Chris and his son Mark load up their backpacks and head into sheep country in pursuit of the elusive Coues deer that roam the Arizona backcountry.

Nate and his Uncle Ted are in Wyoming exploring some new country in pursuit of mule deer on public land.

Years of effort culminate in the rugged mountains of Nevada’s public lands on Nate’s archery mule deer hunt.

Mark and Chris return to a familiar place to hunt Coues deer on Arizona’s public lands.

Nate Simmons backpacks through Idaho’s backcountry in pursuit of mule deer on public land.

Nate Simmons backpacks through Idaho’s backcountry in pursuit of mule deer on public land.

Chris Denham returns to Kodiak for a second time along with some of his good friends from Arizona.

Chris Denham returns to Kodiak for a second time along with some of his good friends from Arizona.

I lowered enough to stay out of sight and nocked an arrow. I drew my Hoyt and found my anchors. My heart was pounding, but I consciously took a slow breath as I settled my 60-yard pin.

Brown bear hunting is something else. I highly recommend if it’s on your bucket list that you MAKE IT HAPPEN! You won’t regret it.

Now at less than 15 yards, I let out a soft cow call to stop him for a shot. The bull was so close that you can see my perfectly-placed arrow.

During application season in 2020, I knew I wanted to chase velvet mule deer above the timberline. I decided to go all-in for an archery tag in Colorado.