As we stood watching the does on a beautiful Arizona morning, Clay said, “That’s him, that’s’ Slomo.” From Clay’s angle, he could see the great buck we had been focused on for a week. Dad and I, on the other hand, could not see anything as Slomo was still in the trees. I told Dad that he would come out following the does. About the time the last word came out of my mouth, Slomo stepped out and presented Dad with a broadside shot. Dad made the best of his opportunity, hitting the deer hard in the left shoulder. Slomo moved away from us, but we knew he was hit solid and would not go very far. For Dad, a mule deer hunting career that began in 1957 ended on the Arizona Strip with a deer-of-a-lifetime.
My dad, Wayne, and I had been putting in for the famous Arizona mule deer hunt for years. It was a wonderful July day when I called him to ask if he was doing anything around Thanksgiving. He said, “I don’t know. Why?” I told him to look at his calendar and cancel everything as he was going to hunt the strip. I can still hear the whoops and yells as he was so excited. My dad is a 78-year-old cancer survivor, and honestly, we didn’t know if he would draw while he was still able to hunt, but now he was going to hunt the Arizona Strip.
Dad had been in contact for several years with Clay Bundy of Clay Bundy Outfitters, and the two had always planned that if Dad drew the tag Clay would guide him. Clay had taken some of the greatest bucks to ever come out of the Arizona Strip, including “Houdini,” “Little Heavy,” and “Poor Boy.” To our dismay and Clay’s delight, Clay had also drawn the coveted 13A tag and was planning his own hunt. This left Dad in a very difficult situation because he really admired Clay and wanted to hunt specifically with him. In the first of several completely selfless acts by Clay, he said he would guide Dad, but he was taking his own rifle and tag. Maybe they would both get lucky.
When Dad arrived at the old Bundy family homestead, he learned that Clay was after a big buck named “Slomo.” Clay had named him that because when they saw him during scouting, he moved really slow and did not seem to ever be in a hurry. Clay had watched and photographed this deer for several years and had developed a real attachment to him.
Dad wanted me to fly over from my home in California to help him with the hunt, so I arrived the next day and was told all about Slomo. As the hunt started, the mornings were cool and the afternoons were warm. It did not seem like the rut had really kicked in yet. The hunt was going wonderfully, and both of us really enjoyed our time with Clay and another one of his guides, Dan Hunsaker, but so far, no sign of Slomo.
We were seeing nice deer but nothing that Dad was truly interested in. Every day of the hunt, the mornings were getting a little colder and we could tell the rutting action was beginning. One evening, a 185-190" buck was glassed up and Dad had an opportunity to harvest it. Clay was surprised, but I was not when Dad passed on the magnificent deer. He had waited so long for this tag; it was going to be Slomo or a dinner of tag soup. Everyone knew at that moment that there was no other buck for Dad but Slomo. It was just as obvious that Clay wanted Slomo too. What was going to happen?
We kept working this one area near watering holes, knowing Slomo had to be around. One morning, we were coming up a road and there he was with a group of does. He was moving in and out of the trees, following the does. Slomo, true to his name, did not seem to be concerned, but the does were getting very nervous. We moved into position quickly with Dad and Clay both ready to shoot when Slomo went back into the trees. When Slomo came out, Clay saw him first, and in one of the most selfless acts I have ever seen, he waited until Dad got his chance. As I said before, Dad did not waste his opportunity.
We moved into the trees with everyone excited to see the big buck. You always hear about ground shrinkage, but this buck had none. Slomo was as advertised. It was a very emotional moment for both Dad and Clay. Clay really wanted that buck, but being the honorable man, he kept his word to my dad to give him the first shot. Clay offered a beautiful prayer and we all participated over the magnificent buck. After all the congratulations and picture taking, it was time to get the deer back to the truck. As we loaded Slomo up, we still could not believe what had happened and how lucky we all were to be part of this amazing moment.
Slomo was a huge non-typical and green scored 232 1/4" with a lot of trash, mass, crowns, and webbing. It was a great hunt filled with amazing memories and new friendships. Dad and I want to thank Clay Bundy, Dan Hunsaker, and Clay’s daughter, Mattie, for all their help. I have maximum bonus points and hope to hunt the legends of the Arizona Strip like my dad. If I ever get drawn, I have no doubt who my guide will be.
Login