What has been your favorite hunt of all

[FREAK]

My most memorable/rewarding hunts were the ones that took the most commitment. Usually a good dose of feeling like I’m doing something wrong or wasting time only for it to finally come together at the end. I’ve had a lot of fun on special tags and out of state hunts but these come to mind as the most memorable.

2012, went home for Christmas break. Practiced with my dad’s bow then sat stands literally the entire break. Almost took the night off as it was rain/snowing all day. Decided to go sit the stand and it paid off. Great memories talking through the hunts with my dad, deciding what stand to sit, processing the deer, grinding out hours in the stand.



The bull I got last year was another one I’ll never forget. Been dreaming about a nice 6 point bull since I moved to Montana. I decided it was the year to hold out or eat the tag. Took a lot of trial and error and some grueling hunts. Hunted hard from bow season through the end of rifle. Felt really good when it all came together.

 

[TheGrayRider]

I have been extremely blessed, lucky, and grateful over the past few years in my travels. A special thanks to all involved, directly or indirectly in these hunts, especially my wife, the wonderful guides and PHs, and the unnamed support staffs.


Bongo - Equatorial African jungle, southeastern Cameroon, May 2024.


Desert Bighorn Sheep - Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Unit 45C, Arizona, December 2022.


Leopard with hounds - Kalahari Desert, Botswana, Africa, Unit S02, September 2023.

God bless America! See you on the mountain and also at the upcoming conventions. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025 to all, TheGrayRider a/k/a Tom.

 

[hank4elk]

I'd have to say last weeks cow hunt with my friend here at the ranch.
For 2 old hunters it does not get much better. Talking for days about past hunts and life, then filling a tag last day.
Shared meat & stories with Dotti.
Cool.

 

[psinclair]

It wasn't an animal I killed myself, but one I guided for. Unlimited ram from Montana's Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, 2006.

 

[cgasner1]

Killed that bull on day 21 most of it solo. Im not sure how many days I actually hunted that year for that elk 21 was just how many I had been down at the time I took a week during archery and every weekend. Even today I smile when I walk past him

 

[BirdManMike]

The stoop of a tiercel Peregrine on Huns on a clear, chilly, still, winter day, especially those flights where I am able to get eyes on the falcon before, or shortly after, the start of the stoop, watching - and hearing - the descent from clear, blue heavens thru to contact. Its difficult to always get eyes on the falcon when its at 1000, or more, feet over head, but there are a number of flights that will be burned into my brains for all eternity. And I hope there will be many more for years to come.

 

[6mm Remington]

It would have to be my 2019 grizzly bear hunt above the Arctic Circle in Alaska. Got a gorgeous 14 year old bear. I had a wonderful guide Mike Lettis from Alaska. We really bonded and had a great time. The outfitter and his wife were wonderful people and the crew they had in camp was amazing. The two days I got to spend in base camp were filled with the best caribou and moose meat for meals than you could imagine. The cook was the best. I have to say though that having grizzly bear backstrap steaks rolled in flour and friend in butter at spike camp was pretty tough to beat.