wannakillabigbull

I see what you did there 🤣

That's for the hunt expo tags. Well, I guess it could be for both!

7E. Not a lot of people I would recommend burn 20 years worth of points there, but Lance always seems to get it done.

I didn't really want to start my own thread but I haven't seen a meat pole thread all week to add to. I did want to thank the forum for all the help and advice, though. Being from CO originally I had a lot to learn about AZ elk when I moved in 2015. I drew my first AZ elk tag in 2017, a late rifle tag, and it's what pushed me to join the forum (thanks for the recommendation @cpugsie). I didn't fill that tag in 2017 and had to face the fact that I had a lot left to figure out about these elk. Drew the same tag this year, learned from my mistakes, and got it done on a bull I was very happy with. Thanks for all the lessons, guys!

SvnW. Certainly not the biggest bull in the unit but one I was very happy with.

Got mine in the mail today!

Not looking for honey holes. Just spots where there are 360” bulls and no hunting pressure. DMs only thanks in advance.

Same or similar. I left for a different job coming up on 3 years ago. Gonna be weird going back as a nonresident!

Hit!

Farthest I've ever done was 4.5ish miles, in Colorado. Like others said, it's not always how far it is that is the biggest factor. I'd pack one as far as I need to like most of the rest. I've always been a believer of doing multiple trips instead of trying to pack over 100 lbs at once; it's easier on the knees. As far as what to do/what not to do, buy a good pack. Below is a picture from that 4.5 mile day, of my dad. It was a 2,000 ft climb down then back up the other side. As poorly as we had that bull packed on his back he was pretty beaten down by the time we got back to the truck. I can imagine he would have felt better with a good pack.

Overall I've been pretty understanding about the delay to this point, but the fact that they extended the credit card update deadline and haven't charged cards over 2 and a half days later is just comical. Why would they extend the credit card update deadline before knowing when they would be ready? It doesn't make any sense. That's just poor management.

No charge yet. Better luck next year?

Pretty ironic thing to say coming from the guy that posted about a credit card hit from someone he knew without offering corroborating evidence. That claim even made its way to other forums. Too bad there was no fire to accompany the smoke.

AZGFD after having a few years of smooth draws.

That is where you're very wrong.

Many many choices at pretty much all price points. If you're not backpacking in or expecting to pack meat that far then you could stay under $200 and be fine. I have personal experience with Kifaru, Exo, and Mystery Ranch and they all make good packs, but are on the pricier side.

I'm a sucker for bulls with crown points...great hunt Lance thanks for the write up.

😯 Sweet jesus what a bull

To answer the unit question I think you've been given good advice already. If you haven't listened, check out Jay Scott's podcast. He has done a series on AZ elk units and where to apply when interviewing various industry types and guides. https://jayscottoutdoors.podbean.com/e/523-arizona-elk-and-antelope-regulations-breakdown-what-units-to-apply-for-with-justin-erhart-of-premium-hunts/ https://jayscottoutdoors.podbean.com/e/525howthe-az-draw-works-arizonaelkand-antelope-regulationsbreakdownwhatunits-toapplyforwith-steve-chappell-ofchappell-guideservice-and-elkcamptv/ https://jayscottoutdoors.podbean.com/e/527-arizona-elk-and-antelope-regulations-what-units-to-apply-for-with-jeff-lester-hunt-hard-outfitters/ https://jayscottoutdoors.podbean.com/e/532-arizona-elk-and-antelope-regulations-breakdown-what-units-to-apply-for-with-lee-murphy-and-craig-steele-of-exclusive-pursuit-outfitters/ https://jayscottoutdoors.podbean.com/e/535-arizona-elk-and-antelope-regulations-breakdown-what-units-to-apply-for-with-the-draw/

A 300 inch bull is a big bull, no doubt about it. I would echo the above and say that 300 inches is a bit big for a worst case scenario. What about the bull below? My dad's bull he shot in Colorado back in 2008. Would you be happy with him? He tapes out at 273 gross and I would shoot him before the last day on most AZ hunts, but that's just me. If you want a bull bigger then I'm not going to disagree with you but I do think that most people truly would be happy with a bull quite a bit smaller than an honest 300 inches.

What's your budget?

Another year of nothing for me or the wife, looks like

I ain't getting a dang thing done today

https://www.azgfd.com/PortalImages/files/licenses/residency/AZ Resident brochure_2016_nocrop_F.pdf

23N would be my choice