Jimmy's AZ hunt

Slim Jim

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It's finally that time of year to chase the mulies in the desert of Arizona! I will be going back to an area that I hunted last year solo and had a blast. It is a backpack hunt in about 4 miles and camp at about 4000'. Hopefully the rut will be in full swing and there will be some decent bucks in tow of the does. Last year I never got a shot off on a mulie but I did get a couple of stalks blown by does keeping lookout. I did however get a shot off at 41 yards on a 3x3 coues quartering away. I came across the coues by accident after a failed stalk on a 140 class mule buck I had been glassing all morning. I had noticed some deer above me on a finger ridge so I made my way around the backside to be able and come up and over on top of them and get a closer look without them noticing me. Well when I got up there and glassed for a while I couldn't locate any deer at all so I thought they were on the move like they usually are during the rut and moved on to another draw. I decided to walk just over the ridge and traverse careful not to skyline myself when i jumped a spike coues. Cute little boogers. I dropped my pack and had myself a granola bar thinking that I pretty much blew my chances for the day as it was getting late. As I finished my snack I seen a 3x3 coues at about 70 yards behind a juniper, coming right at me! I slowly grabbed my bow and an arrow waiting to nock it when it got behind the next tree. As soon as I nocked my arrow I could see him through the tree in front of me stop. I ranged a cactus just passed the tree at 41 yards where I knew he was heading and when he stepped out, he fed quartering away and presented a shot. Well guess what, I pulled the shot to the left. What a rush! I am forever hooked on bowhunting thanks to a friend at work that convinced me to buy one of his older Hoyt bows as he knew how much I loved hunting big game. I have only been shooting bows for about two years now and I am so excited to get my first deer with a stick and string as I had tag soup over the summer as well. This hunt starts January 2nd and coming home on the 8th. I will be hunting the gray ghost but if a coues presents a shot once again I won't miss! I have been practicing like crazy and a completely new setup which I will go over in my gear list. On this hunt I'm looking for at last a 140 class buck or bigger. Each day leading up to the hunt and during, I would like to take you guys and gals along on my journey with workouts, shooting, diet, gear, etc. I hope you'll enjoy as I'll try my best to make you feel as if you are there with me. AZ here we come!
 

Travis Bertrand

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Good luck jimmy and Doug, I'm leaving on the first if all pans out right. Maybe we will cross paths. You never know.
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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Shooting down the side of my house after work - 20 yards
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Just got back from my 5 mile run. My home is at the foothills 3800' elevation and the run descends to 3200' and back up to 3800.
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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Yesterday at the range behind my house. It's just a sand pile and I put my block in the middle of it. If you look close you can see my rocks marking from 20 out to 80 yards
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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Last night on the treadmill. Pack loaded to 50lbs for two hours at 3 mph and peak at 10 on the incline. 6 miles and 1800' ascend
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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For some reason not all photos are posting on my tablet but they are on my phone. Sorry if you are not able to view
 

Craig4791

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Good luck Jimmy! I'll be following along for sure. I just got back last night from a 5 day Az hunt. Had a blast and my hunting partner scored on a good Coues buck.
 

Travis Bertrand

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Good luck to you as well. I thought that you weren't going until the sixth?

I got some more time off so I'm leaving early. Planning on the first taking off. I have to work New Year's Eve and depending how that night goes I guess will be a deciding factor.
 

shaun

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Good luck guys hoping to make it there this year right now I'm up in air but headin to king man on the 5th for the az hunters safety so I can have an extra bonus point
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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Breakfast! One banana, two scoops chocolate protein powder, 1/4 cup almonds, 1/2 cup almond milk, and ice. I love it, it tastes like a milkshake
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shaun

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Throw in a scoop of creamy peanut butter you will be hooked. I used to make the exact same shake than quit using the bananna since it spikes you insulin levels
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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I use to use peanut butter instead of almonds and it does taste better but cleaning the blender with pb is a pain.
 
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Slim Jim

Slim Jim

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I don't want to bore everyone with my workouts and diet but I want you all to see how I prepare for a hunt. I do this stuff year round but I get a little more serious when the time gets close. Here is what I had for first break at work - turkey breast with jasmine rice and teriyaki. I try and eat every three hours throughout the day
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