W i n t e r Photo by George Andrejko

Transcription

1 W i n t e r Photo by George Andrejko

2 Like no other retail store on earth! With more than 200,000 outdoor products in our store, you re sure to fi nd exactly what you need to turn your next hunting trip into a success. You ll fi nd only the best in quality products to make your time outdoors more productive. CATALOG - Call for a FREE Catalog INTERNET - Visit cabelas.com RETAIL - Call for store information 2007 Cabela s, Inc. CAS The Tracker - Winter 2008

3 ARIZONA ELK SOCIETY FOUNDING MEMBERS Founding Associate Members Douglas Sr & Donna Obert Founding Life Members Ken Alexander+ Michael J Anderson Ernest Apodaca, Jr+ Randy Beck Keith Berger Esther Cadzow John Cadzow Harry Carlson Randy A Cherington+ Pete Cimellaro Steve Clark Todd A Coleman Richard Currie Don Davidson Kay Davidson Larry Day Sharon Eichelberger Ron Eichelberger Peter Ekholm Daron Evans Will & Fran Garrison* Ed Hightower Michael Horstman+ James Johnson Earl C Johnson Edward E Johnson Richard Johnson+ Mitchell Jones Sandra G Kauffman Richard E Kauffman, Sr Bill Kelley Peter S Klocki+ John Koleszar+ James Lara Tim Littleton James Lynch Jr+ Don Martin Russ McDowell William D Meredith Anthony Nichols Cookie Nicoson Walt Nicoson Mark Nixon Donna Obert Douglas Obert, Sr Shawn Patterson Jan Purdy Forrest Purdy Mel Risch+ Tom Schorr Gregory Stainton Douglas Stancill Vashti Tice Supplee+ Dan Taylor John Toner Corey Tunnell Rick Vincent, Sr Don Walters, Jr Dee White Larry White+ Mark Worischeck Joseph Worischeck Chuck Youngker Founding Sustaining Members Everett & Joyce Nicoson Founding Couple Members Bridgid & Ron Anderson John & Patty Anderson Denny* & Paula Bailey Robert F & Shirley J Banks John & Taina Beaty Robin & Billie Bechtel Brad & Shelley Borden Philip* & Jamie Brogdon+ Mark & Shanna Brooks Shawn & Lisa Carnahan Kim & Lynn Carter, Sr Danny R Cline & Pat Thompson Tim & Patti Garvin W Hays & Suzanne Gilstrap Don & Gwen Grady Steve & Bobi Hahn Igor & Christy Ivanoff Daniel & Danny Johnson Glen & Tracey Jones Richard & Wendy Kauffman Bill & Mary Keebler Mark & Lynda Kessler Mel & Diane Kincaid Richard & Christine Krantz Dick & Nancy Krause Eric & Wendy Krueger Ron & Lisa Lopez+ Gary & Lin Maschner Shane & Tiffany May Kevin & Donna McBee Roger & Micaela Mellen Denny & Pat Moss Robert & Diana Noel Richard Oberson & Bonnie McAuley William & Vera Rezzonico Clarence Rodriquez MD Richard & Anna Schmidt David Scott & Rosemarie Nelson Bruce & Lisa Snider Macey & Becky Starling Ed & Ace Stevens Tim & Ellena Tanner Craig & Susan Thatcher Tom & Kristel Thatcher Marvin & Margo Thompson+ Keith & Lois Zimmerman Founding General Members Kendall Adair Gary R Anderson Jim Andrysiak Denny Ashbaugh Ron Barclay David Baril Cal Bauer John F Bauermeister Robert Baughman Manny Bercovich Dr Tom Boggess, III Tom Brown Tom Carroll Steve Cheuvront Carolyn Colangelo Mike Cupell Jack Daggett Kyle Daggett+ Bob Davies Gary A Davis Nathan Day John W Decker* Chris Denham Neal E Dial Craig Dunlap Jennifer Evans Bobby Fite Chris Flanders Lorenzo A Flores Roger Gibson Courtney Gilstrap Floyd Green Jon Hanna Douglas Hartzler Art Hathaway Dean Hofman David J Hofman Norma E Hook* Russ Hunter David Hussey Rick Johnson Mike Jones Doug Jones Todd Julian Charlie Kelly Charles A Kerns John Krause Joseph M Lane Robby Long Aaron Lowry Rick MacDonald Joe Makaus Daniel Martin Michael L Mason Mike McCormick Donald Meakin Prior to March 17, 2002, AES Founding Memberships were available. These individuals and couples came forth to show their support for the AES in it s early stages of development. During the formation of the AES, administrative funds were needed to pay for organizational costs that led up to the first fundraising banquet on March 16, Founding Members paid a premium membership fee to help make the first year a success. For their support and dedication, the following Founding Members will receive permanent recognition by the AES. + Membership upgraded * Deceased James O Meeks Jason Mercier Jim Mercier Tracey Miner Ken Moss Ronald J Nadzieja Mike N Oliver Craig Pearson Kenneth B Piggott Bethena Pugh Carlos Quihuis Mark Raby Robert L Read Neal Reidhead* Kyle Sanford Craig Sanford Tony Seddon Arnold Shelton Dennis Shipp Tom Sisco Bruce Sitko M Scott South Carl Staley Randy Stout Kenneth K Stringer John W Stuckey Dave Swayzee* Troy Tartaglio Gary TeBeest Todd Thelander Charles B Thompson Stan Thompson Thom Tokash Brian Van Kilsdonk Rick Vaughn Kathy L Vincent Rick Vincent II Don R Walker Douglas Watson Vince Watts Todd Weber Donald D Weber Jr Tom Wooden Douglas Woodward Founding Junior Members Tyler Getzwiller Kevin H Knight Daniel Raby Nathan Raby James Rawls Sheena Smith Blake Tartaglio Alexandra Tartaglio Alexis Tartaglio Travis Thatcher Clayton Thatcher Nathan Thatcher Wayne Thatcher Taylor Thatcher Alexandra Vincent Emma C Vincent Justin M Vincent Arizona Elk Society 3

