Monday, March 25, 2013
2013 Antelope Hunts
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Persistence...
So, here is a question I get asked often. "Do you think 7 days is long enough to kill a big buck?" There is no right answer. When hunters show up in camp, usually the day before the start of their hunt, we are always as prepared as we can possibly ever be. If it is the eve before the start of the rifle hunt, then we have been working on that hunt since late June! That's almost 4 1/2 months! We have scouted, found, patterned, and done our level best to learn about and form a plan to kill the very biggest bucks in the unit. That said we are still chasing a free ranging, smart, educated critter that has beaten EVERY predator that it has come in contact with for most of a decade. It is not easy and no amount of preparation will guarantee squat! So when hunters ask the above question I answer something like this. "If we come prepared, hunt smart, and stay persistent, odds are we will get a chance at this buck." I am certain that every last accomplished deer hunter or guide would agree that persistence is the greatest weapon one can posses.
I know of a buck right now that should easily pass the 230" gross mark in 2013. He lives in horribly thick and flat country. I have seen this buck three times working the edge of the only clearing in his area. In fact, I saw him multiple times over several months in the exact same spot! I know for a fact that if a hunter simply sat on a rock and waited for that buck to pop out of the trees he would kill him within 7 days. I would put the odds at 90%+ of killing him. But....rare is the hunter that would be willing to sit in the exact same spot each day, for days on end, with a Strip tag smoldering in his pocket getting hotter by the day. Rare indeed...even if his odds of killing a 230" incher where higher doing that than anything else he could be doing! Everyone is game for it...for two days...after which their brain will get the best of them and they will abandon ship for greener buck pastures, which most of the time don't exist. Persistence is the keenest weapon a Strip hunter can bring with them..
The season of 2011, John Holbrook drew his 13B tag. He booked with us. We crossed canyons, climbed mountains, had two windy snow storms as the week withered away around us. Assistants Bob Dykeman, Ben Wells, hunter John and myself hunted as hard as we could for 7 straight days before we finally laid eyes on the buck we were after. In a 40 mph ripping cold wind on the last morning of the hunt, John made good on a 360 yard shot and claimed his gigantic 239" incher. Persistence baby.
Last year on the 13B rifle hunt, I was hunting with Rick from California. Rick was a high strung, tight wound type, not unlike myself. We started a tough hunt and it got tougher by the day. 2012 was a terrible drought year and big deer were few and far between. We nearly killed ourselves looking for "Curly". Curly was a huge framed buck that was estimated at 220" and was one of the biggest bucks in the whole unit that year. Unfortunately, he lived in a popular area. Hunter pressure and thick country put Curly in hiding. We stayed with it, didn't lose focus, and on day 6 Curly walked out of the trees into Rick's waiting crosshairs. The day before our scheduled time together was to end. Persistence pays.
In 2011, Mike M. came from Colorado to hunt with us. Mike was an accomplished trophy hunter and was laser focused on holding out for a huge buck we had found and called "OneEye". This buck lived in what we call "low odds country" or terrain that is incredibly advantageous to the deer and not us. Flat, thick tree's and and a shortage of useful vantage points were a few of the words I used to describe the country to Mike before his arrival. I wanted him to show up ready for a long, grueling and low odds hunt for a giant deer. Shortly after daylight on day two we were gleefully taking kill pictures of One Eye as he lay before us. Persistence in scouting paid off...
Also in 2011, Mark and Jeff from California came to archery hunt with us. These two guys were DIY to the bone, but realized the importance of the Strip tag they held. They researched and hired us and a plan was in place when opening day arrived. Both hunters were game for whatever it took to be successful. The hunt was a hot and bug infested experience for all of us. On day 3 Mark arrowed an absolute freak giant that grossed 226" and change. Jeff was not as fortunate right off. We hunted and hunted and had some narrow escapes on a couple of bucks that were flat huge, including a mega wide 36" clean typical. Jeff never weakened an ounce. He got up everyday at 3:00 am, hunted his guts out and killed a smokin big 5x5 on day 16!! Persistence in it's purest form....
