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Most of this is a repeat from the 6A bulls thread but a few members thought it would be a good idea to start a new thread. It's already been a week since this bull went down and I am still pumped! Here is the story... My brother in-law Greg and I were hitting it hard since opening morning and we were into bulls every morning within 30 minutes. The bulls were very quiet so we just kept the wind in our favor and began to still hunt then spot and stalk. We got on a decent size herd Saturday morning and spotted a monster bull and a nice 5x5. We hauled butt to get in front and set up. Never saw the big bull but the 5x5 walked right up to us at 30 yards. This was the closest I had ever been to a bull and it was awesome! He never gave us a shot opportunity and eventually squirreled away. Sunday night was the only night we found a bull in the evening and I missed on a downhill 60 yard shot. Right over his back. At the time I was a bit discouraged but knew that's how it goes sometimes. Apparently it wasn't the bull that was meant for me. Monday was the slowest day we hadn't seen a bull all day and we put in some miles. Monday evening we hit one spot and the wind was all wrong so we backed out and moved to a different area. Wind was good, hitting us in the face so we began moving but didn't see or hear anything. Then about 6:30 we stopped and were ready to make it back to the truck. In one last attempt I decided to try and call to get a response. The first was a bugle. We had some success with the cows calling back if they were in the area.Then I grabbed my mouth diaphragm and started up with some cow calls I had been practicing. A few seconds later we heard a bugle but not just any bugle we knew he was on his way and coming in fast. We had seconds to get behind a bush and I was going to position my brother in-law a little further back to continue calling but the bull was already on us so we stayed put. He hung up at the end of a clearing and was looking in our direction to find where the call came from. Then he started trotting again and circling us to get wind. I immediately went to the other side of the bush and drew back. I asked for a range and he was way too far and now staring in our direction. It felt like I held my bow for the longest time until I couldn't do it anymore. So I attempted to let down with him staring and just knew he was going to spook. Thankfully he didn't notice and it took all my strength to let down as smoothly and as subtly as I could. He began moving around us again still out of wind and slowly coming in closer.My heart was racing and my hands were a little shaky. We were focused on the bulls movement while trying to control our own as we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Finally he stopped provided me with a broadside shot with his eyes behind a tree.I knew this was my opportunity and I remember Greg telling me "you got this". I drew back and took a couple deep breaths trying to control my nerves. I put my pin on the spot, waited a few seconds and let the arrow fly. He immediately bolted. I didn't see the shot but not 5-7 seconds later we heard a large crash. We weren't sure if he was down or crashing through the trees in the canyon he ran into. I slowly made my way to the shot area and just stood there still in shock. My brother in-law followed and started looking for sign and I just heard him say "Dude, come here". I looked down and there was blood everywhere. We peaked down the canyon and there he was piled up about 125 yards away. It was over. I don't know if he moved or my shot went forward but it went in the neck and severed the major arteries. It was over very quickly for him and for that I was thankful. I fully intended to take the first bull that would have provided me with the opportunity. I really just wanted to gain some experience and get the first one done. I spent tons of time this summer scouting for areas with lots of elk, practicing in different shooting scenarios and working on my calls in the truck to and from work. I think the hard work we put in paid off and I was happy we were able to get it done. A big thanks to Greg. We worked well as a team and had some laughs too. I am glad he introduced me to archery and hunting. Also a thank you to my wife Jaime. She spent a lot of time scouting with me this summer and of course for putting up with my new found obsession. Now the pictures!! Signature Taxidermy in Flagstaff scored this bull at 350 1/8".

Nearly new Bear Archery Odyssey II Youth bow in excellent condition. Never dry fired! Upgraded arrow rest & sights from original package. Comes complete with bow mounted quiver, stabilizer, kisser button, TrueFire claw release & 7 ICS Hunter youth carbon arrow with inserts. Adjusts from 13" to 27" draw length and 15 lbs to 50 lbs draw weight. Perfect starter bow that will grow with your son or daughter. Would make a great woman's bow too. Asking $120 OBO, please call Mike at 480-495-1094 or Kristin at 480-495-7355.

