2017 .... A YEAR I WONT EVER FORGET!
General Topic
Contributors to this thread:
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
Scar Finga 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
Jimbo 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
Treeline 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
12yards 20-Dec-17
buzz mc 20-Dec-17
GhostBird 20-Dec-17
HUNT MAN 20-Dec-17
South Farm 20-Dec-17
Brotsky 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
kota-man 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
drycreek 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
'Ike' (Phone) 20-Dec-17
IdyllwildArcher 20-Dec-17
Brotsky 20-Dec-17
The last savage 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
Nick Muche 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
Bowboy 20-Dec-17
Jaquomo 20-Dec-17
WV Mountaineer 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
Shug 20-Dec-17
midwest 20-Dec-17
t-roy 20-Dec-17
Hawkeye 20-Dec-17
Willieboat 20-Dec-17
TD 20-Dec-17
Marty 20-Dec-17
trkyslr 20-Dec-17
SonofButch 21-Dec-17
BOWUNTR 21-Dec-17
TGbow 21-Dec-17
otcWill 21-Dec-17
Paul@thefort 21-Dec-17
Mark Watkins 21-Dec-17
Buffalo1 21-Dec-17
elkmtngear 21-Dec-17
Bullhound 21-Dec-17
EmbryOklahoma 21-Dec-17
Treeline 21-Dec-17
APauls 21-Dec-17
GhostBird 21-Dec-17
Duke 21-Dec-17
trkyslr 21-Dec-17
Busta'Ribs 21-Dec-17
wooddamon1 21-Dec-17
SBH 22-Dec-17
Z Barebow 22-Dec-17
t-roy 22-Dec-17
trkyslr 22-Dec-17
Charlie Rehor 22-Dec-17
trkyslr 22-Dec-17
From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Never gets old!
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Never gets old!
I had a great year with a few firsts and I thought some would enjoy a few pics. Im going to save the best for last I’ll go in reverse to start this off. A few weeks ago I got out with joe at a spot we had some fall birds located and patterned. There were smaller groups of toms, some youngins and some older birds so we kept our fingers crossed and hoped the scouting payed off. A half hour after sunrise and some assembly calling mixed with tom yelps, two young toms came in and treated the deeks like it was spring...

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Who says turkeys don’t need year around loving!
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Who says turkeys don’t need year around loving!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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After some luvn the young tom got frustrated with the jake decoy and picked a fight...
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After some luvn the young tom got frustrated with the jake decoy and picked a fight...

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Heart rate elevated a bit...
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Heart rate elevated a bit...
With these two toms in the setup we heard in the distance the larger bachelor group of older birds shock gobble every 10-15 minutes and could tell they were getting closer. We kept up with the occasional soft calls to work the incoming group of birds... Soon the two young toms alerted us of the older birds presence and they marched right in to our setup....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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One of the old toms split and decided he didn’t like the new kid on the block getting some action .....
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One of the old toms split and decided he didn’t like the new kid on the block getting some action .....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Heat seeking.....
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Heat seeking.....
I decided enough was enough and that I had waited long enough.. you can see the arrow right before impact ...

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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The new dave smith mating motion decoy set works even when it shouldn’t....
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The new dave smith mating motion decoy set works even when it shouldn’t....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Happy bowhunter!
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Happy bowhunter!
I was pretty pumped to tag such a great fall tom... gotta love when calls and decoys work in the fall! :-)

From: Scar Finga
20-Dec-17
Awesome bird man! Congratulations!!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Next I found myself hunting Iowa whitetails in the rut... talk about scenic!
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Next I found myself hunting Iowa whitetails in the rut... talk about scenic!
Iowa........

