TROPHYHUNT
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By Mike Leiby, Reporter Nestled between the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and San Carlos Apache Reservation is the Fort Apache Reservation — home of the world’s best elk hunting. That claim was made four years ago by the Outdoor Channel, according to White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) Game and Fish Facility Manager Greg Dazen, who said the reservation’s world-renowned guided trophy hunts give hunters the opportunity to see a 400” class bull, at a minimum. The tribe reportedly brings in around $1 million a year from hunters. The WMAT guides all have several years experience in the area and have completed mandatory training in several areas. People have the opportunity to go on one of the hunts for around $20,000. Country artists George Strait and Clint Black, NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, billionaire Lee Bass and golfer Jack Nicklaus have all come to the WMAT 8 | 2016 | HIGH COUNTRY HUNTER
Arizona’s Fort Apache Reservation offers some of the world’s best elk hunting according to the Outdoor Channel.
for the hunts. Strait has been a regular since the 1980s and has been here as recently as eight years ago. His guide was former WMAT Wildlife Director John Caid, who formerly lived in Pinetop with his wife Teri and their 11 children and 25 grandchildren. Most of the older guides are not here anymore, but others have filled their boots — guides who are experts on when and where to find what elk hunters want most: a trophy kill. Dazen has seen countless celebrities, and even a royal prince from Europe, come to the White Mountains on elk hunts. He hesitates to give the name of the prince or any other known celebrities. Dazen said that anyone who books a hunt at the hefty price tag of $20,000 is a celebrity in his eyes and deserves anonymity if they so desire. Most of them do. The typical cost is just for the person booking the guided hunt. If they want to bring up to two guests, it costs another $1,500 per person.