In 2010, a lady named Leisa drew the 13A rifle tag. This was Leisa's first big game hunt and first deer tag ever! She was accompanied by her husband Todd. Todd is an energetic sort that is down for anything and Leisa seemed to be the same way. We had just finished the 13B hunt and believed that a huge buck had crossed the unit line and escaped into 13A. We formed a plan around this belief, got up extra early opening morning and started the hunt. 6 hours later we all stood around Leisa's first Mule Deer buck. He was a pretty nice one but was a little bit smaller than we expected. But all that mattered was that Leisa was happy with him and she was! The buck grossed a bit over 230" and had 15 scorable points! Ha! Persistence that carried over from the week prior put this buck on the ground...
Hunter Larry and AZSB guide Bryon Goswick had endured a long week of frustrating deer hunting in 13B. The giant that they chose to hunt lived in one of the most popular areas on the whole unit. 25% of the 60 total hunters would venture into this country based solely on it's reputation. A few even knew of the same buck and were looking specifically for him. Bryon has seen it all, done it all and is as a solid a deer hunter as walks the earth in my opinion. They made a plan, stuck to it, and kept Larry interested as his spirits waned. Several hunters and no buck was the diet, day in day out. But Bryon knew the country. He knew from killing huge bucks in this same location that you can go days without seeing the buck all the while he is right there the whole time. Finally, late in the hunt, the extremely massive 4x6 stepped to the edge of the thick and Larry hammered him. Persistence against, and outlasting the other hunters, paid off again.
Back in 2006, a very good friend drew his own rifle tag in 13B. I opted out of guiding commitments to help him kill his whopper Arizona buck. AZSB Guide Bryon Goswick had found a awesome buck just a few days before. Big frame and some long extras. Three of us started looking for him at daylight opening morning. An hour and a half later we were celebrating over the dead buck! He lived in super tough country too! Things just came together, a long distance spot was made, a hasty stalk through thick trees and a quick shot threw a small lane and the 227" incher was ours. 7 days was plenty long enough for this one.
I could go on and on with story after story of how persistence has payed off huge for us in the past, but there is plenty of evidence above. So when a prospective client asks "Do you think 7 days is enough to get it done?" I truly don't know the answer. When you decide to "go big or go home" it becomes a totally unpredicatable experience. If you show up with only one thing in your warbag make sure it is persistence. Almost all things can be overcome with enough persistence.
I know of a buck right now that should easily pass the 230" gross mark in 2013. He lives in horribly thick and flat country. I have seen this buck three times working the edge of the only clearing in his area. In fact, I saw him multiple times over several months in the exact same spot! I know for a fact that if a hunter simply sat on a rock and waited for that buck to pop out of the trees he would kill him within 7 days. I would put the odds at 90%+ of killing him. But....rare is the hunter that would be willing to sit in the exact same spot each day, for days on end, with a Strip tag smoldering in his pocket getting hotter by the day. Rare indeed...even if his odds of killing a 230" incher where higher doing that than anything else he could be doing! Everyone is game for it...for two days...after which their brain will get the best of them and they will abandon ship for greener buck pastures, which most of the time don't exist. Persistence is the keenest weapon a Strip hunter can bring with them..
The season of 2011, John Holbrook drew his 13B tag. He booked with us. We crossed canyons, climbed mountains, had two windy snow storms as the week withered away around us. Assistants Bob Dykeman, Ben Wells, hunter John and myself hunted as hard as we could for 7 straight days before we finally laid eyes on the buck we were after. In a 40 mph ripping cold wind on the last morning of the hunt, John made good on a 360 yard shot and claimed his gigantic 239" incher. Persistence baby.
John H and his last day 239" buck.
