ChubbyTuna
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LAST EDITED ON Oct-03-13 AT 11:54PM (MST)[p]Just returned home from 9 days of elk hunting. I spent the first 5 days chasing OTC elk in SW Colorado. Besides the thunderstorms and wind, at least the elk weren't talking to make it a complete fail. No matter though because I was really looking forward to my Dad's hunt in AZ. He has been building points for 19 years, plus 1 loyalty and we both earned our hunter ed point this year. Dad had the most points of any NR in the country. At 67, he decided it was time to cash in and wanted to go guided. First step was to ask for help here on MM. We eventually decided on Steve Chappell and couldn't be more pleased. After choosing our guide, we choose our hunt and soon received tag #1 for unit 23N early rifle.
I've only been on one guided hunt in my whole life so I don't have a lot of reference but the best way I can describe it is: Imagine that your very best friend was a master elk hunter and that his number one goal this season was to put you on as many big bulls as possible, to make sure you don't need anything and to keep you upbeat when the chips are down. That's what it is like hunting with Steve. I also wanted to make sure and thank Rod, his video guy, who really was knowledgeable about our unit.
Day 1 found us a couple miles from the truck and smack in the middle of a 5 bulls. With the wind in our face we spent a good 15 minutes with elk all around us. At one point the heard bull was 20 yards away, we never saw all of him but could see he was broken on the left. The satellite bulls were keeping him busy and it was great experience to start the hunt. We moved a little and ended up calling in this really great 7x2 who had lost most of his right side.
http://youtu.be/2qH3E6kVHwA
That night didn't turn up much and we looked forward to the next day.
Day 2 was like the 1st, good in the morning with lots of bulls and a couple ATV's driving right thru our setup at sunset. Oh well.
Day 3 found us in the same area as the first day. Again lots of bulls but you could really tell the rut was shutting down. Around 8am we heard some deep bugling and moved in for a look. We finally laid eyes on him at 150 yds across the meadow and realized he was our "broken bull" from day 1. Now that we saw all of him all I can say is "Holy S*%#!!!" . Steve and Rod put him at 365+ with about 30" missing past the 4ths. Since they put a couple 400+ bulls on the ground for the archery season, I had no reason to doubt them. Dad's goal for the hunt was a clean 6x6 or unique NTyp. This bull was huge but broke, so he passed. We went thru lots of second guessing later after watching the bull up close on video. But dad stuck to his goal and I commend him on that.
Here is the video of the Broke bull.
http://youtu.be/dnvmRJ5U4ak
Day 4 and we were in the same area again. Not much happening at sunrise and we were getting worried that the rut had passed. Finally saw a small 5x5 and then heard a bull back in the treeline about 400 yards. I ended up sitting above my dad and Steve about 1/2 mile as a spotter. As the day started dragging I saw Dad, Steve and Rod headed up the hill towards me. At that point across the meadow about 15 cows/calves busted out of the tree line and crossed in front of them. I figured the day was over and was packing up my spotter when "BOOM". I threw my binos up and nothing. "BOOM" again. Still nothing. Finally I see a bull running flat out over the rise. "BOOM" a third time and I'm thinking "OH NO". But wait, he's running but doesn't look right. Not really a stumble but just...not right somehow. He finally disappears from my sight in the treeline and I hear the 7mm Mag roar its final shot. I'm sick, disappointed, upset for my dad. He's waited so long. I didn't want to get on the radio for an update because I didn't want to hear the bad news. I finally see them come up over the hill and my dad starts waiving his hat, high fives Steve and I hear those sweet words on the walkie, "BIG BULL DOWN" Yes!!! I yelled. Turns out did killed him on the first shot and the bull went on a death run. Dad hit him all 4 times with the last shot putting a little "character" on the antlers. Anyway the bull scored around 350 which was dad's goal. Best part is we were able to get the truck right up to the bull. Total pack out = 5 feet. SWEET!!
