My name is Rick Williams, I am the Executive Editor for Az Wilderness Productions. I always want to portray our crew as being successful in what ever we do, we always get the best footage, and we never have an unsuccessful hunt or fishing trip.

WRONG, we are just like you, we don’t always get what we set out to do. It’s not for the lack of effort, it’s just the way it goes sometimes.

This has been a tough year for film footage. We started in the heat of the summer and we are now into the cold of the winter. From that time to now we've had a rough time getting things on film. Things go wrong when you least expect it. The battery is in the charger when you grab the camera for some up close never to see again Javalina footage. I have 11 hunters to chose from in hunt camp at unit 44, I chose the wrong hunter (not his fault, it just wasn’t our day). This year the deer were holding so tight that we would jump them just feet away. By the time you get the camera going, they are gone. Desert still-hunting (filming) is tough. I could tell more stories but I like the positive stuff.

Things are looking up. Last night I took the evening to scout/film an area that my buddy Louie told me about. I was setting on the side of a ridge when a BIG 4x4 materialized about 100 yards away. I could hardly hold the camera still. When he disappeared over the ridge I grabbed my gear and beat feet around the hill to cut him off. When I got to the next ridge I was setting up when I made some noise (no Indian blood in me) I heard something below me and saw him (the 4x4) cut into the bushes. Following behind were 2 more bucks, one good sized 2x2, the other, was the biggest 2x2 I have ever seen, I had to replay the tape several times to believe what I was seeing. I thought he was at least a 3x3 if not a 4x4. His rack was so tall and wide. Things are looking pretty good for archery deer already.

Moral to this story, never give up, whether you are hunting, filming, fishing or whatever. You must be patient and persistent, change your methods, do what ever it takes, just don’t give up. Things will happen for you. Remember, whether you bring home that big buck, that 8 pound Bass or that footage you been trying so hard to get. Set back, enjoy the great outdoors, don’t make it like work, just enjoy the fresh air and scenery.

Rick Williams