Last year on the 13B archery hunt we got a 2 inch flood two days before the hunt started. This is a terrible event to a trophy Mule Deer hunter so close to the hunt. Lots of water equals lots of places for deer to go and live. Which can, in turn, lead to broken buck patterns and broken hunter dreams. AZSB guide Bob Dykeman, and hunter Gary from Pennsylvania, never broke stride. They had a giant buck picked out that we had watched all year, considered all the options and simply went and killed a huge velvet monster that grossed over 220" on opening morning. Persistence in planning...
Gary's 220+ opening morning buck!
Last year on the 13B rifle hunt, I was hunting with Rick from California. Rick was a high strung, tight wound type, not unlike myself. We started a tough hunt and it got tougher by the day. 2012 was a terrible drought year and big deer were few and far between. We nearly killed ourselves looking for "Curly". Curly was a huge framed buck that was estimated at 220" and was one of the biggest bucks in the whole unit that year. Unfortunately, he lived in a popular area. Hunter pressure and thick country put Curly in hiding. We stayed with it, didn't lose focus, and on day 6 Curly walked out of the trees into Rick's waiting crosshairs. The day before our scheduled time together was to end. Persistence pays.
Ricks and Curly. 220+ buck killed toward the hunts end.
In 2011, Mike M. came from Colorado to hunt with us. Mike was an accomplished trophy hunter and was laser focused on holding out for a huge buck we had found and called "OneEye". This buck lived in what we call "low odds country" or terrain that is incredibly advantageous to the deer and not us. Flat, thick tree's and and a shortage of useful vantage points were a few of the words I used to describe the country to Mike before his arrival. I wanted him to show up ready for a long, grueling and low odds hunt for a giant deer. Shortly after daylight on day two we were gleefully taking kill pictures of One Eye as he lay before us. Persistence in scouting paid off...
Mike and his second day 230+ Giant!
Also in 2011, Mark and Jeff from California came to archery hunt with us. These two guys were DIY to the bone, but realized the importance of the Strip tag they held. They researched and hired us and a plan was in place when opening day arrived. Both hunters were game for whatever it took to be successful. The hunt was a hot and bug infested experience for all of us. On day 3 Mark arrowed an absolute freak giant that grossed 226" and change. Jeff was not as fortunate right off. We hunted and hunted and had some narrow escapes on a couple of bucks that were flat huge, including a mega wide 36" clean typical. Jeff never weakened an ounce. He got up everyday at 3:00 am, hunted his guts out and killed a smokin big 5x5 on day 16!! Persistence in it's purest form....
Jeff H. and his awesome 16th day buck!
Mark W. and his 3rd day freak of nature!
In 2010, a lady named Leisa drew the 13A rifle tag. This was Leisa's first big game hunt and first deer tag ever! She was accompanied by her husband Todd. Todd is an energetic sort that is down for anything and Leisa seemed to be the same way. We had just finished the 13B hunt and believed that a huge buck had crossed the unit line and escaped into 13A. We formed a plan around this belief, got up extra early opening morning and started the hunt. 6 hours later we all stood around Leisa's first Mule Deer buck. He was a pretty nice one but was a little bit smaller than we expected. But all that mattered was that Leisa was happy with him and she was! The buck grossed a bit over 230" and had 15 scorable points! Ha! Persistence that carried over from the week prior put this buck on the ground...
Leisa and her first big game animal ever! 230"+
Hunter Larry and AZSB guide Bryon Goswick had endured a long week of frustrating deer hunting in 13B. The giant that they chose to hunt lived in one of the most popular areas on the whole unit. 25% of the 60 total hunters would venture into this country based solely on it's reputation. A few even knew of the same buck and were looking specifically for him. Bryon has seen it all, done it all and is as a solid a deer hunter as walks the earth in my opinion. They made a plan, stuck to it, and kept Larry interested as his spirits waned. Several hunters and no buck was the diet, day in day out. But Bryon knew the country. He knew from killing huge bucks in this same location that you can go days without seeing the buck all the while he is right there the whole time. Finally, late in the hunt, the extremely massive 4x6 stepped to the edge of the thick and Larry hammered him. Persistence against, and outlasting the other hunters, paid off again.
