My Mind Is Already Out There!!!

The last week has been absolutely incredible in 3C.  ELK ARE EVERYWHERE!!!!  The rut is in full tilt and it looks like we are in store for an awesome hunt.  Chris took this picture this morning of the type of bull we are seeing everywhere in the unit.  We have found a couple that are the next level up and we will be focusing on them.  I can't wait to get to elk camp!!!!!

We finally saw some great bulls this weekend.  We didn't get any footage of the big ones because they were in some thick areas, but we did get some footage of a bull way out in some flat country.  We have less than a  week until the hunt starts and we are very excited.  Keep checking back for updates.

Rocking & Rolling

The elk were rocking and rolling this morning!  Found a big herd this morning and the bulls were bugling hard.  Saw 50+ elk with 10+ bulls.  Two were nice!  Found a few more later in the morning and they were still bugling.  Less than two weeks till the hunt.  Picked up my trail cam that I dropped yesterday and it hadn't taken any pictures.  Might have to try again....

Finally.... A Branch Antlered Bull!

We have been chasing ghosts for a couple of weeks now in 3a/3c.  I have heard of big 390+ bulls spotted throughout the unit, but every time we have been out, we have only seen cows and spikes.  Two nights ago, under the full moon, we went out trolling for bugles and found a spot where we heard some talking.  I went back there this morning and finally glassed up a branch antlered bull.  The video isn't the greatest because it was taken through my 15's, but you can see that the bull has a decent frame.  I dumped in after the bull and got close in a small canyon, but could never get a clear view of the bull.  I saw his antlers floating through some thick stuff for a moment and it looked like he was a big 6 point.  I dropped a trail camera on the nearest water hole to see if we might be able to get a picture of him.  I will post picts when I pick up the camera tomorrow...  It was exciting to hear some bugling action this morning!!!

I Hear Elk!!!

Thought I would take my 3 mile hike this morning in an area where I am expecting to see some big bulls in a couple of weeks.  Sure enough, I heard some faint cow calls and found a little herd up in this draw.  2 spikes and about 13 cows.  The quiet bugles and cow talk were refreshing to my ears.  I know there are going to be some big bulls slipping into this country in a couple of weeks.  I will be checking back!!!!

Blooming Sunflowers are always a good indication of the elk season quickly approaching.  It is the first sign of great things to come.  As luck would have it, I finally drew an archery bull tag for Unit 3A/3C in Arizona.  It only took 10 years of applying and building bonus points.  I have been on numerous elk hunts in the unit over the years, but always as a spectator.  I have harvested bulls in unit 1, 3B, and on the White Mountain Apache Reservation (as the lucky raffle winner in 2008), but I have never had a tag for 3A/3C.  This year I will be looking to add that unit to my success list.  I will be posting updates on this blog as I prepare for an incredible hunt in an outstanding area.  Keep checking back to watch this exciting self-guided hunt unfold...  

A GREAT SPRING FOR AN 11 YEAR OLD GIRL!!!

The Youth Turkey Hunt in Unit 1/27, AZ was absolutely incredible.  Tons of turkeys everywhere we went.  Monica closed the deal late in the morning on this fine Tom.  She sure is having a great Spring.  I hope Fall hunts go as well!!!!!!

Youth Javelina Success!

We just got back from a great youth javelina hunt in unit 23, AZ. The desert is so much fun to hunt at this time of year. A special thanks to Jason Jones and family for helping find a "piggy" area. Monica took her pig with one shot at 104 yards. Great job baby!