2011 Arizona Elk

Mossback AZ's 2011 elk success has continued into the early elk season's across AZ. After helping fill two special AZ elk tags with bulls well over the magical 400" mark, our guides continue to pound the hills in search of rutting bulls for our clients. Not to be disappointed, our clients were successful in harvesting many mature bulls. Here are some photos and descriptions of our success thus far.

ROCKY'S GIANT ARCHERY BULL!!

Rocky is all smiles as he and two of his sons hold his 2011 AZ archery bull dubbed "Headlights",.

Rocky was successful in drawing an archery bull tag for a unit that is well known for producing giant bulls. Rocky's family was extremely lucky this year in the draw as he and two of his sons drew the same unit. This provided an opportunity to hunt and scout for his hunt and his son's hunts. Rocky was unable to hunt opening day as he married off another son and celebrated into the night! After a long night of traveling, Rocky arrived in his unit early in the wee hours of the night but was able to grab a few hours of sleep before the sun started to rise. As you have probably all heard, this year's hunts started off slow but our scouting paid dividends as Rocky and his son where right in the middle of bulls at the start of their hunt. Rocky was able to pass on a mid 340s bull at 30 yards within the first half hour of his hunt. What a great start! We stood mobile and kept looking at different bulls trying to find that special bull that Rocky wanted to hang his tag on. On the evening of the third night, we were sitting on a hill listening to bulls bugle trying to determine which bugle sounded best. We knew at least one of the bulls below us was a 370+ bull but a hunter we dubbed "Buglin Bob" started sounding off. This individual bugled every 3-5 minutes and it quickly shut down the bugling we'd heard up until then. We decided not to pressure the bulls anymore so we backed out. With only a few minutes left of daylight, we figured we drive to another spot and listen for bugles. As we were driving down the main road we rounded a bend and there directly in front of us was a beautiful 6x7 bull escorting 3 cows. I immediately recognized this bull as a bull my brother and Mossback guide Joe Gonzales chased last year. This bull had grown and I guessed him to be in the 385"-390" range. Rocky dubbed this bull "Headlights" and made it clear that this was the bull he wanted to hang his tag on and since we'd learned so much about this bull last year, I figured we had a great chance. I also knew it would take persistence and patient. We'd have to follow the bull around and stay close until he made a mistake and gave us a chance. This bull would not fall for calling and the density and flatness of the pinyon-juniper forest he called home made glassing impossible. For the next several days we stood close. On one occassion we were within 20 yards and I could see the split in the hooves of this bull as he chased cows around on the other side of the trees. Every time we got brave enough to call, he get quiet and move his cows off. On day seven we started the day out like the last few days, get in front of this bull and hope he crossed close enough for a shot. Once again, he passed just out of range so we followed him to his bed. As he bugled from his bed we gave calling another chance and this time he came in quietly but stood 40 yards out never offering  a shot. We backed out and let him rest. That evening we were in position, staying a few hundreds yards away until he started bugling again. As soon as he started bugling we started moving slowly and quietly. As daylight started fading "Headlights" finally made the mistake we'd been waiting for. His cows were up and feeding as he stood back bugling at other bulls. The elk didn't move more than 50 yards for 45 minutes so we stood still waiting for a chance. Finally the cows started moving towards water and he stopped to take his aggression out on a tree. Rocky quickly slipped in a little closer and was able to get a 30 yard shot as Headlights had his head buried in a tree. Not knowing exactly were he hit the bull we backed and gave the bull time. We had dinner and picked up Rocky's two sons and went back to pick up the trail at about 11 p.m. After several hours of following blood we lost the trail. We hiked back to the truck and slept for a couple hours. At daylight we picked up the trail again. Headlights had stopped bleeding and kept moving, never bedding. Once again, persistence paid off and after tracking this bull for 0.9 miles on tracks alone we found him bedded in a thick clump of junipers. Rocky worked his way around and was able to get another arrow in him. After a quick dash, Headlights was down for good. There was no ground shrinkage on this bull, he was everything we'd guessed him to be 4 days earlier. I still don't know what was longer, this bull's tine length or the smile on Rocky's face. To top it off, Rocky was able to have 2 of his boys with him. An official measure green scored Headlights at 391 5/8". WOW! Definately a hard earned but well deserved bull. Congrats to Rocky!!

Rocky and Mossback AZ guide Art Gonzales with a hard earned AZ giant!

Colton's first elk..

Colton and his dad Rocky pose with Colton's first elk.

