Jan 31st had Jason and I climbing over a steep hill to look in on "Tripod" country. Didn't find him but located 6 does acting a bit nervous down in the bottom. We started to move to another vantage point to see what had the does nervous and walked right into another large 3x3 buck wanting to use the same trail. Jason had an arrow on the string before I realized a deer was there but used great restraint and didn't try to take the to long broadside shot the deer offered. This deer wandered off not spooked and we never could get on him again. It was then I noticed a 3x4 had joined the does and was running one of the girls ragged. Jason tried to move in and followed these deer until they bedded way up on what some would refer to as a cliff face. The boy done good as I never saw him making his stalk and neither did the deer... At least until the last minute. He got within 15 yards but the bedded buck went out of his bed straight away and never offered a shot. Now the problem came as Jason in the final stalk had removed his boots and now couldn't find them. Fortunately Alan had come from over the other side of the mountain and was able to help. Trust me southern AZ is not a place to be without boots.
Happy New Year and opening Javelina season found Paul feeling somewhat better and he accompanied Alan, Jason and I back to the vantage point where I had spotted the javies earlier. There they showed up like they had a dinner date.
Paul stayed on the vantage point to guide us while we went rock climbing in an attempt to make our stalk. Everything went perfect up until the point Jason and I went about 15 yards to far East and ran into pigs near the top of the ridge. We had a big dark colored one at less than 20 yards but no holes in the brush which to shoot. He "woofed" off behind us and we hoped the rest of the herd would stay in place. Jason started up over the ridge and ran into a couple at about 10 yards. They only showed their faces before moving away. We continued over the ridge onto the hillside and I could hear Javelina in front of me. I had Jason take the lead and he moved in as I squatted behind some brush. I watched as he drew and shot. Now this is where our stories differ and will be great campfire tellin in years to come. I will only say that Jason made a nice shot hitting where intended with Mr. Clean and got great penetration from the woodsman head and Ramin shaft. But no javelina's were ever harmed.
We spent the next day and a half before needing to leave trying to get back on the pigs. We got close but to no avail. We covered a lot of beautiful Country on Paul Marsden's Mini Death March. He was definately feeling better and we were all glad to see it.
Paul Marsden
Alan Payne
The trip ended and so did our journey with Mr Clean. Jason has really become attached to the bow and really had a hard time letting go. He hopes that maybe if he is fortunate enough to draw an AZ Elk tag Stan you'll be so gracious to let Mr Clean visit us again.
Jason still looking
Thanks for letting us be part of the memory making and having the extra time with your wonderful creation.
Jim & Jason Coffey