wall tent they were ready to go home. They shot these bulls 30 seconds apart at the same waller. They both took about 5 running strides and died. No tracking or packing involved.

 Ish's bull: 388" and Jimmy's; 365"

Heck of a job boys