My first Arizona Hunt and First Elk hunt

[cajunboudreaux]

Finally my hunt came around. Been gone for a while scouting and learning the area. Weather got warm and messed everything up. Not to mention there were 400 tags with an extreme full moon the week before in my unit hunt. light was so bright you could walk through the woods at 3:00 with no light . I drew 1 of 100 tags for my hunt. Hunt started and finally the weather changed sunday getting down to about 17 degrees. Started seeing bulls. Tuesday took a 650 yard shot but missed due to wind. Wednesday morning went into another place. at 6:30 saw 2 bulls which one was a 5x5 about 700 yards and the other was my spike at 280. I got ready and took a shot and killed at 7:00. He was deep in a canyon on the other side. Hiked in, boned him out and packed him out. Took me 61/2 hours to complete the packout. Had to make a few trips.. Lots of work but it dang sure paid off.....

[Bear1968]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :)

[RedJada]

 Nice cajunboudreaux, But that looks like a baby  ;D. Looks like you were at lower elevations? Born and raised in the Phx area. Spent a lot of time up north on the rim, about 60 miles south of Flagstaff. My parents had some property about 15 miles east of Clint wells. Mom Would live there through the summer and dad and I would commute on the weekends. I remember one time getting a late start one Friday and ended up passing by Clint wells around 10pm. Right there we both noticed off in the distance, just out of the headlights, an old dead tree we never noticed before, we had to turn around for another look. Man, we saw the biggest bull elk either one of us has ever seen. The rack on this thing was amazing. I will never forget that. Oh the stories I could tell....

[cajunboudreaux]

We are about 6000 ft. I have a cabin in payson off control road. I got lucky enough to draw a tag in my cabin area... Baby -smabby... All i wanted was meat... i'll worry about the big boys in a few years :D.. The picture is where i took the shot, the bull was down on the other

[viper125]

If like doe and small deer its a better tasting meat any way. Why mess with the ole tough big ones.

[Bear1968]

If like deer its a better tasting meat any way. Why mess with the ole tough big ones.

I like mine tender too :)

[Ka Honu]

I like mine tender too

Uh, doesn't everybody?  Oops, another wrong turn - just realized you're talking about elk and deer.  Sorry (and congrats, cajun).

[viper125]

Sorry changed it. I meant to say I like them young too. Even the deer. Always more tender. I would imagine the same with Elk. Been a long while since I ate any Elk.

[Ka Honu]

Young and tender.  Sounds like SWMBO.  Better quit while I'm ahead.

[PapaC]

Congratulations! The hard working hunters are usually rewarded. Enjoy the meat now that the work is over!

[viper125]

Young and tender.  Sounds like SWMBO.  Better quit while I'm ahead.

SWMBO = Single white ????

[Ka Honu]

SWMBO = She Who Must Be Obeyed (attributed to H. Rider Haggard in "She" and popularized by Leo Kern in "Rumpole at the Bailey").

[viper125]

LOL! ok  Well hope i never get that Hen pecked as in this house it works the other way. Now I listen and take suggestions. But never command from women, man or beast. LOL!  But if thats your thing go for it.  ;)

[Sailor]

cajunboudreaux, Congrats on that Elk.  You have bagged one more Elk than I have  ;D  Bet your heart was a pounding when you had him in the cross hairs.  Every time you get a package of Elk from the freezer you will remember that hunt. 

[Ka Honu]

viper - I'm not going to call "Bull$hit" on you but I do have to wonder how strong a grip you have on reality.  Don't worry about it; total denial is a traditional guy thing.