A
azcouesandelk
Guest
I am somewhat new to the forum used to be on here as azscouter but never posted much. Lost my password and decided to make a new account.
I was lucky enough to draw a great archery bull tag in Arizona with only 4 bonus points! I put in alot of scouting (total of 37 days). I found and got video of 2 bulls over 380 with one being right around the 400 mark!
Here is my story day by day.
Day 1
Woke up bright and early at 3:30 and left camp about 4:00 to 4:10. Got to our parking spot around 4:45 and started our slow walk into the area. While walking in we were shocked to see a headlamp on the hill above us coming towards us and another headlamp following us. So we continued walking in and waited for first light. We would walk a ways and listen and continued this til we reached a knob that we could see some decent country from. We only saw a spike and a cow opening morning and never heard a single bugle. After getting back to the truck my friend who was up on the hill glassing told us he had seen some smaller bulls and 4 other hunters!!!
That afternoon we went into an area where we had seen a couple of big bulls the night before. We still hunted the area and listened for bugles with no success. We never even saw an elk until we were driving out.
Day 2
Woke up at the same time and decided to go into a little higher elevation area hoping that the bulls were bugling. We walked out of the truck and we finally heard our first bugles of the hunt. We walked about ? of mile or so into an area where the bulls were starting to bugle pretty well. We had about 4 bulls sounding off within 200 yards of us. So we setup to try to bring one in. After about 5 or so minutes of calling Manny brought in a decent 5 point that I elected to pass at 25 yards with it being early in the hunt. We followed a good bull with cows for another hour but could not pull him away from them.
That afternoon we went into an area near where we had the bugling in the morning. We were slowly working our way up a hillside to get on a plateau when Manny spotted a cow on a ridgeline. After looking it over he spotted a good bull in the 340 to 350 range. We worked our way over to the last spot we saw him and he was about 120 yards below us. He never offered us a shot so we followed him hoping that he would start bugling. We worked the plateau and came up with nothing. While working our way back we jumped him out of his no more than 50 yards away from us. After that we started to lose light fast and we headed out.
Day 3
Stayed on the same schedule and went to the same area we were in opening morning this time with no company. We still hunted and listened for bugles and at 6:00 or so we still had not heard a bugle when all of a sudden we heard one right below us. We got the wind in our favor and setup. Manny started to call and we had 2 bulls sound off. At about 6:15 we had a good bull step out in front of me. I drew back while he was walking behind a juniper and shot him as he stepped out. I thought the bull was quartering towards me more and I made a bad shot. We gave the bull a little more than an hour and started to track him. We followed his tracks and very little blood for 400 yards when all sign disappeared. We then marked the spot went back to camp and got some help. We had 7 people looking for several hours and we never found any more sign. After reviewing the video it looked like the shot was in the shoulder and that the bull would be alright. At this point I am devastated and don't know what to do or think. I am sure I am going to get some heat for only lookin for the elk that one day but we have good video of the shot and we had 7 people along with 6 veteran elk hunters who said that the bull would be fine. Also we spotted the same bull the following afternoon rutting some cows it was a big relief to know that he was alive.
That afternoon we went into the area we were in the morning before and still hunted only turning up a small group of cows with a raghorn and never heard a bugle. About 9:00 another buddy showed up to help out for the next 2 days.
Day 4
Same schedule again
. Went to an area where a friend had told me he had seen some monsters in there during the years past. Went in and heard a few bulls sounding off every now and then. Tried several setups but with the wind it was almost impossible to draw a bull in. About 8:30 we heard a bugle right infront of us. So we start to try to get infront of him and Manny catches a glimpse of him and says he is a definite shooter. We did several setups and finally with some aggressive calling and a tree attacking Manny the bull came in. He was a great looking bull with good backs and long beams and would be in the 350 range. The only problem was I was on the wrong side of the juniper! I tried to sneak around but the bull just walked away. After that we decided to back out and not pressure the bull anymore.
That afternoon we decided to go into an area where I had seen a unique nontypical in hopes of finding him. We went into the area and heard several bugles starting around 5:30. We then started to chase bugles and ended up in the middle of a herd of cows. After backing out and getting on another bugle we almost ended up where we had started when Manny says there he is. I drop down and see the nontypical about 100 yards away when all of a sudden he spooks. He then slows down to a walk and then we hear a thump and there is an arrow in the bulls left pedicle. The bull acts like he is going to fall and then recovers and takes off running. After this scenario we decided to name this bull Headshot. We tried to get on another bugle but it shut off and we were losing light.
