233-Inch Arizona Buck

An Unbelievable Muzzleloader Hunt

- Lee Fugitt

When applying for the 2015 Arizona deer draw, I noticed the game and fish department had added a muzzle loader rut hunt with only 15 tags available in my favorite unit. I decided to apply for that one-and-only hunt, and if I didn’t draw I would hunt during the 2015 archery season, since it had been two years since I had shot a buck with my bow.

The day came when a good friend called saying game and fish was “hitting credit cards.” I hung up and immediately checked the bank to find that I had been charged for a deer tag. Knowing I had only put in for the one tag, I got a little emotional, because I had a rut hunt in my all-time favorite unit!

At that time, I didn’t own a muzzle loader, so some research was done and my choice was made. Practicing with the rifle, I had to figure out a load that would shoot best. This whole process took months to figure out and to get truly dialed in. The scouting began immediately, however, and revealed many great bucks. While developing a mental list of those deer, little did I know I’d hang my tag on a buck I never even dreamed would live in the hunt unit.