Larry Foutz and his ultra heavy buck killed late in the hunt. 210"+
Back in 2006, a very good friend drew his own rifle tag in 13B. I opted out of guiding commitments to help him kill his whopper Arizona buck. AZSB Guide Bryon Goswick had found a awesome buck just a few days before. Big frame and some long extras. Three of us started looking for him at daylight opening morning. An hour and a half later we were celebrating over the dead buck! He lived in super tough country too! Things just came together, a long distance spot was made, a hasty stalk through thick trees and a quick shot threw a small lane and the 227" incher was ours. 7 days was plenty long enough for this one.
I could go on and on with story after story of how persistence has payed off huge for us in the past, but there is plenty of evidence above. So when a prospective client asks "Do you think 7 days is enough to get it done?" I truly don't know the answer. When you decide to "go big or go home" it becomes a totally unpredicatable experience. If you show up with only one thing in your warbag make sure it is persistence. Almost all things can be overcome with enough persistence.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Sonoran Pro Hunts LLC.
Well, after a long December and January spent scouting a lot of ranches, and hunting a few, I am proud to announce our newest venture in the outfitting industry, Sonoran Pro Hunts LLC. This Mexico trophy hunting company is a full partnership between Arizona Strip Bucks www.arizonastripbucks.com and Sonoran Ultimate Hunting www.sonoranultimatehunting.net The combination of our efforts will result in nothing but the very best option available for big Mexico Coues, Mule Deer and Desert Sheep! We will do it better than any, past or present, guaranteed. We are excited to take all we have learned about this business in the last decade and combine it with Brian Bundrick and his team. Brian brings 15 years experience in Sonoran outfitting with him, and him and his guys have an unmatched record of putting huge animals on the ground South of the border. We are honored to be partnered with him as we know he shares the same work ethic and passion for excellence that AZSB has built their reputation on.
2 Coues that both score 116" taken in Jan 2013!
We have a very busy Spring planned with many more ranches to scout. We are spending an enormous amount of man power developing untapped opportunities as well securing several proven producing ranches. Simply put, if you book a hunt with us you can be sure that you will be placed on a ranch that holds the type of animals you are sold. We will not put you on a ranch as a Guinea Pig and hope to get lucky. Every ranch will be thoroughly prescouted before we lease it, again before you arrive, and will have our full confidence that it capable of producing what you expect.
Here is a 2013 buck that grosses a whopping 210"!
A few important things to note about how our service will be superior to our competitors.
We have searched long, far and wide for landowners that share our deer management goals. We are in Sonora long term. We will only harvest as many bucks, per ranch, as we think it will sustain and stay productive. We want to be hunting with the same clients in ten years, not drumming up new ones every year because the previous were disgusted with their experience with us. We strongly discourage the harvest of young deer and strive to cultivate our ranches to produce fully mature and older age class bucks. Management bucks are also removed to refine the genetics.
Another thing that sets our hunts apart is the food. We have a handful of Mexican cooks that only work at supplying our camps with home cooked traditional Mexican meals. From fresh made chips, quesadilla's and guacamole with cold beer for an appetizer, followed by soup, salad and the main course always accompanied by the endless stack of warm fresh tortillas. You will gain weight while hunting incredibly hard. It happens to me every year.
Accommodations are ranch houses that are on or nearby our hunting ranches. Each has power, lights, hot shower, toilet and a kitchen. Some are immaculate and some are older models, but each is as comfortable as we can make it. We have chosen these ranches because of deer quality not because of house quality. We have also decided to not turn down any great ranch due to house condition or lack there of. We will bring down our wall tent camp and set it up if necessary, but this would be fully disclosed beforehand and priced accordingly.
The process for hunting Mexico is very straight forward. Once booked, we gather your personal and gun information and handle all the paperwork. You simply fly into Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico where you will be met promptly by us. We will guide you personally through the short customs process and then you are immediately off to the ranch.