Not to be excluded from the family passion of hunting elk, Colton drew his first Arizona elk tag in the same unit his dad harvested his great bull and was looking to hang his tag on an exceptional bull. Opening morning we glassed an incredible non-typical bull and within five minutes of opening day, the hunt was in full swing. Unfortunately this bull knew how to use the sparse cover in this open country and we spent 10 hours under a blazing sun at less than 100 yards waiting for him to stand out of his bed. We used our binos for hours on end looking for this bull in his bed with no success. Finally, in the evening the bull blew out of his bed never giving us a shot and leaving the burning image of those giant split beam antlers haunting us. Not to be discouraged, we continued our hunt seeing many giant bulls in the process. Colton showed the commitment and restraint that seasoned hunters know is crucial in harvesting a mature bulls. We had bulls literally drooling less than 10 yards away and Colton held his composure as we waited for a mature bull to give us a chance. One evening Colton had a split second chance as a 380+ bull crossed a small opening. Unfortunately this brief moment was not long enough to make sure this bull was put together well enough. This unit is well known for hunters shooting bulls that look good on one side only to find the other side completely broken. Towards the end of the hunt, those bulls starting showing up. We were seeing bulls with multiple broken tines. On day 6, Colton passed on a what would've been a 370" bull had he not been busted after his left G3. With all four eyeguards pushing 20", this bull is sure to be a whopper next year. Finally, the last day of the season arrived. Having enjoyed a hunt filled with close encounters with rut crazed bull, Colton was ready to drop the hammer on a bull. We were able to get right in the middle of a bugling frenzy with the bull absolutlely going nuts. After making our way through the smaller bulls we heard a bull with a bugle like none other I've ever heard. I'd call it more of a roar than a bugle but definately a sound right out of a horror movie. As we closed the distance we watched the bull following a cow across a small opening. Seeing a 7x7 frame on a giant body, Colton made the decision to take this bull and as he crossed back, Colton was able to make a tough and quick 50 yard shot that connected with the bulls heart. 20 yards later Colton's first bull toppled over. I believe Colton's bull was an older bull on the the downhill slide in regards to antler size. Nevertheless, this bull is awesome. With giant bases, 10" first mass measurements, 54" beams, 20" G2s, and a 7x8 rack, this bull scores 373". Not a bad first bull! Congrats to Colton on his first bull. The lessons learned and the experiences encountered on this hunt has made for many memories that will help hold Colton over until he can draw another tag.

Colton and Mossback AZ guide Art Gonzales with Colton's awesome AZ bull.

Kent also drew a great archery tag and contacted Mossback AZ to assist him on his hunt.  Days on end were spent scouting the best bulls the unit had to offer, and there were a handful that would surpass the magical 400" mark.  Opening morning of the hunt Kent was able to look at a solid 360 and decide to let him live another day.  That afternoon, we began working a old loud bull with soft cow calls.  After about an hour, this bulls lone cow made her way to us, and we could tell two different bulls were on her.  One sounded huge and the other just a bull.  Well as the cow passed by us at a mere 20 yards, we saw a 300" bull acting nervous trying to follow her, and behind him was the bull we were after.  A bull well over the 400" mark coming in on a rope.  This giant bull came by at 18 yards and was glunking the entire time, when he did stop he was not in a good lane for Kent to shoot a good shot.   Kent waited several minutes as the bull moved and looked for this cow that was making all the racket..  Finally the bull moved off never presenting Kent with a shot he was comfortable with.  

As many can attest, the rains certainly came and changed the patterns of the elk.  Fortunately, we were able to locate some great bulls that nobody was messing with.  With the rut being pretty slow, we were able to glass these bulls and follow them by sight and bugles.  We chased a bull we call Beamer, with huge 60" beams that was an awesome bull.  He met up with another bull that we felt was a solid 380"+.   

While an arrow was never sent at these bulls, we played cat and mouse with them all day long waiting for the right opportunity which never presented itself.  At one time we pulled one of the twenty cows off the herd and called her into 5 yards, about 70 yards out, the big bull decided to quite trying to corral her and get back to the herd!  Roger and Shane were having a heck of a time on the hill watching us try to close the gap on this bruiser.  

