stanley

Bingo!

Yup, pretty bad down there. The first time I ever met Amanda (site owner) and Heat was at a ranch trash pick-up volunteer event way back then (Remember that, Amanda and Nick? How did I get so old?? ). I think it was 2003 or 2004. Had just started hunting down that way, and figured the event would be a good way to get to know the units a little better. Plus it was a fun event for my kids. LOL That was a LONG time ago, and I'm pretty sure there are still lots of trashed areas. Been a while since I've done that, though. Seeing this post makes me want to reach back-out and get involved again.

I travel a lot for work. Mildly longer TSA lines at airports (mainly JFK.....). Also, I wanted to make sure my mobile number was on the national 'Do Not Call' list (remember that???). When I went to that site a week or so ago it was down with a message saying something like 'Due to the partial government shutdown....'. I see neither one of these things as more than slightly inconvenient.....

OUTSTANDING!!!!!

Where's the pic of the tail. Am I missing something on the Instagram pics??

Based on the brief write-up, it sounds to me like the "green light" was just typical hunter-hunter (brother to brother) courtesy.

Looks like you had a great adventure! Thanks for sharing with the site. S.

Outstanding, Keven!!!!!!

Yup! They stink either way! 🤢 🤣

Jeez...... Guess I better never jokingly refer to a mule deer as a "floppy eared carp" again, then. 🙄 For now on, I will refer to these rodents by their correct name, Tayassu Tajacu, (Thanks for that, Non-Typical.... ) so my standard level of ignorance is not so apparent. 🤣 S.

With this rain, a decent tactic could be to spend a little time in ANY wash or drainage and look for fresh tracks. I would recommend walking the wash/drainage and look broadly (middle & sides of wash......). If you spend much time doing that, you will probably come across some fairly fresh tracks. The rodents will likely be within 1/2 mile to a mile. Then focus on that area. Either glass if the country permits, or just put your nose into the wind and still-hunt/stalk. Any of the washes/drainage's in the Arivaca area would be a good place to start. Good luck!! S.

Outstanding buck, matched only by that terrific smile on the young man! Good stuff! S.

Howdy everyone! Two of my favorite hunting partners, my two youngest kids, are both in college now so squeezing in hunts can be difficult with their schedules (especially my son, who is going to school out of state...). The only two elk hunts that were running while they are home for Christmas break were late cow in 1/2B/2C and 3C - Fool Hollow. Our first choice was unit 1 since I know it pretty well, but their luck leaned towards 2nd choice and they ended-up with 3C - Fool Hollow tags. I know the area just a little, from Christmas tree cutting trips over the years. Have NEVER hunted it though. I of course plan on doing some scouting prior, and also understand that with the hunt being so late (12/14-12/31), that early early scouting will likely not be too fruitful other than to get the lay of the land. Likely I will spend the 2 or 3 weekends just prior to the hunt looking around. Daughter has never killed an elk, so I'm planning on working hard to get her a chance at one. So of course though, I wanted to check to see if there are any locals up there that might have some advice or hints for me? The G&F site mentions some areas like Telephone Lake and While Lake North of Show Low. It also references some ranch and farm land around Linden & Burten, but of course says that permission is a must on the private land. Anyway, anybody willing to share some insight? PM me or call/text 602-399-4769 if you are willing to help-out. Thanks in advance!!! Stan

Yup, you're right on the $5 bucks. https://www.abc15.com/news/state/arizona-vehicle-registrations-going-up-with-new-public-safety-fee

My two youngest who are both in college at this point, were lucky enough to get late deer tags this year (Dec 14 - Dec 31)! It's awesome, because it will coinicide with their Christmas breaks from school. VERY excited! (They also have both have 3C late cow tags, which is a nice bonus! ) Is it too early for any rutting to start up? This fall has seemed to be just a bit cooler than some past years, and I'm hoping that may result in a slightly earlier rut than average. Any opinions to share? Anyone been out seeing anything that even resembles rutting action down south yet? At this point, I think we will not be hunting until right after Christmas, but might try to sneak-out for a day or so prior. Can't wait! S.