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Awesome whitetail country....
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Awesome whitetail country....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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He didn’t go far!
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He didn’t go far!
On the third morning I found myself up high in stand in a great bedding area... with a few occasional grunts a nice 11 point walked in that I couldn’t pass up. An arrow was sent .....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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He had character that I liked!
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He had character that I liked!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Signs of the rut!
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Signs of the rut!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Again one happy bowhunter!
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Again one happy bowhunter!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Making memories!
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Making memories!
This guy in the middle is one helluva nice guy and now a good buddy! He also knows whitetails as his stand placements, tactics, and walls proved so..... I had an absolute blast hunting in Iowa!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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As I found her!
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As I found her!
After filling my buck tag I set out for a doe, which ended up taking a few days to get one in range. On the last evening I put a big ol nanny down.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Happy bowhunter! She had my jacked like any buck has.
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Happy bowhunter! She had my jacked like any buck has.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Can’t wait to get back to Iowa! It’s a special place!
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Can’t wait to get back to Iowa! It’s a special place!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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He really is smiling! :-)
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He really is smiling! :-)
My Northern California Deer season started off slow as I was more so helping others rather then hunting myself, plus my target buck had not shown himself in 2 weeks leading up to the opener. Troy and Quincy were out here hunting with us and on his fourth day, Quincy connected on a great buck!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Happy bowhunter!
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Happy bowhunter!
I ended up taking my tags into the general season and located a buck I had not seen in four years. I found his home turf and after a few days stars aligned and he slipped. This was the oldest and tallest buck I have killed yet. His height takes away from his mass. I was so pumped when I got him I was shaking like crazy. Man I love bowhunting!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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I love the cape on this buck
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I love the cape on this buck
The following week I found myself hunting a spot I had an earlier encounter with a buck that got away with the last laugh. I hunted this area hard and finally after several days I was rewarded with a second chance at the same buck that was cruising through the area. This time I made a good shot and filled my second Cali tag. . Crazy how things can turn around and in a short time a season can turn into another one of those “dream” seasons or hunts.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Head on....
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Head on....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Nice view.
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Nice view.
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I took a chance and put in for a Colorado elk unit I had no history in or information of. Well long story short I ate my tag and learned a lot in a lot of aspects of a out of state hunt that I will not do again. Here’s a few pics from the hunt.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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First pig double!
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First pig double!
During the summer I was able to get out in search of some swine... long story short I stalked into a group of pigs near a pond in 100 degree heat and put two pigs down in about 30 seconds. I love doubles and I love sausage!

From: Jimbo
20-Dec-17
Chris, where in northern California do you hunt? I grew up in Quincy... Plumas County.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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The bigger sow.....
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The bigger sow.....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Didn’t make it too far after the shot! :-)
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Didn’t make it too far after the shot! :-)

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Opening weekend bird
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Opening weekend bird
Spring of 2017 I was able to get out and do a little turkey hunting believe it or not. I filled my turkey tags with joe and my daughter present on the hunts. I’m a sucker as when my little girl tells me to shoot I couldn’t say no.... that time! :-) here’s pics from my spring turkey season....

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Good 3 year old
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Good 3 year old

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Red, White, and Blue! :-)
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Red, White, and Blue! :-)
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Live shot of my first bird
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Live shot of my first bird

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Serious tactics discussion after a great day!
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Serious tactics discussion after a great day!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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A few days later... good times with buddies!
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A few days later... good times with buddies!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Live shot of my second bird before he took an arrow.
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Live shot of my second bird before he took an arrow.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Such awesome birds!
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Such awesome birds!
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:-)
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:-)

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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The walk out is always better when a little heavier!
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The walk out is always better when a little heavier!

20-Dec-17
Awesome thread! Wow, and double wow. Congrats.

From: Treeline
20-Dec-17
You had an awesome year for sure! Congratulations!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Double up!
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Double up!
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Making memories!
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Making memories!
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Haha love it!
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Haha love it!
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After a successful day we celebrate!
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After a successful day we celebrate!
Here’s pics of my third bird where go was there talking us into shooting these young toms... it was a blast for all of us.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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#noselfiesuntillwekill
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#noselfiesuntillwekill
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My uncle Jim and Gia
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My uncle Jim and Gia
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We love turkey hunting!
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We love turkey hunting!
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The Little things matter!
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The Little things matter!
Here’s a few extra pics from my turkey season with family and friends...

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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A double with some buddies!
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A double with some buddies!
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Buddies gun bird!
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Buddies gun bird!
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Tools of the trade
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Tools of the trade
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:-o
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:-o

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17
Like I said I’m saving the best for last and it’s almost here.... but I’ll have to get back to this a little later. Hopefully not too long.

From: 12yards
20-Dec-17
Congrats on a great year! BTW, what kind of bow sling is that?

From: buzz mc
20-Dec-17
Pretty awesome year!!! Congrats. Thanks for posting it.

From: GhostBird
20-Dec-17
Fantastic Chris... looking forward to the finale.

