rockymtnhunter
Active Member
- Messages
- 198
Congrats to all the successful Kaibab hunters this year. There were some good bucks taken. Now that the 2017 seasons have ended I'll recap some of this year?s highlights.
First, here?s a photo of a buck taken on day 7 of the late hunt by the hunter I helped. Congrats to Ken for a memorable hunt and a good buck. He put in the effort needed to take this buck, a trophy to be proud of. We faced the usual dilemma of whether to hunt ?high?, ?low? or ?in-between? during late hunt because it had been super dry and warm (mid-70s) prior to opening day ? thought that the migration might be delayed. No snow or real cold weather prior to late hunt so I thought bucks may still be ?high?, but decided to 1) focus on water given how extra dry it was and 2) go ?low? hoping that bucks had moved low despite the weather and because of the relatively late start of the hunt this year. All of the trick tanks had from 2 to 6 trailcams on them so I knew other hunters would be focusing on water too. Scouted 4 days prior to opening ? saw some great bucks so figured my choices were on the mark (hopefully). First 4 days of hunt were tough, lots of deer and smaller bucks, but bigger bucks were tough to locate. Warm weather had them laying low. Cold front arrived Monday eve dropping temps 15-20 degrees and presto the bucks were active and chasing does. Saw 2 great bucks on day 5 but they gave Ken the slip before he could get set up - reminded me how important it is to be ready for a quick shot. Ken finally got his chance to connect on day 7 with this buck. He focused on patience, persistence, with a little bit o?luck. It continues to amaze me that the bucks I see during the late rifle hunt are the same ones I chase around on the high plateau in August-Sept.
Backing up a bit to the bow hunt ? did some pre-season scouting and saw some great bucks. The monsoons seemed lean this year ? not the usual standing water and many water holes were dry. Spent opening day with a hunter, saw some good bucks but no shots. As usual the ?burn? got tons of pressure during the bowhunt. I there during the early rifle hunt but expected that hunt would be tougher than usual due to dry conditions. Based on what I've heard that seemed to be the case.
Already thinking about next year ? I turned 65 this year and time is slipping away hoping to draw a rifle tag. Love to bowhunt the Kaibab, but I have to admit it's probably the toughest hunt of all. I like the early rifle hunt ? have had great success then. Maybe I'll draw a rifle tag this year, only have 5 pts but maybe lightning will strike.
Finally, I'll be finishing my book this winter and have it available by May-June next year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
First, here?s a photo of a buck taken on day 7 of the late hunt by the hunter I helped. Congrats to Ken for a memorable hunt and a good buck. He put in the effort needed to take this buck, a trophy to be proud of. We faced the usual dilemma of whether to hunt ?high?, ?low? or ?in-between? during late hunt because it had been super dry and warm (mid-70s) prior to opening day ? thought that the migration might be delayed. No snow or real cold weather prior to late hunt so I thought bucks may still be ?high?, but decided to 1) focus on water given how extra dry it was and 2) go ?low? hoping that bucks had moved low despite the weather and because of the relatively late start of the hunt this year. All of the trick tanks had from 2 to 6 trailcams on them so I knew other hunters would be focusing on water too. Scouted 4 days prior to opening ? saw some great bucks so figured my choices were on the mark (hopefully). First 4 days of hunt were tough, lots of deer and smaller bucks, but bigger bucks were tough to locate. Warm weather had them laying low. Cold front arrived Monday eve dropping temps 15-20 degrees and presto the bucks were active and chasing does. Saw 2 great bucks on day 5 but they gave Ken the slip before he could get set up - reminded me how important it is to be ready for a quick shot. Ken finally got his chance to connect on day 7 with this buck. He focused on patience, persistence, with a little bit o?luck. It continues to amaze me that the bucks I see during the late rifle hunt are the same ones I chase around on the high plateau in August-Sept.
Backing up a bit to the bow hunt ? did some pre-season scouting and saw some great bucks. The monsoons seemed lean this year ? not the usual standing water and many water holes were dry. Spent opening day with a hunter, saw some good bucks but no shots. As usual the ?burn? got tons of pressure during the bowhunt. I there during the early rifle hunt but expected that hunt would be tougher than usual due to dry conditions. Based on what I've heard that seemed to be the case.
Already thinking about next year ? I turned 65 this year and time is slipping away hoping to draw a rifle tag. Love to bowhunt the Kaibab, but I have to admit it's probably the toughest hunt of all. I like the early rifle hunt ? have had great success then. Maybe I'll draw a rifle tag this year, only have 5 pts but maybe lightning will strike.
Finally, I'll be finishing my book this winter and have it available by May-June next year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!