Older but in excellent condition Jennings Search compound bow. Comes with bow mounted quiver, stabilizer, 3 pin sight & two prong arrow rest. This bow has wheels not cams but is still very smooth with nice let off. Great starter bow for a woman or youth. Draw length 24" draw weight 45 lbs. Asking $50.00, please call Mike at 480-495-1094 or Kristin at 480-495-7355.

Any one have any pictures from previous elk hunts in unit 22N?? Im trying to get my blood pumped, my hunt is this november which is rite around the corner.

with back drop of area I was glassing more of the area I was glassing where I found him laying, propped his head up with sticks where I found him, 100 yards from where I shot him side view So, my friend Colton already posted a picture of this buck last night, but here are some more pictures along with the story. I have stalked 1 mule deer and a bachelor herd of 3 mule deer this season, and in January and last August I have stalked a total of around 30 bucks. Everything from spikes to giants. I stalk any buck I see that is within a couple miles if I can get to it before dark. I am not too concerned with antler size, I was just blessed with a great buck. I was glassing for a few hours like I do almost everyday of hunting season. As it was getting a little warmer I was paying more attention to bedding areas. I finally caught a glimpse of a buck standing and feeding in a bush at the top of a hill about a mile away. I watched him walk in between a few bushes and never emerge from the other side. After watching for about 10 minutes, I figured he bedded down right there. He was in an area the wasn’t too thick and I could see I would have some shooting lanes if I went and waited for him to stand from his bed. So I began my stalk. I went to my truck and dropped off my tripod and my Vortex 15s. I grabbed a couple waters, my home made Sneaky feet (I made them out of automotive headliner carpeting, string and hot glue so I could slip them over my boots, I was sick of walking through the desert in my socks, and this was the first time I used them and they worked great, very quiet), painted my face and sprayed down with scent killer. As I walked to the top of the mountain the wind was perfect. I could see the bushes he should be bedded in so I would take a couple steps and look through my 8s, then a couple more and look again to see If I could pick up an antler tip or any movement to make sure he was still there. And I was also checking in the areas around there to see if he was somewhere else. When I was about 150 yards away I picked up a buck feeding in a different bush. After watching for a minute it seemed that he was content in staying there so I planned my path to come around some bushes and wait for him to step out and hopefully shoot him. But I know Coues bucks often travel in pairs while in velvet, so I was keeping my eye on the bushes I had seen the buck earlier, just incase this wasn’t the same buck. As I was rounding the final bush where I was going to stop and wait for that buck to feed out, I stepped out onto a rock and looked in to the bush where I had seen the buck originally. There he was standing right there still feeding in that bush about 1.5 hours from when I had seen him with my 15s. So I froze, ranged him (luckily I have one of those range snap things, mine is actually home made but after sewing it onto my bino harness strap and getting the connectors, clips, etc. and doing all the work, I wished I would have just bought one) and adjusted my hand on my bow, as I did this he whipped his head up and the staring contest began. I did not move a muscle even though my left leg was shaking so bad I thought I was going to fall off the rock. He kept doing the whole head bob, foot stomp thing and taking steps toward me. After about a minute he turned broadside but was still staring at me. I was afraid to draw because I have done it with a few bucks and they are usually about 100 yards away by the time you reach full draw. So, I said a quick prayer and felt like God told me to draw. So I focused on a spot dead center of his lungs, reached full draw, quickly set my 40 yard pin and watched my arrow hit dead on and pass through him. I watched him run straight down the hill spraying blood. I thought to my self, “God, please don’t let me wake up.” Because I could hardly believe it actually happened. I went over found my blood covered Easton Axis with the Spitfire broadhead fully opened. I sat down and called my wife who was at work and my mom who was watching my 2 boys and told them I had just shot a great Coues buck. Since I didn’t hear him crash I waited for about 20 minutes. I would have waited longer but I knew the shot was a perfect double lung pass through so he had to be dead. I followed the blood trail about 100 yards and found him laying there. I grabbed ahold of him and realized how nice of a buck he really was and I was extremely excited and thankful. Then I took a few pics, called someone to help me pull him out, pulled him into the shade to gut him. My friend arrived and we got him to my truck. I brought him to the Mogollon Taxidermy and had him caped out. Then brought him home and took care of the meat. The equipment I used for this hunt was: 2013 Bowtech Experience set at 64#s (just got his new bow after a few years of shooting a Diamond and it is amazing), Easton Axis 340s, Spitfire Broadheads, Black Gold 7 pin Sight, Carter Release, Vortex Viper 15s with a $45 Dolica photography tripod (works great), Bushnell Legend 8s, Wildgame Innovations 900 yard angle compensating rangefinder, cheap camos, 84 Toyota 4runner. Thanks to: God who is the ultimate hunting guide, my wife for always letting me go out and always shoots bows with me, my mom for watching my kids, Isaac for helping pull this deer out (even though he almost had a heart attack), Jeremy at Chasin a Dream Archery shop who always has great products and helps me with tuning and servicing my bows, and Coueswhitetail.com members for all the knowledge I have learned through reading your posts. Hope you enjoyed the story.

