Bowsiters AZ hunt thread
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Well someone requested it and here it is. My Dad and I are heading down from WI on Monday to set camp by Wednesday for our 6a hunt. Gonna be thier the whole season. Good luck to everyone that drew tags and safe travels!
Brent (passthru) and I will be on our way down in a few days. Can't wait!
Good luck fellas! It's only 6 days away now.
How long does the Arizona season run? Looking forward to watching this.
The archery season is 14 days of bliss for a fellow elkaholic. I'm sitting on the sidelines this season so please post as many pics as often as possible! Good Luck everyone!
headed out tuesday to meet up and share camp with Blacktail Bob ,Big Dan, and Hunting1 for a hopefully great unit 8 hunt!
My buddy and I will be heading down Thursday to 3B and will be there until the end of the season if need be. I couldn't sleep worth a damn last night!
I spent all of last week camped out in 7E on an archery deer hunt.....deer hunting was good but WOW...no elk sign, saw only 3 cows in 5 days and absolutely not one rub tree!! What's up with that??
Joe
I have 2 friends with 9 tags...guess I haveta go...
Headed out Tuesday, gonna be there for the whole season in Unit 9.
I saw 4 very nice bulls 3 weeks ago in 7E. 2 were very big! They were in my deer hunting spot, and the deer were not. Bad luck...
My hunting buddy drew a muzzleloader tag for 3B. Good luck DWarcher.
I will be down in 6A as well. Cant wait.
Number 5 son and I are headed to 6B this week staying till we kill one or season ends.
If anyone hunting unit 9 needs a hand just pm me and I will give u my number
Headed north in the morning, We have clients in 6a, 5bs, and 5a. I have guides there now scouting , its looking very promising. I'll keep you all posted.
I'm heading out to 6A from WI on Monday too.
Yes Sir! 4 days and counting!
I will be following this thread for sure!!!! Good luck all
Heading out to 5BS Wednesday morning. Just got back in from a quick trip there and can't believe how green it is!
Leaving at 4am for unit 8 from Montana
5bs heading up this friday!
Heading up to 3A/C Thursday to help my brother fill his tag. I had the same tag last year, should be another awesome hunt!
I was in Arizona last year hunting 3A/3C and wish I was going to be there again this year. Best of luck to all of you on your hunts this year. I can't wait to hear the stories and see the pictures from your hunts.
I will be hunting unit 9. I leave in a couple days
I hunted 3a/3c 2 years ago had the hunt of a lifetime good luck you guys!
Good luck Guys. Aim small miss small. HUNT
6A for me. I drew with very few points with a good friend who had even fewer points. Got real lucky. Hope to see some other friends down there.
U27 for me. Leaving Wednesday. On my own out there but may get the occasional wkd visitor.
We should have a Bowsite get together in 5BS... I'm leaving early Wednesday with a truckload. Dan, I'll be seeing you and Jeremy in elk camp... bring my Tule elk video!!! Ed F
Leave for unit 1 Wed. Hope to put all those points to good use!
For all you guys heading this way.......keep an eye on the weather. Phoenix is pretty much shut down due to flooding and it is heading into the elk country north of there. Some areas have received over 4 inches of rain in just a couple of hours. It is a mess. Hopefully it will dry out some in the next couple of days.
Heading out for 7E this Thursday. 15 days off from work, and I can't wait. I'm pretty much worthless at work right now. My fingers are crossed for my first archery bull hunt. I've put in 3000+ miles on my truck, 600+ miles on my quad, and 150+ miles on my boots. I'm as ready as I know how to be. Good luck to everyone heading out this weekend. Be sure to post some pics up.
Hunted AZ for first time last year.....already miss it.....sigh!!
Does anyone know if the rain will affect the rut and the amount of bugling going on for our hunts?
There won't any effect on rut, bugling, much better to be cool and wet than hot and dry. Water hole sitting may suffer, although I have seen them still come into the same waterholes even though there is lots of water elsewhere.
