npaden
Well-known member
Okay, I still don’t know if we drew a 13B Arizona Strip tag, a 12AW late Kaibab tag or a 12AE early Kaibab tag.
It’s about 5 times more likely that it is the 12AE early tag.
If we drew the 13B or 12AW late tag I’m almost certain that I’m going to hire an outfitter. Those are just too good of tags and the chance to shoot a once in a lifetime buck are just too high for me to try to DIY it with the time my son or I would have to scout and hunt the tag.
12AE early is a different story. Everything I’m reading says that shooting a giant buck on the early tag is unlikely even with an outfitter. It can be done, and the odds probably are higher with an outfitter than DIY but it almost sounds like a guy could luck into a good buck DIY or with a guide. Sounds like getting a buck isn’t the issue (although I’ve watched Randy’s hunt again since getting the credit card hit), but getting the big one just isn’t that likely.
Done a lot of reading and talked to an outfitter and emailed a few more. The money really isn’t the issue, I can afford to go guided without that much difficulty financially. I prefer to DIY but this is an area I’ve never even stepped foot in so I would be way behind before the hunt even started. Sounds like the hunt gets better toward the end of the season so I would want to try to stick it out until then either way.
I have a 181” gross New Mexico mule deer on the wall so I would be trying to do better than that. It feels a little like it would be cheating if I hired a guide but I do think my chances of getting a better buck would possibly be worth it. If it is shooting a 170” buck with a guide and shooting a 160” buck DIY that wouldn’t be worth it. If it is shooting a 185” buck with a guide vs. a 165” buck DIY it probably would be.
I already have a very full fall and will be short on time off so that’s one reason that hiring a guide is tempting.
Oh well, not sure anyone can really help me with my choice or not. Any input or advice is appreciated.
Thanks, Nathan
It’s about 5 times more likely that it is the 12AE early tag.
If we drew the 13B or 12AW late tag I’m almost certain that I’m going to hire an outfitter. Those are just too good of tags and the chance to shoot a once in a lifetime buck are just too high for me to try to DIY it with the time my son or I would have to scout and hunt the tag.
12AE early is a different story. Everything I’m reading says that shooting a giant buck on the early tag is unlikely even with an outfitter. It can be done, and the odds probably are higher with an outfitter than DIY but it almost sounds like a guy could luck into a good buck DIY or with a guide. Sounds like getting a buck isn’t the issue (although I’ve watched Randy’s hunt again since getting the credit card hit), but getting the big one just isn’t that likely.
Done a lot of reading and talked to an outfitter and emailed a few more. The money really isn’t the issue, I can afford to go guided without that much difficulty financially. I prefer to DIY but this is an area I’ve never even stepped foot in so I would be way behind before the hunt even started. Sounds like the hunt gets better toward the end of the season so I would want to try to stick it out until then either way.
I have a 181” gross New Mexico mule deer on the wall so I would be trying to do better than that. It feels a little like it would be cheating if I hired a guide but I do think my chances of getting a better buck would possibly be worth it. If it is shooting a 170” buck with a guide and shooting a 160” buck DIY that wouldn’t be worth it. If it is shooting a 185” buck with a guide vs. a 165” buck DIY it probably would be.
I already have a very full fall and will be short on time off so that’s one reason that hiring a guide is tempting.
Oh well, not sure anyone can really help me with my choice or not. Any input or advice is appreciated.
Thanks, Nathan