From: HUNT MAN
20-Dec-17
You guys never disappoint . Great hunts with good people . That’s what bowhunting is to me! Congrats again and here’s to next year!! Hunt

From: South Farm
20-Dec-17
Amazing pics...what kind of camera were you using??

From: Brotsky
20-Dec-17
Awesome stuff Chris! Good things come to good people. The best part about a great year coming to a close is the next one is right around the corner! Congrats on 2017 and best wishes for 2018!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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The gang
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The gang
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FOH!
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FOH!
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In search...
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In search...
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Passing it (her bow) on to gia! Awesome!
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Passing it (her bow) on to gia! Awesome!
And i definitely can’t let this go further without a few pics from “halfpints” hunt out here. We all had a blast!

From: kota-man
20-Dec-17
Great stuff Chris. And, as usual, great pics. What a year...

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Such an impressive animal!
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Such an impressive animal!
For my whole life I have lived in a state where things are backwards, hunting regulations don’t make sense, and things rarely ever positively change for resident sportsman. Majority of my life as a California resident, mountain lion hunting has not been allowed since they were placed on the endangered species list in 1990. This is one of many examples things unfortunately are not in favor of the sportsman and wildlife conservation, as lions over run California now and more are killed by wardens and state trappers then were ever killed by hunters before they were listed as endangered. Since I began hunting I have never really gotten the itch to chase and hunt lions as they are protected here in California plus to go out of state and legally kill one the state’s precludes the importation of lions legally taken out of state from being brought into the state including any part of a lion, its meat or taxidermy. Talk about violating the US Constitution and Commerce Clause but that is nothing new in California. Enough of that as things ultimately changed my mind for me.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Buddies friends tom he caught couple weeks before my hunt.
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Buddies friends tom he caught couple weeks before my hunt.
I have several friends in other states that have hunted mountain lions and told me how great the meat is and about their exciting hunts, yet I still did not get the urge to hunt an animal I could not eat and enjoy at least here in California. Well all of this changed when I realized life is short, opportunities are not always accessible, and when a good friend who successfully always chases mountain lions and lives in a trophy lion state invites you to go, you go. I thought to myself I needed to take this opportunity, stand up for what’s legally my right to do (even in another state) and take the opportunity in front of me, which many people would die to have a chance at. So over a short period with all the aforementioned circumstances in my head, I quickly got the excitement to hunt a mountain lion and took up my friend’s offer to join him in Arizona. When I had talked to him about chasing lions, he had explained many miles are covered until a track is found and then the chase may be short if we’re lucky. He sent me several photographs of lions he and his friends had caught over the years, which really got me excited. Just two weeks before my hunt, he sent me pictures of a giant tom lion they caught, which his friend harvested that weighed 150-160 pounds. For Arizona and anywhere in the lower 48 that is a nice big respectable cat.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Happy to get this coues buck with limited time!
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Happy to get this coues buck with limited time!
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Taking it all in
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Taking it all in
The couple of weeks leading up to my trip to Arizona, I prepared my shooting and bow by shooting at extremely steep vertical angles. It was a good thing I did practice this type of shooting as I discovered my bow’s site’s third-axis was a little off forcing my arrows to hit left when I leveled the bubble. I made the correct adjustments and my site’s third-axis was dialed as well as my shooting was. My confidence in my bow and my shooting was high, which I believe plays a huge aspect in any hunt when the time comes to make a clean ethical shot on any game, but even more important on dangerous game. I was ready!

As I was driving to Arizona, I continuously refreshed my weather page app on my phone checking the forecast. The forecast didn’t show any snow to hit for seven days, which on a twelve day hunt got me a little nervous. So to help the time go by, I elected to hunt Coues deer down south of my location while waiting on the cold front to hit. On the third day hunting deer, I was able to fill my archery deer tag on a nice young 6 point Coues buck that was chasing a hot doe.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Everything looked like this for the most part...
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Everything looked like this for the most part...
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I guess these wild horses are a pain in everyone’s @$$ in Arizona, but we’re cool to see and photograph.
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I guess these wild horses are a pain in everyone’s @$$ in Arizona, but we’re cool to see and photograph.
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Another hunter we ran into as his dogs were on alert hoping to catch a lion scent ....
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Another hunter we ran into as his dogs were on alert hoping to catch a lion scent ....
Happy with harvesting a Coues buck, my complete attention was back to lions and praying for some snow. To make the time go by, my buddy and I tried a few blind predator calling sets and were able to put a couple coyotes down.

