Desert Bighorn Sheep Scouting and Hunting Photos I

Here are some more photos of some nice rams here in the deserts of Arizona.  Desert Bighorn sheep are definitely at the top of my list to photograph.

New KUIU Pieces-Super Down Jacket and Merino 230 Zip-T

I am excited about the arrival of two new pieces of hunting gear from KUIU that showed up just in time for Christmas!  First, is the much anticipated Super Down Jacket which uses Toray's QuixDown water repellent treatment for the down feathers in the jacket.  This jacket is definitely a piece that I have been wanting since I heard about it.  This jacket only weighs an amazing 10 ounces and has a hood.  For exact specs on this jacket and demonstration of the water repellency on the down click on this link.  The next piece of gear is the KUIU Merino 230 Zip-T that is made up of a durable of 100% TMC Merino wool jersey face and 100% brushed 100% polyester fleece inside to make a shirt that is the perfect blend of 50% Merino wool and 50% polyester.  Both of these pieces will be put to the test during the Coues Deer rut hunts coming up in Sonora, Mexico this January.  Can't wait to get started!

Arizona December Coues Deer Hunt with Colburn and Scott Outfitters

 

Darr and I had a great December coues deer hunt with John and Phil Lawson from California.  The father son team harvested two nice bucks that both scored over 100 inches.  We had lots of rain and snow on the first two days of the hunt which made for tough conditions.  Once the storm cleared it took the deer a day or two to thaw out and start acting like deer again.  The deer were in a pre rut phase and we think the AZ rut will break wide open after Christmas.  We saw 3 different lions in seven days of hunting.  One of which our friend Cody Goff, was able to harvest with the assistance of Cash, Steele, and Jim Armstrong along with Hunter Haynes.  Most of those lion pics will be covered here in another post.  Darr found the shed to John's buck on his way up to the harvested buck.  We had some great help on the deer hunt with Cody Nelson, Cody Goff, Seth and Ernie Meeske and Ryan Eustice.  We had a great hunt with the Lawson's and look forward to an elk hunt with them in the very near future.  Both bucks were taken to Clay Goldman of Mogollon Taxidermy

Unit 22 December Coues Hunt Update with Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Here is a nice buck that was harvested last night on the Unit 22 December Coues Hunt with Colburn and Scott Outfitters.  More pics and video to come after the hunt.  Three lions in 6 days!

Gear Review: TAG Bags

I finally got a chance to try out the T.A.G. bags.  No more cotton bags for me.  Lighter, stronger, more breathable.  It all makes for better care of your precious wild game.  T.A.G. Bags impressed!  I feel like having breathable bags helps build the crust on the meat which protects it as well as prevents soggy areas in the bag during the hanging period.  The bags were easily hung by the drawstring which withstood the strain of  these 75+ lb. hams.  Most impressive was how clean the bags came out after one wash and the 15 minute hang-drying time.  T.A.G. Bags are a no-brainer for the meat hunter.

These 24"x44" bags could easily handle two quarters for the ultralight guy.

Arizona Unit 23 Late Elk Hunt 2012 with Dan Heuker

I got a call from Steve Chappell of Chappell Guide Service a week before the AZ late rifle hunt in 23 saying he had a last minute hunter for me.  I jumped at the opportunity and hooked up with Dan Heuker of Oregon.  We scouted a few days, found some bulls and got lucky on opening morning.

We decided to stop by the range and it's a good thing we did.  Dan's rifle was shooting six inches high at a hundred yards.  We dialed in the scope and hit the hills with confidence.

Dan made one 360 yard shot to down this bull.

A clean, unbroken six by six.

Thanks Dan for having me along on your hunt.  It was a pleasure.  -Janis

Colorado 4th Season Rifle Elk Hunt With Janis and Martins Putelis

Not the weather we were expecting in the Colorado high country in mid November!  I hope it starts snowing soon, we can all use it.  Despite the conditions, my brother and I found a few elk and hung a few quarters.  I ended up eating my cow tag, but that's what I get for passing on calf elk and hunting big bulls.  We'll be missing that cow come June.  Thanks to all those that helped haul meat, your name is on a few frozen white packages.  A super big thanks to everyone that has been or is involved in perpetuating our sport and way of life.  We are blessed to have these opportunities.

I searched high for two days, looking for a mature six point bull.  Not turning one up and with only three days left to fill a cow tag and an either sex tag, I started meat hunting.  The Mrs. does not like an empty freezer!

My brother with his second elk.  He made a 150 yd. shot off of one knee to put her down.  He was using his new Zastava M70, chambered in 30-06.  We have been impressed with this rifle, especially at a price around $400.  

I had a shot at a calf seconds later, but passed, hoping for more meat.  The saying holds true, even when meat hunting: "Don't pass on anything the first day, you'd like to have on the last day."

Using the Otter sled for packing meat was awesome.  This thing is bomber and should last quite a few hunting seasons.  It was important to have a brake man steering the rear.

As he lay.

The first thing I heard that morning was antlers clashing.  A sound seldom heard in CO, it took my brain ten minutes to recognize it.  Even this late in the year, the bulls are working their pecking order.

Yes, everything in this picture was packed into or on the KUIU Icon 6000

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Loaded and ready to roll.  The afternoon sun had warmed the snow to create treacherous load hauling conditions.  I will not attempt these pack-outs without my Leki Hiking Poles.

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Hauling meat with the Otter Sled.