Whip

Am I just getting too old to figure this stuff out anymore? I have a long awaited AZ elk tag and I'm trying to read up on the hunting regulations. All I've been able to find is 30 pages of legalize language showing the applicable laws toward the end of the regulation booklet. Isn't there some plain language explaination of what is required? I'm not even certain how to fill out the tag if I do get lucky. And what about proof of sex? Is just having a tag attached to a rack evidence? Or do they want sex organs attached to a part of a quarter like many other states do? All I've found so far is clear as mud. What am I missing? Trying to read through everything online and find what I'm looking for is a challenge. I miss the old days of paper booklets written for a common man to understand without hiring a lawyer.

Yes, I've always used the gutless method.

That brings up another question. Does a bow need to be in a case while in a vehicle? I've run in to that one before, in fact wisconsin used to be that way at one time.

I also will have a small freezer and a generator along. I prefer to do my own processing if I can, but I'll see how things go. I do have names of processors if I end up going that way.

The unit I drew doesn't allow offroad vehicle use so unless I get really lucky and it dies on a road quartering it is.

I did sign it on the left hand side. But don't sign the right side unless I'm giving meat to someone else?

Yep, Wisconsin to AZ is a trip - all part of the fun! So on the tag you as long as I'm keeping the meat for myself I don't fill in any of the info on date, time and place of kill, etc. and do not sign it again, correct? Do I have to call in to report the harvest if I have a paper tag? Then attach the tag to the antlers immediately upon recovery with the transport section still attached? And no need to leave any sex organs attached to the meat? (Some states require that) Assuming I would quarter the animal for pack out is there any rule regarding what comes out first? Leave the antlers with attached tag in the field for the last load? Which means having meat at the truck/ in a cooler without a tag until the last load comes out? Any other weird rules or things a guy should know? Some states are just so picky with rules and I don't want to be caught doing something wrong without knowing. Nothing I've found is very specific.

5B South early archery. It's going to be a long six months!

That has to be one of the most frustrating stories ever. Sorry you got the raw end of someone else's screw up. Too late to help, but that's why I use a separate credit card for my draw applications. Any card of any kind that you use frequently is subject to something going wrong at the worst possible time. Scammers, thieves, bank errors, etc etc. One clean card with no balance, and I pay it off monthly for any tags or licenses I do use it for. I hope you draw a great tag next year to make up for it.

7W or 5BS early archery. Yeah baby!!! It's been a long wait....

Don't they send out an email a week or so ahead of time to let people know to make sure credit cards are updated? Yeah, I'm getting antsy to....

That's they way to get it done! Are they available in September? 😉🤞🙏

I went back and forth considering options in other states. Ending up putting in for a couple of units that based on last year's results I might not draw unless points don't go up by a full point again or I get lucky in the random pool. One of these years......

What an amazing bull! Congratulations!

Ok, I'm officially depressed. I put in for a unit with two more points than what it required last year in the bonus round. Thought that should be close to a lock. Please tell me they continue hitting cards throughout the day. Or should I just go ahead and jump off the bridge now??😢😭

Come on man!! Take my money!! Please!!!

Oh come on. My day is off to a nerve tracking start. Nothing yet....

Incredible!

Videos like that make waiting for draw results even tougher. But I love it!! Thanks for sharing.

I went in this morning thinking I would change my card to one I use less often, just thinking there might be less chance something weird with a fraudster hitting it at a really bad time. It wouldn't allow changes, so that 20th date is apparently accurate. So from past experience you would expect cards starting to be hit tomorrow?

Very nice bull! Congrats to you both!

I am newly registered here and hate to be the new guy that walks in the door and asks where should I apply. But here I am and here goes.... I asked this question on Rokslide where I'm well established and it was suggested that I ask here as well. I go by Whip on most forums, or Joe Lasch on others. So maybe some of you know me from there. I've been building Arizona points for a number of years and am finally at the point I think I may be able to cash them in. My long term target unit seems to be slipping out of reach. At age 67 it's time to get this one behind me so I'm looking at applying for a unit that I think I have a decent chance of actually drawing at my point level. I've done all the online research I can think of, listened to podcasts, contacted people I know, etc etc and think I have narrowed down a few options. My only hesitation is that for a couple of them I don't know anyone personally that has hunted them or has boots on the ground knowledge that they could share. I tried contacting AZ Game & Fish to talk to a biologist asked was told bluntly that that weren't taking calls and everything I needed to know was on the website. No help at all there. What I really would like to know more about are things like hunting pressure, competition and interference. Are the elk vocal, responsive to calling, or quiet and call shy? Is the terrain conducive to glassing? Is the cover thick enough to allow a guy to get close? (I hunt with a recurve). That kind of stuff. And yeah, maybe a little of what to hope for as far as numbers and quality of elk, although that's a less important factor to me. I think any of the units I'm looking at hold what to me would be a good bull. If anyone is willing to bounce some thoughts around on mid tier AZ elk units that you've got personal knowledge of I'd be all ears. Point creep being what it is I'm hesitant to list the actual units I'm thinking of on a public forum but certainly would in a private conversation. I would obviously also be very discreet with any information I might receive. Thanks!

My application is in. Thank you so much to everyone that took the time to reply both here and the numerous PMs I received. It really helped to solidify my thoughts and now I just sit back and wait, fingers crossed that the vicious point creep doesn't bite me in the butt....

What a special hunt! That's one you'll both cherish forever. Congratulations!

I'll be submitting my application soon hoping to draw an early archery tag. As a NR is been a long wait but I'm hoping I finally have enough points. Still investigating exactly which unit(s) I'll be putting in for but have gotten some great help here and think I have things narrowed down. From what I'm hearing it sounds like sitting waterholes is probably the most reliable method of taking a bull. I'll certainly do that if that's what it takes but I truly love being able to chase bugles, spot & stalk, etc. I sit treestands all fall back in Wisconsin and when I get out west I really love being able to get out and about. Any tips or advice on how you guys that have hunted here more often have found success? I've read conflicting ideas on how call shy AZ bulls can be. Do you cow call, bugle, rake trees, use decoys? Glass from a high spot and try to intercept? Stalk in their beds? I hunt with a recurve, so the need to get close will certainly limit my chances. The early opening date this year and the full moon might have some impact on daytime activity too. I'd love to see some discussion on what methods might work best down here.