Finally day 7 and the front arrived with snow but only a couple inches at most. The next morning at 3 AM we began driving roads searching for lion tracks. I was finally in search of the elusive lions track and excited that it was finally happening. All that excitement slowly faded as we had looked over hundreds of elk, deer, coyote, and bobcat tracks until noon with no lion tracks found. We probably drove close to 60 miles on rough dirt and rocky roads and surprisingly it somehow wore me out. As my buddy explained lions travel and hunt at night so why the reason we searched for tracks in the morning. That evening I got some good rest and again we were back at it at 3 AM the second morning.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Pretty scenic ....
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Pretty scenic ....
We searched a new area covering several miles and inspecting several animal tracks with again no lion tracks found. By noon we finished up and the sun popped out melting all the snow by night fall. With no snow on the ground a check of the weather app showed another front would move in two days later pushing my hunt to the last two days I had before returning home.

The next front moved in and this one was much heavier and it dumped 4-6” of snow overnight. Again the alarm sounded off as I was just settling into a good sleep and we were back out there driving snow covered roads in search of elusive fresh lion tracks. Again, we scoured over hundreds of fresh tracks left in the snow but no tracks were found. By the end of the third day searching for mountain lion tracks, I began to wonder if it was going to happen or not.

From: drycreek
20-Dec-17
Great thread and outstanding pictures ! Helluva season !

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Closing in.....
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Closing in.....
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Big lion tracks were awesome to see!
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Big lion tracks were awesome to see!
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Comparison and I’m a bigger guy...
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Comparison and I’m a bigger guy...
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Time to track!
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Time to track!
On day 4 and more less my last day to hunt lions, again we were up early driving roads and we had the help of another buddy who was searching for tracks in a different area to double our coverage. Four hours later as the sun was now up we still had not located any tracks when my buddy’s phone rang. It was Jed who I could hear through the phone excitedly saying that he just found a giant tom lion track that was “red hot.” Knowing he was well over an hour away from us and there were other lion hunters doing the same thing looking for tracks, we drove like we were in a police pursuit to get there and get on the track. With my heart near coma for several days it was finally elevated again with adrenaline and hope. We finally arrived and I got to see my first set of lion tracks. These tracks were as big as my hand if not bigger. These were left by a big cat.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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The terrain went from flat to steep fairly quickly...
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The terrain went from flat to steep fairly quickly...
Once I arrived the dogs were released and we knew we were a minimum of two hours behind the tom. I never would imagine trailing behind some dogs listening to them bark and whine would be music to my ears but it was. Watching these dogs quickly working the trail noses berried into the snow was very cool like watching a springer on point of a pheasant for comparison but much cooler for me. Only difference is we were chasing one of North America’s top predators, which is rarely seen while in the wild and dangerous. As we were chasing the dogs and on their trail, I was informed by Blake the lion was heading for a huge canyon and that we had already trailed this lion further than any of his past chases (150 or so). It did not matter to me as I was feeling good and wanted to catch up with the lion that was leaving such giant tracks. After we covered two miles we found ourselves in the bottom of a giant canyon and the dogs were now giving the ‘treed’ alert bark close by.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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So crazy to see him at only 10-15 yards!
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So crazy to see him at only 10-15 yards!
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His glare was quite powerful... such a giant!
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His glare was quite powerful... such a giant!
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Amazing animal!
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Amazing animal!
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By the look of his stomach it appeared he just had his last meal,......
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By the look of his stomach it appeared he just had his last meal,......
As we slowly approached the tree, I finally caught a glimpse of the lion and was amazed to witness the lion standing above the dogs that were at the bottom of tree. Jed told me he was a giant lion and definitely the biggest he has seen in ten years of chasing lions. The size of this lion was most impressive and his steely blue eyes were mesmerizing and almost hypnotic with unknown intentions. As we were videoing and taking photos of the lion only ten yards above us, he decided to climb the giant pine nearly to the top. Seeing the raw power of the lion climb the tree burying his claws into the tree and muscles rip through his skin, made me feel very small and was intimidating. My shot went from a chip shot to an extremely steep shot, where my bows third axis would matter. The actual distance was 35 yards but with the angle my rangefinder compensator told me to shoot for 24 yards… that’s steep!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Live Action shot!
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Live Action shot!
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My view and shot angle
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My view and shot angle
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Official!
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Official!
With snow now falling again from a small moisture cell that moved in, I studied my shot and took aim on the lion as snowflakes fell onto my face. I felt confident at the shot and followed through knowing a bad shot on a cougar was not an option. My arrow flew true hitting the lion perfect as he instantly fell and was dead in three seconds. Wow what a rush!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Happy bowhunter! :-)
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Happy bowhunter! :-)
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Big enough!
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Big enough!
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One of my greatest bowhunting hunts ever!
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One of my greatest bowhunting hunts ever!
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Life eats life! Just a little predator control... :-)
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Life eats life! Just a little predator control... :-)
This was one of the coolest experiences I have had bowhunting, period! After high-fives, hand shakes, photographs, and just taking in the moment, we began the pack out. Long story short the pack out was brutal with such a heavy whole animal the site of the truck two hours later was even better. We ultimately weighed the mountain lion, which tipped the scale at a whopping 180 pounds. Even though he hasn’t been officially scored yet, he green scored 15 3/8” which easily qualifies for Pope and Young and should be a Booner!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