4 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE by Steve Clark Cross your fingers and hope that the rain we ve received in December and January continues throughout the year. If Mother Nature cooperates and the Arizona Game and Fish Department allows, Arizona elk herds can increase. As I m writing this, northern Arizona is getting pounded with snow. It looks like this could be a great year for elk. Many hunters had asked for an increase in the number of elk tags and the AZGFD has listened. This year, we not only will have an increase in tags, but AZGFD went out on a limb and added late season, low success, archery bull tags in most of the elk units. Plus, over-the counter-tags for elk in areas where they want them removed. Demand for the over-the-counter tags has been very high. Every time I ve been to the new AZGFD headquarters, there have been hunters lined up to purchase the new tags. The Arizona Elk Society 7th ANNUAL BANQUET is March 22, 2008 at the Mesa Convention Center. Tickets are on sale and if you would like to go, you need to get your tickets quickly. The banquet usually sells out 6 weeks ahead of time. This year the highlight of the Banquet will again be the auctioning of the Commissioners Elk Tag and Commissioners Antelope Tag. The AAF has been gracious enough to let the AES auction one of the antelope tags at our banquet. All the money raised by the tag auction is used for Habitat Projects for the designated species. This has brought millions of dollars into the state for elk habitat improvements benefitting all wildlife in those areas where the money is spent. Come and join us to raise funds for habitat in Arizona! EXECUTIVE BOARD President... Steve Clark Vice President... Ron Eichelberger Treasurer... Cookie Nicoson Secretary... Tim Evans Past President...Sharon Eichelberger You may contact any officers, board members or committee chairs at stevec@arizonaelksociety.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Shawn Carnahan Chuck Decker Carl Hargis Glen Jones Steve McGaughey Jim Mullins Gary Maschner Tom Schorr Greg Stainton John Toner COMMITTEE CHAIRS Banquet... Sharon Eichelberger & Cookie Nicoson Grant Writer...Lin Maschner Membership...Dee Clark Projects...Ron Eichelberger Newsletter...Maria DelVecchio Website...Leo Balthazor Wapiti Weekend...Shelly Hargis Scholarship... Wendy Stressman & Shelly Hargis 4 The Tracker - Winter 2008

5 IN THIS ISSUE AES MISSION STATEMENT The Arizona Elk Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) wildlife organization. Our mission is to raise funds to benefit elk and other wildlife through habitat conservation and restoration and to preserve our hunting heritage for present and future generations. NATIONAL FOREST WEBSITES Tonto - Apache/Sitgreaves - Kaibab - Coronado - AES WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS Coming soon, the AES Online Logo Shop where you can get great AES merchandise at reasonable prices. Annual Banquet info at org/banquet08.htm AZGFD WEBSITE IMPORTANT INFO Legislative Affairs shtml AZ SPORTSMEN FOR WILDLIFE WEBSITE Issues Needing Immediate Response /whatshot.asp President s Message by Steve Clark... 4 Letter to the Editor by Greg Stainton... 6 In the Crosshairs: Late Season Archer Hunts?! by John Koleszar 7 Much More Than Just A Hunt by Cory Worischeck BB s Column by John Koleszar AES Logo Shop Hunt of a Lifetime by Eddie Corona Membership Update by Dee Clark Junior Elk Hunt Camp 2007 by Steve Clark Graham County Bull by John Smith My Archery Elk Hunt 2006 by Carl Ford Operation Bear Bones: An AZGFD News Release On Target by John Toner Braggin Board Much More Than Just A Hunt continued from pg Habitat Partners of Arizona Cover photo courtesy of George Andrejko. View more of George s photos at _photo.shtml UPCOMING EVENTS Arizona Elk Society Board Meeting January 19, 2008, 9am-3pm Arizona Bowhunters Association Banquet March 8, 2008 ISE Sportsmen s Show March 7, 8, 9, 2008 Arizona Elk Society 7th Annual Banquet March 22, 2008, Mesa Convention Center Arizona Game & Fish Outdoor Expo March 28, 29, 30, 2008 Arizona Deer Association Banquet May 10, 2008, Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale Arizona Elk Society Annual Big Lake Work Project TBA May or June 2008, Big Lake, AZ Arizona Elk Society Wapiti Weekend June 21 & 22, 2008, Sipes White Mountain Ranch Springerville, AZ Arizona Antelope Banquet July 19, 2008 Arizona Elk Society Elk Hunting Clinic July 26th, 2008 Arizona Elk Society Junior Elk Hunters Camp October 16, 17, 18, 19, 2008 Happy Jack Lodge Happy Jack, AZ Arizona Elk Society 5

