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2020 A Season To Forget, A Season To Remember

Big Fin

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I'm sitting in the Tucson Airport, flying home after the final trip of what was an interesting season, to say the least. Lots to reflect on and lots to learn from.

This was a year of experiments, some of which we will not be trying again and some of which we hope to replicate in future years.

As with all businesses, 2020 was a rather trying time behind the scenes. Virus added a lot of cost and complication to what we do, but so far none of us got sick and we only canceled three hunts.

It was also our hardest year in the field. Not sure if it was a function of the days or locations, but this was the windiest year I've ever hunted. Wind adds a lot of complications to what we do, compromising audio and make it hard to stabilize footage that is very far off.

We had some great guests, some great stories, and some great hunts. I made my share of mistakes and my selectivity might draw criticism from some who expect me to tag any animals that present a chance.

I've been only an occasional poster here on Hunt Talk, with Kim running the operation most of the season. Not sure what the fee will be for her unpaid services, but I'll gladly pay it.

Time to get caught up here on Hunt Talk and reply to the mountains of PMs and other messages. Not sure I'll ever find the fortitude to tackle the pile of emails that await.

This was our 13th season. It was a ton of fun, as were the prior 12. I look forward to implementing what we learned in 2020 as we plan 2021, a planning process we are already working on.

Rifle Coues deer, a banner hatch of Gambel's quail, time with family and long-time friends, and some amazing weather made for one hell of a way to end this crazy season. By now I'm usually dragging my butt and needing a month of rest. This last week was a great battery recharge to get me excited for what 2021 might be.

Thanks for all of you here. Hope to be more of a presence in the coming months.

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Coues Deer. Love that hunt --congratulations. I hope you were able to get the meat home. Coues rates near the top of best tasting wild game in my humble opinion.

What did you hunt them with ( rifle and scope ) always curious what scope folks use to hunt them as they tend to blend into the landscape fairly well.

Have a safe trip home
 
Meat is in the cooler. Ate two big venison meals while we were here.

Howa 7mm-08 was the rifle. Leupold VX5HD and Nosler 140 grain AccuBonds rounded out the rig. Mine was taken at 375 yards. Marcus took his at 200 yards.
 
Meat is in the cooler. Ate two big venison meals while we were here.

Howa 7mm-08 was the rifle. Leupold VX5HD and Nosler 140 grain AccuBonds rounded out the rig. Mine was taken at 375 yards. Marcus took his at 200 yards.

Awesome!! I've been anxiously awaiting you tagging a coues buck! That episode/group of episodes are some of my favorites. Congrats!
 
Your show has helped me get through this pandemic reminding me the importance of health, family and faith. Thank you and your crew for all you do and representing what public land hunting is all about.
 
Nice buck! Now that you've crossed "Coues deer" off your list, perhaps you can come next year and help me cross "bull elk" off my list. ;)

In the spirit of this thread, however, I'm already way too excited about the possibility of a 2021 elk camp where I bring my family, and a buddy brings some of his to NE Oregon...and with a tag in my pocket, I'll be the spotter/guide/packer/camp manager. And I'll have no regrets.

QQ
 
Congrats to you, but even more of a Kudos to Kim. I cannot imagine how boring it must be for her to come on here and filter through a bunch of threads when she doesn't hunt. I can only imagine it being like me trying to go to a nurses forum and read about all the blabber my wife thinks i like to hear about her job:cool:
 
Wind was brutal this year. Glad you closed the deal on an AZ coues deer!
 
Keep doing what you’re doing Randy. You have the absolute best hunting show content in the history of television and internet shows.

I would have never gone on my first western hunt/honeymoon had I not stumbled upon your show on YouTube a few years ago. Now both my wife and I have points in two states.
 
2020 has been a year for sure.

Keep presenting the good picture for sportsmen and sportswomen!
 
Randy , you got a top notch crew. Keep it up dude . 👍

beau and family ,Michael, Marcus/Kara ........ keep these guys around they are cool kats
 
As someone who only makes it out west for 1 week a year, I live vicariously through your programming. I love watching the tough hunts as well. Thank you for the season.
 
Your Arizona shows have stimulated me to suggest to my dad and uncle that they should take their pointers to AZ. With family in the produce business seasonally in Yuma, I need to explore that more. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
 
Randy, your title sums it up well. I am grateful to have lived it....
Also nice Coues deer and I hope you were wearing your track shoes while hunting those Gambel's. They are certainly a fun bird to hunt.
 

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