DonMartin
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,077
OK guys, quit calling, I'll go ahead and post one photo of the bull I was fortunate enough to take on my muzzleloader hunt in Unit 6A last week.
Like many of you knew, I had said even before this hunt started that this was the last bull elk tag I would apply for in AZ; win, lose, tie or draw. I'm 59 years old and I don't want to wait another 6+ years to get a quality bull tag.
I like to hunt elk, and love to eat those dry cows, so from now on, I'm just one of those "old" guys who will apply for a antlerless muzzleloader cow tag.
Now this doesn't mean I'm quitting the guide business. Nope I still hope to be able to get around and spot a few critters like this for clients in the years to come. I can still glass and know the areas pretty good.
In this case, I was fortunate to go out with a good one. I'll be more than satisfied in the future to let others enjoy the feeling that one gets after bagging an animal like this.
"The Beast" as I call him, is a 6 X 6 and for those that care about numbers, scores 378 1/8. That does NOT include the 6 3/4 inches of antler that he had grown but had broke off prior to us having that fateful "meeting."
This bull was truly the King Of The Mountain, as he had control of a herd of cows/calves that numbered at least 25. My sincere hope is that since the rut was on, he had the opportunity to share his genes with many of the cows in his harem.
In the past, I've been fortunate to go on a lot of elk hunts. It is truly an experience to hear the sounds of a bugling bull as he issues a warning to interlopers and an invitation to the cows.
While I am happy to have got him, I am also saddened that I have silenced forever his unique bugle which proclaimed his dominance over all the elk on that part of the mountain for many years.
When I get him back from the taxidermist, he will enjoy a special spot over the fireplace in my Kingman home where I can marvel at his beauty and grandeur every day, and relive this special hunting experience for a long time to come.
A special thanks to all my friends who were there and assisted with the taking, recovery and processing of "The Beast."
Long time friend Jay Chan was there initially when we spotted this bull, and Guy Rohrback was with me when it came to an end.
Others who were in our camp included Dan Reed, Eric Hawkinberry, Kenny Turner, Joe Hererro, and Jim Martinez.
Thanks to our hunters, Carroll Schubert, Brent Arndt and Steve Parent, for sharing your AZ elk adventures with us.
Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters
Like many of you knew, I had said even before this hunt started that this was the last bull elk tag I would apply for in AZ; win, lose, tie or draw. I'm 59 years old and I don't want to wait another 6+ years to get a quality bull tag.
I like to hunt elk, and love to eat those dry cows, so from now on, I'm just one of those "old" guys who will apply for a antlerless muzzleloader cow tag.
Now this doesn't mean I'm quitting the guide business. Nope I still hope to be able to get around and spot a few critters like this for clients in the years to come. I can still glass and know the areas pretty good.
In this case, I was fortunate to go out with a good one. I'll be more than satisfied in the future to let others enjoy the feeling that one gets after bagging an animal like this.
"The Beast" as I call him, is a 6 X 6 and for those that care about numbers, scores 378 1/8. That does NOT include the 6 3/4 inches of antler that he had grown but had broke off prior to us having that fateful "meeting."
This bull was truly the King Of The Mountain, as he had control of a herd of cows/calves that numbered at least 25. My sincere hope is that since the rut was on, he had the opportunity to share his genes with many of the cows in his harem.
In the past, I've been fortunate to go on a lot of elk hunts. It is truly an experience to hear the sounds of a bugling bull as he issues a warning to interlopers and an invitation to the cows.
While I am happy to have got him, I am also saddened that I have silenced forever his unique bugle which proclaimed his dominance over all the elk on that part of the mountain for many years.
When I get him back from the taxidermist, he will enjoy a special spot over the fireplace in my Kingman home where I can marvel at his beauty and grandeur every day, and relive this special hunting experience for a long time to come.
A special thanks to all my friends who were there and assisted with the taking, recovery and processing of "The Beast."
Long time friend Jay Chan was there initially when we spotted this bull, and Guy Rohrback was with me when it came to an end.
Others who were in our camp included Dan Reed, Eric Hawkinberry, Kenny Turner, Joe Hererro, and Jim Martinez.
Thanks to our hunters, Carroll Schubert, Brent Arndt and Steve Parent, for sharing your AZ elk adventures with us.
Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters