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Size comparison as I’m 6’2” 240.... big ol mtn kitty.
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Size comparison as I’m 6’2” 240.... big ol mtn kitty.
trkyslr's embedded Photo
Such a cool experience!
trkyslr's embedded Photo
Such a cool experience!
trkyslr's embedded Photo
Me and joe with the lion. Glad you were there to be a part of it homie!
trkyslr's embedded Photo
Me and joe with the lion. Glad you were there to be a part of it homie!
trkyslr's embedded Photo
The group! Thanks to all of them for such an awesome day!
trkyslr's embedded Photo
The group! Thanks to all of them for such an awesome day!
This was an experience that I am grateful to be a part of and experience from beginning to the end. The anticipation of the chase, locating lion tracks, watching the dogs work the track, and seeing such an elusive predator up close is a hunt that goes down as one of my favorites. By the way while I was in Arizona, I did enjoy the lion’s back straps and loins as they were wonderful. It was some of the best meat I have tasted. A lion hunt is one I will definitely do again even as a witness. Lesson learned was take up a great opportunity as it may end up being one of your best decisions made as it was for me.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17

trkyslr's embedded Photo
trkyslr's embedded Photo
It was pretty cool seeing the hunt in the last eastmans bowhunting journal. My daughter loves to see and read my articles over and over again.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17
So that is a rap on my 2017 season and hope it was a good read. Merry Christmas and wish everyone a great 2018!

20-Dec-17
Badass season for sure Big C...Congrats!

20-Dec-17
Awesome stuff Chris! Love hearing about it and grats! Man, that lion is a beast!

From: Brotsky
20-Dec-17
That is an incredible lion Chris! Congrats! Your article in the EBJ was excellent as well, it was a lot of fun to read it with Kia a few weeks ago when we got it in the mail. My folks just built a cabin in western SD and have had lion tracks around their cabin and up on their deck the last two times it has snowed. The season opens here in a week, I need to get out there and attempt some of my own predator control!

20-Dec-17
Definitely some of the finest pictures I've ever seen on Bowsite ! Congrats in a fantastic year,,your a DEDICATED bowman,that's for sure..

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17
Used a Cannon g7x, a cool-pix cam, and the old trusty new iPhone ... and thanks!

From: Nick Muche
20-Dec-17
That a boy Chris! What an amazing year you had, I hope you had fun :)

Best of luck in '18 and please have a Merry Christmas!

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17
To all you guys thank you very much! I’m glad you enjoyed them. Happy 2018 to you guys!

From: Bowboy
20-Dec-17
You had a great 2017 season. Congrats!

From: Jaquomo
20-Dec-17
Awesome, Chris! Between you and Joe you guys had a season that's a "career" for many bowhunters!

When you get a chance, would you share some of the things you learned on the ill-fated out of state elk hunt? Maybe on a different thread? I think that would help a lot of hunters out.

20-Dec-17
Awesome stuff man. You fellas sure do it right. Congrats and God Bless.

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17
Lou, ya I can do that for sure.

From: Shug
20-Dec-17
Great year.... congratulations

From: midwest
20-Dec-17
Fantastic.....congrats, Chris!

