AZ402
Well-known member
The bull I shot is not my biggest ever and not what I had in mind during 99.9% of this hunt. I am however, very happy with him and he may be my most gratifying animal in the house.
I spent 14 straight days hunting archery elk in AZ's most coveted unit. I was thankfully joined by my buddies Dave (Redline410) and Bret for parts of the hunt. I also had three buddies Todd, Seth and Stoney who had tags as well.
I'm giving the cliffnotes version because it'd take me all week to do the hunt any justice.
I had some real good bulls between 30 and 60yds and just couldn't catch a break with clear shooting lanes. There is one in particular that will eat at me for awhile, I just couldn't take the shots he was giving me.
On the 14th and final day of the hunt there were wind gusts up to 55mph. I tried calling in the A.M. and it was not very good with the weather. The last evening of the hunt I chose to sit a water hole. The wind was whipping and not much was stirring other than some range cattle.
At 6:15 I had two cows and a 5x5 bull come to the water. I knew right away I was not going to shoot the 5x5. I was by myself and had no real desire to take him. As I was starting to gather my stuff together I caught some movement to my left. I could see it was a bull but had no idea how big. He walked 20yds past my blind and went to the water. I decided he was good enough for the last 15 minutes of a 14 day grind. He gave me a perfect shot at 35yds, he piled up 40yds from my blind.
I spent the next for hours breaking him down and getting him to my truck. I usually take about 30 pics but I think I took 5 with this bull. Here is the best of them. My 2013 Archery Bull.
I spent 14 straight days hunting archery elk in AZ's most coveted unit. I was thankfully joined by my buddies Dave (Redline410) and Bret for parts of the hunt. I also had three buddies Todd, Seth and Stoney who had tags as well.
I'm giving the cliffnotes version because it'd take me all week to do the hunt any justice.
I had some real good bulls between 30 and 60yds and just couldn't catch a break with clear shooting lanes. There is one in particular that will eat at me for awhile, I just couldn't take the shots he was giving me.
On the 14th and final day of the hunt there were wind gusts up to 55mph. I tried calling in the A.M. and it was not very good with the weather. The last evening of the hunt I chose to sit a water hole. The wind was whipping and not much was stirring other than some range cattle.
At 6:15 I had two cows and a 5x5 bull come to the water. I knew right away I was not going to shoot the 5x5. I was by myself and had no real desire to take him. As I was starting to gather my stuff together I caught some movement to my left. I could see it was a bull but had no idea how big. He walked 20yds past my blind and went to the water. I decided he was good enough for the last 15 minutes of a 14 day grind. He gave me a perfect shot at 35yds, he piled up 40yds from my blind.
I spent the next for hours breaking him down and getting him to my truck. I usually take about 30 pics but I think I took 5 with this bull. Here is the best of them. My 2013 Archery Bull.