Member Joseph W. shot this heavy Mulie this morning around 6:45, he was so excited and asked us to post this here since he won't be home for a while yet.....Congratulations Joseph!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see everyone kill photos. Good luck to everyone. Cole

All these bears scored over 19" Just don't shoot them in the head. LOL Good luck to everyone this season. Can't wait to see everyone pictures -Cole-

I am selling my favorite treestand. With the kiddos hunting now I just can't sit in a tree by myself anymore. There is nothing wrong with this stand, it is fully functional, I just do not use it anymore. It is lightweight yet all metal- no cables to wear out and break. Asking $60 PM if interested.

I was lucky enough to draw a archery strip tag this year with my buddy. I dont know the unit yet, of course it is either 13B or 13A archery. I live up in the white mountains and my buddy lives in the valley. I will be taking off a month of work, one week before the hunt and the entire hunt. Each person I talk to up my way tells me to NOT get a guide and get-r-done myself.. Each person my buddy talks to in the valley tells him to for sure get a guide. I just wanted to ask anyone that has been to an archery strip hunt or knows someone who has been, what they would recommend. Im not lookin to kill a 220 inch muley (though I would love something that big), I would be extremely pleased with a 180 class buck. Any pointers would be grateful!

Hoyt compound bow for sale, winners choice string, 8 pin sight, 29" draw length (adjustable), 6 arrow quiver, have had lots of success with this bow. Bow and string are in good condition. $280.00

Thats right, up to 50% off!!! Take a look at Santana Outdoors clearance rack where you will find game cameras and accessories, clothing, archery gear, and much much more. Take advantage while supplies last!! http://www.santanaoutdoors.com/servlet/the-Clearance-Rack/Categories

2011 PSE Bow Madness. This is one of PSE's smoothest bows ever made. It is fast and very forgiving. Specs are as follows: ata 32", 7" brace height, 3.85 lbs, 75% let off, 25-30" draw. This bow comes with a tru-glo sight with peep, rip cord drop away rest, string tamer, and stabilizer. Like new bow that shoots great, barely used at all ! Asking $450.00 Please call 520-241-2893.Thank You.

Hello, I am new to this sight and have a story and a couple of pics I'd like to share. I see the hunting story section, how do I get my story and pics up there? All help is appreciated. Thanks TJ

Looks like my credit card got charged by AZ, my first choice was for Archery Elk in Unit 27. I've never hunted in there before and would appreciated any input regarding elk numbers, hunter numbers / density, effects of the Wallow fire, 2013 moisture so far, etc. Thanks in advance!! Stan

