knothead

5nRamirez, PM sent

My Bro-in-Law applied for an archery antelope unit that he should easily draw with his 18 points. Only once in last 5 years has someone applied for this hunt with 18 points. Historically it is 100% draw with 16 points. He has no charges yet and nothing pending, He did use his cabelas Visa which I have been told is slow to process transactions. He is not giving up yet. Congratulations to all that drew already. Make the most of your opportunity.

Geeeeez............. this story could have gone a whole different direction. Happy to see it was good clean fun by all.

Since we are killing a little time here is my 2 cents worth: I wish G&F would put the archery deer hunts in the same draw as the elk & antelope. By the time results are posted in late July, it does not give a person a lot of time to plan, scout or prepare before the hunt starts in August. As far as the draw goes, I have always been a little dumbfounded on the issues G&F has with it. I believe AZ G&F is one of the most respected departments in the USA with regard to their professionalism and management strategies but they sure screw things up with the online draw. They should have: 1. never switched from paper apps or 2. never canceled the contract they had with the Nevada draw service. Be that as it may, it is March and it really doesn't make a lot of difference if we find out now or a few more weeks. The anticipation is half the fun. I like the idea of having 3 separate draws. It allows people to plan and prepare for other hunts if they draw. Having four kids, it has always been a challenge to juggle hunts and their schedules. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Good Luck!

I'm guessing Tuesday March 24th cards will begin to get hit. Good Luck!

When guides/outfitters are caught breaking the law in NM and are banned from guiding they simply put the business in their wife's name. Business as usual and IRS is non the wiser. Kinda funny what some folks will do for money and fame. The Floyd Lee ranch in unit 9 NM has a reputation of herding elk onto his property with a helicopter. My buddy and his son actually witnessed this happening 10 or 12 years ago. My first thought was G&F confiscating the Texas helicopter if it was used in a crime. I'm interested to see how this all plays out. Until then, this is nothing but speculation.

Congratulations Don. Looks like you will have some great stories to share with the rest of us when all is said and done One of my many regrets in life is not going spring turkey hunting when I was younger. I have only been hunting them for past 10-12 years and I am hooked. I have early San Carlos hunts in 2015 & 2016 and I'm chomping at the bit & ready to go. Have hunted a couple times in past and had missed results. Never found them in great numbers like some others have mentioned but I am not giving up. I also applied for and drew a late 6a tag this year for the first time. I wanted to try a new unit this year as my old "go to" area is getting over hunted. This is also the last year my youngest son can pick up an over the counter Jr. tag so we are going to make the most of his opportunity. Good Luck & Good Hunting John

I love to hunt them with archery equipment but I do not care for the way they taste. My longest shot ever was 17 yards. I have always described the perfect javelina hunt is to get up early, walk to high spot, glass for a couple hours, locate some, put a perfect stalk on them, pick a nice one out, draw back, shoot, miss, walk back to camp with a smile on my face, sit around a camp fire with friends, cold drink in hand in hand and talk about the days events. Since I don't like to eat them, I generally do not kill them. This year I didn't even apply or pick up a leftover. The last few I did kill I either gave to friend who liked the meat or donated meat adobe wildlife center on I-17 & pinnacle peak rd. Good Hunting

WildWoody, In your scenario you do have a chance at 13B and 12A west late because you are not in the 20% bonus pass for either one. Your only chance of drawing would be after they process the bonus pass and went to everyone else to fill the remaining 80%. I know it is confusing and the first time I heard this and realized it is true, I was pissed. Now I just live with it and figure it is all part of the application game. My brother in-law has 18 resident antelope points and he told be he really doesn't want to wait for a rifle tag anymore. He asked if he should put 5B rifle first choice and an archery unit that can be easily drawn with 15-16 points second choice. If he does this, I told him he has zero chance of getting a rifle tag. Might as well put same archery hunt #'s first and second choice. Good luck

Like Northern Pintail stated. You do not have a chance of ever drawing your first choice if you are in the 20% bonus round pool with your 2nd choice. Many people do not know this, even very avid hunters. A good friend of mine talked to top leadership at G&F and on the commission a few years ago about this exact situation. They know about it and have no intention of fixing it is basically what they told him. The old philosophy used to be: Put in for your dream hunt first choice and your "go to" unit 2nd. Not any more if you are in the bonus round with your 2nd choice. Many years ago we used to put 12A late rifle deer first choice and 17a 2nd. Never drew a late tag and almost always drew 17a. Once loyalty point and Hunter safety point were earned it only took 2 points to be in bonus round of 17a so in actuality we only put in for one choice, 17a. Good Luck

You just never know. My 10 year old daughter drew unit 5b back in 2004 and all she had was her hunter safety point. Only 5 tags issued and she drew tag #1. She shot a 79 inch buck on 3rd day There was a picture in the flagstaff office with her and her antelope for years but not sure if it is still there. She glassed and walked her tail off and never complained a single time. Definitely one of my best hunts to be a part of. She has not drawn since.

