2012 AZ Elk (pics)
BOHNTR
9/22/12 2:08pm
I drew an AZ elk tag in a unit that isn't known for neccessary large or old bulls, but since it's my fourth bull tag (non-resident) in 20 years, I wasn't complaining. Before the season opened, I was nusing a left knee that I injured on a back-country mule deer hunt in CO, so I gingerly scouted a few areas I checked last month. Opening weekend I was expecting to hear some bugling, but heard nothing for the first 3 hours of daylight. I was on my way back to camp, when I decided to check a little honey hole I've arrowed some bulls before in years past. As I parked, I listened for a few minutes and heard some bugles up a ridge that I'm very familiar with. After gathering my gear and getting the wind right, I headed in silent.
About 500 yards further, I managed to get right in the herd that has 8 total bulls (counting satellite bulls). I passed a five point at about 15 yards as he moved past me. Suddenly, I realized they wer all around me and I herd the bull raking a tree directly in front of me. He would chase bulls off and then return to his tree and destroy the limbs. I slowly crept in a little further and found myself 33 yards from him raking. I drew and settled in my pin and released....hitting him behind the shoulder and getting a complete pass-thru. He bolted a short distance and then went over a little rise and was out-of-sight. The other elk, in all the frenzy, didn't know what happended and soon bulls were chasing cows everyhwere around me......pute elk heaven.
Thirty minutes later, I took up the blood trail and went about 100 yards and found my elk bedded.....and still alive. I couldn't believe it. I snuck in to 23 yards and put another arrow in him through the shoulder. He bolted another 50 yards and was down for good. After contacting my hunting partners and letting them know where I was at, I finally got a good look at what I arrowed. He was a freaky configured bull with a heavy 7 point side that grew close to the center of his forehead. The other side was long but was missing his first two points. His tines were bladed and just......well, weird looking. His big side, if doubled wouldbe about a 345" class bull.
At the meat locker, a G&F officer estimated his age about 8.5 years old. His body was by far the biggest bodied elk I've ever arrowed. Buthcer estimated him to be about 750 pounds. That's a lot of good table fare! :)
I'm still here in Arizona helping Wally and Fred locate bulls. Fred shot right under a really nice 7x7 last evening......shooting right under him. Hopefully they'll tag out before the season ends on the 27th. I'll keep you updated on the hunt, as I have access from camp. Hope you enjoy the photos.
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About 500 yards further, I managed to get right in the herd that has 8 total bulls (counting satellite bulls). I passed a five point at about 15 yards as he moved past me. Suddenly, I realized they wer all around me and I herd the bull raking a tree directly in front of me. He would chase bulls off and then return to his tree and destroy the limbs. I slowly crept in a little further and found myself 33 yards from him raking. I drew and settled in my pin and released....hitting him behind the shoulder and getting a complete pass-thru. He bolted a short distance and then went over a little rise and was out-of-sight. The other elk, in all the frenzy, didn't know what happended and soon bulls were chasing cows everyhwere around me......pute elk heaven.
Thirty minutes later, I took up the blood trail and went about 100 yards and found my elk bedded.....and still alive. I couldn't believe it. I snuck in to 23 yards and put another arrow in him through the shoulder. He bolted another 50 yards and was down for good. After contacting my hunting partners and letting them know where I was at, I finally got a good look at what I arrowed. He was a freaky configured bull with a heavy 7 point side that grew close to the center of his forehead. The other side was long but was missing his first two points. His tines were bladed and just......well, weird looking. His big side, if doubled wouldbe about a 345" class bull.
At the meat locker, a G&F officer estimated his age about 8.5 years old. His body was by far the biggest bodied elk I've ever arrowed. Buthcer estimated him to be about 750 pounds. That's a lot of good table fare! :)
I'm still here in Arizona helping Wally and Fred locate bulls. Fred shot right under a really nice 7x7 last evening......shooting right under him. Hopefully they'll tag out before the season ends on the 27th. I'll keep you updated on the hunt, as I have access from camp. Hope you enjoy the photos.
13,142
congrats and keep us posted on how the rest of the hunt goes for your buddies.
This is one taken through my spotting scope that I found about 20 miles away from our camp.......this is a BIG typical 8x6 that should go just over 350". He's in a tough place to hunt.....but a gorgeuos bull. They're trying for him today.
It almost reminds me of the people that dress as half man and half woman. :))
Walking one way looks like a raghorn but if it turns around then you're looking at a monster.
Ahh who am I kidding I would be proud of either side of him.
this post is my favorite to check in on every day.
hope you can wack 1 more bull before your done! good luck :thumb
Moose
Great job guys,