Day 5
Woke up at the same time and got out to my spot and started to follow what we thought was the biggest bull I had found during my scouting. Followed him for a while and got one setup but he either heard us or smelt us. Then we went to get on some bulls that Kit had glassed up. Setup in a drainage and had a spike stop broadside at 7 yards. Let me tell you that was really tempting. Tried to call in a good bull that was bedded in the area but never could get him to come in.
That afternoon we went into the area where Headshot was and did not hear any bugling and we got a call saying that my dad and Kit had some decent bulls located. So we booked it up to the area and got into some good action. We had about 5 bulls bugling and raking trees. I was able to draw back on a good 5x6 that was at 40 yards but he was behind a small tree and stayed inline with it and never offered a clear shot. Kit had to head home so it was down to my dad, Manny, Cody and myself.
Day 6
Woke up the same time and the wind was blowing hard! We went into the area where I passed up the 5x5. We started to hike in and saw a really white colored coyote but he stayed just out of range. We worked the area another hour before we got blown out.
That afternoon we went up to a glassing point to try some spot and stalk. I glassed up a small 5x5 and attempted a stalk. Made it to my first destination and relocated the bull about 350 yards away and continued on. Got to about 10 yards and drew back and stepped around a juniper for a clear shot but there was some brush blocking a clear shot.
Day 7
Woke up at 3:30 to the trailer shaking in the wind. Decided it was a good day to sleep in since we thought the elk would be quiet.
Went out that afternoon to the same glassing point to try to get on some good bulls I had seen in the area. Manny glassed up a good 320 class bull and we made our move. We tried to get on him but lost him during the stalk. While walking back up to the glassing point Manny spotted the bull bedded about 300 yards away. Manny stayed up high while I stalked in. Got to my destination and the wind shifted. Dropped to my knees and saw his hooves at 35 yards and then he busted when the wind shifted. Got back up to the glassing point and glassed up some bulls and cows way off.
Day 8
Went in to the area where we had been glassing the last 2 afternoons. Got in there and we weren't hearing any bugles. Manny spotted a 5x5 going up over the ridge. While working my way up the hillside with Manny I spotted a raghorn down in the bottom. Worked the raghorn and a spike for an hour or so with no good shot opportunities. Got down in to the bedding area and Manny was able to get a bull to respond. The bull came in on a string and was a funky 6x1. I drew back and tried to get a smoker shot at 12 yards but hit a branch and had a clean miss.
Went into where we got on Headshot and got some bugles around 5:00. We tried to follow bugles but the wind was blowing in all directions it seemed. We decided to sit by the meadow and waterhole hoping the bulls would funnel through. We had about 7 bulls bugling around us and we setup on a really deep growling bull. We started calling and it sounded like he was working his way in. I was able to see his cows but never him. Then all of a sudden we had a weaker bugle coming in. We all thought it was going to be a raggy but I was willing to shoot anything at this point since it was Manny?s last afternoon calling for me. The bull stepped out and we were all surprised to see a 6x6 that had dark antlers and ivory tips. The bull was coming in on a string. He dropped down through a drainage which was my opportunity to draw. He came up out of the drainage and stopped at 22 yards facing me. I held at full draw for over a minute when he bugled. I then decided at 22 yards I was confident I was going to be able to put the arrow where it belonged. I took a deep breath after holding back for around a minute and a half and released. I watched as the arrow hit its mark and sunk in about 16 inches. The bull took off running and I saw him stop on a ridge about 100 yards away and lay down. He got up one more time and walked 4 steps and laid down. We decided to back out and come back after dinner. When we got back to camp I told my dad and he wanted to go right then. Then Pops showed up to hang out for the night and have some ribs that Gary had made and we ate some of the best ribs if not the best ribs of my life. We went back out to find the bull about 2 ? hours later. Went to where we last saw him and he was laying right there! I could not believe it after 37 days of scouting and 8 days of hunting I finally was able to harvest a great bull.
Here he is guys. Not a monster but a great bull that a lot of people worked hard for. The bull ended up scoring right at 285 and I am looking forward to my next elk tag and to help everybody else I can!
