JustinB

was 18 degrees last weekend up there. the mornings are going to be chilly.

The results of the last survey sent out by AZ G and F....

Sitting in the trees... The big boy i missed twice opening morning last year has shown up again. Game on.

Got my daughters doe skull back the same day her spring turkey tail was finished! Doe was her first hunt first kill and the turkey was the kids over the counter tag this April. She was supper excited to come home and find these!

Check out the artist... I believe he is an ex-combat vet but he nailed what I was after for my daughter. Super guy! https://www.facebook.com/nevada.grassie/

Through an incredible artist... check him out. https://www.facebook.com/nevada.grassie/

yes... engraved then antiqued in some sort of ink.

My daughter is going back to the kaibab for a doe and is thrilled (2nd year in a row). Card hit on Saturday 7/8 My nephew got a youth buck hunt unsure what unit. Hit on a different card also Saturday 7/8

Feel free to reach out to me... I live 20 minutes from the unit and that is my first choice always. I have killed multiple elk in the unit with my bow (so different time of year) I hunt deer in Sycamore. In my experience the elk don't start to move into the area until the beginning of the archery elk season. I have a spot I sit for deer and will never see an elk at that time of year. There are plenty of people that have shot a bull out of sycamore. Not sure how many of the people commenting have hunted this late hunt... but it can be a bitch. The idea that elk are everywhere at that point is a little misleading. Think about it, they have been shot at since September and been getting scouted since April. There are many big canyons in the unit and typically that is where I see the animals pulled from at that time of year. They have been pressured for 6 months. They move to a deep dark whole and hide out until spring. As far as getting it out... its just walking not a race. hang that meat and if it takes 4 days then oh well you will have some finely aged meat. Great unit to hunt snow or no snow. Last few years getting back in there in December has not been a problem at all.

there are pics on FB of it on the hoof prior to the shot. It stood out..

Here you go. You here lots of people on here express feelings of not being to found of the current hunt structure being managed for oppurtunity to hunt vs having a quality hunting experience. This is the chance for your voice to be heard. There might be a real impact if sportsman turn out and express their opinions. Hope as many as possible can make it to one of the meetings around the state. http://azgfd.net/artman/publish/NewsMedia/2017-pronghorn-elk-hunt-recommendations-to-be-available-for-review.shtml

wow. I hadnt noticed that. i guess Mesa is a close as its gonna get. Must be the lack of population density right? I joke.

So what do you think the best solution will be Bill? I am not suggesting fewer hunters or fewer hunters in the woods. I am thinking fewer hunters in the woods at one time. Break seasons up offering multiple seasons/hunts. That might alleviate seeing more hunters in the field than game. I would imagine the same number overall but they spread out over early, middle and late. I think this is how that conversation needs to start. Sportsman kicking around a multitude of ideas to help guide the process. I have been told multiple time now by AZGFD officers that they are no longer managing units for trophy quality animals. That is silly. We have some of the best elk hunting in the country. We should be managing certain units for trophy quality hunts. If your not after a trophy hunt you simply apply for another unit. i think as a community we need to start making and promoting suggestions vs. just bitching about poor experiences. There are a lot of moving parts and by fixing one item it is inevitably going to affect another adversely. they get such a small turn out at these events and so little input. Sportsman need to take a more active role in helping guide this process.

Everyone has an opinion. I bought my 10 year old daughter the ruger american compact 7mm.08. She shot it all last year practicing at the age of 9 and shot her first deer with it this fall. Enough punch for just about anything in AZ and manageable recoil for her. She loves it

Her you go. Had the best hunt of my life! Enjoyed a great weekend one on one with my 10 year old daughter. She was incredible and so was the weekend. Got into camp around 300 on Thursday evening. Setting up camp we had 15 deer 50 yards away for an hour. Ended up seeing about 60 deer Thursday evening. Eating dinner that night she said "you know what Dad? That was incredible. Im ok if i dont get a deer. We just saw so many! That was cool". Friday morning she was up at 5:00. Asked her how we were going to do this. It was her hunt after all. She wanted to walk out of camp and chase the deer we had in camp the afternoon before. So we startered walkibg a ridge out with plans on droppeing into the canyon an coming back on anoher ridge. 15 minutes in we had 8 deer right below us. The angle was too steep for her height and ahe could barley see them. They eventualy got nervous and blew out of there. We worked over to the other ridge in the direction of those deer. At ththe top we wlaked into a father and son who alerted us to another group just below on the backside. We decide to work the top back up to the ridge. Trying to give everyone room. 5 minutes later we are back in deer . I got her set up and just as she went to touch it off the doe trotted away. My daughter was all smiles! She was loving it. We headed back north her plan was to walk another one of he old logging cuts. Befor we hit th next ridge there were more deer. Again she got set up for the shot. Trying to coach her as best i could she took a breath and boom. I thought i saw the deer drop but wasnt sure. Deer scattered everywhere. Then i hear her crying. She got a little excited and moved up on the scope. Took it in the eybrow. Al little bruise and a few tears later we moved forward to check for blood. I start looking for sign she whispers "dad that looks like a deer butt". Sure enough her doe wasnt 10 feet away. The video footage i got at a that point was priceless. She was so happy. Tears of joy and a little sadness. She was overcome. She approached her deer with great respect and happiness. It couldnt have gone anybetter. The hunt was over in an hour. She was done at 715. She help dresss the deer drag it out and skin it at camp. Asking question the entire time. Truly the best hunt ever. She says the worst part is she has to wait a year to try and get another. So happy to have a new hunting partner.

