Western Game on Your Own: How Everyday Practice Helped Jake Rush Tag an Arizona Buck
At Pine Ridge Archery, we love seeing our customers succeed—especially when they tag big western game on DIY hunts. Recently, we spoke with Jake Rush, Manager of The Outdoorsmans in Phoenix, Arizona. His company builds high-end hunting packs and tripods, and Jake himself is a dedicated western bowhunter who knows how to find and kill big game on public land. On his latest hunt, he tagged a beautiful Arizona buck using Pine Ridge NITRO Vanes. To explore the same vanes Jake uses, visit Pine Ridge Archery.
Daily Practice Makes the Bow an Extension of You
One of the biggest keys to Jake’s success is often overlooked: he shoots almost every day.
“I shoot my bow almost daily,” Jake explains. “Even if I only have time for one arrow before work, it boosts my confidence. After a while, the bow feels like an extension of myself.”
This kind of consistency sharpens muscle memory, improves form, and builds trust in your setup. For dependable components that hold up to daily shooting, check out stabilizers, slings, and peeps at Pine Ridge Archery.
Put in for Limited Draw Tags
Many hunters assume the only path to a trophy western animal is hiring an outfitter. Jake knows better. He regularly applies for limited draw tags in units known for producing bigger bucks and bulls.
“This was my first time putting in for a draw-only archery tag,” Jake said. “I usually hunt the desert units near home, but this time I drew a tag to hunt the pine trees of Northern Arizona.”
Limited draw tags require patience and planning, but the payoff can be incredible. And when you’re hunting high-potential units, every shot counts—so equip your arrows with reliable vanes like the NITRO Vanes found at Pine Ridge Archery.
Scout Hard and Learn the Land
Once the tag was secured, Jake spent several weekends scouting. He walked the terrain, studied travel routes, and looked for pockets that held deer.
“The deer move a lot this time of year,” Jake explained. “Even though I had seen deer in the area before, this was the first time I saw this particular group.”
Good scouting reduces guesswork, helps you get ahead of animal patterns, and increases your odds of success. To keep your setup durable during long hikes, explore tough accessories from Pine Ridge Archery.
Glassing: One of the Most Important Western Skills
In the West, the game often hides in massive landscapes. Instead of running and gunning, Jake relies on glassing—letting optics do the searching.
He used Swarovski EL 12x50s on an Outdoorsmans tripod for open terrain, switching to Leupold BX-4 10x42s in thick timber. High-quality optics reduce eye strain and allow hunters to pick out bedded animals others miss.
Glassing, scouting, and patience all worked together to help Jake spot his buck and make a clean shot—thanks in part to the accuracy of his NITRO-fletched arrows. To try these vanes yourself, visit Pine Ridge Archery.
Western Dreams Can Become Reality
For many hunters, a DIY western hunt feels intimidating or expensive. But Jake’s story proves it’s absolutely achievable—with planning, persistence, and a commitment to practice.
Whether you apply for limited draw tags or target over-the-counter opportunities, you can chase big bucks and bulls on your own terms. And with dependable gear and high-performance accessories from Pine Ridge Archery, you’ll be ready when the moment arrives.
BY TRACY BREEN
