2014 Elk Season Review

Been a while since I posted, but with the elk draws close, I'm starting to get the itch... We had a great season in the woods last year! Here is a quick look at the highlights. I'll post individual hunts in the upcoming weeks.

 

Close Call, Too Small

We called this bull in to easy archery range while hunting with Jay Arnet. Though late in the season, Jay elected to pass and keep hunting.

800 Inches

My friend Ian and I had an incredible archery elk hunt this past September. Thanks to the help from many friends, drawing a quality tag and having luck on our side, we were able to take over 800 inches of bone home! We documented the hunt and multiple scouting trips and will be submitting a short film to be included in the AZ Outdoor Film Tour this coming summer to help raise money for AZ wildlife. Here are a few pics as well as the trailer I put together for the film.

Sept 6 5x6

We were excited when we first saw this bull. His front four points were awesome! Unfortunately he kinda died up top, to the point of not even having a fifth on his left side.  

Ernie

Here is some footage of a bull we glassed a couple different times while scouting for a shooter for the upcoming archer elk hunt. He is a cool bull with a small unique sticker at the base of his G2. He has the makings to be a great bull in a few years....

We Found Jr.

Nice bull we filmed while looking for his daddy.

Old School Pass

Here is a quick clip from opening morning of my last AZ archery elk hunt ten years ago....

 

Shooter (2) ?

Would you shoot one of these bulls on your archery elk hunt?

Are You Ready?

My best effort of capturing the essence of chasing bull elk through all seasons! Enjoy four minutes of what never leaves my mind. Elk season is right around the corner! Are you ready?

2012 Elk Season Recap Video

A quick recap of the many days I spent in the elk woods this year. It was a great time spent with old and new friends. As worn out as I am, I can't wait until next year! :)

Pine Point Bulls

After watching these bulls do the same thing for a couple of days, Fetch and I decide to hike in 1 and a half miles in the dark to ambush them on thier way back into the trees from feeding all night. We came oh so close, but they were just out of range as they entered the pines.

Check out the footage we got of this bull above in velvet during the summer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is_0h48mq8I

Chad's Archery Bull

After passing several bulls during the morning hunt, Chad elected to shoot this big, long beamed bull. What an awesome day of chasing bulls in the high country! I was glad to be able to capture it all on film!

Ed's Archery Bull

I had the pleasure of hunting with Tom and Ed from West Virginia during the archery elk hunt here in AZ this Fall. I accompanied Jeremiah as he was out with Ed on the last evening of his hunt. We found a lone bull trying to catch up to the herd, but taking his time doing it. With open country and a good wind, I was able to capture Ed's stalk on film as he ended his AZ hunt with an exclamation point!

Quick 6x7

We were able to get a little footage of this great 6x7 during our second encounter with him during the archery hunt. He was on the move to a nearby waterhole. We pushed hard to get around in front of him to no avail.

6 Point Passed at 29 Yards

This fine looking bull walked in to 29 yards before catching our wind. Fortunately for him, Tom had decided to hold out for a bigger bull. What a great looking young bull. Hope to see him in a couple years.

10 Feet Deep

This bull lured us in with his deep throated bugle. After setting up on top of the ridge we were able to call him in to 10 feet! Unfortunately he looked nothing like he sounded. I know you can't judge a bull by his bugle, but we had to take a look......

Tom's Opening Morning Pass

At only 30 yards Tom found himself passing up a shot at this six point bull during opening morning of our archery elk hunt.

Busted Fronts Bull

This bull slowly worked his way down to us on Chads last day to hunt. As we were preparing to shoot I relized both his left brow tines were busted at the beam. Upon seeing this and with the rut in full swing, we elected to pass on this bull and continue searching for a trophy bull for Chad to put his tag on.

Sparky

A cool bull we found during this years hunt that reminded me of our hometown Arizona State University (Sundevils) mascot, "Sparky"! Lovin' the mass and "pitchfork" on his right side!

Big 5x6

I thought we had found a "shooter" until upon further review we realized he was without a fifth point on his left side. Maybe next year....