Heading up in the morning with my 10 year old daughter. She us super excited. Look forward to a fun weekend with her!

So I have carried my 10x42's around my neck forever. Never felt like I needed a spotting scope or tripod. Just saw both as extra weight. My daughter (10 years old ) drew a doe tag on the kaibab and a fall javelina tag. Thinking about purchasing a triclawp to help her steady herself. So the question: looking for recommendations on tripods stout enough to handle what I am looking to use it for but light weight. All input is appreciated.

I have 2 skulls I would like to have engraved and inked. I am striking out at every turn. Looking for suggestions on great artists that might be doing something like this. I just flat dont have the ability. Willing to ship the skulls wherever. The people I have gotten in touch with either dont do it any more or if they do they seem to be so busy I cant even get a response. Thanks

Thank you. Just emailed him and left a message.

Perhaps I should have chosen my wording more carefully... As I understand it you are not allowed to hunt within a quarter mile of a structure regardless of your weapon type. G and F had no problem writing the ticket and seizing the guys elk ( this goes back many years now). I dont believe that they have loosened this restriction. I am sure you will get different answers from G and F if you ask more than one. This is my understanding. I believe there is even an old thread on here about this exact question

Did your homework for you. Thought it was common knowledge that you can not discharge a firearm (and bows are considered such) within a quarter mile (440 yards) of an occupied or potentially occupied building. The occurrence I referred to was in Baderville (county). I do not have a copy of his ticket. The evidence your looking for can be found on the link you attached.... Article 1, 17-309, #4 But by all means if someone feels differently go hunting...

Elk note #34 in the elk regs "34. The elk hunting season in Unit 11M is closed within ¼ mile of an occupied residence or building within the Flagstaff corporate limits." 100% illegal... I know those that have been ticketed. Same situation woke up saw elk in the yard, shot, killed, and then the neighbor woke up none to pleased. Called G and F. Came out ticketed and seized. This is a law statewide. Has nothing to do with city limits. This was just out Highway 180

Well got my 2015 bear back yesterday. Looks pretty good. Another color phase. Cant seem to just find a black one! This one is chocolate with a reddish stripe down the back. My 2014 bear also picture is more cinnamon with a blonde stripe. Both are just about a 6 foot square bears. 2014 was only a 3 year old boar and the 2015 was a 10 year old sow. Measured the sows skull as I was instructed and it was right at 20 inches 11.5 front to back and 8.5side to side. It dwarfs the boars skull. Anyways wanted to share hope you enjoy. The fox was a casualty of calling for bear last season. Perhaps someone here could tell me why my pics always load sideways or upside down. On My computer they are straight. Cant seem to edit them on this site to rotate them either. Sorry

Its about money hut it is also about wht hunters said they wanted. When surveyed about 5 or 6 years back. The question was would you like more hunting oppurtunity with less succes or lower chance at drawing but then have a quality hunt. The reaponse was that they wanted oppurtunity ( by the majority). Until hunters organize and express their discontent the management structure wont change. The key is writing the commission and or being present at their meetings. I imagine alot of people that voted for oppurtunity are now re-thinking it and would prefer a quality hunting experiance. Even if it means a longer wait for a tag

Here you go guys. My 2016 trophy cow. Perhaps it is just me but over the years I have had the worst luck with cow elk. Big bulls no problem... cows always seem to have my number. I have hit limbs, plain missed, been busted by the unseen cow. You name it and it has happened while hunting cow elk. Friday morning came and I was in my stand shortly before daybreak. Not many bugles throughout the night or that morning but enough to keep it interesting. I settled in and watched the sun break the hills to my east. Coyotes were kicking up just down the hill from me, the birds were chirping and squirrels were barking. All in all not a bad way to get the day going. At 7 am I could see a spike making his way towards me. He past me at 25 yards and just kept going. 11 minutes later I could see 2 cows coming through the trees from the same direction. Long story short they came in on a string. I had my problems shooting out of a tree stand in the weeks earlier and missed 3 huge deer. The story line changed with elk this year. I was able to draw comfortably settle my pin and let her fly. She piled up about 30 yards from where I shot her. They dont go far with and arrow through the pump station. As I began to dress her I got a message that my partner had just put an arrow in one as well. Needless to say 2 elk on the ground and the work began. Quite a few miles later and numerous trips were enjoying the celebratory cocktails at camp around 3:30 pm. I joke but truly a trophy. I have had so much difficulty on cows over the year. Pleased to have harvested her and fill the freezer. No horn porn but worth so much more to this guy. For the love of god I give up on the pics. They are correct on my computer but are getting rotated on my upload and I just cant figure it out! Sorry!