azelkhunter69

Too early to talk about what we will see this year for antler growth? I am not a weatherman, but so far it seems things are shaping up nicely for another good year. Curious to see what some of you that really look into this sort of thing think.

I was wondering if anyone knows if there was anything that happened to the herd in unit 21 over the last several years? I haven't heard anything but noticed that there are only 5 tags this year. My dad shot one there about 9 or 10 years ago and I think there were 10 or 12 tags that year. I also want to say a few years after that I saw that they gave out 20...I could be wrong on that though.

10 days too late

I was told AZGFD and the AZ Elk Society got together a bunch of volunteers and drained it, power washed it and refilled it. I really hope they get the guy.

Unit 8 was dead until Tuesday. Bulls were heading straight to bed at daylight most of the hunt. Chased them around Tuesday and Wed. pretty good. Stupid weekend campers didn't help. Racing up and down the roads on dirt bikes and side by sides. One guy even told me he was sitting a tank and a side by side came over a hill cross country. Spooked the elk that were just starting to come in. Oh well, next time.

R 6, 5 5/8, 4 1/8, 3 3/8 L 6, 5 6/8, 4 2/8, 3 4/8

A buddy was up in 8 over the weekend. Said he stayed up until 10 pm both nights listening for bugles. He said he didn't hear a single bugle all weekend. It's supposed to cool down Tuesday and Wednesday. Hopefully that will help. Unfortunately, it's supposed to warm back up opening day. On the bright side, he said every tank had at least 2 cameras on it and guys were already leaving ground blinds out, claiming their spots because it is so dry. LOL. Guys are going to be fighting over water this year if we don't get a little rain.

This one really shows it. His prong went more sideways than forward.

looking forward to the end of the story. Congrats.

My dad had this tag 11 years ago and I was amazed at the lack of antelope this year compared to then. The population has really declined. He shot his off of Dugas. There were antelope all over up there back then. This year I found 2 little bucks up there and that was it. That was in May. In August I found out there was a fire in there. I spent 2 days up there and never saw an antelope. So I went to Perry Mesa. Several bucks there. A few decent ones. But that is also where the majority, if not all, the hunters were.

Well, I shot my buck Friday morning about 10 minutes into the season. During all my scouting, I never saw a buck that made me say "Wow". Combine that with leaving Wednesday for my elk hunt, the God awful heat and the fact that the opener would have been my dad's 81st birthday, I really wanted to shoot one the first day. I saw a couple that were a little bigger than this one but he was decent enough. And best of all, he hung around in a very stalkable spot. I put him to bed Thursday evening and was back before light Friday. Sat drinking coffee waiting for it to get light enough to start out. They were hanging out in a spot that was just over the rise of a gentle slope the last time I saw them Thursday so I slowly moved in that direction. I was getting close so I put my pack down and continued on. I was keeping an eye out, hoping I would see them before they saw me. Well, they had moved into the bushes above and to the left of where I thought they would be and I actually passed them without seeing them. Next thing you know, I see does trotting along the fence about 150 yards away. I saw the buck coming along behind. Of course, he stopped behind some brush. I moved a little closer and I think a doe must have seen me. The does started trotting again and I got ready as he went behind another bush. The grass and bushes were so tall I had to shoot offhand. He came out on the move and I let him have it. He went down but I hit him a little back. I put another one through his shoulders as he tried to get up. I didn't realize he was all busted up. A fighter. Broke off the prong on his right side and the tips were broken off on both horns. Decent mass and right at 14" long. Now....on to elk. Forgot to mention....shot him with one of my dad's rifles also. Winchester Model 70 in 7mm WSM.

That's awesome. I enjoy it a lot more when my kids or wife get something than when I do.

Good to hear. I used the Ulmer Edge on my last two bulls and was waiting for SEVR to come out with the 1.5 this year. Now that they are out, I am going to buy some.

New Sevr 1.7 ???

I was lucky enough to draw a tag this year and would like to get it mounted, if I shoot something worthy. Looking for suggestions in Phoenix or Camp Verde. Would rather not drive all the way to Flag. I would like to visit some of them and check out their work long before the season starts so I will be prepared. Thanks.

I love hunting elk. I have spent almost my whole life reading about it, and the last 15-20 years living the dream. From what I have read, people I have talked to, and what I have seen, here are some general guidelines that seem to hold true....a 300 inch bull is big, a trophy.....350 inches is a monster, you are lucky to get one or 2 in your lifetime.......and a 400 inch bull is truly once in a lifetime, that most people will never even see, let alone kill. We are blessed(spoiled) here in AZ that we have big bulls to chase. Most places don't. As mentioned, the P&Y minimum is 260. Mike Eastman does tons of research so I am sure his numbers are correct. He says that only 1% of all hunters will ever shoot something that makes the record book. That is a relatively small group. Keep that in mind, and be overjoyed if you kill a 300 inch bull with your bow. A true accomplishment. Good luck.

Alright, I'll throw my 2 cents in. Not really sure, but hey, we're just guessing right? LOL. 1. 330 2. 340 3. 350 4. 300 5. 280 6. 330

Wonder if the "lost property" was a trail cam?

Looks like they are big early. Glad I have a tag. As for the cameras, I typically put them out in July. I realize it is a waste of time as far as patterning specific bulls for the rut hunt but it's fun looking at the pics. This year I also have an antelope tag so I will probably only put cams out for elk in the middle of August.

The buck my dad killed would have been right at 82" if he hadn't broken 1 1/2" off one side. He wasn't real tall, but had mass all the way up.

I plan on spending most weekends scouting this summer, especially all through August. Since this is probably my 1st and last rifle tag, if any of you kind gents want to share where you saw some of these "nice bucks" over the last year, I wouldn't be opposed to getting pointed in that direction to check them out. I "guided" my dad in that unit 10 years ago and he shot a real nice buck so I have plenty of knowledge on where to start. 3 general areas that I will hit hard. They are not secrets. Obviously, there are antelope back in off Bloody Basin Rd. and up off Dugas. And I also thought I would check up by Cordes Junction where they transplanted a herd from Utah several years back. Curious about the "interesting spots" 6AYoteHunter? I won't hold it against anybody if they don't want to share. I personally am not bothered by sharing info on basically what has turned into a once in a lifetime hunt, about like sheep. Not like there are honey holes you can hunt every year. Not like deer and elk. I will keep you posted on how things work out. Funny thing, all the time I have spent in 21, I have only ever seen one snake.

Originally, I just asked this question out of curiosity. But fast forward 4 months and I got super lucky and drew tag #5 of 5. So, I will be hunting them come September 6th....just so happens, it would have been my dad's 81st birthday. Good to hear there are some good bucks left in there.

Had the same problem with the vizsla I had. She bit my son and the little girl next door. After she bit the neighbor, I had her put down. It sucks, because other than biting kids, she was a good hunting dog. Just didn't want to see any more kids get bit...also didn't want to get sued. Good luck.

You guys hit the jackpot!!! Good luck.