From a Last-Minute Tag to a Bull of a Lifetime: Mike Herne’s Arizona Elk Hunt

On Wednesday morning, September 23, Mike Herne didn’t know he’d be elk hunting. By that afternoon, he had a tag for one of the most sought-after elk hunts in the country, with the season starting September 25.

There was no time to ease into the plan. Mike had a rifle to sight in, gear to pack, and a long drive to Arizona ahead of him. He called Mason Steelmon to ask if there was any chance he could film the hunt. Somehow, the timing worked. Mason got on a plane Friday.

The hunt was coming together as they went.

Seven days in the field

Over seven days, Mike and the crew saw more than 150 bull elk. He passed bulls in the 350–360-inch class—animals he would have considered an immediate yes on almost any other hunt.

As the week went on, the pace and the opportunity began to reshape his expectations. The elk action was spectacular, and Mike grew comfortable with the idea that he might take one of the best elk tags he’d ever held.

Then, on the final evening, with almost no hunt left, he passed another great bull.

Ten minutes later, they were sprinting to get into position on a different bull.

It was the last day. The last light. Nearly the last possible minute.

A moment that came together at the edge

After the shot, Mike stood there trying to process what had just happened. Just over a week earlier, this hunt hadn’t even existed.

Some hunts give you plenty of time to plan. This one asked Mike and the crew to make decisions, adapt, and keep moving while the clock was running down. There was no guarantee it would work. They figured it out one step at a time.

Mike walked away grateful: for his family and friends who support a life that can change direction overnight; for Mason, who dropped everything and got on a plane; and for Tyne Heckethorn and the crew from Droptine Outfitters, who worked tirelessly through five straight days to find the right bull.

A little over a week after learning he was going elk hunting, Mike was standing over an Arizona bull he’ll never forget.

Some hunts stay with you because everything went according to plan. Others stay with you because the plan came together just in time.