We will have a fully functional website up and running as soon as possible. Until then, for more information, please call Brian Bundrick at 928-848-1606 or email at brian.bundrick@yahoo.com or Matt Schimberg at 928-713-9575 or email at azmattman2000@yahoo.com
A few important things to note about how our service will be superior to our competitors.
We have searched long, far and wide for landowners that share our deer management goals. We are in Sonora long term. We will only harvest as many bucks, per ranch, as we think it will sustain and stay productive. We want to be hunting with the same clients in ten years, not drumming up new ones every year because the previous were disgusted with their experience with us. We strongly discourage the harvest of young deer and strive to cultivate our ranches to produce fully mature and older age class bucks. Management bucks are also removed to refine the genetics.
Here is another from 2013! 201" gross w/6" broken off!
Our guides in Mexico are the same guides that we have used for years in Arizona. They are the loyal members of our outfits that have helped us build our flawless reputations for over a decade. There will be no language barrier that needs to be handled hunting with us. While we will employ many hard workers from Mexico for other jobs, the guides will all be highly experienced deer hunters, many of which guide hunts fulltime in the states.
Another thing that sets our hunts apart is the food. We have a handful of Mexican cooks that only work at supplying our camps with home cooked traditional Mexican meals. From fresh made chips, quesadilla's and guacamole with cold beer for an appetizer, followed by soup, salad and the main course always accompanied by the endless stack of warm fresh tortillas. You will gain weight while hunting incredibly hard. It happens to me every year.
Accommodations are ranch houses that are on or nearby our hunting ranches. Each has power, lights, hot shower, toilet and a kitchen. Some are immaculate and some are older models, but each is as comfortable as we can make it. We have chosen these ranches because of deer quality not because of house quality. We have also decided to not turn down any great ranch due to house condition or lack there of. We will bring down our wall tent camp and set it up if necessary, but this would be fully disclosed beforehand and priced accordingly.
Another perfect typical giant that is over 190" from 2013!
One heck of a management buck 183" gross!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
How May We Help You?
A top quality outfitter should be efficient, clean and effective in every area of operation. They should be upfront and honest and easy to talk too. They should welcome every question you have. They are in the business of service. If they don't seem to want to serve your interests, look elsewhere, because there are some out there that are eager to please. They should have an aggressive plan of attack for your hunt. They should scout long, hard and often and have the proof that they do so. Arizona trophy hunting has become so unbelievably competitive, that if your scouting is not complete and effective, you will be way behind on opening morning and that can often be too late. Your outfitter should be personable, responsible and always keep your best interests in focus. Their equipment should be well kept, clean and always functional. Vehicles should be adequate for the terrain and dependable. Above all, they should be eager to give you references. Not a random name and number from somewhere in the past, but recent clients from last years hunts as well as others. Remember, these references are the very best insight into the true quality of an outfitters operation. Ask for them!
Ok, time to get shameless for a minute. What sets our company, AZSB, apart from our competitors and secures our place in the top tier of AZ outfitters? Many things do. First, with over a decade of building our reputation, we have learned exactly what we need to do to give our valuable clients the hunt of a lifetime.
This starts with a complete and thorough preseason scouting program that locates numerous options for your hunt and provides Plan A, Plan B, C, D..etc. Scouting is so incredibly important, that if your prospective outfitters scouting time isn't measured in months, look elsewhere because there is more than one available that scout like possessed maniacs, and locate so many quality animals that the biggest problem is deciding which ones to pursue. Our scouting never really ends, but the cycle starts over each year for us in late June. We then relentlessly hammer and pound all the units we hunt with many different methods and resources, until the hunts begin. This is the single most important factor that has provided our tremendous success.