While Kent had to get back to work, I kept scouting and we went after one of the bulls that I had scouted.  This was a great bull, with a 5th that layed flat.  We followed his bugle all morning long, and finally he peeled off from the cows and came up towards us.  Kent was able to get a shot at this bull and it didn't work out.  With time running out, we went to old faithful, and we were able to bring a bull in on a rope using a decoy.  This was another special bull with a split 5th on the left and Kent was able to get a shot at it, someone was looking out for this bull that day, as he narrowly escaped Kens arrow. 

Kent was able to come back with Roger for one last day of hunting, and not far from where he shot his last shot, he did the same setup and connected on this great bull.  He shot him at 30 yards.  

I would like to thank Kent, Marc, and Roger for all the good times and help.  These are guys that truly love the outdoors and know how to have a good time.  I would also like to thanks Shane and Chris for glassing for us and your help.  Congrats Kent on a great 7x8 bull.  We have some great trail cam pics of this bull from the summer.  This bull has great mass and an extra brow on the left with huge devil tines! Not too bad for the last day!! 

Kent with his great bull. 

Great job Kent.

Mossback AZ guide Brent was also able to assist his daughter once again on her quest for a giant bull.  Last year, she had this tag and shot a great 373" bull.  This year however, she had limited days to hunt, and was given a permit to use a crossbow due to medical conditions.  Brent had put in many days scouting, and it all came together opening morning as she was able to put on in the pocket of this awesome 364" bull at 40 yards.  This was the 9th bull to come in, and she knew this was the one.  The bull came to a wallow, and after looking him over, she took the shot and drilled him.  Brent was able to share this special moment with his daughter and 2 sons.  Congrats to Christi and the Curtis family.  They have taken 6 awesome bulls from this area ranging from 355 to 390"! Keep clearing the wall space Brent!

Christi's bull moments before the shot

Here she is with her opening morning bull!  

How about that shot placement!

Congrats on a great bull!

Mossback AZ Guides Lee & Drake took Lou and Mike from Michigan on their long awaited elk hunt. Right off the bat they were into huge bulls.  Lou was able to take several shots at 360"+ bulls and it never worked out.  One bull in particular was a giant 400+ bull that Lee was able to call in.  As luck would have it, the arrow missed its mark and this bull lived to see another day.  These guys stayed focused and passed up many smaller bulls, especially after they got a dose of what Arizona has to offer.  Later on in the hunt, with time winding down, Mike was able to connect on this beautiful Arizona bull.  

Thanks for letting us help you out on your hunt, and congrats on a great bull!

Mossback guide Lee with Mike and his wide bull

Congrats Mike on your awesome 7x8

Gordon B. took this great bull after chasing some giants and letting a few arrows fly.  When this bull presented himself at the end of the hunt Gordon made a perfect shot putting the bull down quickly. Congrats Gordon!

Gordon with his 2011 AZ archery bull.

Corky also hunted with Mossback and had a great hunt.  Lots of laughs were shared throughout the hunt, and more importantly, he was able to have his father along with him.  Great times were had and memories were made.  He was able to have some very close encounters with some giant bulls and ended up taking this bull on the last evening of his archery hunt.  Congrats Corky on a fine AZ bull.

Congrats Corky on this beautiful 6x7

Russ hunted with Mossback several years ago and this year guide Jay Lopeman assisted him on this heavy old AZ bull.  Russ chased some great bulls and passed on many other good bulls.  With time running out he let the hammer down on this beautiful, wavy 6x6.

Russ with his great bull.

Mossback guide Joe Gonzales assisted James on his early archery hunt.  James was able to take this beautiful 7x7 with one well placed arrow.  Congrats James on a great bull!

James with his early archery bull.

Congrats James on this big ol bull!

James admiring this beauty

Garron drew his first elk tag and had a great hunt with us.  He chased some great bulls and had several close encounters.  On the last day he connected on this old heavy over the hill bull.  Congrats Garron on this old monarch.

Archery Mtn Lion!

Well its about time to start adding some pics and videos from the fall thus far!  It has been a great fall with some awesome animals being taken.  While my hunter took a break from the archery hunt, I was out scouting and helping a friend, when I got a call from good friend PT Carter.  He told me that he had a friend that found a fresh lion kill right where we were hunting! He asked me if I was interested and he didn't even finish before I asked "where and when"?  I met him the next morning and we started about a mile or so away from the kill.  This was my first lion hunt with dogs and I couldn't wait! PT mentioned that it could be tough with it being dry ground, but he felt his dogs could do it.  Well, we had gone about a half mile or so and all of the sudden his dogs started going crazy! Watching his dogs work to find which way the cat came from was absolutely amazing.  It took them all of a minute and they were off on the chase.  Another couple minutes and they had this cat treed.  Good friend Chris Jacobs was there with me and let me use his bow.  Chris was able to catch it all on video, which I will be posting.  It was an experience like no other.  It was short and sweet, and PT could not believe how quick it all happened.  It was no more than a 15-20 minute hunt.  I would like to thank PT for the call and for all the hard work.  I gained a whole new respect for houndsmen and the endless hours they spend working and training their dogs. If anyone is looking for a great lion hunt, give PT a call, he is with muleybulloutfitters.com and will take care of you.

