Simeod
Well-known member
After 5 years of applying for Elk tags in Arizona we were finally drawn. My son for youth in unit 4A and me and my wife for late cow in unit 9.
Fortunately, we had a little time to learn the area for my sons hunt, but less than I would have liked. Did as much research on the area as I possibly could and hours on ONX. The area we decided on was away from the popular rim area. It looked good on ONX, but honestly picked it for the camping spot we had seen during our early scouting trip and the fact it would hopefully not be crowded.
Started opening day well before dawn with a hike around this long meadow. There was good habitat to the East and water in the meadow.
Found lots of sign, but did not see any Elk in the morning. Winds were swirling and couldn't seem to pick a direction. Headed back to camp and decided to check other promising sites.
We found Antelope, Mule deer, and to my embarrassment, the fact that my elk calling was bad enough to call in turkey. No elk were seen. Again lots of sign, but no elk.
Back to camp 30 minutes before sun set. We pulled into camp, looked into the meadow and spotted a mature bull elk grazing in the middle of the field. We quickly moved to glass the meadow and spotted two cows grazing the edge of the field about 600 yards up the meadow. We stalked up the edge of the meadow and at 200 yards my son made a great shot and got his and our first elk.
You couldn't have pried that smile off of his face. Or mine for that matter.
600 yards from camp on opening day and he had his first elk. He then helped me gut, skin and butcher it.
To make an awesome hunt even better, my neighbors and their kids were in the same unit hunting. We managed to get them a text about our success. We shared our location and 4 more kids were able to fill their tags in that meadow over the next three days.
Did a euro mount and necklace to commemorate his first Elk.
Now with any luck hopefully my wife an I will be able to fill our tags in December
Fortunately, we had a little time to learn the area for my sons hunt, but less than I would have liked. Did as much research on the area as I possibly could and hours on ONX. The area we decided on was away from the popular rim area. It looked good on ONX, but honestly picked it for the camping spot we had seen during our early scouting trip and the fact it would hopefully not be crowded.
Started opening day well before dawn with a hike around this long meadow. There was good habitat to the East and water in the meadow.
Found lots of sign, but did not see any Elk in the morning. Winds were swirling and couldn't seem to pick a direction. Headed back to camp and decided to check other promising sites.
We found Antelope, Mule deer, and to my embarrassment, the fact that my elk calling was bad enough to call in turkey. No elk were seen. Again lots of sign, but no elk.
Back to camp 30 minutes before sun set. We pulled into camp, looked into the meadow and spotted a mature bull elk grazing in the middle of the field. We quickly moved to glass the meadow and spotted two cows grazing the edge of the field about 600 yards up the meadow. We stalked up the edge of the meadow and at 200 yards my son made a great shot and got his and our first elk.
You couldn't have pried that smile off of his face. Or mine for that matter.
600 yards from camp on opening day and he had his first elk. He then helped me gut, skin and butcher it.
To make an awesome hunt even better, my neighbors and their kids were in the same unit hunting. We managed to get them a text about our success. We shared our location and 4 more kids were able to fill their tags in that meadow over the next three days.
Did a euro mount and necklace to commemorate his first Elk.
Now with any luck hopefully my wife an I will be able to fill our tags in December
