2023 was a year to remember for sure. After losing my longtime friend, Dave, his family honored his memory by willing me a Ruger No. 1 in a 375 H&H. As I pondered how I would use this caliber, the spring bison draw in Arizona opened for applications. I had about 20 bonus points but had only considered the pursuit of a free-range bull someday.
After I submitted my application, the weeks flew by, and on October 17th, I could not help but think about Dave on his birthday and how we spent countless hours over the past 25 years together. What a great friend he had been. While pondering multiple memories of Dave, a message from Arizona Game and Fish for a pending credit card charge came in. To my surprise, there was no doubt I would be hunting a bull bison on the Kaibab Plateau with the first official application I had submitted. Thanks, Dave!
I reached out to previous tag holders, social media forums, and hunters I knew in the community to gather information. During this process, one choice became clear. I had met with Dean Dunaway multiple times and had known him through our employer for years. As we discussed our approach and tactics, I became friends with another hunter, Mark Slone, who would be with Dean during the same hunt. Mark and I would be pursuing bulls during the first winter hunt. I could not believe how well this hunt was starting to formulate. We would have to wait for spring to thaw and snow to melt from the area we intended to hunt as well as for the bison to leave the Grand Canyon National Park winter grounds.
The weekend prior to opening day, Mark and Dean set out on snowmobiles to check the park boundary for tracks. Unbeknownst to Mark or I, Dean had underwent hip replacement a few weeks prior but was still eager to help. After running out of gas and no bison sign found, all agreed to wait a few more weeks to begin our hunt.
Opening day arrived and the snow was slowly beginning to recede, so we could access the area bulls were known to frequent. We decided that on May 3rd, well over a month into the hunt, to meet for scouting and I would bring another good friend, Kevin Wilson. Upon arrival to camp, there were three to four-foot snowdrifts, making travel difficult, but access could be achieved. Mark and Dean found fresh tracks and dusting rolls at the far west boundary worth setting up blinds. While blinds were set, Dean and Kevin set out to gather recent intel. The excitement was starting to build as these bulls left impressions the size of a volleyball in the soft mud.
We spent the next days waiting with anticipation of a close encounter with no luck. Mark and I realized this was going to be a different type of hunt than either of us had ever done, requiring great patience.
On May 9th, I returned to hunt for 11 days. While Mark and I sat strategic locations, Dean, Kevin Wilson, and Mark’s brother, Kevin, diligently sought other locations free of the other hunters to set blinds. The next weeks reflected countless hours sitting blind locations while Dean checked out other areas for tracks and activity. After weeks of snow melt, bison movement appeared to be improving. Finally on May 19th, one location provided new bull tracks. Mark was able to move to the “L” location but had no luck for multiple days and I had to return home.
When I returned the afternoon of May 23rd, Mark, Dean, and Kevin returned home. I quickly checked “L” to find fresh tracks from that day. As I approached, I clearly noted the uptick in activity. I resumed my previous location, but due to disruption from park visitors and another hunter, I decided to check “L” location again. To my surprise, it had visitors that day, narrowly missing me again!
I brushed tracks and returned the next day with no activity. After I confirmed the activities with Mark and Dean, there was no doubt we had frequent activity. I figured we could see a visitor on the 25th or 26th. Mark and Dean returned on May 25th with Rick, another Slone brother. May 26th, fresh sign was found again by Dean and Rick on “L,” so both Mark and I moved locations, deciding to share the blind in hopes of a “double.”
We were able to get into the stand after 2 p.m. and settled in for the evening. Simple plan, Mark took right and I took left. At about 4:30, the sun shown brightly through the blind window and Mark adjusted down, limiting his vision in hopes to be less visible as the sun set. At 4:45, Mark slowly adjusted up, and at 27 yards, he was stared down by a giant bull. In disbelief, Mark was unable to move due to the bright sun. The bull was on full alert and burning a hole into Mark’s soul. Mark quietly let me know to get my rifle and shoot. During the commotion, the bull began to move as I sent the 260 grain Accubond into him. Seemingly unaffected, the bull trotted off. I quickly reloaded and hit the bull again. As Mark and I looked on in disbelief, the bull expired near the park boundary. Where did this huge animal come from? He seemingly just appeared out of thin air with both of us watching. High fives and celebration began as we waited for park service approval to remove the giant beast. After 16 days, I had harvested the last of my Arizona Big 10. This clearly was a different hunt than I had ever had.
I returned home and left the Ruger No. 1 with Mark due to a missing scope cap on his rifle. I knew Dave would have helped in a second if he were there. Mark continued to hunt, sitting locations while Dean and Rick checked locations for new activity.
On May 31st, Kevin Wilson and I returned to help Mark and Dean as Rick needed to return home. Kevin and I checked my previous location and noted a new bull track while the “L” location was quiet. Mark was able to quickly change locations, and two days earlier, Dean sighted a herd in the immediate area, showing activity had increased. With good sign to boost Mark’s spirits, he was poised to make a push to the end. Mark had been committed, but this hunt had been a grind of pure will and endurance mentally. We began to focus our efforts to ensure the best possible chance for an encounter.
On June 2nd, Mark resumed tending the new bull track while Kevin, Dean, and I checked other close locations to see where this bull might be moving. During our second stop checking blinds, we heard the distinct shot from the Ruger, then another, and finally a third shot. Mark had a visitor! After 30 days, Mark had his bull. After park service approval and a short tracking job, Mark could realize his success.
I want to thank all who helped make this hunt successful, especially Dean Dunaway of A3 Trophy Hunts. He is a consummate professional and a better friend. Never asking for credit, he supported us the entire time. Also, thanks to new friends Kevin and Rick Slone for sharing their experience and time. Last, thanks to my friend Kevin Wilson who made the trek as he has done many times before.
