CouesFanatic

Any local gunsmiths you can recommend? I'm looking to thread a Tikka Superlite 243. Im in the east valley.

Back east I could see that. They aren't lobbing 1000 yard rifle shots like what happens here. Half you guys act like the loss isn't high for these upcoming rifle deer hunts. Theres a lot of loss with archery and rifle, people take shots beyond their capability and things happen. Nothing is ideal, it's hunting. We all have gotten excited and messed things up more times than we would like, with a bow and a rifle.

Thanks. I hunted Friday through Sunday. it's starting to pick up but it's pretty spotty. Most mornings they were done bugling at 7:15 but yesterday we got into them till 9:30am. Last night was a bust, no bugling.

I'd agree with a lot of big bulls but I'm hearing reports of slow bugling from all over. How's the bulging were you guys are?

So is the rut late or just a dud this year? Dry monsoon mess the cows up? Too warm?

I have so many pins on OnX they wouldn't know which ones are good and which ones are terrible. Not to mention I could be the worst hunter around or the best. I don't think the info is that valuable personally, unless they are looking at specific guides or someone they know has a good grasp on things.

Van Hansens told me all they do is ground now. Millers has been my go to but after processing half my elk into sausage that I didn't ask for, I'm done with them. Hundreds of dollars of meat I'll never use. If anyone wants some send me a message, you can have it. Their customer service it horrible btw, couldn't get them to refund any of the money, they offered to give me a few bags of beef jerky which was horrible and was thrown in the garbage. I think I'll try Caseys in Flag next, unless theres someone else in the valley.

Theres several. I'm not gunna post that on here. It's mostly the units with a 5 mule deer limit.

I don't hunt the 40's. Doesn't matter really what unit though. Each year these units are closing earlier. Eventually they will have to go to a draw. Personally I'd like to see it like Utah where there is a limited entry BP for deer and a general BP for deer. A December or January archery hunt would be great with a limited number of people. This OTC thing isn't like it used to be.

Put the whole thing as a draw. A few of the desert units we used to hunt in Dec/Jan never make it to that because it closes in August every year. Those hunts are essentially eliminated.

Exactly. And there were lots of units that never filled the quota, mostly Coues units.

Where are you seeing every unit shut down due to 100% success?

Bet those are some hungry dogs

Anyone been? Online its saying water is 465% of normal for this time of year. Was hoping to go this weekend but it seems too high.

Where are you guys getting 4 inch grey or black foam? Looking for cot pads. I heard Cal-Ranch may have them? The website has 3 inch.

I got mine on the app. Haven't seen the paper ones yet

30 points, wonder if you got a max point tag or a random

got 3 hits

We have a whole family here in for poverty hunts, no hits yet. It’s not over. My guess is there are fixing the non res cap issue from the last draw.

looks like loud walking, tough to get in that close on ground like that

Can anyone explain to me why these new odds sheets make no sense? For every point level in every column, the number of residents is greater than the total of residents and non-residents. What am I missing here? If we look at 2 bonus points, First Choice Applicants column there were 588 residents and 10 non residents for a total of 387 first choice applicants with 2 points? Also, this hunt should have 300 tags. From what im seeing here 45 were allotted in the bonus pass and 197 during the 1-2 pass. Where are the other 58?

Nobody said their experience isn’t as valuable. All I’m saying is that the people who have invested decades and thousands of dollars should have higher odds than they currently do. We don’t have enough sheep tags to go around, it’s time to relook at the system for oil species. Other states are limiting non res, waiting periods, selecting certain species only, etc. I’m all for habitat and population growth. That’s one good thing AZ has going for it

The odds difference between 0 points and 30 points is virtually nothing. It amazes me that some of you think a guy waiting 40 years should have no edge on the newbies. The system we have raises virtually no increased odds until you get to the bonus point pass. Nevadas squared point system is a more fair way for sheep in AZ. 40 years is a lot of money and time invested. A 10 year old who has drawn only because his dad applied him has little interest, zero time invested and should have much less odds than the person who has applied 40 straight years. Our current system gives very little to the long term applicant until you hit the bonus point pass. We don't have to pick a side, how about we improve the draw system. A lot of states are making changes for once in a lifetime species, but unfortunately Arizona can't even get the website to work correctly.

Theres still 20% random with my idea. What's not fair is a 10 year old non resident drawing a sheep tag their first year when we have hundreds of 65+ year old native Arizonans that have been waiting 35+ years. Other states are moving to a resident only option. Prioritize residents first and those who have waited longer. Our current system doesn't change the odds much from 0 points to 32 point then odds go up a lot once you hit the max pool. My odds at 24 points are no better than my 10 year olds with 0 points, thats not right. We either need to take more people off the top of the list or square the points. A lot of us will see our Dads never get a tag after putting in their whole life, what do you think it will be like for our kids, they have no chance.

The solution for sheep is residents only and 80% of tags go to max points 20% random. That or square the points like Nevada. You want to hunt it, wait like the rest of us.