6 LETTER TO THE EDITOR: HUNTERS FOR HUNTING S SAKE by Greg Stainton If we listen to our Game and Fish Department in Arizona, we might believe that they are making every effort to create more opportunities for people to hunt in this state. Sounds like they are making a push to get people in the field, and there are many people excited about the move; unless of course you really understand the crisis that Arizona is in. For a year now, Game and Fish has weaseled around issues brought before them by numerous hunting and fishing organizations in an effort to build support for their new system for recruitment and retention of hunters in the state. Sacrifice quality to create opportunity. The Department pooh pooh s questions brought to them, telling concerned groups and individuals that they are resistant to change ; this from a department that has not changed its draw system in over 20 years. The Department tells us that we are the cutting edge of new ideas and that other western states will emulate our program in the future. They base all of this on a survey posted on their website, which they states proves hunters don t care about quality, and are overwhelmingly more interested in an opportunity to hunt. An interesting point, considering the Arizona Deer Association did a very similar survey and came up with a diabolically different response. This of course has no relevance. Just the same, before all you hunters run to get your guns, bullets, bows and arrows, and head out into the woods, you might want to hear what is really going on. There are no definitive answers to the multitude of issues that face wildlife and hunters in our state, but there has been a lot of discussion by the groups that fight to help conserve our land and animals, with the Game and Fish Department. The results of these discussions have had widely different outcomes. While our Game and Fish Department says that it is increasing opportunity, it is doing so based on a survey taken by a company (now considered a third party) formed by the Game and Fish Departments in the west. You think there might be any bias in that survey? While the Department says that the state can handle a 10% increase in the number of tags (based on biological factors), they decreased the number of tags available during premier hunting times, and increased the tags when hunters are least likely to be successful. If the state can accommodate a 10% increase in tags, why wouldn t we increase tags when people would have the greatest opportunity to be successful? It only stands to reason that Arizona cannot afford to increase tags, but Game and Fish will do so anyway, in a blind effort to recruit new hunters in the state. By the way, if there were so many hunters that were disgruntled that they did not get drawn in this state, why were there left over deer tags this year? The simple truth is that Game and Fish has entrenched themselves in a program that is flawed, and is unwilling to listen to the very groups that offer them the most support. Many groups have approached Game and Fish to come up with a better way to recruit and retain hunters and fishermen in Arizona. Many of us have sat through lengthy meetings and discussed ideas to help get our youth back into the wild and more in touch with nature, and to date all these groups efforts to facilitate new ideas have been met by a closed door. The most disturbing part of this is that Game and Fish refuses to listen to people that spend tens of thousands of hours working to achieve the same goals as them. Rather than embracing these groups experience, Game and Fish would rather adhere to a schedule created by a biologist in Canada. I wonder if that guy knows what a javelina is? Finally, before you get all excited about having that opportunity to hunt or fish, ask yourself what that really means to you. To the Arizona Game and Fish Department it is an issue of numbers pure and simple. Put new hunters in the field at less desirable times, with a lesser chance of success, and hope that they come back next year because they had such a good time. Create opportunity! I would hope there is more to hunting and fishing than that. I really haven t met anyone who puts in for a draw in this state and dreams about going out and harvesting a spike elk or deer. Nor have I heard anyone recently brag about the fact that they got to share their deer hunt with 699 other people in the field, as I did last year in unit 27. If Game and Fish has their way, you can add 3,500 more hunters in the field. I would suggest that if you are truly interested in hunting and fishing in this state, you contact one of your local conservation groups and support them in their efforts to come up with a way to implement meaningful changes to build this sport. And you might want to contact your Game and Fish Department and tell them that before they put all their eggs in the future generation s basket, they might glean some benefit by listening to the generation that is bring up the new generation. Then again, maybe the Game and Fish Department knows our kids better then we do. You might also want to remind Game and Fish that it is the quality of our hunts in Arizona that has made us one of the premier states in the entire country to hunt. Of course Game and Fish will most likely tell you that you are in the minority, so I thought I would include some of the names of the organizations that oppose their current strategy. They include: the Arizona Elk Society, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Arizona Deer Association, National Turkey Federation, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Arizona Wildlife Federation, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Wildlife Conservation Counsel, and Arizona Bow Hunters Association just to name a few. These very organizations raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to help wildlife, and have boards that are elected by their constituents to represent their concerns. Wow. You d think Game and Fish would listen! A concerned citizen and member of AES and RMEF, Gregory Stainton 6 The Tracker - Winter 2008