Another aspect that serves our clients well is our camps and food. Wherever we might be, we always strive to make our camps as clean and comfortable as we possibly can. This includes camp trailers, hot showers, clean, warm and weather proof wall tents with carpeted floors, appetizers, drinks, crackling stoves if it is cold, and a professional camp chef that is only there to provide us with top notch meals. You will have private heated sleeping quarters. No bunking with strangers. We will ask, and ask again regularly if there is anything you need or want. Remember, we are a service. We are there to serve your interests. Our gear and equipment. We have learned how effective and necessary it is to acquire, use and maintain only the finest equipment possible. From our binos to our vehicles, our equipment is clean, functional, and dependable and each member owns and uses the finest gear available.
The final ingredient to our operation is our team of professional hunters. The group of men that make up AZSB is what truly sets us apart. Our greatest attribute is our integrity. We will always be upfront, honest and open in every area. This has served us very well and will never change. We have been so careful while assembling this team that is has taken us over 10 years to get where we are today. Every guide is as talented as the next.
Each member has a deep rooted sense of morals, ethics and values. This is never compromised. In a society with declining morals, we are proud to say we do not lie, cheat or steal. We stand by our word and expect the same of others. We feel out working our competition and providing a superior service is what perpetuates our business and allows us to do it. We can never guarantee that you will harvest an animal on any hunt. What we can guarantee is this. If you hire us you will get a service that will treat your hunt with the individual attention you want and need. We will construct a detailed plan for the entire course of your hunt that starts with a hard charging scouting plan that will lead to the quality of animal that you are after. We will handle every detail you expect and design a complete experience that will exceed your greatest expectations. True and complete quality is what we are about. From our first meeting until we harvest a world class animal, we strive to serve and please our clients in every way. We would be honored to assist you with your trophy hunting goals. Please call and ask for our references and find out for yourself just how serious we are about quality and professionalism. Thank you for your time, Matt
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Elk, Antelope and More Strip Bucks
The online Arizona Elk and Antelope application period is now open, and can be accessed here by clicking here- https://az.gov/app/huntdraw/home.xhtml
New for 2013! We have acquired some of the best private land in the state for huge bulls. This 65,000 acre ranch takes in both unit 9 and 10 and is split almost equally down the middle. It has had virtually zero hunting pressure on it in the last 20 years and we are very excited to be offering a limited number of hunts on it for the Archery, Early Rifle and Late Rifle hunts. This ranch harbors giant bulls every year and has long been a pressure free sanctuary for hundreds of elk each year. It will be a tremendous opportunity to hunt private land and harvest an big unpressured bull. This ranch is also the first and only exclusive private land hunt ever offered in unit 9. We are going to harvest some unreal bulls from this property and are only going to book a minimal number of hunters. If you are interested please call or email for all the details. 928-713-9575 azmattman2000@yahoo.com
I also wanted to post the rest of the bucks we harvested on the Strip this year. As stated before, it was a tough year and the bucks antlers were badly droughted. We knew this going in to the hunt, gave it all we had and this is what we came up with. To read about the two whoppers we already posted, click here- http://arizonastripbucks.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-rifle-hunt.html
New for 2013! We have acquired some of the best private land in the state for huge bulls. This 65,000 acre ranch takes in both unit 9 and 10 and is split almost equally down the middle. It has had virtually zero hunting pressure on it in the last 20 years and we are very excited to be offering a limited number of hunts on it for the Archery, Early Rifle and Late Rifle hunts. This ranch harbors giant bulls every year and has long been a pressure free sanctuary for hundreds of elk each year. It will be a tremendous opportunity to hunt private land and harvest an big unpressured bull. This ranch is also the first and only exclusive private land hunt ever offered in unit 9. We are going to harvest some unreal bulls from this property and are only going to book a minimal number of hunters. If you are interested please call or email for all the details. 928-713-9575 azmattman2000@yahoo.com
I also wanted to post the rest of the bucks we harvested on the Strip this year. As stated before, it was a tough year and the bucks antlers were badly droughted. We knew this going in to the hunt, gave it all we had and this is what we came up with. To read about the two whoppers we already posted, click here- http://arizonastripbucks.blogspot.com/2012/12/2012-rifle-hunt.html
15 year old Tevin proved to be a warrior after 7 hard days on the Strip. He passed some awesome bucks in his search for a true giant. As his time dwindled, he chose to shoot this awesome typical buck. This buck intact gross scored in the low 190's. Congrats Tevin and Thank You!
