Arizona Elk - 7x7
This story begins a few years back on a last minute OTC deer hunt with my brother Corey and friend Gavin. On a whim we decided to make a 24 hour drive to the foreign country south of the grand canyon in Arizona. Seems like a great idea right? our decision did raise concern to the women in our lives at the time! While on the hunt we met a couple out with their dogs. Earl & Angel, after talking with them and sharing some stories, exchanging contact info in the quiet December high desert we parted ways. We ended the hunt with no tags filled but did see some good bucks, elk, and antelope. Gavin even chased a wild horse which appeared to be a life long dream as he laughed his way back to the truck. Our world got a bit bigger after the excursion and the terrain and culture was stained in my mind.
A Late Bull Hunt
After keeping in touch with Earl on several occasions he mentioned his son Tyne was a guide and recently had started up an outfitter service. I had visited Earl on a prior occasion while on vacation to Las Vegas. The following year I drew a later archery tag, easier to draw but tougher hunting. That was ok to me because all I wanted to do was hunt! Earl and Tyne gave me some basic overview of the unit, I added my research and current skill set to a camp trailer with my yellow lab Fancy. For over a week we encountered some smaller bulls and came close to arrowing a solid 6x6. The hunt ended with stalking in on a bachelor pack of elk and getting within 5 yards of a bedded rag horn. This trip was a great experience. I want to give a special thanks to Earl and Angel, you are the linch pin of this story.
The Draw
A new year rolled around, typical applications looking to capitalize on the moisture through the southwest, I hoped for a tag but knew my points weren't quite the amount for a certain draw. I put in for a great archery hunt with little optimism. Time went by and I got a text from Tyne saying cards were starting to get hit. As usual I checked out my card statement. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the with-drawl from my account.
I knew it was a great tag but anticipated it being my 2nd choice, which was an easier to draw quality hunt. I felt fortunate either way and it gave me something to focus on for fall. As the calendar rolled on the full results came out. Luckily it was the premier tag and one of the coveted tags for Arizona archery. The planning begins, on all of my hunts I have gone DIY (with information or help from family/friends) but never with a guide. Mainly due to lack of finances or surplus of confidence in our 20s. Tyne and I connected on the phone and it made sense to work with him and his crew Drop Tyne Outfitters.
My brother Corey and his wife Keisha were expecting a baby girl in August, so his schedule likely wouldn't allow a trip in September to hunt elk. It was enjoyable talking with Tyne, the DTO crew are passionate about hunting great animals in their home state. The excitement in his voice was contagious as he talked about the moisture and skills of their team. His family and he had been great to visit and spend time with, they were my only choice in a decision picking an outfitter. The summer continued with a lot of exercise, shooting, research, and day dreams of Arizona bulls. I have never been more prepared for a hunt.
The days came and went with my calendar closing in on a time block marked AZ - Archery. I took time to prepare packing my gear and the truck. Thank you to my wife Jess for helping out and holding the fort down at home. The tailgate slammed and I said my goodbyes to her and Fancy. She can sense it is hunting season, her glassy lab eyes brighten with excitement each fall.
After many trips the travel goes by quickly through the night, rising sun lights the western rockies. Shit starts to get real as thoughts roll through your mind. I have made it point to take time to do these hunts, its my passion which recharges you mentally and spiritually. My trip stopped for a shower break at a KOA in Moab, what a nice place! I departed driving across the Navajo nation in the middle of the night, violent lightning and storms gave me chills and also a glance of the terrain surrounding the lonely highway.
Upon arriving I talked with Hunter Garman @dto_az_jumjunkie, who was going to be guiding our hunt. I trust Tyne and his guys and was fortunate to team up with Hunter. I've never had a guide so I didn't know what to expect. Arriving late that night after traveling through the nation I jumped in the back of my canvas topped truck box to sleep awhile. I was exhausted as the caffeine was wearing off I slipped off to sleep.
We're here!
The next morning I was awakened by a couple of bulls bugling near my truck. I scouted awhile and met up with Hunter at camp mid day after shooting a few arrows. We hit the ground running for the time leading up to opening day. It was obvious Hunter had dedicated a-lot of time, effort, and wisdom into scouting. I respect his instincts and knowledge for the upcoming days, my goal was to soak in as much of this rare experience I was fortunate to live. A day before the opener we saw a few great bulls from the truck and glassed more through our optics. The day dreams were becoming reality as the time rolled on.