Awesome hunt and big thanks again to Steve Chappell and Rod. Great hunters and top notch men. I have 18 points in AZ and just may be chasing bulls with them next archery season.
I want to thank my wife for putting up with my schedule in the fall. We both run our own business and I'm pretty hands on at home so dumping it all on her for 2 weeks is a lot for her and I appreciate it. Thanks Cindy
I've only been on one guided hunt in my whole life so I don't have a lot of reference but the best way I can describe it is: Imagine that your very best friend was a master elk hunter and that his number one goal this season was to put you on as many big bulls as possible, to make sure you don't need anything and to keep you upbeat when the chips are down. That's what it is like hunting with Steve. I also wanted to make sure and thank Rod, his video guy, who really was knowledgeable about our unit.
Day 1 found us a couple miles from the truck and smack in the middle of a 5 bulls. With the wind in our face we spent a good 15 minutes with elk all around us. At one point the heard bull was 20 yards away, we never saw all of him but could see he was broken on the left. The satellite bulls were keeping him busy and it was great experience to start the hunt. We moved a little and ended up calling in this really great 7x2 who had lost most of his right side.
http://youtu.be/2qH3E6kVHwA
That night didn't turn up much and we looked forward to the next day.
Day 2 was like the 1st, good in the morning with lots of bulls and a couple ATV's driving right thru our setup at sunset. Oh well.
Day 3 found us in the same area as the first day. Again lots of bulls but you could really tell the rut was shutting down. Around 8am we heard some deep bugling and moved in for a look. We finally laid eyes on him at 150 yds across the meadow and realized he was our "broken bull" from day 1. Now that we saw all of him all I can say is "Holy S*%#!!!" . Steve and Rod put him at 365+ with about 30" missing past the 4ths. Since they put a couple 400+ bulls on the ground for the archery season, I had no reason to doubt them. Dad's goal for the hunt was a clean 6x6 or unique NTyp. This bull was huge but broke, so he passed. We went thru lots of second guessing later after watching the bull up close on video. But dad stuck to his goal and I commend him on that.
Here is the video of the Broke bull.
http://youtu.be/dnvmRJ5U4ak
Day 4 and we were in the same area again. Not much happening at sunrise and we were getting worried that the rut had passed. Finally saw a small 5x5 and then heard a bull back in the treeline about 400 yards. I ended up sitting above my dad and Steve about 1/2 mile as a spotter. As the day started dragging I saw Dad, Steve and Rod headed up the hill towards me. At that point across the meadow about 15 cows/calves busted out of the tree line and crossed in front of them. I figured the day was over and was packing up my spotter when "BOOM". I threw my binos up and nothing. "BOOM" again. Still nothing. Finally I see a bull running flat out over the rise. "BOOM" a third time and I'm thinking "OH NO". But wait, he's running but doesn't look right. Not really a stumble but just...not right somehow. He finally disappears from my sight in the treeline and I hear the 7mm Mag roar its final shot. I'm sick, disappointed, upset for my dad. He's waited so long. I didn't want to get on the radio for an update because I didn't want to hear the bad news. I finally see them come up over the hill and my dad starts waiving his hat, high fives Steve and I hear those sweet words on the walkie, "BIG BULL DOWN" Yes!!! I yelled. Turns out did killed him on the first shot and the bull went on a death run. Dad hit him all 4 times with the last shot putting a little "character" on the antlers. Anyway the bull scored around 350 which was dad's goal. Best part is we were able to get the truck right up to the bull. Total pack out = 5 feet. SWEET!!
Awesome hunt and big thanks again to Steve Chappell and Rod. Great hunters and top notch men. I have 18 points in AZ and just may be chasing bulls with them next archery season.
I want to thank my wife for putting up with my schedule in the fall. We both run our own business and I'm pretty hands on at home so dumping it all on her for 2 weeks is a lot for her and I appreciate it. Thanks Cindy