This cat was collared and when I checked her in I found out she was one of the oldest out there. Estimated at 12 years old from the biologist, she had done her share of killing! Thanks Again to muleybull outfitters and PT Carter for this awesome hunt. I will be adding the video soon!

Ran across these while out scouting today....

Well the bulls are starting to bugle and wallow and things are starting to heat up! I watched a couple big bulls first thing this morn then decided to go for a walk. I'd been wanting to try a new area were I believe Big J sheds his antlers and since I have two of his sheds so far, I was hoping to run across the other sides. Plus, this would give me an excuse to check the rubs and wallows in this area in anticipation of the upcoming hunts. About a 1/2 hour into the hike I ran across a bunch of javelina. I never pass up an opportunity to stalk in on stink hogs and I quickly found myself in the middle of about 20-25 javelina. I got the video cam out and gave them a few squeaks to get them all worked up. I had pigs of all sizes within 10 yards and as I was done messing around and was in the process of putting my camera away I noticed a couple odd looking pigs coming towards me. I got the video cam rolling again and captured these twin yearlings. Not quite albino but as light as I've ever seen. They had more of a vanilla look to them. This is as close to an albino pig as I've ever seen.

These pigs might be better off when the snow starts to fly!!!

About an hour laters as I was making my way through the thick junipers I finally stumbled across a good shed. This shed has all the characteristics of the bull I was looking for and quite possibly could be his shed from about 3 years ago. I spent another 2 hours looking for the match with no luck. This shed is a beauty. Long tines that are still intact and great mass. I measured this shed at 175 4/8". Another great horn to toss on the bone pile.

"As it lays" Got lucky and caught a glimpse through the brush..



Check out the tine length!! Measured at 175 4/8"

Want to see what makes me pay attention to every step......

Even though it wasn't a rattlesnake, it sure made me watch every step for the rest of the day!!

ENJOY THE PICS!!!

One and done!! Opening day success in AZ's 2011 Archery deer season

Mossback AZ Guide Arthur with his opening day 2011 Archery deer

Ha ha!, it's gonna take me as long to do this post as it did to bring my archery deer season to a heart pounding start.  Since I spend so many days in the field chasing bulls, I'd figured out the bucks in this area but had yet to scout them this summer. Thursday night I made up my mind to start in this area as I have chased some nice bucks in the past. 15 minutes after first light, I spotted a nice buck feeding on a ridge 300 yards out. Knowing that he'd feed my way en route to the thick ridge behind me, I slowly kept myself in line with him. He was traveling with a spike but since he was leading the way, I thought my chances were pretty good. As luck would have it, he feed right up to me and I was able to get an arrow in him at 35 yards. Unfortunately he jumped my string and I ended up hitting him just a touch back. Knowing he needed time to bed, I backed out and went to pick up my wife and boys so they could help me track him. After 3 hours we picked up the track. With good blood on impact but a rapidly diminishing trail, I figured he was gonna need time. I tracked him right up to his bed and was able to get another arrow in him but I hit low on the shoulder and he sprinted off. Fortunately he ran right back towards my wife and boys so they were able to keep track of him as he walked over the hill. We left the area again to give him time to bed again. 6 hours later and with the help of a good friend Mike, we took up the trail again. Slow but persistent tracking led us right to  where the buck had bedded for the last time. I spotted the buck laying beneath a juniper so I had the boys follow the track until they found him, giving them a great thrill to find dad's buck. I was very tickled to harvest this deer as this is the first year in a long time that I did not draw a rifle tag. It also gives me the opportunity to hit the hills again in search of giant bulls. Enjoy the pics

My boys trying to drag the deer out!

Gonzales Family photo!!

Mike U. came out to help on the final track. Thanks Mike.

Future hunters!!!

