To Arrow an Arizona Elk

‘Patience’ is a word that is often used synonymous with bow hunting. North Dakota native Greg Busch tells his story of patience and persistence in claiming his dream of a great Arizona bull with a bow. Greg’s story:

My Arizona elk hunt started 10 years ago in 2000. I started applying for a tag there knowing I would have to patiently wait for my turn to experience some of the best elk hunting the nation had to offer. I spent lots of time over the years researching units, making contact with other hunters who had drawn elk tags in Arizona and visiting with big game biologists. I even flew down to Kingman, AZ to take a non-resident hunter safety course over a long weekend, as it gave me a permanent bonus point! Finally in 2009, I was notified I had drawn a Unit 1 archery elk tag. Unit 1 had a well deserved reputation for lots of elk and high numbers of mature bulls. It was finally happening and my excitement level was off the charts!

With all of the research I had done over the years, I felt pretty comfortable with the unit. I flew down for a long weekend in August (thank goodness for cheap Allegiant airline flights) to scout with a friend. We familiarized ourselves with the unit and road system, scouted some of the areas we planned to hunt and saw some fantastic bulls.

             Opening day arrived with a bang. One hour into the hunt I was within 70 yards of a bull-of-a lifetime. I didn’t get a shooting opportunity at that bull, as often happens when archery hunting, but the blood was pumping. Over the next six days I had opportunities to harvest smaller bulls and many close calls with mature bulls that didn’t pan out for one reason or another. On day number seven, everything finally came together. I silently snuck in downwind of two bugling bulls. The first bull I saw was a nice 6x6 at 25 yards and I was sorely tempted but I wanted to wait until I could see the other bull. As the second bull come over the small hill toward me pushing three cows, I realized that this is what I had waited all those years for and dreamed about. At 37 yards he turned and gave me a clean broadside shot and I though I was excited beyond belief, I made good shot right through the boiler room. He was on the ground in less than a hundred yards and the celebration began!

        
      It was an incredible experience being able to hunt multiple mature, bugling bulls everyday. I hope every hunter gets to experience a hunt like this. It was a long wait to hunt elk in Arizona and many friends and family thought I was crazy for doing it. I have been asked many times since last fall if it was worth it. The answer is always the same, absolutely! In fact, I just received word a few weeks ago I didn’t draw a tag in Arizona this year, but I did get another bonus point and plan on going back again as soon as possible!