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What a day this was. Went out for a solo hunt. shortly after day light I had glassed up a group of 6 mule deer bucks. I watched them for almost 2 hours waiting for the right opportunity to make my move. I snuck in from just over a mile away and watched/studied from 300 yards out trying to figure the best way to make this opportunity work in my favor. The wind was in my favor, and I had very little cover to close the distance. I ended up at the last juniper tree between me and the 6 bedded bucks. I peeked around the shaded side of the tree just to get caught by the small 2x2 in the group at 91 yards. All the deer got up and were on edge and ended up busting out. I watched them go over the next ridge and then hiked back to my jeep. I sat there contemplating if I wanted to try again and locate these bucks or push farther up the road and hike into a water hole I had found on onx. I said screw it drove farther up and then hiked in 1.5 miles to the water hole I had never seen before. Lucky for me it had water and quite a bit of deer tracks. I brushed myself in a blind and sat down at about 11. It was pretty warm out and I was hot from the hike in. But by 215 this buck showed up and was on water drinking out of nowhere. I ranged it at 41 yards while he was facing me head down drinking. I got up on my knees and drew back. He lifted his head after drinking and looked over to his right while elbow deep in the mud. I debated for a second to let him turn or just send it head on into his chest. I felt super confident in the shot, so I let it rip. The arrow smacked the deer with the loudest thud I have ever herd shooting an animal with my bow. He dropped in his tracks and flopped for a few seconds, and it was all over. I packed up my gear and hiked around to check out what I had just shot. I knew he was a solid buck but definitely wasn't expecting to shoot my biggest coues yet off a random water hole in an area I never hunted before. My gut was telling me he might break 100" mark, but I didn't spend a lot of time admiring him as I had to get to work taking care of the meat and getting it all packed out. After just over a 2mile hike back to the jeep with very little water left i was beat, but it was all completely worth it. The next morning I took the head out of the freezer and taped him at 111 7/8" I was shocked beating my old record of 104" with my bow.

Well after many years of holding out for a good archery bull elk hunt this was the year to finally draw a tag. My son will be 10 in February and already itching to go out in the woods and hunt. So this was the year to spend the time to try and go out and shoot a good bull. The hunt came quick and was glad to have a great group of friends to help me for the majority of the hunt. I have hunted with them for many many years and been with them when they were able fill there first archery bull tags. Day 1 started early and out well before sun up. The weather was not helping much as it was warmer than usual and very windy, made hearing bugles difficult. We heard some bugles and set off after them but were not able to get in close enough and see if they what they were. We headed back to the cabin around 11 for some lunch and a nap and made the decision to sit water in the afternoon. I felt with the weather being unseasonably warm that would be our best bet. I sat a tank we have had good success on from 2 till dark but nothing made its way to water. heard a few faint bugles in the distance as the sun set on day one. Day 2 was basically the same result and was not very productive. Moon was bright and up most of the night, temps were warm and elk movement and bugling was very minimal. Day 3 we were able to get on a group of 5 different bulls screaming their heads off. Shooting like came and they continued to bugle but were moving away up the ridge to the area they wanted to bed. I was able to circle around in front of them and get the wind right. Gave out a few meek cow calls and had a calf come running in to my position. She finally moved off and I was able to move up another 100 yards and get to where I thought they might pass by. Shortly after a small young 6x6 stepped out of the think jack pines at 15 yards. We had a good staring match before he decided something wasn't right and walked off. Sat water the rest of the day only to see some turkeys and a whitetail doe. Day 4 we were greeted with cooler temps but socked in fog and rain for most of the morning and then heavy winds all afternoon. Elk were not very active and ended day without much to be excited about. Days 5-7 were very similar, on elk early but couldn't find the right bull I was looking for. I passed a few opportunities in the mornings and sat water in the evenings to with no luck. Days 7-9 we made a pivot to another area in the northern part of the unit. We were on elk in the morning and chased bugles until late hours of the morning. The bulls were smart and always seemed to be in an area you could not get in close to them. Between the topography and thermals it was almost impossible to get on them without blowing the out of the country. Day 10 started out in the same area as the past few days. We were on them early and able to get in a position that the wind was in our favor and elk moving towards us. Unfortunately the only bull we got a glimpse of was the small 5x5 raghorn my buddy called into 7 yards. We had a good laugh at how tough he thought he was hiked the several miles back to the vehicle to get some much needed breakfast and rest. For the evening hunt we decided to go back to the tank I sat the first night and have my buddy go check an area not to far away for bugles. As luck would have it the bulls in that area started screaming about an hour before sunset. he sent me a message and we hightailed it over to where he was stopped. As son as we got out there were 5-6 bulls absolutely screaming, I believe there had to be a hot cow in the area because it was chaos. We got the wind in our face and slowly started sneaking in on the bull we thought sounded the meanest. We were closing the ground but light was fading fast. The bull was glunking and decided to give out a few subtle cow calls and that did the trick. He came walking right in quartering slightly to me and stopped to bugle at for 45 yards. I let the arrow go and connected just behind his shoulder. The bull trotted up the ridge a little bit and bedded down just in sight. Just like that the hunt was over, he wasn't the monster bull I had hoped and dreamt about. But he was a cool old bull that had been in his fair share of skirmishes and thorough many ruts. His front teeth were worn to the gums and had some scares to show his age. we got him taken care of in a timely manner and the meat to the processor to fill the freezer for the family and close friends. Look forward to hunting with my boy in the years to come and hope it doe not take another 17 years to draw an archery bull tag IMG_4804.MOV

