444pt bull just taken

[Piscatory_4]

Like I said above........wouldn't have passed on the tag or hunt, but I would have already been done with it last Fall. Have no idea why someone would pass up the rut hunting for a July velvet hunt. But I'm sure there are those that prefer velvet........I guess.

I was thinking that too, with all that time to hunt I feel I'd have been hunting as much as possible and certainly would have harvested something by January or February, as crappy an elk hunter as I am. Maybe he didn't have time to hunt until now.

 

[LongWayAround]

I wouldn't pass the opportunity to shoot a giant bull with a rifle, velvet or not.

Remi Warren has a video of him shooting a big one in velvet in Nevada and Colorado has summer hunts in the Alamosa area, so does Idaho in at least one area. I don't remember seeing any grief over those.

If you're actually out hunting I'm all for it, it's the rich guy waiting for a call from the outfitter to come pull the trigger that I believe gathers negative attention (mossback-spider bull... bleh).

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I'm adding a few more pics of this rack. By reputation the guys at http://a3trophyhunts.com/ are true to their name and really work hard every day to locate bigger targets. I have heard from other outfitters that even they respect the A2 crew for their work ethic and accomplishments. That says something, at least to me it does. When your direct competitors will refer business to you...you must be doing things right. In speaking with Hunter & Wyatt at A3 I actually felt their trophy hunting passion. It was clear they are 110% committed to getting their clients on the biggest & best animals in their respective unit and will wave you off a buck or bull if they know you can do better.

As for velvet bulls, don't knock it till you try it. The crop-fed bull I took last year was so delicious I went back this year and shot another with an AG voucher tag. This does two things for me.

1. It takes the pressure off so when I enter the Kaibab this September with my Satori...I will hold out for a true trophy or eat the tag. I already have a freezer full of amazing-tasting elk meat so I can focus on putting an arrow in a wall hanger.

2. It gives me the opportunity to hunt during my annual summer vacation between May 20-July 4 every year. Sure beats busting brush looking for central Calif. hogs in 100 degree heat. It was mid 70s this June in Colorado during the afternoon and that's a nice way to spend a day or week. Oh and there was no pressure from other hunters which is ideal.

For me...I support all ethical hunting efforts regardless whether it meets my personal preferences or not. A high or low fence operation can help newbies become enthused with hunting, using a guide may teach you things that make you a better hunter (not everyone is raised hunting or even lives in a place where there is hunting) and I figure "Who am I to judge?" Hunting skills develop over time and you never master the sport so to each his (or her) own. No need to piss on another hunter because you dislike his style, choice of weapon or any other damn thing. Hunt your way and enjoy it...don't worry if others condemn it. We are a minority and should stick together but being "notoriously individualistic" sometimes takes us down the dark road of division and that hurts all political and social media pro-hunting efforts. Like my mom used to say, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Here's some more velvety horn porn.





I think these guys are Catholic cuz they are holding mass.

 

[CX5Ranch]

Everybody like I wouldn't shoot that monster in velvet....until he steps out

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[FLAK]

What would it have scored if given 2-3 more weeks, not bashing, just curious.

 

[Wapiti1]

Same score. That bull was done growing horn.

Incredible animal.

Jeremy

 

[Where's Bruce?]

What would it have scored if given 2-3 more weeks, not bashing, just curious.

I am unsure, probably less however, it will likely be reflected in the official score after the 60 day (dry down) period. My best is guess is closer to 425.


It's an interesting contrast, when I shot a Canadian moose in velvet (first bull of the archery season taken in Alberta) it was heralded as a major accomplishment up there. Their rifle season is during the rut, they think us string pullers are nuts. The moose are dispersed and largely nocturnal so hunting em successfully in archery season is celebrated and everyone comments on how much better tasting they are than those taken during the hot, rutty season with a gun. One man's trophy is another man's missed opportunity I guess.

I'm mostly a meat hunter but this September I'm trying something new...two things actually. Shooting trad and trophy hunting. I'm hunting with Wyatt of A3 so I have an amazing caller who knows the unit inside out to help me accomplish my goal. Feel free to crap on my bull kill pics if I'm successful.