Day 1
Hunter and I prepared our gear, weapon, camp, and minds the final afternoon. The early alarm was set and we headed to our cots early for some needed rest. 3:00 AM rolled around and off we went into the depths of our hunting unit. Parking the truck we quickly we reassured with quality sounding bugles. We made a long hike opening morning with a couple of elk. Mid morning we caught up to the bigger herds but we just out of range. While lopping toward a bugle we go in position mid day to a solo bull sounding off from his bed. Hunter and I crept in and he made a perfect call through his bugle tube, right on top of the tucked in elk. The bull immediately responded and we got in position. A solid bull came in at 40 yards. I decided to pass but stayed focused on his behavior and energy. We filmed the bull awhile then headed back to the truck after a successful morning. A quick lunch, then onto the next area. Hunter was spot on as we followed 2 good bugles.
Seven by Seven
It happened quick, we swiftly moved through a barren ground stand of trees. Circling around some bugling bulls amongst many other cows. Hunter called and instantly was cut off by a deep growl of a mature bull. A nasty, old, dominant, aggressive, big bull. At this time I understood what the term #jumm means to them. A next level animal which is rare to see and let alone hear within 50 yards. His long 7 point beams were heading in our direction. The lack of cover made for good visual, however it caught me in the open as an archer. I was a sitting duck as he his deep groaning scream taunted my lack of positioning. The bull stopped at 36 yards broadside, his vitals were just behind a fallen limb hanging off a tree in between us. From Hunters position next to me he was crystal clear for the minute or so that we were in his presence. What a crazy ass situation, I didn't get an arrow off or let alone even draw back. It was bittersweet as he sensed us and turned away toward another challenging bull. Hunter and I were ecstatic one breath and disappointed the next. Again, what a magical moment for a bowhunter and hunting guide. A mythical feeling is the best way I can describe what it feels like to be that close to such a wise and powerful animal.
We didn't wast time getting on the other bull as he pushed cows across a sage filled meadow. Hunter stopped the heavy 6x at 100 yards. We decided not to pursue a shot, looking back a-lot of shit went down in just a few minutes and that was probably a good call as our adrenaline was peaked. Heading back to the truck we joked as I said the 7x7 was going to haunt my dreams that night "Get over it bro, let's find another bull before dark!" Off we went for a last minute hike into 3-4 bugles, squeezing every bit of daylight we capped off the day with several bulls and close to 20 miles on your boots.
Day 2
We stocked up the truck and our packs with food and drinks, then rolled into the darkness. More screams of rutting bulls, we set off into a frenzy of elk. We followed a tall 6x6 for about an hour, trailing him until he lost us in the rising sun. With the suns heat rising the bulls vocals quieted to blue skies. We anticipated this condition and had plans of sitting water sources to catch bulls while they cool down and wallow. Throughout the morning we checked a few tanks for sign and decided on one for an evening sit. This part of the hunt was quite enjoyable, seeing the terrain and experiencing the history of the area. We exchanged bugles and boot tread for silence, red dirt, and a man made sage blind which resembled a big birds nest.
The silence didn't last long as we were caught off guard by a big bull standing at 70 yards. As the bull entered the tank I drew back now standing at 40 yards. As the pin settled on his vitals, I though to myself that I could be done. Letting the bow down gratitude filled my soul, at 33 years I never did think this would be my life. This was a solid bull, looking back I should have arrowed him but he looked young in the face and stature. Reviewing the video his antlers would have scored well, he is a great bull and will make another hunter very happy some day. Our videos and decision to pass him may be part a legendary bulls history. We continued to watch the bull as he cooled himself from the dry Arizona heat. The bull took off after several minutes in the tank. Hunter and I celebrated the encounter but was cut short by another screaming bull with broken main beams. He bugled in another nice younger bull. We passed both and headed back to the truck after dark.
