January 2026
Elk Hunting | Arizona
Story By: Cathy Swanson
Over the years, for one reason or another, harvesting a giant bull elk has always eluded me, so I was elated when last February’s Arizona draw results revealed I had drawn a bull elk license in one of Arizona’s most coveted units—lucky me!
The season was almost nine months away. Quite the wait for this special opportunity, a little reminiscent of the long wait for kids and grandkids to arrive. In early May, we reached out to Huntin’ Fool to arrange for support. To ensure my success, I knew I needed the expertise of a guide with the right knowledge, expertise, and commitment.
During my first conversation with my guide, Hunter McGaughey, I immediately picked up on his genuine interest in my goals and the depth of his knowledge about the unit I would be hunting. I was taken by his excitement for our experience together. As our conversation progressed, he shared some personal anecdotes about his growth over time as a guide. I could hear humility, grit, persistence, and a willingness to do whatever it took to ensure my success. After that first call, he followed through on his promise to communicate in the interim leading up to my hunt. I recall the confidence I felt that I was going to have fun and be successful. I knew without a doubt I had the perfect person to support me in my goal!
Fall arrived, and it was time to head to Arizona. I was committed to staying confident in the belief that I was prepared, and I knew I had the guide with the expertise and knowledge to ensure my success. Our trip to Arizona was ten hours. When my husband and I arrived at the unit, we were astounded by the amount of rain and wind pelting our windshield and jostling our jeep. Lightning lit up sky in all directions and created a mood of apprehension. It was quite the greeting from the Arizona desert.
The next morning, we met Hunter and his good friend Josh. We spent the early morning hours looking for the giant bull I longed for. I was taken by their skill in finding elk amidst the giant cedars. The rolling terrain and giant cedars provided the elk with the perfect cover. They were in the rut, and, of course, rutting elk add to the excitement of a hunt. They’d be up, moving and bugling, before bedding down in the thick cedars. Then, in the afternoon, they would repeat the same ritual until dark. And so, our daily ritual of looking for elk with the hopes of finding “Mr. Big!” began.
I had seven days to harvest the elk that had eluded me. Hunter and Josh astounded us with their expertise in finding bulls, yet we weren’t finding a bull I wanted to harvest. Patience, persistence, and belief were our habits. The rain provided challenges, adventures, and detours. On the third day, Josh had to return to work. I’ll always remember his quiet, thoughtful ways. When he left, he said, “Stay positive.” Those words served me well in the days to come.
Relentless is the word to describe Hunter. His knowledge of the unit was astounding. The roads were a maze of twists and turns, yet Hunter navigated the maze with skill and ease. Throughout my hunt, Hunter continued to have “more eyes in the field” looking for a great bull. He tapped into his posse of friends, and they all brought their expertise, skill, and willingness to support me in finding “the bull” to harvest. First it was Josh, then Chase. After that, Uncle Troy arrived, followed by Kasen, Jace and Katie… I was humbled and grateful for their commitment, sacrifice, and generosity—and they were pivotal to my success! Everyone should be blessed with a group of friends and relatives as loyal as Hunter’s.
Seven days of hunting evaporated quickly. Soon, it was the last afternoon of the last day. The calvary arrived to support me in harvesting that elusive bull. Jake and Trevor arrived to add four more eyes in the field. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Jake spotted a bull that was definitely one I wanted to shoot. A plan was hatched for the stalk, and off I went, following Hunter, knowing this was my last opportunity. My grandkids always encourage me with the words, “You’ve got this Grammie!” My heart was pounding, but I kept my belief.
Hunter reminded me with very clear directions to be absolutely quiet and to do exactly what he did. So, footstep-for-footstep, I did just what Hunter had directed me to do. I made sure I kept up with him, kept my nerves in check, and was mentally prepared. Then, just as Hunter stepped over it, I spotted a snake. It was greenish, but it was curled and had a rattle! Instantly, I knew it was a rattlesnake, so—as had been instructed—I did exactly what Hunter did. I stepped in the same place he did and avoided the snake as it moved to our right. Whew! I didn’t even have the opportunity to overreact as Hunter kept up his pace hiking into a riverbed and up the side of a hill. In just a short time, we had closed the distance, and we were in range for a shot at the bull.
The afternoon was disappearing, and I got set up for the shot knowing the bull was hidden in the cedars. He was in pursuit of a cow. We could get a shot. All the bull had to do was step into the opening. Again, Hunter’s patience, coupled with his relentless drive for success, prevailed. We were set up in the perfect spot; success was right before us.
Then, in an instant, Hunter whispered with urgency, “We’ve got to move!” We moved to exactly where we needed to be. Hunter set me up as the elk moved into an even bigger opening—an opening that was well lit—and I took the shot! Then I heard my favorite words: “You HAMMERED him, Cathy!”
The celebration began with shouts of elation and hugs of gratitude. Hunter’s instinct had led me to the perfect shot and the opportunity to harvest a great bull. In that instant, I realized I had found success on the very LAST day, in the very LAST fifteen minutes of legal light. I harvested my elk at 338 yards with Hunter’s Gunwerks Magnus 28, equipped with a Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Nosler scope. What an incredible feeling of joy and relief!
As the sun sank and darkness set in, Hunter’s posse of loyal friends arrived once more. Jake and Trevor supported my husband hiking in the dark, loaning him their hiking sticks and clearing the way so he could be there to celebrate with me. It was humbling; Hunter and his army of skillful spotters and friends were so congratulatory and invested in celebrating my harvest. In the dark, on a beautiful Arizona evening, my husband and I had the privilege of savoring my success and witnessing the meaning and purpose of hunting.
Hunter publicly expressed his gratitude and admiration for his friends. He recognized Jake for his amazing skill in spotting this bull. Everyone’s humility, genuine appreciation for one another, and commitment to wildlife conservation through hunting was on full display. Jake, Trevor, Levi and Coledon arrived and set back their departure time for a bear hunt in New Mexico by many hours just to support my success—one more indicator of who they are and their loyalty to Hunter and one another. I can’t thank Hunter’s army of loyal friends and family enough. Josh, Jake, Trevor, Chase, Levi, Coleden, Jace, Katie (and soon-to-arrive Bridger Charlie), Jett, Kasen, and, of course, Uncle Troy—I now have these special memories because of relentless Hunter and all of you!