7 Photo courtesy of George Andrejko. IN THE CROSSHAIRS: LATE-SEASON ARCHERY HUNTS?! by John Koleszar Last spring, when filling out my application for an elk tag in the fall hunts, I inadvertently transposed two numbers. As a result, I was drawn for a late-season archery bull tag in Unit 23. Much has been said and written about the decision of the department to offer late-season archery tags. Certainly, the idea of hunting for bulls out of the rut did not seem all that appealing. They had been very busy breeding during a rut that seemed unusually long and the weather had been decidedly warmer than I thought it would be. As the season approached, I began to trying to figure out when and where I should scout. With due diligence, I asked anyone and everyone I could think of where the bulls might be after the rut. The universal answer was In the thick stuff, away from all the traffic. During the last week of October, and the first week of November, Unit 23 had more than a few people racing around trying to fill deer tags. Someone told me that there were 1100 deer tags in that unit during the two weeks prior to the archery elk hunt. I have not been able to verify that number, but it sure looked that way. Trying to scout during another persons hunt is not something I like to do. My presence only adds to the confusion. So I skirted the edges of Unit 23, and did as much glassing as I could from other units that were not having hunts. The result showed me that the elk were holding tight during the day, and barely appearing at dark. The common theme everyone had was to sit on a water tank or be in the path that took the elk from bedding to food and water, or vice versa during the morning hunt. The result of my two weekends of hunting was fairly predictable. Let me say first off, I have hunted deer in the Midwest and fairly successfully. There, you generally have blinds or tree stands, sit as much of the day as possible and hope that the deer follow their trails to food and water at the hours just before dark or daylight. The same could be said for hunting elk during the late hunt. Elk do not tend to follow trails as much as deer, but the food and water sources are pretty important places to be when the sun is setting. In retrospect, I can say the following regarding late-season archery elk hunts Damn Difficult! I know there were a few folks that were successful. I also know that I did not have the time needed to hunt the unit well. A family funeral, tight work schedule and a raging cold did not help make matters any easier. This hunt was nowhere near as fun to me as the rut hunts are. I like moving around during the day and I love chasing after a bull with cows in tow. To me, hearing them, smelling them and chasing them is what elk hunting is all about. I like glassing early and late to see where they are headed, where they have been and to try and establish a pattern. Sitting at a water hole for long periods of time is just not fun. Other critters will come in to water and that was fun to see, but praying that a bull elk comes to water just prior to dark is not my cup of tea. Overall, I feel that if I would have had more time and more experience in that unit, it still would have been a hard hunt. Now, this is just my viewpoint. I m sure there are some folks who would give anything to just hunt and really do not care about hunting out of the rut. For those people who are in line with that kind of thinking go for it. For myself, I will begin again stacking up bonus points. I will wait for rut hunts. I will pray to the gods of chance that they smile on my worthless self yet again. (Hey, 3 tags in four years is almost reason for an inquiry.) And if all else fails, I will take a flight up to the panhandle of Idaho during the first week of September, stroll into the Sportsmen s Warehouse in Hayden, Idaho and buy an across the counter elk tag. It s not cheap, and the bulls are not nearly as big as Arizona s but I ll be out among them when the bugles fill the air. In time, there may be a market for these late hunts. I know that the department is hoping that people will go for these tags. Indeed, it is an opportunity to hunt. I just prefer the magic of a rut hunt. Arizona Elk Society 7

