lucky2hunt Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Unit 8 Archery Bull.... I had scouted, practiced, prepared, scouted some more and the practiced even more... It finally paid off! This is the third archery tag I have had, the first two I was unsuccessful. The first week of the season was quiet, too quiet, no bugles at all, absolute silence morning and evening. Tried to stalk mornings, but usually ended bumping up everything. Sat 3 days (18 hours) at particular water hole/wallow where I knew there were a couple of bulls hanging out, they would never come in until way after dark. I became so frustrated, you wait to get these tags for what seems forever, you dream of the day you can chase bugles and when that day comes, there are no bugles. Day after day we would get up at 4:30 a.m. get to our spot and....nothing! Day 6 I go sit in my Double Bull at a tank in the morning where a good friend of mine killed his first bull years ago, there is no water in it, just a nasty, smelly, mud pit! (perfect) That morning I actually start to hear bugles, I hear fighting and a lot of movement around the wallow. I start to see elk, I pass on four different spikes and a very small 5 point. I also see 12 turkeys and 13 deer, whew... I have finally found the elk again. I go back in the afternoon to sit until dark. The valley the wallow is in starts to come alive around 3:30, I hear chuckles, bugles, crashing and banging. As the evening draws near, the wind is swirling, I hear a elk bark, I look out the side window and there is a 5x5 staring me down, he circles the wallow and takes 20 minutes to finally commit to coming in. The whole time I keep talking to myself to try to stay semi-calm. The bull finally goes into the wallow, he is still nervous, before he can start to wallow he puts his nose up in the air and I know I'm busted, he turns to leave as I draw my Mathews Drenalin, I have a 40 yard quartering away shot, I squeeze the trigger and watch my arrow fly. It hits and I see the bull explode out of the wallow, he takes 4-5 strides away from me then all of a sudden he starts the 'drunk stumble walk' then not more than 40 yards he goes down in a small oak thicket, he never knew what hit him! I tried to text my husband, I was shaking so bad I had to keep starting over, at last I get a text sent to him, it says "Bring your skinning knife" It took him 20 minutes to get there, we walked over to my bull and it hits me... I have finally realized my dream of harvesting a Arizona Bull Elk with my bow!!! What an amazing feeling! Once again I have to thank my husband, the greatest 'Sherpa' a wife could ask for! Also, again I need to thank everyone at Bull Basin Archery in Flagstaff. They took the time to tune my bow, fletch my arrows perfectly to my broadheads and they helped me stay confident with my equipment. Also thanks to all the people who gave me suggestions and advice on this unit, everything helped! It is not a monster bull, but he's my first archery bull and I'm really proud at how hard I worked to get him! Ilene Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakehaffey Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Great job! Nothing more exciting than an archery kill! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Very cool! Congrats on a fine first archery bull! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted September 22, 2009 GREAT job Ilene!! That is so amazing! I know how tough it's been this year with a lack of much bugling going on. Nice job staying in the game! Hey, post some bigger pics if you have them. You don't have to size them down that small. Heck, I can barely read the CouesWhitetail.com on your shirt !! aren't Sherpa husbands the best? Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZMEATHUNTER Report post Posted September 22, 2009 very nice! thanks for sharing. congrats to you!!!!!! AZMEAT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Very nice bull! Congratulations on a great hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueshunter Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Fantastic job............congrats on a beautiful bull...........Allen......... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CVLCADMAN Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Congrats! Glad to see all that your hard work paid off!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coueser Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Great story! Thanks for the sharing it with us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bcoover Report post Posted September 22, 2009 great job and great bull. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted September 22, 2009 a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you Ilene! I keep hearing that it is relatively quiet out here. Hopefully the singing will turn on these last few days for the remaining hunters. Doug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Maki Report post Posted September 22, 2009 thats a great bull! awesome story too, congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
June Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Very nice bull, Congratulations Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
luvdemcoues Report post Posted September 22, 2009 Way cool. Congratulations! The eye guards on the right side look pretty neat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DUG Report post Posted September 22, 2009 That's a nice bull! Congrats on your 1st. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