Right now 58 and misting. I am 30 miles east of Payson at 6400 ft. Since the 4th of July we have had 15 inches of rain here. Payson, not so much.
Terry
What do you do when it rains? You let it rain... I agree with coyote... better than hot and dry. Although, I'd rather everyone else sit on water while I hunt them going to water. Can't wait for this. Ed F
Good luck guys! Safe travels and hunts....
Headin' up to 7E Wed AM. Drew with my oldest son. Off for the whole hunt. Oughta be good times!
I know I commented about this earlier, but I saw a few nice bulls in 7E while deer hunting several weeks ago. What I forgot to mention is I don't have an elk tag this year. Those bulls might be hanging in that area I saw them, or may have moved by now to find some cows probably.
Just got home from 9.....surprisingly there are still waterholes with little to no water. It was a nice cool day though.
Anyway for you guys in 7E I can point out where those bulls were if you want
Can't wait! 6A with Dan. See you soon Ed.
Pics???? Hope everyone is SAFE with the Weather/ Water!!!!
They are singing tonight!!!! Just went out on the porch to shut off the yard light. Heard a bugle, so I sat down to listen. Heard 6 different bulls challenging one another to attract the girls.
I have heard the occasional bugle the last week, but not like this. The cold day today just set them off. Heard a bugle this afternoon at about 4. First time this year in the afternoon.
Terry living in 23 north.
Good luck everyone...I'm on my way!!!
Good luck to everyone hunting opening day tomorrow!! Wish I could be. I'll be up there saturday morning ready to rock! Aim small, miss small. ~Ben
Just got back from a walk around the neighborhood.
Ran into 4 groups of cows. No bulls with them. Lots of bugling going on, but the bulls were not responding to cow calls, only other bugles. I am thinking its Jr. Beaver Bulls. The only two bulls I saw were a spike with velvet, and a Colorado 6X (raghorn). Did see 4 whitetail does, Hope they are still here in a couple of months.
Terry 23 north.
Had a 350" at 50yds this morning. Wind blowing from them to me. Cow didn't like something and she walked away from us. He sat thier for 30 seconds, bugled and then herded the cows up a different canyon bugling all the way. Didn't burger him will be on his trail tommorrow. Sitting tanks tonight. Were somewhere in 6a :)mind
My buddy is down in 11M as he drew with 2 points--non-ressy!!
I am hopeful for him with our intel shared.
You guys are doing just fine--don't get antsy and it will all fall in place for sure.
Good luck, Robb
PS- I am down there on a later date drawn tag this fall, in my unit of most experience and knowledge---leave me one will ya!! haha
Talking to several guys down there and they're into them, just a matter of time...
Anyone hunting in unit 1?
Zim, I was there this time last year. I thought I was beyond the pearly gates. It was so good that I tried to go back for a cow this year, but it didn't happen.
In unit 9 helping friends. It's really warm and drying out. Bugles are few but are increasing every morn. One guy has passed 2 small bulls. Another has passed 1. It's only gonna get better!
DD, I'm hoping to draw next year with 13 before the lottery change.
Zim, Good luck on the draw next year. Do you know that there is a changing coming? If so, what? Thanks!
Dave it's coming, has to do with the Max point pool and percentage of tags...I'll try and find it again...
There was a meeting last week but have not heard the results.
The rut is getting started. We watched a 340 6x6 bugle constantly as he and his cows crossed a meadow to the waterhole. He never had a response to his challenges. About 9:30 last night the bulls let loose around camp and kept going All night. Every day is getting better
There was a meeting last week but have not heard the results.
The rut is getting started. We watched a 340 6x6 bugle constantly as he and his cows crossed a meadow to the waterhole. He never had a response to his challenges. About 9:30 last night the bulls let loose around camp and kept going All night. Every day is getting better
If I didn't any better, I would guess that the Rd closure info the forest service gives out has not reached 90% of the tag holders in 6a. What a joke- doesn't anyone follow rules and do things the hard way anymore?
