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    About the Hunt with Darren Choate

    Hunters’ Breakfast

    Last month, I invited a few of my friends that hunt to breakfast (yes, I have friends). Five hunters showed up, there was absolutely no agenda, and it was completely informal. We just sat down, ate breakfast and talked about hunting. We called it the Hunters’ Breakfast. Well, we decided to make it a monthly event — something for hunters to meet and get to know other hunters. My hope is that eventually we will start to strenghten our hunting community, at least at the local level.

    Hunters' BreakfastToday, we held our second monthly Hunters’ Breakfast, and we had nine hunters show up. In attendance we had retired Game and Fish employees, city employees, hunting outfitters, bankers, local business owners, and a few others. A few of us are also members of national conservation groups like Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Again, there was no agenda we just talked about hunting. A local outfitter, Lance Crowther of Timberland Outfitters shared a few stories of a recent buffalo hunt (more to come soon) that he guided. Around the table I heard stories of hunts in British Columbia, discussions of old scopes and how-to to fix them, and I even heard someone talking about catching a rattlesnake, although I am not sure why anyone would do this. All in all, it was a good time, and I met some new huters.

    Anyway, I encourage you to get to know other hunters in your neck of the woods, and keep in touch.

    Arizona Big Game Super Raffle extended to July 12

    Raffle Extended

    The Arizona Big Game Super Raffle has been extended to July 12, 2009. To purchase your ticket for a chance to win one of 10 great Arizona hunts, visit http://www.arizonabiggamesuperraffle.com.

    For more information regarding the Super Raffle rad the following from the Arizona Game and Fish website.

    Get a chance to experience one of Arizona’s top 10 hunts

    PHOENIX – You still have a chance to win one of the nation’s most prestigious hunts — the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle deadline for 2009 has been extended to July 12.

    Here’s your chance to win one of Arizona’s 10 top hunts, while also contributing to wildlife conservation. It’s a win-win for everyone. But Super Raffle mail orders must be received by July 12 and online orders will be accepted at the Arizona Gig Game Super Raffle Web site until 10 p.m. July 12.

    The big game tags available in the raffle are for 365 days of hunting almost anywhere in the state during the 2009-2010 hunting season, and ticket prices range from $5 to $25. Raffle tickets are offered for the following species:

    • Elk
    • Desert Bighorn Sheep
    • Buffalo
    • Antelope
    • Turkey (Merriam’s or Goulds)
    • Coues Whitetail
    • Mule Deer
    • Javelina
    • Black Bear
    • Mountain Lion

    See the full story…

    Trailcamera Slideshow

    These are a few pictures of bulls I’ve collected on my trailcameras over the past few years. Enjoy. Feel free to visit my Trailcam site as well.

    Remington – Model 700™ VTR™ Desert Recon

    New for 2009 is Remington’s 700 VTR  desert RECON in digital desert camo. The new 700 comes in either .223 or .308 calibers, and should do the trick on varmints!

    Stunning from the Bench. Lethal in the Field.

    700_vtr_dr_410

    Built on the famous Model 700™ cylindrical action, Remington® Varmint rifles are the most accurate factory-built models we produce. You’ll be stunned by the degree of precision you get straight out of the box. The varmints won’t be so lucky.

    The new Model 700™ VTR™ desert RECON (in Digital Desert camo) features our patent-pending triangular barrel contour that offers reduced weight over traditional heavy barrels, yet delivers optimum heat dissipation and rigidity.

    Copyright Remington, 2009

    For more information visit Remington.com.

    About the Hunt – The joy of hunting with kids

    The Joy of Hunting With Kids

    A couple of years back I was lucky enough to draw an archery elk tag in Arizona. Along with me, my good friends from Indiana, Brian Stephenson and Jerry Decker, drew as well. On opening day the three of us hunted together, and we had a couple of opportunities at smaller bulls, but passed. As the week progressed the hunting became tougher, and we seemed to run into other hunters on every stand or stalk. By the second weekend we were all fairly depressed. Luckily, for me anyway, my son was nearby and came to hunt with me for the weekend.

    Youth HuntJust 10 at the time, Colton was a valuable asset on the hunt. As we stalked and called to a roaming bull, Colton whispered loudly to get my attention. He then pointed out a group of hunters stalking the same bull from another direction. They had not seen us, but we saw them. The stalked never worked out, so we headed back to the truck to wait for Brian and Jerry. While we waited, we invented a new football game in which we kicked field-goals between ponderosa trees acting as the “uprights” with a Gatorade bottle as the “pigskin.” 

    Back at camp, Colton was happy to ride my quad through camp like his favorite Nascar driver, Kasey Kahne. That evening we tried a new area. Jerry and his father hunted with us, but went in the opposite direction. Right off the bat, we spotted a coyote, but never did see or hear an elk. By now the majority of the elk had been pushed by hunters to steeper, thicker areas. On our way back to the truck, just before dark, Colton spotted an old elk rack; it was from a small bull, but a cool find for a 10 year old.

    Early the next morning, Colton and I located a bugling bull, and we headed that direction. We closed the distance quickly and caught up to the bull. The bull was moving slowly with a harem of cows. At one point I was able to put the binos on the bull to see a solid 6×7, with a small sticker point. I was excited, and thought this might be our break. The group of elk was feeding along a ridgetop, so we worked towards an intersection point. We had no sooner got to a better angle when we heard the slam of a truck door and the sound of stampeding elk hooves. Again, our hunt had been foiled by some other hunter.

    Although I hade enjoyed every moment in the woods with my son; that afternoon Colton brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. Since he had school the next day, I asked him to gather his gear and put it in the truck so I could take him home before the afternoon hunt, which I would tackle alone. After a few minutes, I couldn’t find him anywhere. I opened the back door of my truck to get something out of the back seat, and there he was — in tears. I figured he had slammed the door on his fingers or something. Here it came, “I’m just going to miss you!” he said, still crying. My heart sank! The ride back to town was tough for us both, but we were able to talk about the time we shared.

    Although I never took a bull on the hunt, I had a great time with good friends, and shared an experience with my son that he and I will never forget. I urge you to take a kid hunting; don’t pressure them, just get them out there and have fun!