2023 Camp

Highlights from Stories Written by Hunters in our 2022 Camp:

I am very blessed to be able to tag out on the first day or at all for that matter.

I’d like to thank the Arizona Deer Association for putting on the camp. Also the Arizona Game and Fish Department for helping preserve our wildlife. 

I am very thankful to be able to hunt in this wonderful state and it’s such a blessing to know that organizations like the ADA are out there fighting to keep hunting around for us to enjoy. 

-Lawson M

Everything worked out great and I was able to fill my tag. I am very happy with the deer that I got for my last year of hunting on the youth hunt. I've learned a lot about hunting. 

My mom and I decided we would gut this deer. My dad has always done it in the past. My mom and I did it and did a pretty good job with my dad's direction. It was a very fun hunt.

-Deighton H

It was super fun! We didn’t get an elk when we left but we had a super fun time and I even got an elk antler. 

We left with nothing but we still had a great time all because of everyone who volunteered to run the camp.

-James O

On our way to camp, we made a quick stop to Sportsman Warehouse to buy some stuff last minute and saw a triple rainbow. We hoped the triple rainbow would mean good luck but spoiler alert: it didn’t. Although I didn’t get a buck this year, I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. 

I have to thank the ADA for being kind enough to provide warm burritos, tons of water bottles, and all the snacks I wanted. I will never forget this trip and hope for another trip like this one!

-Jaxon M

I loved being able to have the opportunity to attend Arizona Deer Camp, providing housing, food, lifetime memories, and time to spend with each other and be outdoors.

I was amazed to see that some families and people who aren't hunting there just to help out; cooking, taking people out, going to pack out meat, being there in case anything happened. My Dad and I really enjoyed the time by the fire sharing hunting stories and good fellowship. Its like having a family you never knew you had. 

I just want to say thank you so much to the Arizona Deer Association for providing camp and me with opportunities to give me the best chance to be able to fill my tag and make lifetime memories. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the Arizona Deer Association.

-Griffin G

I really loved hearing about all the stories. These mountains hold a lot of memories. 

We saw 25 does; including a mother with her triplets! 

I’d like to thank Arizona Deer Association. They gave us so many incredible things plus food!

-Rosemary W

I was lucky to be drawn for youth deer and elk for unit 23. I was fortunate to harvest a cow elk on the second day of my hunt. The experience goes farther than filling my tag as this is an event that brings my entire family together for the hunt and has many memories that I will have for my entire life. Youth Deer camp was fun as well. Everyone at deer camp was extremely friendly and willing to give me suggestions. I loved being able to wake up grab a burrito and hot chocolate then off to hunt in the mornings. After a long day of hunting it was fun to have dinner and share stories around the campfire. When I shot my elk a few guys from the deer camp were there and helped me out.

This is my first elk and I was overjoyed. I learned how to field dress my elk and we placed all of the meat in bags. My entire family and friends put everything in backpacks then began to carry everything back up the steep hill. I continued to hunt the entire week hoping to find a buck but was not successful. I know I have many years of hunting to hopefully fill that tag. I couldn’t be happier with my hunt. Thank you to all my family, friends, and members at deer camp for helping me.

-Mackenzie M