Three of us (old guys, aged 53,56 & 59) were out to get meat not antlers and we were rewarded. My son is still looking for antlers and meat. I killed a trophy 6x6 Bull in AZ. last year. Had I not killed the spike, I had an easy shot at the other 6x6 bull in the herd that my son shot. Who knows, had we hunted a few more days I'm sure all of us could have taken larger bulls. I hunted a big 5x5 the same morning I shot the spike but he was quite elusive.
Some might say...."you applied and drew a controlled hunt for a premium zone, why shoot a spike"?
My answer, I applied and drew a controlled hunt to have higher opprtunities to fill an Elk tag. The Salmon "B" tag that I normally have is thick with hunters (and I still managed to guide my son to a huge 6x6 that he killed last season) which as everyone knows limits oppotunities.
As far as any other hunters success I do know of one other. According to the rancher that granted me access through his property to the National Forest, he said during the archery season in 37A a hunter took a 380 class bull. I never saw anything that large in antlers but I did find the most awesome archery season hidden glen to hunt, it was dirty with fresh Elk sign. Looking forward to next season.
Paul