Where were you guys 27 years ago? I had more money in my pocket and had more action 30+ years ago when I worked P/T at Smitty's. Nice Truck though. I'm sure someone will be happy with it.

I'm so happy I only shoot small animals. This stuff kinda takes the fun out of hunting. Congratulations to you and your daughter.

I have been hunting elk since early 80's. Got my first archery elk tag my senior year in HS for fall 1980. In all that time I have never had a rifle elk tag or for that matter even applied for a rifle elk hunt. That being said, I have been on several rifle elk hunts and my wife even had an early unit 10 hunt back in 2003. So..... at the risk of getting persecuted here this is what I would do. Knowing what I know and what I have experienced, I would not even consider a rifle or muzzle loader hunt. Sure, the elk are still in rut mode and they are pretty easy to locate. Shooting one at 200, 300 + yards is definatley a possibility. However, there is just something about hunting elk in September with a bow that is so special. Being up close and in the comfort zone of an elk is crazy exciting and your heart feels like it is going pound right out of your chest. I never got that feeling on rifle hunts. Lots of times it's rush, rush and you're just trying to get within your effective rifle range. If your goal is to kill a big bull then rifle muzzy might be better but if your goal is to have the opportunity to chase huge bulls, then maybe even shoot a magnificant animal and have a much better hunting experience then go archery. If I had 18 points I would go unit 9 or 23 first and 2nd choice archery only. If you really want that unit 1 tag, go for it with a bow. Get drawn, have a great hunting experience and then start hunting easier units to draw with a bow. Life is too short to be sitting on the sidelines. Of course all of this is my opinion and I would take my age and health into consideration for what I would apply for. Good luck on whatever you decide and I hope you have a great experience.

Coues Assasin that is some good Karma there. Congratulations! This thread has been interesting and helpul to me. I am in the market for something similar but I have a 1.5 years to decide. I won the Versamax at the 2013 Bowhunter Happening. I bought one $20 ticket and won. So I call the gun a $20 gun. I kept it hidden and never took it out of the the case it came in until recently. My oldest son just turned 18 on July 17th and I gave him the gun as a gift. Now I'm in the market for another shotgun for my son who is currently 16. I would like to give him a semi-auto on his 18th b-day but don't think I will be able to afford a Versamax unless I find another for $20. I have already started setting money aside. I was thinking about the 11-87 until you guys mentioned the Stoeger M3500. We are a Turkey, quail, dove & varmint family. 3.5 inch is nice but not a deal breaker if it is 3". Realistically, I'd say I'm going to be in the $700-$800 range. Who ever said don't get a 3.5 in a pump is absolutley correct. I have one and had to dropped down to 3". I would literally see stars after shooting 3.5". Ugly sight for sure. Long story short........ The help is appreciated so keep on with the recommendations.

I saw a very pink rattle snake by cave creek dam many years ago on a dove hunt. It was the first and last one I saw until now. I hate snakes!!

Meeting tonight July 22nd at Cabela's from 7-9 pm. If you have something to say, now is the time.

I don't think there is a woman out there that is worth losing 5 years of hunting priviledges for. When I was young and dumb I may have thought so but I know better now. Just say'n

I'm kinda with GJMauro12 on this. Why don't they order the stuff online and pay for it but have it shipped to your address? If it is legit and you guys trust each other then you should be good to go. When they come to hunt give them all their stuff such as cameras, batteries and anthing else that is tangible in good working order. If there is no trust then why even put yourself in this position? Not worth losing hunting prviledges for five years and pay hefty fine. The very least I would do is call G&F (not front counter folks) and ask someone who knows. If they say it is ok, get it in writing with a name. Good Luck.

To the contrary. I find the draw and draw process fascinating and enjoy learning as much as I possibly can about it. My family thinks I'm odd though, because I stare at numbers and statistics for hours on end for enjoyment. I like looking for patterns, making predictions then waiting for results. Not always right but there are ways of improving your odds. IMO this is all part the hunt and preparing for it. I'm actually surprised by the number of people who are possionate about hunting but don't take the time to learn the draw process thus they don't truly understand the draw and how it works. Good luck to everyone who hunts this year.

Nice Plate. My plate says HNT4LIF