I was lucky enough to draw a great archery bull tag in Arizona with only 4 bonus points! I put in alot of scouting (total of 37 days). I found and got video of 2 bulls over 380 with one being right around the 400 mark!
Here is my story day by day.
Day 1
Woke up bright and early at 3:30 and left camp about 4:00 to 4:10. Got to our parking spot around 4:45 and started our slow walk into the area. While walking in we were shocked to see a headlamp on the hill above us coming towards us and another headlamp following us. So we continued walking in and waited for first light. We would walk a ways and listen and continued this til we reached a knob that we could see some decent country from. We only saw a spike and a cow opening morning and never heard a single bugle. After getting back to the truck my friend who was up on the hill glassing told us he had seen some smaller bulls and 4 other hunters!!!
That afternoon we went into an area where we had seen a couple of big bulls the night before. We still hunted the area and listened for bugles with no success. We never even saw an elk until we were driving out.
Day 2
Woke up at the same time and decided to go into a little higher elevation area hoping that the bulls were bugling. We walked out of the truck and we finally heard our first bugles of the hunt. We walked about ? of mile or so into an area where the bulls were starting to bugle pretty well. We had about 4 bulls sounding off within 200 yards of us. So we setup to try to bring one in. After about 5 or so minutes of calling Manny brought in a decent 5 point that I elected to pass at 25 yards with it being early in the hunt. We followed a good bull with cows for another hour but could not pull him away from them.
That afternoon we went into an area near where we had the bugling in the morning. We were slowly working our way up a hillside to get on a plateau when Manny spotted a cow on a ridgeline. After looking it over he spotted a good bull in the 340 to 350 range. We worked our way over to the last spot we saw him and he was about 120 yards below us. He never offered us a shot so we followed him hoping that he would start bugling. We worked the plateau and came up with nothing. While working our way back we jumped him out of his no more than 50 yards away from us. After that we started to lose light fast and we headed out.
Day 3
Stayed on the same schedule and went to the same area we were in opening morning this time with no company. We still hunted and listened for bugles and at 6:00 or so we still had not heard a bugle when all of a sudden we heard one right below us. We got the wind in our favor and setup. Manny started to call and we had 2 bulls sound off. At about 6:15 we had a good bull step out in front of me. I drew back while he was walking behind a juniper and shot him as he stepped out. I thought the bull was quartering towards me more and I made a bad shot. We gave the bull a little more than an hour and started to track him. We followed his tracks and very little blood for 400 yards when all sign disappeared. We then marked the spot went back to camp and got some help. We had 7 people looking for several hours and we never found any more sign. After reviewing the video it looked like the shot was in the shoulder and that the bull would be alright. At this point I am devastated and don't know what to do or think. I am sure I am going to get some heat for only lookin for the elk that one day but we have good video of the shot and we had 7 people along with 6 veteran elk hunters who said that the bull would be fine. Also we spotted the same bull the following afternoon rutting some cows it was a big relief to know that he was alive.
That afternoon we went into the area we were in the morning before and still hunted only turning up a small group of cows with a raghorn and never heard a bugle. About 9:00 another buddy showed up to help out for the next 2 days.
Day 4
Same schedule again
. Went to an area where a friend had told me he had seen some monsters in there during the years past. Went in and heard a few bulls sounding off every now and then. Tried several setups but with the wind it was almost impossible to draw a bull in. About 8:30 we heard a bugle right infront of us. So we start to try to get infront of him and Manny catches a glimpse of him and says he is a definite shooter. We did several setups and finally with some aggressive calling and a tree attacking Manny the bull came in. He was a great looking bull with good backs and long beams and would be in the 350 range. The only problem was I was on the wrong side of the juniper! I tried to sneak around but the bull just walked away. After that we decided to back out and not pressure the bull anymore. That afternoon we decided to go into an area where I had seen a unique nontypical in hopes of finding him. We went into the area and heard several bugles starting around 5:30. We then started to chase bugles and ended up in the middle of a herd of cows. After backing out and getting on another bugle we almost ended up where we had started when Manny says there he is. I drop down and see the nontypical about 100 yards away when all of a sudden he spooks. He then slows down to a walk and then we hear a thump and there is an arrow in the bulls left pedicle. The bull acts like he is going to fall and then recovers and takes off running. After this scenario we decided to name this bull Headshot. We tried to get on another bugle but it shut off and we were losing light.