What a blazing hot day! watched this buck for 3 Weeks,he had one doe with him the entire time.He was definately rutting as he chased off any of the many smaller bucks cruisin his territory.The blind me and my buddy Todd had set up weeks earlier had been completely destroyed so we set up a new one the day before the opener with this buck watching us the entire time from a couple of hundred yards away.Got into the blind at 4AM after a 3mile bike ride in the dark.He came in at noon from the rear of the blind at caught me by suprise. He scooted out to 40 yards and I took the shot in about a 20 mph crosswind. My arrow drifted a couple of inches and got him in the liver. He bolted and continued to run about a half mile and out of my line of sight.I ran to ridge and could only see one small buck in the valley and not this one. Went back to blind and retreived my arrow which was covered in blood,Not a single drop of blood on the ground to follow. I returned to the ridge and systematically began to glass the valley. After a half hour or so and becoming a little worried I noticed with my eyes a tiny white fleck about 3/4 of a mile away.I gassed the spot and could not tell for sure so I beat a path towards it.About halfway i glassed again and could see a leg. You could have punched me,I was on cloud nine and ran like heck.Thank God for giving me the will to not stop looking in the heat. He had bedded down and bled out then died in a thick patch of chollas.For the first time in my hunting days I actually got heat blisters on my feet through my boots. He rough scored 82 inches. Cant wait to get some steaks for the grill. Did not get good pic at kill site,camera was in blind and I had to gut him and get to locker, thats why he is in the tall grass to hide the belly.

For sale here is a beautiful, lightly used, highly efficient, 2011 PSE Stinger compound bow. It has been through a few months of the archery season in 2011, and the month of January 2012 for Javelina. Shot less then 300 arrows easily. The bow comes with the hard case, the quiver to match the color of the bow, the sights, arrows, release, vibration dampening components, and broad heads. It also comes with the card to set it up for the warranty through PSE, again just never had time to apply said warranty. Its a spectacular bow, very accurate, light weight given the size, and talk about neat colors on this bad boy! Many many online reviews cannot stop talking about what a grand bow this is for both the sport of hunting, and target practice. This is a very durable bow, easy to use, performs well, and great quality. This bow shoots an average of 304-316 FPS, and has a draw weight ranging from 40lbs, to 70lbs, talk about a variation. This is the perfect bow to grow along with you. Honestly, if you don't believe all I am saying, take some time and do the research yourself, this bow is one of the best selling in America for a reason!!! Contact Paige @ (480)823-1160 with inquiries, or if you'd like to see more pictures. You can either text (preferably as I work and am in school most days) But if you call, I will gladly return it as soon as time opens up for me! Emailing is fine too, I will check as frequently as I can. Thank you for looking, have a fantastic day! ASKING PRICE OBO: 360.00$

I bought a Trophy Taker rest for my bow a while back and decided that I like my old trusty whisker biscuit better. I paid over $100 for this new from Archery Headquarters. $60 obo. Call, text or send me a pm Daryl 6o2-7o2-7326

Hello, I am looking for a new/used Carter release. If you have one available let me know what model, condition, and price and we'll see if we can make a deal. Thanks for checking my post and have a great day! - Jon P. http://www.carterenterprises.com/index.php

I was blessed today to be able to harvest my first deer with a bow, the shot was 90 yards !!! Saw him sitting in a thicket with my Vortex 15x56 Kaibabs. A special thanks to Bruce Noble and crew on being with me and helping out. Bruce called them back after they got out of range,Thanks to Boomer Salgado for setting me up with my PSE Bow Madness !!! I was able to get complete pass through !!! Complete pass through at 90 yards. Go see him at PSE !!! Thanks

I have a PSE Carroll Marauder for sale. Great bow that is in great shape. It will need a new string, but has a rest, and quiver attached. Bought it years ago, and now it just sits.I have a new PSE bow. It needs a new home. Current draw length is 30, and set at 70lbs. It is adjustable from 60-70lbs, with a let off of 65. Asking $ 125 obo. Can send pictures via text message. Please call 520-241-2893.Thanks

Or at least it probably wished it would have been this morning when it was 22 degrees. We started out this morning back in our usual spot looking for pigs and deer. We found some about 8:30 and the stalk was on. Well everything that could go wrong did, wind swirled all over the place, a cow spooked and ran right through the herd, a coyote chased a jack rabbit all over the hill they were on. Needless to say when we got to where they were, they were no longer. We setup the tripods and got started looking for them. We glassed up the pigs and a buck about the same time and there was a decision to be made. Well the buck slipped into a wash so we decided the pigs were a better better bet, but by this time another hunter had closed in on them. After watching for a few minutes we realized he had no idea where they had moved to so Mike took off to see if he could cut them off while I kept track of them from our hill top. As Mike headed out I settled in to watch the show. Before long I could see the pigs scatter and I realized the other hunter had stumbled into them and flung an arrow. Fortunately the pigs ran right into Mike's lap and after a couple of tries a pig stayed in front of one of his arrows long enough to get stuck. The hit was low and the blood trail was long. While working the blood trail we met up with the other hunters who turned out to be some acquaintances Mike has met down there hunting before. They were kind enough to help us out and after a couple hours we were able to find the wounded pig holed up in some mesquites. Mike got another arrow in her and she only went another 50 yards or so. All told it took us about 3 hours to recover the Javi after the first hit. This was a great day and ended a couple year drought for Mike.