 

[mproberts]

Good luck on your hunt this fall! Would love to hear about the hunt and the outfitter afterwards.

 

[FLAK]

I wont bash any velvet kills, I would love to stick a big ole velvet Bull/Buck
with my recurve.

 

[netman]

Unbelievable bull! Congratulations to the hunter!

 

[5MilesBack]

Everybody like I wouldn't shoot that monster in velvet....until he steps out

As long as he stepped out in September, I'd shoot him any day of the week. And then probably strip the velvet off and polish his antlers. Or, that big a bull.......I'm sure someone would pay big bucks for it, so I'd sell it.

 

[txhunter581]

I will tell you this: From the few "in velvet" animals I have killed......…………. They are SO much better eating!

The one mule deer I killed in velvet was a mature buck: (scored 183, 29" spread, 8x7 rack) and he was the best tasting and tender mule deer I have ever eaten.

I do love the MASS on that bull, The last pictures show that batter!

 

[OXN939]

Very interesting thread, and a hell of a trophy. The past two years, I've been forced by my schedule to do my Western Big Game hunts for the year in August, and did North Slope Caribou last year. I initially thought I wouldn't be interested in mounting the rack if I killed one in velvet, but mine was just barely starting to shed in a few small spots and I immediately changed my mind when I saw him. I got the rack "expedited" (i.e., the velvet preserved with a formaldehyde solution) and am having the full shoulder mount done. Velvet bulls of all varieties can certainly make great trophies.



More importantly, the meat was fantastic. Apparently, Caribou can taste really terrible later on in the season once the rut gets into full swing, but the mature bull I shot was like sweet-tasting Wagyu beef. That was the first game animal I've ever harvested in velvet, but it was convincing enough a testimony that I've got Kodiak Blacktail booked two weeks from now. Fingers crossed the culinary side of things is the same.

Congrats again to the hunter!

 

[Tberg]

Another AZ bull that just hit the dirt. I believe it was the Governors tag.

 

[IdahoElk]

Beautiful bulls! Are the shooters paying to have the outfitter "sit" on these
Elk until the client gets there like Mossback does?

 

[kiddogy]

What would it have scored if given 2-3 more weeks, not bashing, just curious.

445

 

[Blinginpse]

Goodrn

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[Where's Bruce?]

Beautiful bulls! Are the shooters paying to have the outfitter "sit" on these
Elk until the client gets there like Mossback does?

You often see that on private property however these guys are hunting units with lots of public land. My hunt is in Unit 8 which is 95% public land. The outfitter has cameras up and they scout heavily for weeks prior to the opener. It's all fair chase stuff and the herds move a lot as the weather heats up. Part of the reason I wanted a local guide was the need to get a bull called in very close (within 20 yards) and knowing where the terrain is that's conducive to closing the gap (in my case the lower elevations with fewer animals but lots of junipers) versus the higher timber areas is a big advantage. Also I dislike hunting elk alone...it's harder, less enjoyable, less successful and none of my buddies could make the dates this year. My AZ friends have tags in other units. Spending ten days hunting with someone requires a special dynamic and in my chats with Wyatt we just fit. We both agree on what the best plan is and how to execute it (including plan B in case everything goes wrong) and we have a rapport. Good company when the challenge is great makes a big difference and makes it easier to keep going when you're down and running on empty. Plus when ya get older it makes sense to have someone with you just in case Murphy's Law kicks in. I fall alot. Not worried about a heart attack as much as a gravity attack resulting in a head wound. Gravity is always out to get me. i sure would like to sink an arrow in a big beautiful trophy bull up close & personal with a stickbow though. Do I need a felt hat? LOL

 

[WyoBowhunter21]

Great bull. A lot of Individuals say they wouldn’t ever do that type of hunt, which I am one of them but if I was given that opportunity I am fairly certain I wouldn’t pass it up.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Great bull. A lot of Individuals say they wouldn’t ever do that type of hunt, which I am one of them but if I was given that opportunity I am fairly certain I wouldn’t pass it up.

Nobody winning that 365 day hunt in a raffle would pass it up. Nobody.