Spring Turkey 2010...... Finally!!

Well, after Chad has threatened me multiple times, I'm starting to play catch up. We've got a lot to share with you all and since my job had me out of town for quite some time, here it is now, better late than never. Here's the first post of a few to follow. This was our AZ spring turkey hunt. Our tags were a long time coming and we were sure pumped to get back after the birds. Unfortunatley, things started out tough as the winter really put a hurtin on the birds this year, as well as the drinkers. I don't know for sure if its the actual snow load that hurts them more, or the predators having easier picking, but one things for sure, they took a beating. Once we honed in on the activity things really picked up. We had many exciting encounters and the birds got fired up for a bit. On the stand in which Joe took his bird, we called in an entire flock with 5 screaming hot gobblers with 7 very talkative hens. Things got wild as they started charging the decoys. That stand was followed by another in which we had 2 gobblers tripping over each other trying to be the first bird in. Although we had lots of fun, the highlight for me was being able to call in a very, very vocal tom to within 15 yards of my dad. While his grandson and I got to watch the whole thing unfold, I wasn't sure who's eyes were wider; my nephew's while we listened to the gobbler then watch him meet his maker, my dad's as the gobbler came strutting in, or the gobbler's as he finally realized that he'd been had. Once again I had my entire family out and we got to enjoy the beautiful weather. It's been very important to us to keep our kids and our nephews involved in the outdoors. Chad worked his magic as well by toppling over a thunder chicken. I've put toget a quick video to share some of our photos. Enjoy and there is more to come as I catch up.  

2010 AZ Fall Draw Results Available!!

Click here to check to see if you were drawn  AZ Draw Results

Good luck.  Things are shaping up to be a great year in AZ, we drew our fair share of deer tags and have some great hunts coming up this fall. 

2009 Jr Hunt Coues Buck

Well things have been beyond busy around home and the woods, so its been a while!!  Here is good friend Wyatt Reynolds with his great buck he harvested a couple hours into his Jr hunt in AZ last year.  Wyatt and his dad make for some great fun when out in the woods.  We were able to help out Wyatt and watch him take this great buck.  In 2008, he took a great desert muley with the help of guide Jay Lopeman, and decided he would like to get a coues.  A few hours into the hunt Wyatt was standing over his first coues which scored over 101".  Congrats Wyatt.... Good Luck in the Draw!!!

My son Tate and Wyatt.

Some still shots of Wyatts buck taken off video moments before he takes his shot.

Check out the bullet just before impact.

Shepherd Family Trophies 2009

Good friends Wendy & Colby Shepherd sure did have a great year in 2009. Wendy drew a unit 9 antelope tag and made the best of it with this amazing buck. Guide Jay Lopeman assisted them and was able to show them a buck we have seen several times since 2006. She made an amazing 1 shot kill at 525 yards, and downed this heavy old buck. It was officially scored at 87 5/8". It is a beautiful buck and looks great on their wall.

Not to be outdone by his wife, Colby headed north to Utah and shot an amazing 200" mule deer. Colby always said he wanted a buck with "trash". I think his wish came true!! Congrats to both of you on some awesome animals.

Updated Scouting Report

Well things have been really really busy out in the woods.  There are some great elk this year, and they are putting on some awesome growth.  Here is a picture of the same bull that I have posted below, look at the dates on the camera and then look at the growth that he has put on.  This is a testament to good range conditions.  The bodies on the elk look great.  They are extremely "fat" this year.  I will add more pictures in the coming days.

Here is another neat picture.

Weekend Scouting

Well it was a productive weekend out in the woods.  One really big bull was spotted last week, that I am sure we will see again.  The bulls look very healthy and the feed is exceptional.  It is at this time, that the large bulls really start putting on some serious growth.  The rate at which they grow is truly amazing, and by mid June, one will know if a bull will be at or near the magic mark of 400".  Here are a couple pictures of a bull, check out how much he grew in a matter of days.  Although this bull will not be anywhere near the magic mark, he will still be a very solid bull.   I will make sure to add pictures of him later on.  We have pictures of this bull last year as well.  Check them out.

Here he is last year in July.

Things are looking good!!

Well there has been more wind this spring than I can remember for a long time. I went out in the 30+ mph winds this past weekend to go check out the conditions and was excited to see the browse and grasses flourishing in many areas.. It is great to see the cliffrose blooming out like popcorn. I also was able to lay eyes on a great bull. He just turned into a 6 point, and is going to have a great top end. I am sure we will see some more of him, and hopefully some pictures.