Rifle Veterans Log Near Perfect Deer Hunt for A-Z Foundation

The A-Z Foundation’s veteran hunting group achieved near-perfect deer success in Rifle, marking a decade of all-expenses-paid trips that foster deep camaraderie among servicemembers.

Rifle —"Virtually 100% on deer success, which is an amazing, amazing success record."

Rick Bulloch says it with a grin that suggests he’s already hearing the crack of a rifle and smelling the wet pine needles of the Gunnison Gorge. For ten years, as hunting season opens in Rifle, the Comfort Inn and Suites has filled with familiar faces. These aren't just tourists passing through on I-70; they are veterans, brought here by the California-based nonprofit A-Z Foundation for an all-expenses-paid trip where the day-to-day operations center around one thing: the hunt.

The rhythm of their week is set by the light. Early morning wake-up calls send the veterans and trip volunteers out into the cold air, where the A-Z Foundation’s purchased deer tags — and optional elk tags — have consistently paid off. Bulloch, an experienced hunter himself and co-founder of the organization, noted that while the trip is offered to only six veterans per year, it attracts a mix of seasoned pros and first-timers. Many have harvested their first deer on this very ground.

But if you think the story ends at the meat locker, you’re missing the point.

Throughout the day, the group meets up to share information, and if they’re lucky, they make a run to the local meat processor. But it’s what happens after that defines the trip. Following a long day in the field, the veterans don’t retreat into silence; they head back to their lodging with bags from Rib City Grill, Thai Chili Bistro, and Wingchesters. The hotel becomes a hub of noise, laughter, and shared stories, a place where the rough edges of service are smoothed out by camaraderie.

Bulloch, who first brought the group to Rifle after hearing about a friend’s hunting trip in the area, said he believed the community would be an ideal destination. He was right. "We’ve been very much embraced by this community, which has added to the trip and we’re thankful," he said. "And then we’ve been blessed by the hunting gods for such amazing success."

The impact goes deeper than a successful harvest. Bulloch describes the experience as "magical," noting that some veterans have called it life-changing. It’s a chance to connect with one another, a way to honor their service in a setting that demands presence and patience. Over the years, the trip has served veterans of all ages, from young men to World War II veterans. This year, four of the six participants served in Vietnam.

While the veterans aren’t required to stay for the entire season, Bulloch and his fellow volunteers remain in Rifle throughout the deer hunting season, which opened on Saturday. The A-Z Foundation offers other trips, golf, Washington D.C. monument tours - but the Rifle hunt holds a unique gravity. It’s not just about the animal in the tree; it’s about the bond formed in the quiet hours before dawn and the loud, hungry nights after.

You can feel it when you walk past the Comfort Inn during opening weekend: a sense of purpose, of belonging. The air is crisp, the smell of roasted chicken and fried wings lingers in the lobby, and for a week, these men are not just veterans. They are neighbors, hunters, and friends, grounded by the simple, profound act of being together in a place that has welcomed them for a decade.