After I submitted my application, the weeks flew by, and on October 17th, I could not help but think about Dave on his birthday and how we spent countless hours over the past 25 years together. What a great friend he had been. While pondering multiple memories of Dave, a message from Arizona Game and Fish for a pending credit card charge came in. To my surprise, there was no doubt I would be hunting a bull bison on the Kaibab Plateau with the first official application I had submitted. Thanks, Dave!
I reached out to previous tag holders, social media forums, and hunters I knew in the community to gather information. During this process, one choice became clear. I had met with Dean Dunaway multiple times and had known him through our employer for years. As we discussed our approach and tactics, I became friends with another hunter, Mark Slone, who would be with Dean during the same hunt. Mark and I would be pursuing bulls during the first winter hunt. I could not believe how well this hunt was starting to formulate. We would have to wait for spring to thaw and snow to melt from the area we intended to hunt as well as for the bison to leave the Grand Canyon National Park winter grounds.
The weekend prior to opening day, Mark and Dean set out on snowmobiles to check the park boundary for tracks. Unbeknownst to Mark or I, Dean had underwent hip replacement a few weeks prior but was still eager to help. After running out of gas and no bison sign found, all agreed to wait a few more weeks to begin our hunt.
Opening day arrived and the snow was slowly beginning to recede, so we could access the area bulls were known to frequent. We decided that on May 3rd, well over a month into the hunt, to meet for scouting and I would bring another good friend, Kevin Wilson. Upon arrival to camp, there were three to four-foot snowdrifts, making travel difficult, but access could be achieved. Mark and Dean found fresh tracks and dusting rolls at the far west boundary worth setting up blinds. While blinds were set, Dean and Kevin set out to gather recent intel. The excitement was starting to build as these bulls left impressions the size of a volleyball in the soft mud.
We spent the next days waiting with anticipation of a close encounter with no luck. Mark and I realized this was going to be a different type of hunt than either of us had ever done, requiring great patience.
On May 9th, I returned to hunt for 11 days. While Mark and I sat strategic locations, Dean, Kevin Wilson, and Mark’s brother, Kevin, diligently sought other locations free of the other hunters to set blinds. The next weeks reflected countless hours sitting blind locations while Dean checked out other areas for tracks and activity. After weeks of snow melt, bison movement appeared to be improving. Finally on May 19th, one location provided new bull tracks. Mark was able to move to the “L” location but had no luck for multiple days and I had to return home.
When I returned the afternoon of May 23rd, Mark, Dean, and Kevin returned home. I quickly checked “L” to find fresh tracks from that day. As I approached, I clearly noted the uptick in activity. I resumed my previous location, but due to disruption from park visitors and another hunter, I decided to check “L” location again. To my surprise, it had visitors that day, narrowly missing me again!
I brushed tracks and returned the next day with no activity. After I confirmed the activities with Mark and Dean, there was no doubt we had frequent activity. I figured we could see a visitor on the 25th or 26th. Mark and Dean returned on May 25th with Rick, another Slone brother. May 26th, fresh sign was found again by Dean and Rick on “L,” so both Mark and I moved locations, deciding to share the blind in hopes of a “double.”
We were able to get into the stand after 2 p.m. and settled in for the evening. Simple plan, Mark took right and I took left. At about 4:30, the sun shown brightly through the blind window and Mark adjusted down, limiting his vision in hopes to be less visible as the sun set. At 4:45, Mark slowly adjusted up, and at 27 yards, he was stared down by a giant bull. In disbelief, Mark was unable to move due to the bright sun. The bull was on full alert and burning a hole into Mark’s soul. Mark quietly let me know to get my rifle and shoot. During the commotion, the bull began to move as I sent the 260 grain Accubond into him. Seemingly unaffected, the bull trotted off. I quickly reloaded and hit the bull again. As Mark and I looked on in disbelief, the bull expired near the park boundary. Where did this huge animal come from? He seemingly just appeared out of thin air with both of us watching. High fives and celebration began as we waited for park service approval to remove the giant beast. After 16 days, I had harvested the last of my Arizona Big 10. This clearly was a different hunt than I had ever had.
I returned home and left the Ruger No. 1 with Mark due to a missing scope cap on his rifle. I knew Dave would have helped in a second if he were there. Mark continued to hunt, sitting locations while Dean and Rick checked locations for new activity.
On May 31st, Kevin Wilson and I returned to help Mark and Dean as Rick needed to return home. Kevin and I checked my previous location and noted a new bull track while the “L” location was quiet. Mark was able to quickly change locations, and two days earlier, Dean sighted a herd in the immediate area, showing activity had increased. With good sign to boost Mark’s spirits, he was poised to make a push to the end. Mark had been committed, but this hunt had been a grind of pure will and endurance mentally. We began to focus our efforts to ensure the best possible chance for an encounter.
On June 2nd, Mark resumed tending the new bull track while Kevin, Dean, and I checked other close locations to see where this bull might be moving. During our second stop checking blinds, we heard the distinct shot from the Ruger, then another, and finally a third shot. Mark had a visitor! After 30 days, Mark had his bull. After park service approval and a short tracking job, Mark could realize his success.
I want to thank all who helped make this hunt successful, especially Dean Dunaway of A3 Trophy Hunts. He is a consummate professional and a better friend. Never asking for credit, he supported us the entire time. Also, thanks to new friends Kevin and Rick Slone for sharing their experience and time. Last, thanks to my friend Kevin Wilson who made the trek as he has done many times before.