azrayhunter

Arizona native, born and raised in Phoenix. Since I could barely walk my dad was taking me fishing and hunting small game, quail and dove but never big game. Although I was raised in the city, I'm country at heart and love being in the outdoors. In 2014 I decided that I was working too much, taking life too seriously, and needed to get back to the things that nurture my soul. I decided I wanted to hunt the big game our great state has to offer and so began my journey. It has been a super steep learning curve, with nobody to mentor me, but I have come a long way.  In 2015 I was getting irritated not being able to hunt more so I decided to buy a bow and take lessons, although I had never shot one in my life. Now that is my preferred method of hunting (though you won't see me complain with rifle tag in my pocket). 

Since my journey began, I have taken 4 javelina and 2 cow elk (leftover tags) with my bow. I had the unit 1 archery rut bull tag in 2019, hunted hard 8 days but never could seal the deal despite being into elk everyday. I arrowed a black bear in 2016, but it was bad shot high in shoulder and have never had another opportunity since. As far as deer with my bow, I have gone on so many stalks I can't even count (muley and Coues) and let loose a few arrows but still have yet to shoot a deer with my bow to this day. 

I shot my first Coues buck in 2018 on an October leftover rifle tag in 35A and it was one of the funnest stalks I've ever been on. I was fortunate to draw a Goulds tag in 2017 and shot my first turkey on opening day in 35A. For my first turkey hunt, I think I got spoiled because those birds down there came to e-caller like crazy. Other than that, I put in for many western states. In 2016 I went to West Texas and shot my first mule deer with a rifle, a boxy 3x4.  In 2017, I really went out of my element and went to KY to hunt whitetails in the hard woods with my bow. I saw a lot of deer, lots of smaller bucks, but nothing over 140 which was the limit on that farm. I came home empty handed but it was sure a cool trip seeing how they do it out there. In 2018, I shot a nice 6x6 mule deer with a rifle in the general hunt Pine Valley unit Utah and then went and shot another 3x4 mule deer in South Dakota (along with some pheasants which was so much fun). 

I really like destination hunts but it can get expensive, especially with a guide.  Every few years I hope to get out of state but my main goal at home is to take all species of big game AZ has to offer before I die. We'll see if I can ever get drawn for the hard ones (sheep, antelope). Other than hunting, I work in finance as a municipal bond trader. Corporate life is shitty but the pay and the vacation time enables me to pursue my hunting so I continue to torture myself.  My wife and I never had kids, just our 3 dogs and us. She doesn't understand my hunting passion (obsession?) but she supports me in my chase and she likes the clean meat.  I joined this forum years ago but have not been active on here but I want to start being more active, getting to know some of my fellow hunters. 

The main units I hunt are: 22 which is close to home and our family cabin in Strawberry. 5A which is close to cabin. 34A and 35's, cousin lives down in Sonoita so we archery hunt every year on the border for pigs and deer in January.