G3 hunt 2025

[Sodhunter]

Hello folks. I used to come here often but kind of got off the social media stuff. I drew a G3 in 2005. Had my travel trailer blow completely off the frame in 120 mile an hour winds on the way up to my hunt. Stayed at the Best Western and hunted almost the entire two weeks. Passed on lots of bucks, two with my bow and arrow that were bigger than the one I actually shot up on shingle Mills with rifle. It was a fantastic two weeks and I've given others as much info as I could when they drew as it's not like I'm giving my or anyone else's secret spot away as it's a once in a lifetime tag. I've accompanied two other hunters on hunts there. One was an older friend who just had knee surgery and still managed to shoot a Pope and Young with his bow on opening day. My son has finally drawn the zone with his max points he has been collecting since he was 12. He can't miss a lot of work. I hope to get up there and scout the week before and he hopefully a couple days before. I know things aren't what they used to be but any tips on where to camp, which passes hold cooler looking deer, etc. would be appreciated. I know when I was there Tabboose area was good and I saw a monster in Baxter that only had one antler, other broken off. I was thinking Oak Creek because off electric hookup but I do have a generator. Some of his friends coming up first weekend so we may want to grab pizza in lone pine and have bathrooms etc. I will see if I can find a couple pictures of the past deer and post a bit later if I can remember how. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

 

[Sodhunter]

 

[Sodhunter]

My friend shot this deer with a bow a few days after this picture was taken in the 2012 G3 hunt

 

[THE ROMAN ARCHER]

Wow Sodhunter what a story from the past and getting hit with Cat 3 winds like that is no joke your trailer got totaled and luck was on your side u didn’t get hurt or worse. U scored a super nice Muley for sure and your buddy scored a dream bow buck, I would have got super buck fever if a buck like that popped up in front of me….lol Good luck with your sons hunt I can’t wait to hear a great story of your Muley hunting adventure with pics of some sweet bucks dead or alive….tra

 

[BOHNTR]

I believe I measured that buck for your buddy.

 

[prohunter]

Nice story and great buck

 

[Sodhunter]

I believe I measured that buck for your buddy.

I think you did measure it. We went to the banquet he got am award.

 

[BOHNTR]

Yup......been a while, amigo. Glad you're still getting after it!

 

[canamrider07]

The trailer picture looks like a scene from
“The Hills Have Eyes”

 

[nickman123]

The Indian reservation in Independence has the best campground. It's clean, has elecrical hookups, showers, and a restaurant out front if you don't want to cook. It was pretty reasonably priced too.
As far as hunting, there is an old mining road up Division Creek that's worth checking out. Gets you way up high. It's pretty narrow and sketchy on the lower part but if u have a quad or SxS or maybe a small jeep or pickup it's doable.

 

[scott0san]

I too got drawn for this hunt, I have been putting in for it since I first started hunting in 1981. I dont have time to scout but I do have the whole two weeks to figure out the lay of the land.
I’m really looking forward to not hunting in the 100+ degree temperatures that the A zones offer.
If you see me while your out stop and we can compare notes, I’ll be driving a dark F250 with a Lance camper

 

[Sodhunter]

Yup......been a while, amigo. Glad you're still getting after it!

I think I see you moved to AZ. Still have your CA lifetime license. Jealous. Have a couple friends moved to AZ. It's not Montana as far as hunting, but for a guy with his bow, the weather and the opportunities are great. Hope you stay healthy to keep on doing the kind of hunts you been doing across the west for a long time to come.

 

[Sodhunter]

I too got drawn for this hunt, I have been putting in for it since I first started hunting in 1981. I dont have time to scout but I do have the whole two weeks to figure out the lay of the land.
I’m really looking forward to not hunting in the 100+ degree temperatures that the A zones offer.
If you see me while your out stop and we can compare notes, I’ll be driving a dark F250 with a Lance camper

I will keep an eye out. I'll be in a white Ford crew cab with a shell. The year I got the tag, 2005, I wanted to scout the week before but I had every imaginable conflict you could imagine. Daughter playing in volleyball nationals, wife needing surgery, work, and even after basically abandoning them after minimal support, my friggin trailer blows to pieces 2 days before the hunt. The morning before the hunt I blew off the trailer dealings to scout and it was so foggy you couldn't see 200 yds. till several hours after sun up. I hunted almost the whole two weeks and some deer disappeared but others appeared. I'm sure the selection was better then than it will be this year, but there will still be bucks and it will be great fun to try and find a big ones and pass on nice ones. Just try to get a picture of some you pass on.. I never got pictures of the 2 biggest ones. But I have them in my head. I don't regret passing on them to hunt longer and get the one I got. You have anyone going with you?

 

[Sodhunter]

As usual things are complicated with work, my son's mother-in-law passed away and plans get changed a bit. But still hoping to go up at least by Thursday to scout. Hope there's still some snow. Anyone know if the rut started early with that big snow?

 

[Muledeer527]

As usual things are complicated with work, my son's mother-in-law passed away and plans get changed a bit. But still hoping to go up at least by Thursday to scout. Hope there's still some snow. Anyone know if the rut started early with that big snow?

I've read that the rut is triggered by the days getting shorter. Less light hits the deer's eye and that sends them into rut.