Day 3
We decided to sit water all day at the same tank from the night before. We settled in early well before the sun came up. Distant bugles has us 2nd guessing our decision on sitting rather than hunting on our feet. The screams quickly faded as the sun heated up the air. It was nice to get abit of a break from all the excitement in the middle of the day. We didn't have any elk come in that morning. The afternoon we decided on going back to the same area. We settled in the nest at 1 and the hot sun baked the sweat out of us. A stack of bottles and cans accumulated as the sun headed west. We finally got into the afternoon which welcomed us with clouds breaking up that blue sky. The slight shade instantly fired up the elk with bulls beginning to bugle from their bedding areas. We could hear a good bull on the ridge in front of us, I may be delusional but my instinct told me it was the 7x7. More bugles welcomed a bull in sight, I got ready well ahead of him getting into range. He entered the tank and we decided to pass him knowing more elk were likely to com in. A break in the action followed up with a herd of cattle grazing into our tank, we were surrounded.
The sound of cattle drinking and moving around us seemed to go silent, the cattle were still there but our focus was directed on the ditch leading into the tank. A big bull was working toward us, "It's the 7x7," Hunter whispered. Slowly and quietly I crouched into position for a shot, the bull was hesitant to enter the tank with all of the cattle. We were ready, having ranges prepared but the bull didn't do what I predicted. I was going to let him get in the tank and shoot at 40 yards, his demeanor told me he was going to bust out of there due to the cattle. He turned and walked up the tanks bank, my range was 62 yards across the water and over top of the cattle below. I drew back, and gave my 60 yard pin a little lift as he walked slowly across. Clearing a small bush I settled in tighter behind his massive shoulder. Aim, focus, settle, feel the fire, and release. I kept my eye on his seam behind the front shoulder until I noticed the black arrow disappear just slightly behind. The sound of a great hit felt awesome, I reached for my glass and noticed the broadhead fully passed through but arrow still in the bull as he trotted off. Hunter had been filming and observing reassuring me it was a great hit. We were jacked up and celebrated slightly damaging our sage nest! The cattle didn't seem to know what had happened, what a crazy setting and outcome. We heard 7x7 crash in the distance, which added another level of excitement. Gathering our empty bottles and gear we worked in the direction of the arrow impact on the tank. We were met by a man saying that he had been scouting and watched the shot on the bull. He had filmed the bull come in and and then run off with an arrow, he walked with us as we tracked on before the sun dropped below the horizon. The blood trail was light, we headed toward the direction of the crash and later found the bull laying next to a rough old tree with a base of yellow flowers. Many feelings consumed me as I crouched next to the magnificent animal.
I am honored to take such a bull but feelings of sadness creep in from the sacrifice. His body was long and covered with a perfect hide with shorter hair than most bulls i've had my hands on. The head was long and matched with solid fronts and long beams that didn't seam to end. This bull had schooled me a couple of days before, I was no match for his bugles and up close rutting frenzy. Our advantage was catching him away from his herd as he snuck away to cool down before a long night of more rutting. The experience was all I could have dreamed of, Hunter had us in the chips every day of my trip, the 7x7 was just as much his as mine. Reflecting back I learned a-lot about the guide life, they are more than a hunting guide in my opinion. After some great photos and praise of the kill we began skinning and quartering he bull. Hunter's skillset with this part was amazing, I learned a lot as I assisted him with each step and cut, a true professional. The job would have likely taken myself 4-5 hours, he had it completed in just over an hour. We loaded up the truck, pounded some fluids and PBJs. Arriving back at camp around 1 a.m. we hung the meat and slipped off to sleep. The next morning we woke up and deboned the quarters and packed the meat into coolers for the trip back to Iowa. Hunter and I visited as we tied up our loose ends and reflected back on the previous days.
Our camp was brief most of the trip, Hunter and I primarily focused on being in the field. After the bull was taken care of we had a minute to catch our breath and spend some time with the other people in our camp. Dave, his girlfriend, her mother, and his friend/hunter Rudy. I enjoyed everything about the time with them, the food, conversation, hunting stories, kindness, and care. We sat and visited about the growing up near Phoenix and the southwest as a wild horse grazed near our camp.
Tyne and Jerikalyn, thanks for the hospitality its definitely the start of a bigger story.
Earl and Angel you are great, I thank you both for everything.
Hunter, I hope to hunt with you again and share a whitetail hunt in Iowa when the time is right. You're a badass guide, I never had a single doubt in my mind when we were in action.
DTO crew - keep grinding and making things happen, it takes a certain person to do what you all do. Write about it and continue to capture what your eyes see while out in the field. Some people buy the life, or talk about the life...you all live the life.
To you all thank you once again, I hope to see you soon.