Day 5
Woke up at the same time and got out to my spot and started to follow what we thought was the biggest bull I had found during my scouting. Followed him for a while and got one setup but he either heard us or smelt us. Then we went to get on some bulls that Kit had glassed up. Setup in a drainage and had a spike stop broadside at 7 yards. Let me tell you that was really tempting
. Tried to call in a good bull that was bedded in the area but never could get him to come in.That afternoon we went into the area where Headshot was and did not hear any bugling and we got a call saying that my dad and Kit had some decent bulls located. So we booked it up to the area and got into some good action. We had about 5 bulls bugling and raking trees. I was able to draw back on a good 5x6 that was at 40 yards but he was behind a small tree and stayed inline with it and never offered a clear shot. Kit had to head home so it was down to my dad, Manny, Cody and myself.
Day 6
Woke up the same time and the wind was blowing hard! We went into the area where I passed up the 5x5. We started to hike in and saw a really white colored coyote but he stayed just out of range. We worked the area another hour before we got blown out.
That afternoon we went up to a glassing point to try some spot and stalk. I glassed up a small 5x5 and attempted a stalk. Made it to my first destination and relocated the bull about 350 yards away and continued on. Got to about 10 yards and drew back and stepped around a juniper for a clear shot but there was some brush blocking a clear shot.
Day 7
Woke up at 3:30 to the trailer shaking in the wind. Decided it was a good day to sleep in since we thought the elk would be quiet.
Went out that afternoon to the same glassing point to try to get on some good bulls I had seen in the area. Manny glassed up a good 320 class bull and we made our move. We tried to get on him but lost him during the stalk. While walking back up to the glassing point Manny spotted the bull bedded about 300 yards away. Manny stayed up high while I stalked in. Got to my destination and the wind shifted. Dropped to my knees and saw his hooves at 35 yards and then he busted when the wind shifted. Got back up to the glassing point and glassed up some bulls and cows way off.
Day 8
Went in to the area where we had been glassing the last 2 afternoons. Got in there and we weren't hearing any bugles. Manny spotted a 5x5 going up over the ridge. While working my way up the hillside with Manny I spotted a raghorn down in the bottom. Worked the raghorn and a spike for an hour or so with no good shot opportunities. Got down in to the bedding area and Manny was able to get a bull to respond. The bull came in on a string and was a funky 6x1. I drew back and tried to get a smoker shot at 12 yards but hit a branch and had a clean miss.
Went into where we got on Headshot and got some bugles around 5:00. We tried to follow bugles but the wind was blowing in all directions it seemed. We decided to sit by the meadow and waterhole hoping the bulls would funnel through. We had about 7 bulls bugling around us and we setup on a really deep growling bull. We started calling and it sounded like he was working his way in. I was able to see his cows but never him. Then all of a sudden we had a weaker bugle coming in. We all thought it was going to be a raggy but I was willing to shoot anything at this point since it was Manny?s last afternoon calling for me. The bull stepped out and we were all surprised to see a 6x6 that had dark antlers and ivory tips. The bull was coming in on a string. He dropped down through a drainage which was my opportunity to draw. He came up out of the drainage and stopped at 22 yards facing me. I held at full draw for over a minute when he bugled. I then decided at 22 yards I was confident I was going to be able to put the arrow where it belonged. I took a deep breath after holding back for around a minute and a half and released. I watched as the arrow hit its mark and sunk in about 16 inches. The bull took off running and I saw him stop on a ridge about 100 yards away and lay down. He got up one more time and walked 4 steps and laid down. We decided to back out and come back after dinner. When we got back to camp I told my dad and he wanted to go right then. Then Pops showed up to hang out for the night and have some ribs that Gary had made and we ate some of the best ribs if not the best ribs of my life. We went back out to find the bull about 2 ? hours later. Went to where we last saw him and he was laying right there! I could not believe it after 37 days of scouting and 8 days of hunting I finally was able to harvest a great bull.
Here he is guys. Not a monster but a great bull that a lot of people worked hard for. The bull ended up scoring right at 285 and I am looking forward to my next elk tag and to help everybody else I can!
