azcouesfanatic

This year I was fortunate to draw one of two tags for Rio Grande turkey's in 13B. It is a long way to go for turkey's but I thought it would be cool to have a merriams, goulds, and a rio all from Arizona with my bow. It was also the last animal I needed to have harvested all 13 AZ big game animals. The turkey's were transplanted into the unit by AZGFD personnel within the last five years and they are doing great. They came from Utah and there were about 150 birds transplanted. Since I was the only person with the tag I opted to let the weather pass and headup on Sunday morning which turned out to be a great idea since it snowed 6". I met Brec Bundy in Saint George and he drove me up to the area where the birds were at. Brec was kind enough to transport me into the area and let me borrow a quad to get around on since I flew into Saint George since it is a 12 hour drive one way. Brec is a great guy and if you are ever fortunate enough to draw a strip tag you should check out his operation (muledeeraddiction.com). As soon as we got into the area where the turkey's are supposed to be I crow called just for fun. Immediately I was answered by a gobble. We drove down the road a little farther and set up on the gobbler. Unfortuantely he did not come in so we set up camp. Brec showed me around before heading out. Prior to arriving in camp I had spoken to Luke Thomspon of AZGFD and he provided mewith several areas to try. Just prior to roosting time I drove down to a tank to check for tracks and would it you know it there were 10 birds standing on the ridge just above the tank. I knew the birds would be roosting soon so I stayed quiet and waited for them to fly up. I was able to watch them fly up and my game plan was set for the morning hunt. I planned on getting up extra early since I was solo hunting because I wanted to set up the blind and decoys well before daylight. Due to working night shift I had only gotten one hour of sleep in 48 hours and I slept an hour longer than I wanted. I rushed to get ready and ended up getting set up in time without the blind. The watched the birds pitch out of the tree at about 150 yards and they immediately began coming my way gobbling. The lead tom spotted my dave smith jake decoy and he was ready for battle. The tom came in on a rope and immediately began attacking my dave smith decoy while the other 8 birds stood around and watched. One of the jake's actually climbed on to my dave smith hen and tried to breed it. In my haste to get setup I had tucked into the over hang of a tree to stay concealed but the problem was I was using my bow and I had limbs in the way blocking my shot. After 5 minutes of the tom destroying my decoy I decided I was going to have to make a move. When the tom turned his tail fan toward me which was blocking his line of sight I scooted back 4 feet so I could get a clear shot. Obviously the other birds saw this and started putting but it was too late for the tom. One well placed arrow from my Elite Energy 35 tipped with a Grave Digger broadhead and it was all over. As you can see in the picture my arrow zipped through the tom and stuck in a giant pine tree. Enjoy

Here is the video of my 2013 Rocky Mtn Bighorn Sheep hunt. There are many more pictures and video's posted on Jay Scott's blog on the sponsor section of this site. I hope you enjoy the video I know I enjoyed making it. Link: Thank You

Congrats to both of you. Great Job!!!

Outdoor Writer, yes he is my father and the man I owe all of my hunting success too!!!!!

Everyone thanks for the kind words. I have been very fortunate to draw some amazing tags and that my father introduced me to hunting at such a young age. Bonecollector, just to clarify I do not have all of them withg a bow most are archery but I have a couple with a gun. Thanks again

Thanks 2 Full Curls!! I am not sure if anyone else has the AZ 13. I know of one person who just needs a RIO to have them all with a bow.

I had 6 points but really with only one tag it does not matter much.

Man you have some great luck drawing Gould's tags. Good Luck!!!

Well done!!

Sounds awesome

Way to start em young!!! Congrats

Tremendous video!!!!

Hey Everyone, Well I sent all my sheep footage and photos to Jed Larson and asked him to put together a video of my sheep hunt. His creation was truly amazing and I fell so blessed to have this video to remember my hunt with. Thank You Jed. Enjoy

I sure hope you get all the money back!!! Sounds like a terrible ordeal. I am unfamiliar with this individual but is he still guiding in Mexico? It is very unfortunate that people can't just be honest and professional.

Right Handed Elite Answer in Realtree Max-1. Peak weight is 70lbs and draw is 30". Bow has winners choice strings on it and it is a great shooting bow. $450.00. If interested send me a PM.

Wow, thats a beast!!!! Congrats

Great video and an exceptional buck!!!

Well I have so many pictures from my hunt that I think are worth sharing so Jay Scott put together a google gallery of most of them. Here is the link. Enjoy Link: https://plus.google.com/photos/105466979688807967320/albums/5959338931333216321

You have many options that would provide a great hunt for your uncle. As far as Desert Sheep are consider you can definitely do it in 22 by boat. If you are looking to shoot a rocky mountain bighorn than the first 6A hunt or 27. Good Luck

Thanks Rom. I owe my eye sight to your dad!!!! Please give him my best.

Thats awesome!!!!

Awesome ram great job!!!!

Just apply every year but stay away from the best units like 22 and 24B because they typically go to the max point holders! Good luck!!!

Great write up and what an awesome ram!!!!!

Way to go Jeff what a warrior!!!!