8 MUCH MORE THAN JUST A HUNT by Cory Worischeck Ever since my first cow elk hunt at age 10, hunting has always been a juggling act. Neither sports, work, nor school ever seemed to comply with my hunting schedule. Fortunately for me, these things must sit in the back seat when hunting season rolls around. So when I heard my Arizona draw results for the 2007 fall elk hunt, I knew my work was cut out for me. Somehow I had been fortunate enough to land a rut archery tag for my first archery hunt. Like any obsessive hunter, I went out and purchased all my archery equipment. Amongst it was a brand new Hoyt Vectrix fancied up with all the fixins. Naturally, after spending this kind of money, I wanted to get good at shooting, really good. I began hanging around the local archery shop and talked to countless old timers who had played the game before. I learned not only how to shoot, but absorbed the stories and learnings of life-long hunters. Bowhunting is a funny hobby because it s, ironically, not a hobby. It consumes my life and I find it damn near impossible to concentrate on anything else. Life was put on hold for the two intense months leading up to my September hunt. Unfortunately, I had just begun my first semester of college at the University of Arizona and had, to state it conservatively, a hefty schedule. Now, instead of doing homework till 3 a.m. or so, I was getting it done at by 6:00 p.m. every night due to the shooting time and those mesmerizing hunting videos. My Dad had always spoke of the vast differences between archery and rifle hunting, and, like most teenagers, I took what he said lightly. In typical fashion my father prevailed to the highest degree. Since I was born, I have been surrounded by some of the finest hunters in the state, which has led to some very close relationships with top guides and hunters. So when I drew this tag, I knew just what to do. I called up long time family friend and guide Ty Goodman with Goodman Outfitters. Being a Payson resident and an avid Coues deer and elk hunter, he knew elk hunting as well as anyone. We put 8 The Tracker - Winter 2008 in our time scouting and located a handful of what we classified as shooters. As my shooting progressed and my knowledge for archery increased, so did my excitement. It was a vicious cycle of trying to prepare as well I possibly could only to realize I had so far to go. I used to think a four-inch radius of three arrows at 30 yards was good with field tips. Three weeks before the hunt I was slicing fletchings at 50 and 60 yards with broadheads and still not content. I shot at every angle I could. I shot on very windy days, up and down hills, and around natural blocks like trees and rocks. I would even go running through the desert with my bow until I was exhausted and out of breathe to simulate the escalated blood pressure of the hunt. Every night I would go to sleep thinking of different shots and how I could practice them. I wanted my one shot to be perfect, regardless of what kind of shot it was. Opening day was on a Friday, which meant I had no choice but to skip that day of school in order to get first looks on the bulls. So, after many sleepless nights and vivid dreams, I found myself driving up with my dad the Thursday before the hunt. School, work, and friends were out of my mind and I was focused and ready for the hunt of a lifetime. We had set up camp the week prior so as soon as we all made it to camp we headed off to bed. I was fortunate to have Ty, my dad and several friends and relatives helping with the hunt. That Thursday night was terrible. I laid wide awake until 2:30 a.m. when I heard my first bugle of the hunt. My eyeballs almost came out of their sockets. From that point on, I would lay motionless and strain my ears to hear more bugling. And more bugling I heard. At 3:30 a.m. I finally heard the alarm go off and everyone began waking up. I was up and dressed before anyone could wipe the sleep from their eyes. We took a surprisingly warm quad ride up a rough and rocky road for almost an hour and arrived at our scouted spot just before first light. With anticipation through the roof, we let out our

9 first enthusiastic bugle and waited. If anyone has yet to experience that period of waiting between your call and a fired up bull elk, let me tell you it s something to dream about. I would concentrate so hard, the white noise of the wilderness grew very loud and intense and almost drowned out the sounds of the bugle. Success! Within fifteen seconds we had two bulls that both sounded hot and raspy, just what I was hoping for. The first response was a bull maybe 250 yards to the south. Without hesitating, we unloaded and took off after the bugle. The country consisted almost entirely of pinions and junipers, some of which were raked raw from the antlers of world-class bulls. While hunting down at these elevations is usually my favorite, this area was unusually thick and finding a shooting lane longer than 20 yards was a feat in itself. We covered a quiet and strenuous 100 yards before Ty let out another rip from his bugle. Success once again except it appeared the bull had moved away from us keeping the distance. Positive he had not winded or heard us, we reasoned he must be heading to his bed because the highs that week were in the low 90 s. So, we covered another 50 yards and bugled once again. He seemed to be just