Tevin was joined by his Father Rich and his Grandpa Gary.
Mark and Allen also hunted with us this year and Mark closed the deal on this awesome, old and ancient 5x5. Congrats Mark and thank you!
Mark, Rube, Bob, Tyler, Johnny and Bryon
Alan put the hammer down on this buck and went home with another buck grossing over 190" Thank you Alan and Huge Congrats!
Friday, December 14, 2012
New For 2013!! Sonora Mexico, Coues and Mule Deer
After a 5 year hiatus, we are again starting to outfit private land hunts in Sonora, Mexico for both giant Coues and Mule Deer. We have an extremely limited number of hunts available for this coming January and February and a limited number of hunts available for the 2013/14 season.
The average opinion of Sonora these days is that it is unsafe, shot out, and not even remotely worth the money that it costs versus the true chances of harvesting a big deer. All of the above can be true depending on where you roam and whom you choose to use as your outfitter.
First, the safety. Here is a great link that puts the safety of Mexico travel in true perspective. http://travel.booklocker.com/2011/05/18/travel-safety-in-perspective-usa-vs-mexico/
If you read it in detail you will find that your true odds of getting harmed in old Mexico are about the same as visiting Albuquerque. If you are scared to visit Albuquerque then hunting Mexico is not for you. The bottom line is that if you get the proper paperwork and follow the laws and rules, statistically you will be just fine. Can something bad happen? Sure it can, but the odds are the same as they are in the good ol' USA as they are in ol' Mexico. If you want to go roam around the dark alleys in the bad part of town then, well, you are on your own...
Call or email if you want to the hunt this buck. This 13,000 acre ranch has never applied for permits until this year. It is available for two hunters this January.
Third, cost versus odds. The average price for a Sonoran Mule Deer hunt is $10,000. Some ranches are more and some less, but 10K is a good average. This price has been standard for quite awhile and is a fair market value considering the cost of the tag, gun and UMA applications, outfitting, fuel, food and the several other overhead costs that go into pulling of a smooth and efficient hunt in Mexico. But....it is only fair market value if the "odds" or "chance" of killing the buck you want are truly there. Many outfitters operating in Mexico focus on rotating as many new hunters thru their ranches as they can book. They are after the one time 10K payment and after it is secured, care little about the true outcome of your hunt or if you will come back the next year. We have always based our business practice on the sound theory that if we supply a superior product, and sell it with honesty, we will surpass our competition. It has surely paid off in Arizona, and we are taking this same mindset to Mexico. We want you to come back, and bring your friends also. Our Mexican partners, landowner base, and entire business plan will revolve around this goal...providing a superior product than all of our competitors. Does this guarantee that if you spend 10 grand with us you will kill a big deer? Absolutely not! What it does guarantee you is that we have used every resource we can, to put you in a situation where the odds will be the highest we can make them. After all, that's what you purchase when you book a free range hunt...a "chance" to kill a big animal.
Please feel free to call or email if you want to hear how our approach to outfitting in Mexico is different than all of our competitors and how our plan can lead you to the buck you have been waiting for...
Saturday, December 1, 2012
2012 Rifle Hunt
First of all I want to thank the clients that chose to trust us with their priceless Strip tags and allow us to assist them on their once in a lifetime hunt. Without them we would not be able to enjoy this remarkable place we have grown to care about so much. Thanks to each of you.
Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't glad that this season is over. It proved to be tough as expected. There were not a tremendous amount of big deer to start with and most of the better ones has intense hunting pressure on them. We did manage to kill a few that were off the beaten path and once again proved that our aggressive scouting pays off on tough years like this one. I am still compiling all the pictures from our crew but here are a couple of the better bucks we killed.