Sounds like everybody is doing Arizona. Good luck to all !
Shedhead, that is EXACTLY what it is like everywhere in Utah. I know what your feeling.
The rut is slow, but we're hearing some good bugling in the mornings. My dad and son have the tags but they haven't been close enough for a shot though. Hot, Hot, Hot out this season so far. It sure beats working though!
It will be very wet for the remainder of the week as this significant hurricane that slammed Cabo San Lucas in the Baja is headed directly for Southern AZ and on up to the White Mts and NM. Prepare for buckets of rain.
Were hoping the weather change will kick start things a bit. I know many of the quad bound hunters in 6A are gonna have a real hard time getting around for a few days. They might actualy have to get out and walk. Imagine that. Bugling was done by 7am by me this mornin but we have seen some really good bulls. Time to put one on the ground.
Talked to 2 Forest Service employees and asked them about enforcement. He said thier is only 2 or 3 guys that do any type of enforcement in the Cocnino national forest of road closures The first time offense is $100 and he did not remeber having heard of anyone even busting anyone for this. He said thier is no cash for more enforcement. I asked him if its not gonna be enforced why even have closures anywhere know one obeys them any way. He just shrugged his shoulders and then asked what I would do. Its simple- If your enforcement is to work it has to have teeth. When soemone is caught being where thier not suppose to be you can confiscate thier quad. Have an auction for the quads every spring and let them buy it back if they want it. You have solved your money issue, your quad issue and your enforcement issue.
FYI- The forest closure maps are free and i got one mailed to my house. The closure info can be downloaded to your phone or gps. I got all this info in 15 minutes. Everyone you come across never seems to know where they are and if anythings closed. I cant tolerate lazy and ignorant. Thier is no such thing as an easy elk hunt. Everything is bigger, harder to do and in many cases painful. If you arn't gonna make the commitment to follow rules, let someone have the tag that will appriciate it.
Right on Shedhead! I'm all for access but when there is a two track road every few hundred yards with a quad or side by side hitting every single route, it gets old quick! I try to hunt units where this situation does not exist. Either that or go places the quads physically can't make it. Keep after it and good luck!
I just "caught wind" of some stinky bull on the ground for one of these fellas! Congrats again ol Slyr!!
Dam nick beat me to it. The homie gets it done. I won't spoil his story tho you guys are in for a good one :-) congrats trkyslr!!!!
Congrats excited to hear the story!! Pics are fun to look at also
Dogged a herd for over an hour this morning. They were in the area for 3 hours and didn't make s peep. No bugles cow calls nothing. Thier was around 40 head and at least 5 different bulls with 2 shooters. Had the big guy at 30 yards one time just to thick to shoot and they then boogered s little but never got my wind. Gave him the big Dan scream and he never turned his head, just kept up with the herd. Its gonna happen- 4 bulls over 330 less than 60yds with 8 days left and thier not talking. I hope the best is ahead of me. I have to work on getting my dad on some elk. He had some foot blister issues and with all the rain tank sitting is useless. I would hate to b a raghorn in front of him- he'll be getting a ride home in the truck
shedhead, I got your PM. Hopefully you got my response.
Shedhead, elk still hit water right after it rains. Just more spots for them. U gotta find THAT spot. Doesn't look like any rain hit 9 and no clouds. They are bugling right now in 2 sides of camp. Next week will be fantastic
Rain finally let up this evening...we got it real good today. Bulls are fired up tonight. The best is still to come!
Congrats on the bull Chris!
My son Garrett called in his first bull last night. He uses his voice and does a pretty good cow call. While I went to get the truck he and my dad stayed to see of the elk would make it out of the canyon by dark. On the way i got pinned down by two bugling bulls right in front of me. Garrett was trying to pull a cow he saw in and let out a few calls. A big bull screamed back at him and came running right in. They had a state down at 25 yards. Garrett's eyes were as big as saucers when I got back to him. Quite an experience for a 13 year old! It was a good night in the woods. Hope the rain lays down a little today.