HUGE 2011 AZ BUCK..Congrats Robert Kay

Here is a picture of Robert Kay with his 2011 AZ Buck.  This buck is a 13x14 that is 35" wide and scores 283 5/8".  Tory Brock and Team Mossback assisted Robert with this buck of many lifetimes.  Congratulations Robert and thanks for what you do for wildlife conservation.

Another GIANT AZ Bull!! Congrats to Pete Shepley!!

 



 



Congratulations to the 2010 Arizona Super Raffle Elk Tag holder Pete Shepley.

Well what can we say, the smile on Pete's face says it all!!

Pete Shepley, a resident of Tucson, AZ, and owner of PSE Archery was fortunate enough to have his name pulled from the Arizona Super Raffle barrel last year and has had this elk tag in his pocket for just shy of 365 days. To say Pete and Mossback AZ put their time in and deserved a bull of this caliber would be an absolute understatement. Pete tallied over 50 days in the field in pursuit of bull he felt was worthy of this once in a lifetime opportunity and was willing to hold out "Until they turned the lights out" (These were his exact words). Mossback AZ guide Jay Lopeman located this bull in June and instantly recognized him as the caliber of bull that one would be happy to hang their tag on opening day of a year round tag. However, this bull Jay dubbed Corky, proved why he has been able to elude hunters long enough to grow a set of "drop-jaw" head gear as he took Mossback AZ and Pete on a 3 month long game of cat and mouse.

In an attempt to pattern Corky, MBAZ guides sat water, slow stalked ridges and valley bottoms, glassed, and scrutinized every topo we could get our hands on just trying to figure out any type of pattern this bull would have. Unfortunately this humbling experience continued week after week. Jay was able to get trail cam photos and videos but finding this bull in daylight seemed to be impossible.

                                                                                                  Mossback AZ Guide Jay Lopeman and Pete Shepley 

  

Throughout this chase, Pete passed many absolute giant bulls with bow in hand. One morning, Pete had a bull we've named Donkey come in to water. Unbelievably, Pete had the will power to hold off on this estimated mid-390s class bull while he drank 25 yards away for several minutes. Even though thoughts of doubt crept in as the hunting continued to get tougher, Pete remained persistent and patient while waiting for the right bull and the right opportunity.

As these bulls are now beginning to rub, they all head to the thick cover and are rarely seen in open country in the daylight. These bulls are starting their big moves to their rutting ground and will spend countless hours rubbing their velvet off and strengthening their necks. Over the last few days, Jay and Pete seen very little elk and even went 2 entire days without seeing a bull. When most others would have settled for lesser bulls in order to fill a tag, Pete kept hunting with his bow, but with only  few days left in a year round season, he now began carrying his rifle for that "Just in Case" moment. Well on the morning of August 11th, 2011 that moment finally presented itself. On  a hunch, Jay decided that he and Pete would approach one of Corky's water source from a previously untried angle hoping that this would provide an different outcome from the countless unsuccessful previous attempts. As daylight crept in, Jay's jaw just about hit the floor when he spotted Corky with two other bulls. Pete had seconds to get set up as the wind swirled and the youngest of the bulls caught Jay and Pete's scent and went into full alert. As big bulls usually do, Corky and his other giant buddy did not stand around long to see what had the younger bull nervous. Pete made a split second decision to get behind his rifle as Corky made his way back into the heavy timber. Call it fate, luck, curiosity, or whatever, but Corky made the fatal mistake of pausing for a fraction of second and Pete wasted no time is dropping the hammer. Pete said everything happened in the blink of an eye but the end result was exactly what Pete Shepley, Jay Lopeman, and Mossback AZ had set out to do almost a year ago, have an exciting, rewarding hunt with the chance to hang this special tag on a special bull.

We had score estimates from the high 380's up in to the 400" range but despite having trail cam photos and video clips, this bull was a very tough bull to score. From certain angles he looked 420s then he'd turn and look 380's. Now that we get to compare the real deal with photos its easy to see why he was difficult to judge. Look at the size of this bulls body. He's an all around giant. His body was so big, it made judging antler size tough. Range conditions had Corky in prime condition and the amount of body fat we encountered while field dressing this bull was incredible. Hopefully this means more giants will fall if body conditions are any sign of what the rut may hold in store. Once again, a huge congratulations to Pete Shepley on harvesting a true AZ giant bull. Pete spent more days in the field on this hunt than most folks have done in a lifetime of elk hunting. Enjoy the pics and we'll update the blog with more pictures in the near future.

 

Corky's body was huge making him a difficult bull to judge.