The buck below was a buck we followed all summer. He was dubbed "Curly" by a good friend that bowhunted the buck in August. In November he lived in a place that gets road hunted hard but seldom does anyone get out of the truck and hunt around. Due to the vehicle traffic this buck stayed in the thick until the eve of the 6th day at which time he stepped out into Rick's waiting cross hairs. One 320 yard shot and the long slow week was over. Rich showed a ton of persistence and patience during his hunt and we thank him for that. Curly's 4x4 frame was 211.6 and his total 4x5 gross was 220.3. A true giant by any one's standard.
This second buck was harvested by Jennifer R. This was Jennifer's first Strip buck and in fact it was her first animal harvest ever! She made a couple great shots and collected the awesome 5x6. She was accompanied by her husband and AZSB friend Michael. We scored the buck at just under 200" in camp and Jennifer's husband informed us later that an SCI official had grossed him at 202.7" An awesome deer either way and quite a little larger than the first Mule Deer buck I harvested at 11 years old!
Jennifer's buck in early summer.
Jennifer's buck in late November!
Jennifer and husband Michael
Jennifer,Stephen,Devin,Matt,Jason,and Bryon
I will update the blog with the other bucks when we get the pictures downloaded. We killed a few more great deer including a 4x4 whopper that 14 year old Tevon H. harvested after 7 long hard days of hunting. As usual we find our success as team. I want to thank every member of our crew. This includes guides, friends, family, and friends that are like family. The list is long and distinguished. Here goes. Byron Goswick, Bob Dykeman, Casey Carr, Tyler Tyree, Stephen Vohs, Bill Vohs, Devin and Bill Beck, Benny Wells, Ron Halford, Tory Brock, David Virostko, Johnny Casner, Jason Campbell and all the rest that contributed in any way throughout 2012. Thanks again gentlemen!
Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't glad that this season is over. It proved to be tough as expected. There were not a tremendous amount of big deer to start with and most of the better ones has intense hunting pressure on them. We did manage to kill a few that were off the beaten path and once again proved that our aggressive scouting pays off on tough years like this one. I am still compiling all the pictures from our crew but here are a couple of the better bucks we killed.
The buck below was a buck we followed all summer. He was dubbed "Curly" by a good friend that bowhunted the buck in August. In November he lived in a place that gets road hunted hard but seldom does anyone get out of the truck and hunt around. Due to the vehicle traffic this buck stayed in the thick until the eve of the 6th day at which time he stepped out into Rick's waiting cross hairs. One 320 yard shot and the long slow week was over. Rich showed a ton of persistence and patience during his hunt and we thank him for that. Curly's 4x4 frame was 211.6 and his total 4x5 gross was 220.3. A true giant by any one's standard.
"Curly"on water at 3:00pm on day 4 of the hunt!
Rick and Curly together at last!
Rick and his son Travis
Rick and I with the customary skull shot.
This second buck was harvested by Jennifer R. This was Jennifer's first Strip buck and in fact it was her first animal harvest ever! She made a couple great shots and collected the awesome 5x6. She was accompanied by her husband and AZSB friend Michael. We scored the buck at just under 200" in camp and Jennifer's husband informed us later that an SCI official had grossed him at 202.7" An awesome deer either way and quite a little larger than the first Mule Deer buck I harvested at 11 years old!
Jennifer's buck in early summer.
Jennifer,Stephen,Devin,Matt,Jason,and Bryon
I will update the blog with the other bucks when we get the pictures downloaded. We killed a few more great deer including a 4x4 whopper that 14 year old Tevon H. harvested after 7 long hard days of hunting. As usual we find our success as team. I want to thank every member of our crew. This includes guides, friends, family, and friends that are like family. The list is long and distinguished. Here goes. Byron Goswick, Bob Dykeman, Casey Carr, Tyler Tyree, Stephen Vohs, Bill Vohs, Devin and Bill Beck, Benny Wells, Ron Halford, Tory Brock, David Virostko, Johnny Casner, Jason Campbell and all the rest that contributed in any way throughout 2012. Thanks again gentlemen!
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