mc68

Wow, the top end of that bull is impressive!! Great job.

That is an incredible bull!!!! I have been waiting to see some giants come out of the Gila's after the fire. It's the same thing that happened in 3C and 1,&27 after those fires. After they seed it with the great feed it translates to great horn growth for a few years. I'm sure that those units in NM where that big fire was will continue to produce some studs for a couple more years. What a bull though!!!!!

This is without a doubt one of the hardest things about hunting. Its a terrible feeling. Do all you can to recover him. If you have done that and feel its impossible then its your choice alone on what to do next. If you feel that you did your best and want to continue your hunt, do it. If you are too bothered by it and feel like that is your bull for the year then stop. It is a very personal thing when it comes to this situation and do whatever it is that you can feel at peace with. Whatever you decide, don't listen to haters on either view point, cause everyone has their opinion. I wish you the best of luck and am sorry you have to go through this.

Great job! Good lookin bull bud!

Good job bud! Nice looking bull. Looks like you are happy, that's awesome.

I guess if you say the pic does him well I will believe you cause he does look better than 300. Looks liked he has very good mass. Regardless congrats on your hunt!!

IMO one of theain reasons we don't seem to see the rut activity the way we used to on these early archery hunts has a lot to do with the weather. I've hunted for about 30 years in 1,27,3C and 10. In the late 80s thru the 90s you had better have packed some warm clothes. It would freeze about every night and felt like fall. The aspens were always turned and the rut activity was phenomenal. Last year during my unit 1 archery hunt I never wore a jacket of any kind. It honestly felt like summer. And for the most part the elk were not very vocal at all. I know they still have to rut but I believe the colder the weather the better the bugling and activity. Also, there are a lot more people nowadays that go up and I'm sure that contributes as well. By the way, very nice bull and that's really cool that you were able to stay on him for several days and finally got er done. Congrats

I don't see photo shopped at all...just looks like a good ol country boy that got er done! Bad arse!!

Good news, I saw a GREAT cow that looked to have at least 10" ears!!!!! Could be a top ten entry in the record books! Might be a hard one to get, she seemed to be kind of a lady of the night if you know what I mean...had a bunch of dang bulls hanging around her. She's quite the little hooch and it would be good to get that nasty thing culled from the herd. Good luck!!

I'm pretty positive that is the Circle K in Show Low so probably another great bull to come out of 3C. Only thing I see wrong with it is its not my bull...seriously though, it looks like he has fantastic time length. Would love to see more pics and story.

I can't agree more that when money comes into the picture it all changes. Its not hunting anymore, its business, and with that comes all of the nonsense. I have a few friends that are still guiding and they won't even share pics with me unless they are "officially" released and have whoever's watermark on it. Its ridiculous. I have no interest in where the pic comes from, I just like to see photos of big animals. Heck, I don't even have a tag! Its just really weird and sad that guiding can come before friendship but that's what the almighty dollar can do to people. I agree with someone's post on seeing a big bull trophy shot and there are so many people its hard to fit them all into the screen! I'm just old I guess, I feel like hunting should be more about the hunt itself than the outcome.

Way to go bud! Getting a coues deer buck with a bow is a very tough challenge, but it looks like you were prepared to get it done and took a great looking buck. I bet your Dad is still smiling ear to ear. Very impressive start to your hunting career young man. Happy for you.

Holy mass!! What a great buck. Congratulations

NatureBob I am actually surprised by your comments on this thread. It just seems out of character for you. In your last post you state that those of us who weren't lucky enough to draw tags this year should wait until your hunt is over, but its fine to go during the Turkey hunts when you aren't there? I'm assuming you are joking? If my memory is right, you have the early field tag, correct? If so, only the 30 or so tag holders should get to enjoy the public land during the season? I'm sorry but that is just a wee bit selfish...I do wish you good luck on your hunt and hope you have a great time and find the bull you hope for.

I really enjoy killing rattlesnakes. When I was in High School and College, a bunch of us would get together, especially after Monsoon storms, and go "snake hunting". It was road hunting in its most pure form. Headlights blazing, KC lights on, and spotlights shining. We would go out to the desert, pick a bunch of roads, designate a driver, drink very large amounts of beer, and drive around slowly looking for snakes. It was a blast! We killed ALOT of snakes, and we never seemed to dent the populations because you could go to the same place time after time and keep finding more. I will admit, we never, ever let a rattler get away. I really don't like buzzworms at all. And, for the record, we were not discharging firearms after dark and we always had sober drivers. Man I miss those times, think its about time to start going again. Thanks Havasu for lighting the flame for me!

I never go a year without playing in the woods during the Elk rut. It's crazy to think others shouldn't spend time in the field because you have a tag. I enjoy taking my wife and kids out to experience the excitement of the bulls screaming and fighting. So its OK for one guy to have a tag and 10 of his buddies go along to "scout" during the hunt?! That's what I see nowadays. I have had far more hunters screw me up during the hunt, than people out watching the action. When I go out, I always am concious of other people in the area. If I see someone is hunting there, I move somewhere else. I'm not out there to mess up someone's hunt, I'm there to witness one of the most exciting things in nature. Good luck to the hunters!

Oh ya, as far as the haters go, nothing new on this site anymore...its the reason I will most likely never post any of my hunts and pics on here again. I still like to look at the animals posted, and comment from time to time, but I really don't get very involved anymore. Way too much drama nowadays.

Hawkeye, don't be too bothered by the private land. I had this tag a few years ago and found alot of antelope and several very good bucks. There really is a ton of public land so just hit it hard and I bet you find yourself a great buck. Good luck!

Just wondering if you have tried hunting him during this archery hunt?

Congratulations. Way to stick with it and get er done. I gotta confess, 100 degree weather and I'm sittin in the A/C. Good job.

Wow, wow, wow!!!! Now that is an awesome hunt right there!! I am extremely jealous. Story coming soon? Were you guys guided or DIY? Either way great job and congratulations.

It is so neat when you get to take your kids out hunting big game. The smile on their faces is priceless. Congratulations on a great buck and mount.

Cowkiller, hope you realize what an incredible tag you have! You are going to be in for a treat. Please post pics after your hunt.

Was hoping to see this buck on here! What a stud. Great job man.

AWESOME VIDEO BUD!!!