as far from us as last time. As we started creeping in the direction of the call, we heard a plane fly overhead. We knew it was our chance to really close the gap so we moved swiftly and quietly. We must have covered 150 yards by the time the noise from the plane subsided and, hopes high, Ty bugled. Mr. Goodman, my father, and I waited out those seconds that felt like eternity until our bull let out an unusually fired up bugle. He was close very close. We whispered that he must be up a small hill not more than 75 yards away. Scanning the country for a shooting lane, we were more than relieved to find one less than ten yards away. It was a grassy rectangle that was 30 by 15 yards without a tree in it. We had the wind right so I buried myself in a juniper bush at the end of the lane while my dad and Ty stayed back another five yards hidden behind thick brush. We bugled once and then gave a cow call to change things up. And boy did it ever. The bull flipped around and started our way. We could not see him but the sound of his antlers thrashing trees ahead of us left no doubt he was close. The end of the shooting lane was 32 yards from me and past that was incredibly dense brush that could hide even a full-grown bull. We all stopped calling when he was within 45 yards and let him come in on his own. By this time he was not only bugling but grunting and glunking as well as raking anything and everything he could find. Arrow knocked and heart racing, I waited patiently. I held my bow up as I saw legs move under the brush just outside the lane we had picked out. He was walking right to left in accordance to me and he would become visible just after walking past a massive pinion tree. Just as planned, he walked slowly out from the pinion. Time was in extreme slow motion and every step he took seemed to take hours. At this point, we have not seen this bull s antlers to see how big he was but we had reason to believe he was fairly big based on his actions. First a nose, then head, then antlers became visible. I watched as more and more antler became exposed and I drew before I had even seen his whole rack. I knew he must be a 340 plus by the fourth point. Just as I drew back, the bull changed direction and started walking directly at me. There was absolutely nothing between us except a foot-high collection of dead grass. I m at full draw as this bull lets out a raucous bugle that shakes my insides. He continues walking right at me. I got a full look at his massive rack and knew that this was the bull I wanted. The only problem is I have no shot because he was walking directly toward my 100 grain wack em broadhead. 30 yards...20 yards I could barely contain myself at the excitement and adrenaline rush. I was really beginning to think this bull was going to walk right into me. I stared him down as he got closer, trying so hard to keep the right pin on him and to stay as steady as possible. Finally, the bull took one step to his left and I saw the vital zones in my mind. Just like the diagrams I had studied for so many hours, I saw his chest, not much, in fact it was a severely quartering towards shot. I knew that I had to be careful of his shoulder blade and brisket because both could stop my arrow and inhibit a fatal shot. I also had to be wary of the ever-common gut shot with quartering shots. I was positive, having gone over this situation so many times before, that I could slip an arrow in the vitals. With only a 20 yard pin to go off, I relaxed and let it fly. I could really feel the hours and hours of practice leaving with that arrow. The bow was silent as the arrow flew closer to the bull. Then the distinct sound of the arrow hitting came to my ears. The bull flipped around and ran off but not before I saw the arrow sticking out of his far side. It was fairly far back as I assumed would happen and at that point I thought I had him. I knocked a quick arrow as Ty called to try and stop him once more. With the nature of the terrain, the bull was out of sight within fifteen yards. At that time I gave an excited but scared look back to my dad and he gave a hurried motion to keep watch. We knew it was now a waiting game. So, remaining silent, I looked down at my watch to mark the time. 7:00 a.m. exactly. We hunkered down and let the wait begin. At 8:00 a.m., we signaled it was probably time to move given the quick glance at the shot placement and more importantly, the quickly rising temperatures. We began taping off the shot area and first blood. The blood trail was thick and easy to track. Rocks were covered in it and in the first ten yards of tracking, we found the arrow. It had made it cleanly through the bull, another good sign. The blood was dark, which told me my shot probably went through a lung and then the liver. I thought the light, frothy blood characteristic of a lung shot must be filling up inside him while the blood from the liver came out the exit wound. As we moved ever cautiously along the trail, excitement rose once again. I kept looking ahead, hoping with all my might to see an antler, a hoof or anything. 100 yards into the track we still couldn t see anything until my dad put down his binoculars and whispered in a shaky voice, I think I have an antler. We hurriedly asked where and he pointed through the brush some 40 yards ahead. He went to look again and could barely hold his binoculars because he was shaking. Seeing my own father like that, the man whom I look up to more than anyone, was undoubtedly the greatest moment of my life. Soon we saw the antler move one last time, insuring it was our bull, and then (continued on page 24) Arizona Elk Society 9