We started off the season right with three tags filled in three days. My brother and dad shot their new years day and I filled my tag on the 2nd. My brothers pig is pictured first. My pig is the second picture. I didn't get a picture of my dads.

For sale: 2009 Hoyt Turbohawk Left Hand 28" draw, adjustable to 30 60-70# limbs, currently set @65# #3 XTR cams This is a great bow. I hate to get rid of it but I had a weak moment and bought another bow. I purchased this bow new and it has been well taken care of. Strings still have plenty of life in them. It would make someone a great first bow or a great back up bow. I would like to get $350 tyd for the bare bow. I also have a Cooper John 3 pin site and a Vital Gear capture rest that I will include for an extra $50. $400 will get the full on deal delivered to your door. I will consider all reasonable offers.

I appologize in advance for the long story... I started the year out with a great bang, or shall I say a fling of an arrow. I got my first bow toward the end of last year. January 1st started with a javelina on the ground at 8 in the morning. Man was I excited. First archery kill on the first day out with my bow. The fall archery deer hunt was very exciting. Seeing deer everyday. Drawing back several times but never feeling comfortable with the shot or distance to let an arrow fly. That hunt ended with mixed emotions as I was so close yet I had seen so many great bucks and even followed a nice 4x4 and an even bigger framed 3x3 on the last day until dark. I wasn't expecting much for the December archery season until my brother was within archery range of 2 different whitetail bucks while scouting for and hunting during the rifle hunt. Then two weeks before the December hunt opened I was within archery range of two nice bucks. I though, This could happen. Friday comes and I can't wait to get out there. The temps were dropping, new moon, and I had high hopes. My brother and I get out there and it is cold, raining, hailing, foggy, and windy. All morning we only jumped one small spike. They next day came with a wedding to go to in the afternoon and I was waiting for Sunday to roll around, forcasted with mostly sunny skies, which would be a relief from the previous day. But that afternoon it was only drizzling out so I decided to run out to a closer spot where I would find some mule deer. Just before arriving to my parking area my truck got stuck in the mud. I called my brother and told him to get me out before dark, I would be out hunting. Not even 5 minutes into walking to the area I wanted to glass I jumped a buck. He ran off and stopped over a hundred yards away and just stared for a little bit before running off again. I followed him around the hill where I jumped 5 does and a fawn, which all ran off across the flats. Just then it started raining. So I got up high to try to glass for that buck, hoping he had bedded down. I finally found a deer bedded across the valley but couldn't tell if it was a buck or not. I decided it was my best shot so I planned my stalk in the hour of light left. As I got close I ranged the closest tree line I could sneak to and also the tree the deer was bedded down under: 50 yrds. I had been practicing out further than that so I was preparing myself for that being the case. I got to the tree line and saw that it was indeed a buck! Only then he started staring at me. It was getting darker by the minute so I figured it was now or never. I got down low and inched my way to the edge of the tree. I ranged him once more before coming to full draw and standing up over the jumping cactus that stood between me and him. I took my aim, made sure of my grip, and let the arrow go. I knew I release a little high and time stood still after the release. But as soon as I released, seeing as he had been watching me, he jumped up to take off running. He ran twenty yards and started walking, looking around. I didn't know if I hit him or if he just got scared from the sound of the bow...until he started catching his balance and fell over right there! I couldn't believe it. My first buck at the end of my first year with a bow. I couldn't have been happier and thanked God for a perfect shot despite my poor release. Thanks for reading. (no picture in the desert due to it being dark and only had my bad phone with me.