Morning guys! Just back from two days up there (hunted Sat & Sun). Tough tough tough!!! Saw some sign, both slightly old AND fresh. Not tons of it, but enough to know there are elk. lol The majority of the places we were hunting was relatively flat & thick 'PJ' type of vegetation. Tough to see much in that stuff. We're going to head back up there for a couple of more days on Wednesday. It appears as though the density of animals is extraordinarily low in there at this time, but there are clearly some in there someplace..... I'm thinking just more time spent in there, and hopefully we'll cross paths with some. Nose into the wind and SLOW! Maybe we'll run into each other. Good luck!! S.

Anyone else listen/view the live stream or attend in person? I was multi-tasking a bit here at work, and was able to listen to the brief chat regarding funding for an education program. Frankly, there wasn't much discussion. They briefly chatted about whether auction or raffle tags was contrary to the North American model. Commissioner Davis pretty quickly squashed that, and the discussion moved more towards simply; 'What is a more viable way to make money for education programs - auctions vs. raffles'. Based on the commentary, it appeared clear to me that the commissioners are VERY much leaning towards one or the other to fund the education programs. They passed a motion to form a committee/work-group to study the current auction/raffle system, get input from 'raffle experts', and determine which would be the best way to raise money. Sounded to me like it is a foregone conclusion that they are going to do this, the question is simply whether it will be through expanded auctions or raffles (Disclaimer; I was actually working, so I very well might have missed something. I would encourage folks to listen to the recording for themselves...). Was anyone else there or listening that heard something different??? S. Edit: I was wrong in my summary above. Have stricken my incorrect statements.

This is all good info, guys. I had no idea how closely the rut was tied to day-light (photo period....). Learn something new every day. Much appreciate the debate/chat...... Given that historically the success rate tends to be higher for the late Dec hunts, I'm definitely hopeful for a little more activity than on the early hunts that I'm used to (whether it be due to cool weather, fewer hunters, pre/early-rut stuff, or all of the above.... ). Bottom line; I get to spend some time with one of my sons and my little sweetie (his little sister) hunting in the desert over Christmas break. Precious time! S.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Super excited!

Given the alternative options that have been floated out there to raise the money for public education, I'm in support of this. Buy an extra point each year for a VERY slight additional chance or not, I get to choose. All good, IMO!

The commission voted to have the department move forward with next steps on the idea of a 'preferred/enhance bonus point' system to help fund public awareness and education. There were apparently a couple of variations of this idea on the table, but I couldn't read the slide well enough to tell the difference. Davis was the sole dissenter, with the rest of the commission voting to move forward. Though there was not 100% agreement to move forward (as indicated by Davis voting no), all seemed to agree with the sentiment that there must be forward movement on the topic of funding for public awareness and education. bassinix, any further clarification? As mentioned before, I'm at work and may not have heard it all correctly.....

Thanks for the input. I've been juggling work and trying to listen in where I can. (Sorry if I wasn't accurate enough for you. You'll notice above that I disclaimed my input and specifically said I might have missed something... ) That being said, I apparently missed the point of agenda item number 11, and thought they were talking about it in the context of raising funds for education. I made the mistake of that assumption based on the fact that auction and/or raffle tags were put on the table for an option for revenue for education. I stand corrected. I just started listening again (They are on the Enhanced Bonus Point discussion right now....).

That's a great looking pinon!!!

LOVE it!!! Awesome!!!

Good morning, and welcome to the site! Not certain if there is a iron clad definition of "desert units" here in AZ. I think you pretty much summed it up, in that basically ALL of the units/areas you referenced could be considered desert units. Some of them will have pockets (or more) with terrain that is not typical "desert", meaning there will be higher elevations with more evergreen type of foliage (juniper, pinon, ponderosa, etc.), but most of all of those areas are generally considered desert. And yes, the sunrise in the desert is an amazing thing!! Good luck, S.