Ditto what Lou said!

From: t-roy
20-Dec-17
Hopefully you get that promotion. With your taxidermy bills, yer gonna need it! I’m exhausted just reading all this! You had a whale of a year with some incredible animals as well as some fantastic experiences to go along with them!

We sure had a blast having you and Joe come out for a week, and, who knows, next time you might even get a stand named after you! I’m looking forward to getting back out there and chasing blacktails again too. Hopefully, with a little cooler weather ;-)

Congrats again on a fantastic season, Chris!

From: Hawkeye
20-Dec-17
Great season and incredible pics as usual! Well done!

From: Willieboat
20-Dec-17
Heck of a season Chris !! Congrats !!

From: TD
20-Dec-17
Great year to say the least! Congrats! Thanks for takin' us on along.

From: Marty
20-Dec-17
Awesome pictures! Congrats on a great year! Kevin

From: trkyslr
20-Dec-17
Thanks guys!!

Troy it’s in the works buddy!! Can’t wait as 45’still kickin and might be yours with some history, which makes it cooler.

From: SonofButch
21-Dec-17
What model Elite are you shooting?

From: BOWUNTR
21-Dec-17
You're a bad ass... period. Congratulations Chris. Ed F

From: TGbow
21-Dec-17
Awsome photos

Great photos! Thank you for sharing them.

1

From: otcWill
21-Dec-17
Hats off to you, Chris. Well done and thanks for posting!

From: Paul@thefort
21-Dec-17
I am so glad that you and many other bow hunters are packing along their cameras to show the hunt and the to share them with us. Nicely done 24/7--365. my best, Paul

From: Mark Watkins
21-Dec-17
Congrats on (another) great year Chris! Pics, stories and critters....AAA!

Mark

From: Buffalo1
21-Dec-17
A banner year there. Great trophies and more importantly, great memories. Congrats

You've set the bar high for 2018. Go get'em !!

From: elkmtngear
21-Dec-17
Congrats Chris, very impressive Year for you. Keep hammerin'

Best of Luck, Jeff

From: Bullhound
21-Dec-17
Wow, Congratulations on an unbelievable year! Very exciting just reading your thoughts!!! Thanks for sharing!

21-Dec-17
Congrats, Chris! Great photos as usual. Mighty fine season!

From: Treeline
21-Dec-17
Loved your recap and all the awesome pics!

From: APauls
21-Dec-17
Awesome!! Congrats! So cool how that lion hunt ranks up there for you and doing the hunt was a big maybe to start. Lesson noted!

From: GhostBird
21-Dec-17
Congrats on an epic year... love that cat.

From: Duke
21-Dec-17
Epic is a word used far too often, however this year qualified for you, Chris! Thanks for sharing the stories and photos.

From: trkyslr
21-Dec-17
Thanks everyone!

Ed, I’m just trying to catch up to you.

From: Busta'Ribs
21-Dec-17
Bro, your photos are primo!

From: wooddamon1
21-Dec-17
Very cool, congrats!

From: SBH
22-Dec-17
Awesome Season!! I'm loving these year long recaps. Inspiring. Well done to you and best wishes for 2018.

From: Z Barebow
22-Dec-17
Thanks for sharing your year! I really enjoy the quality of your pics. I know I would love a thread in which you shared some of you and Joe's tips for taking great field pictures. You guys are among the best!

Which EBJ was that in? I started looking last night and couldn't find it.

I was never enamored with lion's until this year when I saw one live and close (40 yards). They have an aura about them unlike no other critter than I have witnessed. They are definitely an APEX predator. Those eyes can burn holes through you. (And I have been 12 yards from a timber wolf)

From: t-roy
22-Dec-17
I don’t know what Chris does as far as editing, etc., on his pics, but witnessing firsthand, the time and energy, as well as all the little details that he and Joe take when they are taking photos, it’s no wonder they turn out more than a few awesome pics.

From: trkyslr
22-Dec-17
Thanks guys! Z barebow, it’s ebj issue 109. And yes maybe someday we can do that.. i could prob write a book or give a class on it. It’s deff something we enjoy doing and spend time doing.

22-Dec-17
Congrats on the season and especially the Iowa Whitetail!

From: trkyslr
22-Dec-17
Thanks Charlie! It’s a magical place for sure!

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