I hear the Cali Boy's are on the board...
Dave, it'll happen...
AZ, that's a awesome talent to have...Good for him!
This Cali boy leaves in the morning for AZ unit 27, eight pref point trophy cow tag in my hand. Blow up raft and camo life jacket are packed
Myself and passthru tagged out on 6x6's. It was a great trip. Had close call on a giant, which I'll give details later. Here's my bull. I'm a very happy bow hunter :-)
trkslr and I are tagged out! Headed home in the morning. What an awesome hunt and an amazing place.
Wow! You guys did great! Way to get after it! Both very nice AZ bulls! Congratulations, first bulls on the board for the AZ hunting Bowsiters!
Congratulations to the both of you on great bulls. Looking forward to the stories. Thanks for sharing.
Brent, Chris, outstanding guys...Congrats!
Great bulls you guys. congrats!
That looks like a bit of snow on the ground too! Congrats, wish I was up there now.
Thanks guys! Rich it's not snow it's gray rim rock on edge of a cliff.
Congrats guys! Great bulls! When do we get the stories?
You guys did good ! Congrats !
Congrats on the bulls!!! Cant wait to hear the stories
Great job guys!
I sat a tank this eve and all I saw was a great sunset. A friend saw a busted up bull so he passed
Great job guys. Was soooooooooi close to adding my pic to the thread last night. Had a 340 at50 yds and just could not get a shot. This herd had 4 other bulls and 20 cows and they were all going nuts. Gonna try to relocate this herd this morning before the weekend hunters get iin as he has been hanging around a popular camping Rd and will surely attract attention
Congrats guys! Great bulls and pics :)
Had another great hunt yesterday, but nothing on the ground. Called in a big 7x7 to 60 yards for my dad but he stayed in the trees and dad got caught re-positioning for a shot. Bull didn't spook much, but walked off. It is really a challenge with my dad's disabilities to get him up on the elk and in position to call one in. I really thought we had it done, but not so much.
Last night I called a 5x5 right over my son with the cow tag.... guess I only know how to hunt bull elk :-) It was great though. He's getting more experiences on his first elk hunt then I could ever hope for.
Chris and Brent, let me know if you guys haven't left yet. I'd love to meet up with you.
Next time azbugler....we're westbound.. Good luck next few days!
Look at that Big 'E' in the window...Lol!
Great job congrats from Tn.Lewis
AZBUGLER
Maybe next time....and kudos to you for trying to get your Dad a shot. You're a son to be proud of I'm sure. Good luck !
Awesome bulls! way to get it done, no messing around here!
Great job Chris and Brent...awesome.
Thanks Dry Creek. The fat lady hasn't quite sung yet....
Thanks guys! Good luck to you all, hope those bulls are still screamin for ya!
The wisconson/Iowa boys are on the board!!!!
The wisconson/Iowa boys are on the board!!!!
My son and I have filled our tags. It was a great hunt with several chances at big bulls, but we are very happy with what we got.
Excellent Bull's guys! I heard another Cali boy scored also...
Yep pretty sure we have another one coming! NIce bulls rt there boys, congrats!
It's been a great hunt so far... lot's of rain, hunters and bulls. I snuck in behind this herd bull with 10 cows and was able to get a shot. I'm still here helping a couple buddies fill their tags. Ed F
rt on Ed! That's a great looking bull!
Congrats Ed!! Awesome bull buddy.
Congrats ed and everyone else on their az bulls!
Excellent, Ed!!! Way to go!
Nice bull Ed! Way to get it done.
Way to go, Ed.....not a bad bull at all my friend. 60 days and a measurement are in order.
Awesome bulls guys! It can be done!
Glad you guys didn't quit!!
Ed, nice job! Glad to see you put it together. Congratulations.