I've got the place to myself for a day! Love the quiet!!!

My 2024 Bull. I waited 13 years for this tag. I shot this bull solo a few days into the Hunt. I’m very thankful I had some luck come my way during the whole Hunt. I really hope I don’t have to wait another 13 years for a tag. Cheer and happy Hunting.

I know this is old but, Mogollan Rim Taxidermy is the best in the state IMO. I have had mounts (elk &deer) other places, and no one compares to Clay.

Who's chasing turkey? I'll be in 6a trying to shoot a bigger bird than last year's. It's going to be hot .The trailer is already up and set . It was nice last weekend

Bring your rifle to the Rifle Silhouette Club sight service at Ben Avery. WHERE: the range just west of the main range, come by the range we are set up on and sign in with us WHEN: October 3rd & October 9th-13th. 8AM-3PM PRICE: $10 first rifle, $10 second rifle and $5 any rifle after first two We will be providing targets, shooting rests and spotting scopes. Come by even if you want to shoot your rifle yourself.

Eddie Corona, outdoor experience for all. For kids with disabilities. (480) 529-8340

Yes we can sight you in

Book buck! Congrats! Beats killing carp deer! LOL

Great job. Stud.....

Giant buck!! huge congrats. Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures.

I could give you a few who NOT to use

One more than your MOM.

I agree, no risk of shadey taxi chit

HAHA love it, I have a head in the freezer that I have not caped yet. If he can cape it, he can have the cape. I will pay him to boil the skull. My son and I have deer hunts this year and will definitely use him , but no pitchforks!

Killed my biggest archery buck the other day. It had been several years since I got one with a bow. I am sure this is the oldest deer I have got.

Two tripods and a 20lbs rifle…..I don’t think you can have a better system ……

Mogollon, Wellers and Desert Edge Taxidermy are the best in my opinion and who I go too.

Nothing against other site sponsors. But - Clay, Clay, Clay at Mogollon if you want the best mount and value.

Clay Goldman with Mogollon Taxidermy.

Wellers in Tucson is hard to beat and great people to business with.

+1 for Clay Goldman. Can’t go wrong with him. You can go wrong with a lot of taxidermists in AZ though so be careful.

Mogollon in Payson did this a couple years ago and I love the job Clay did.

I know several great ones. Some definitely specialize, and are exceptional at specific animals, while others excel at others. Anything in particular you are looking to have done? Also, keep in mind, a bigger name/highly reputable guy might cost a little more. But this site is littered with posts of guys who had stuff ruined, money lost, etc. by small guys who closed up shop and vanished, or ruined stuff. My votes for the top all around guys would go to: Clay Goldman at Mogollon Taxidermy, (Payson, AZ), Fantastic all around taxidermy. IMO, the best deer and elk guy in the state. Only person I am aware of in the state who has the machine to do velvet antlers in house (legit machinery, not injecting of sticking in a freezer for a LONG time). He is currently doing my bull from this past fall. Dale Robertson at Wild Heritage Taxidermy, (Young, AZ), I don't think he is taking new clients at this time. Fantastic all around taxidermy, but he is the best lion and cat guy in the business. I haven't seen ANYONE in the country who can consistently do the quality cat work Dale does. Richard Owens at Hunter's Lair Taxidermy, (Show Low, AZ), Great all around taxidermist and is currently doing my son's bull you see in my avatar picture. For birds, I recommend: Kyle Thorn at Cut-N-Strut Taxidermy, (Surprise, AZ), He used to do all birds, but is trying to focus solely on turkeys these days. He competes with the birds he works on and wins a lot of awards. Sven Eberson Wildlife Wings and Design Taxidermy, (Glendale, AZ). Skull cleaning and Euros: Draysen Hatch at Great Hunter Skullz, (Queen Creek, AZ), I am highly biased here (he is my son and I taught him), but I don't think anyone does a cleaner and whiter skull, and I have seen a lot. There are, of course, many other great ones in the state. I am by no means knocking any others. But I have seen first hand and done business with all of these guys. I have always been extremely impressed with everything I have seen done by them, and could provide personal photos from my family's collection from each of the above mentioned.