10 BB S COLUMN by John Koleszar There I was, sitting in the middle of the most serene area I had been able to find on my late season archery elk hunt. I had hiked up a steep hill, and then went another half mile through a small canyon on the other side. The noise from roads and vehicles was not able to permeate this idyllic wildlife area. Unit 23 can be more than a bit noisy, particularly when there are another 299 hunters trying to find the elk that had been scattered courtesy of the 1100 rifle deer tags traversing this same area for the previous two weeks. I had hiked through a small stream and up the hill in complete darkness. As the light slowly made its way through the trees I was able to hear turkeys in the distance as they began their day anew. A band of coyotes began sounding off, and I made a mental note to remember this area for some calling after the season for elk was over. My clothes were soaked from the journey of climbing up to this little spot of paradise but the effort had been more than worthwhile. The only thing missing was the other half of the equation ELK. As the sun finally topped out over the horizon, I used my binoculars to peer up the opposite drainage. There was plenty of sign and the unmistakable odor that only elk carry but no elk. I waited until just after 9:00 a.m. to start back towards the truck, but first a nature call had to be answered. I gently placed my bow along the downed tree that had acted as a blind. I moved to an area about 30 yards from where I had been sitting. Just then I could have sworn I heard a muffled laugh behind me. I whirled around and guess who I saw my old friend and antagonist BB. Why BB what are you doing here? I asked. He let out a booming laugh and said, You don t see many folks here do ya boy? I heard tell that someone was staggering up that hill each morning, making more noise than a herd of angry cows. I ve been watching you since just before daylight. I almost thought you were going to doze off there for a while. I knew it was you right off, so I kind of snuck up on you just to say hi. I gazed over at my bow lying against the tree where I had left it. BB followed my gaze and chuckled, You ll never be able to get to that bow, pull back and shoot at me son, so don t even think about it. You make one move towards that weapon and I ll be over that hill in a heartbeat so let s just sit and chat shall we? I managed an indignant look and said Why BB, I would never try and shoot you. Who would I talk to and get ideas from if you were gone? (I have to admit that just maybe the thought passed through my pea brain that his antlers sure looked big, and that I had been climbing that same area for two weekends, and that this was my last morning out there and oh well let s leave it at a fleeting thought shall we?) BB saw through my last statement and gave me that hard stare that he is famous for. Finally, he let me off the hook and started grinning. Having a lot of fun on this late season hunt? I tried my best to manage a scowl and said, After all the deer tags they issued in this unit it s a wonder there is anything moving at all. I try and use my bonus points wisely, but this hunt had accident written all over it from day one. BB looked up the far ridge and commented, See that boundary fence line? Several of us make sure that by half light we are hopping over that line of demarcation. It puts us in a safe zone that no one hunts, where no one uses quads and where no one pushes us out of our beds. I looked at the fence line and could literally make out the trail they had cut from night after night of use. I knew then that he was no longer the rut crazed bull that had left his mark in the Bugle Inn just a few months ago. This was a wily veteran of several campaigns of survival and I was an interloper that was at a distinct disadvantage. I broke open my backpack and produced two apples I had carried in for a snack. I tossed one to BB and started munching on the other. So what s new in the big city boy? he asked. I managed a smirk and said Well, I ll be buying an over the counter archery elk tag this year and I ll start hunting New Years day. BB just about gagged on that one. You pulling my antlers boy? I laughed and said, Nope BB. The commission has taken the suggestion of the department and is offering up over the counter tags in areas that get hit really hard by your brethren. BB mulled that over and asked If hunting now is so bad, why would you hunt a month from now? I thought it over and told him, I look at it this way BB. I doubt that I will get one, but I m not wasting any bonus points over it, I get to be out in the hills earlier than normal and I can hunt again in August if I do not get one from January til March. Besides, I think a lot of folks will try it, freeze their butts off and decide that maybe the rut is a good time to hunt. I 10 The Tracker - Winter 2008