Great job all! Got close but couldn't seal the deal and time ran out.
I expected a bigger one Ed , lol Call me when you get home.
Thanks everyone and congrats to the success so far. The next four days will be the best... good luck. Ed F
Well we headed home with nothing but Memories today. We sure had a great week though. A few quotes that made me feel good about our time in the woods with three generations:
Dad: "that's the first time I've felt human in a long, long time." (His first elk hunt since being diagnosed with Parkinson's 5 years ago).
Garrett: "I think I peed a little" (following his close encounter with a rutting bull) and "Dad that bull was HUGE, he was like something off the Sci-Fi channel".
Elk hunting, there's nothing like it!
cmbbulldog scored a toad yesterday. He's too sore from packing out to post the story. Maybe tomorrow.
Nice to see some good bull photos coming in. Congrats to all.
Nice bulls everyone. I watched the radar and thought of you all. Must have been about as wet as southern Colorado last year.
Trykslr,Pass-thru, Shedhead,Huntingdad, Bowuntr congrats on some beautiful bulls.Thanks for starting this thread and letting us all see those bg AZ bulls.
Congrats Ed! Great bull:)
Congrats on some great bulls! Many close calls in the first week...Murphy has not been my friend. Four more days to get it done.
I'm very happy to contribute to this thread....
Wow! Great bull Chad! Congratulations!
Sounds like you had a rough pack out. Don't mean to rub the sore muscles the wrong way but the two bulls I've killed Az I've been able to drive too!
Very nicely done guys! Congrats!
Mark
Another Cali bowsiters tagged out a couple days ago... Hopefully he'll post his pick one day this week since he's a weekend bow hunter ;-),
trkyslr - I like what you did there with "weekend bownhunter"! Congrats Zack!
Were on I40 East heading back to Iowa/wisconsin. Dad ended up not getting a shot at one but we still had a great hunt. The elk never really got cranking in the areas we were in and would start talking about 10 min before dark which doesn't leave much time to get on them. AZ has once again been very, very good to me- I just wish dad could have got on one. He has max points in WY. Anyone out thier have any suggestions for moderate terrain elk hunt with waterhole type hunting?
Yea, I was privy to a sneak peek of The Weekend Bowhunter and his bull. Nice!
Once again had the 360 bull in range this morning but between the thick brush and a rogue coyote it was once again a no-go. It has been tough, these crazy things still haven't turned on like they should have. The rifle hunters are all over the place this evening, hopefully no negative encounters with them tomorrow. Feeling good about tomorrow but if it doesn't work out we've had one heck.of a great time. Good luck to those of you that are still out there after 'em!
The last 4 days had found the bulls the quietest of the season where we hunted. We were hoping for an explosion with the end of the rain, dark nights and cool mornins. No luck.
Travel has not gone good. Got to Staratford TX and the front end starting grinding on the front end of the burban. A good ole boy come out with a 1969 tow truck that he called "Mader" from the cras movie and $120 later got us to town 5 miles away. Chevy dealer is gettin at it now. Front hubs took a crap. The got me right in when I told them I had frozen elk meat in the back!!! :)
Great work boyz!!
Ed, what a good-looking bull, congratulations!!
Great job guys. Hoping for a few more from other guys! C
Made it to Iowa. 10 miles from dads rattilng started from the front wheel well started rattling. Disc brake assembly had a bolt go loose and its rubbinon spare tire. Its at the shop for the second time. I'm 42 hours into a normal 28 hr drive. I'm afraid to look into the coolers. Meat was froze hard and had plenty of dry ice in it. I have 4 Rd hours to home. Any buddy hear from big Dan?
Well made it back home safely last night with full hearts and empty coolers. Had opportunities at a couple of smaller bulls but were into mature bulls just about every day so chose to pass. Can't tell you how many times we had shooters in range with no shot opportunity...unbelievable amount of elk in this unit. No regrets, had a great time and can't wait to go back.
Congrats again to all of you that got it done.