11 think for me just being out here with my bow is a great feeling. BB mulled that over and looked up to the top of the rim, Why doesn t the department offer over the counter horse tags? It was my turn to gag and I said, BB you can t take out horses. No one would eat them and then all the horse lovers would climb all over us in court. He laughed again at me and said, No you dummy. I mean why not issue tags to anyone who wants to catch a horse, tame it and use it like they do regular horses? I sat there looking stumped. I think that s a really good idea BB. After all, the department is charged with taking care of ALL the wildlife in the state, and those forage monsters should have at least a little fear in them of capture. Right now I can drive down damn near any road and see them just grazing to their hearts content. It would bring money into the department, give some cowboys some really good horses to train and deplete the massive over crowding that is going on now. I ll pass on your take to the department. BB looked over his shoulder and said, Pass on our thanks to all the folks who help us when they can. Based on the numbers, I figure that maybe 1% of the hunters give back by working on projects, and maybe another 1% does some banquet work or some other form of volunteering. I still can t figure out why the other 98%, that silent majority that the department likes to refer to, won t lend a helping hand sometimes. For once I had no answer for BB. So many folks want to hunt, complain about everything, accuse the department of SEE YOUR STORY IN THE TRACKER Send us your story and we ll include it in a future issue of The Tracker. your story and or mail your photos. If you send a self-addressed, stamped envelope with mailed materials, they will be returned. Send to Steve Clark at: stevec@arizonaelksociety.org Arizona Elk Society P.O. Box 190, Peoria, AZ, mismanagement and yet won t lift a finger to help out the rest of the year. Sorry BB I said, Most of the hunting community talks a good game but they can t seem to get real serious when it takes hours of work to help ensure your survival. I have to get back to the Valley, but I enjoyed our little meeting. Thanks for scaring the heck out of me. BB nodded his antlers and began moseying up the drainage. He started whistling a little tune as he left, then turned and shouted out, Come see me when the snows melt boy. I ll be growing some new tines by then and maybe I ll show you where I dropped my old ones. He laughed that deep chuckle of his and went over the fence, leaving me saddened at his departure but thrilled that he had taken the time to say hi. He had, as always, given me more to chew on than I had thought possible. You can t lose... Arizona Elk Society and RANGE have something in common we like open spaces and healthy wildlife. Much of that open space is managed by America s real producers, ranch and farm families who should be recognized and honored. That s what RANGE does. For 18 years, award-winning RANGE has been the authentic voice of the real West with timely, touching, colorful articles, insightful commentary, special in-depth reports, extraordinary photography and rib-tickling humor. It s filled with photos ofcritters, wild and tame, and remarkable profiles ofpeople who live and work on the land.these stories are all told with passion and compassion,respect and honesty. Subscribe today (or renew) for just $15* per year. That s 25% offthe regular rate of $19.95*! Or choose the Bill me later. I ll pay if I like it. I can t lose offer! Give friends a gift they ll treasure with a subscription at this same low rate (sorry, no bill me s on gifts). And send schools and libraries what a rancher called The voice of reason amidst a cacophony of madmen. Please act today and start sharing The Cowboy Spirit on America s Outback. Sincerely, C.J. Hadley, Publisher Take advantage of us!! FAX w w w. r a n g e m a g a z i n e. c o m *Subscriptions to Canada and Mexico $29.95 per year; other foreign countries $44.95 per year. U.S. funds only. Arizona Elk Society 11

12 AE S O G O L S HOP AES Logo Coffee Mug... $18.00 AES Logo Trophy Skinner Knife... $40.00 AES Kodi Pak...$75.00 AES Logo Thermos... $29.95 AES Logo Hybrid Hunter Knife... $40.00 AES Logo Hats...$10.00 To order AES logo merchandise, call Steve or Dee Clark at (623) The Tracker - Winter 2008

13 AES Logo Glass Mug... $18.00 AES Logo Flask... $25.00 AES Logo Polo...$20.00 AES Logo Short Sleeve T-shirt...$10.00 AES Denim Button Down...$20.00 AES Long Sleeve T-shirt...$15.00 Watch for the launch of the AES Online Logo Shop at Arizona Elk Society 13