5yearcoueshunter

Last year was 100% with 16 points, but 85% with 15 points. So creep was not far behind....

Tag numbers are up on the Portal!

I could be wrong, but my assumption is that 3rd - 5th choices are all done in the "draw" portion and would have been charged already too. I would think it's just the rejected cards at this point. I hope I'm wrong, no hits for me yet and my 2nd choice was 85% chance last year. But NR odds are always hard to figure in the random draw, so could have easily changed.

I have no clue how the AZ draw system works, but I would say it's a safe assumption the "draw" was done last week and the results audited for accuracy. Successful applicants and amount to be charged stored. Wait for CC update deadline and then join successful list to get CC and create batch file to process. Tuesday morning process batch file, have a log of apps with rejected cards so those can be redistributed to next person on the already created "alternate" list. If there is a problem, assuming it was when they were running the batch file. The file is probably in a random order, so some people charge was successful if it crashed while running. Or batch was completely ran, but it didn't go thru for a lot them. Just my logical theory that could be completely wrong. Lol

NM guy, only have been drawn for AZ twice in the past. Both times the charge was in that first initial morning hit. Based on that, normally I would say it's done other than the few later in the week charges from rejected cards, but it just seems like there is way more chatter than normal about folks that put in for easy draws and no hits so I dunno. I'm holding out hope. My 2nd choice was a 85% draw and no hit.

If you would have done 1st choice as late Dec and then 2nd choice as October, you should have been guaranteed your October hunt with 6 points. Both of those 2 choices are evaluated in the 20% Preference pass (top point holders get the tag) and then then 80% bonus pass (you get as many random numbers as the amount of points you have). If after they have gone through all applications there are still tags leftover (hardly ever happens anymore), then they look at 3rd and 4th choice. https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/draw/process/

ok, gotcha. I'm not going to claim to be an expert on the draw system in AZ, because I'm a NR. But my understanding of 3rd and 4th choice is there has to be leftover tags from the 1-2 pass. So if you put in for late hunts in those units for 1,2 choices and don't draw (odds look to be about 10 - 15% with 6 points as a resident), then there has to be leftover for the October hunt to get it as a 3rd choice. I don't think there are any leftover.

Ok, that's what I figured, thanks! I'm hoping it's my first or second choice that was hit, will just have to wait and see.

So do they not charge the 3rd or 4th choice the first day? I got a hit, but wasn't sure if it could be my 3rd choice.

My favorite meat. Ewes and young rams are delicious, big Rams need to be all ground up because they are tough but have great flavor. People that say they aren't edible most likely don't take care of the meat and get it cooled down, which is hard to do when you have to pack them out a long ways in hot weather. Me and my hunting party have shot 8 in NM, all were delicious and we do nothing fancy to the meat. Just plain hamburgers and chicken fried steak. Travis

Unit 31 Nov Whitetail. I'm a NR from NM, first time applying in AZ. Excited to start the research and scouting! If anyone has any tips for me, I'd really appreciate it.

That is my favorite way to cook Javelina, especially the younger animals. Delicious!

Yes, there are Rio's in the Rio Grande Valley around Socorro with plenty of open land along the river to hunt. However, from my experience it's super difficult to find a bird off the Bosque Del Apache refuge and the hunting pressure is pretty heavy. With the limited river habitat, it doesn't take long for the few birds outside of the refuge to get hammered.

NM does have Rio Grande's, but they have a limited range. They are native to the Canadian river drainage in the NE part of the state. There are also some in the Pecos river drainage south of Santa Rosa and in the Hondo valley west of Roswell. I'm not sure they are native there. There is also some in the Rio Grande valley that were transplanted years ago. All these areas are OTC. I was lucky enough to take my first NM Rio this year. Been trying to get one for the past 5 years. Super happy to get him. [/url] Travis

Congrats! That's awesome. Good idea hitting that OTC unit early in the season. Travis

Dad and I got Bighorn Ewe tags! I know it's not a Ram but I'm super excited to be hunting bighorn sheep for the first time. We also drew Barbary! No deer, elk, antelope, Oryx or Ibex. Good luck to all! Travis

Congrats! That's really cool. I was hoping to get called for this hunt but nothing. Always next year. How the heck did you measure that billy at over 400 yards! lol Happy that worked out for you but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have taken that chance. Congrats again! Travis

Congrats on the sheep Doug! The fact that you found some sheep to shoot at and got one is a huge accomplishment IMO. Tough loss on the head and hams. Definitely one of those weird situations. Next time will be better. Travis

Good luck Doug! Hopefully you'll have success this time. Public land NM Barbary hunting is tough but addicting. I was lucky enough this weekend to take my 3rd public land sheep. Could have sworn it was a Ram, but it turned out to be a big 20 inch old Ewe. You would think after 4 years of hunting these critters I could judge them, guess not. haha Was a fun 3 mile pack out trip in the dark, so definitely rewarding. Good luck again! Hope to be hearing a success story. [/url] Travis

Results are scheduled to come out April 24th, so look for emails on the 23rd. Last year they were about a week early so it's possible but I wouldn't count on it. Travis

Good looking buck! Sounds like you definitely put in the time for him. Congrats! Travis

Licenses are already available to purchase online. Bag limit is 2 F/IM with a purchase of one license. Hunt starts Feb 21, 2013 - Mar 31, 2013. Who's in? Very tempting to do it, but I'm scared it's going to be a circus opening day. They might kill the 125 and close the season before I even get my out of shape body up the mountain. haha Travis

Congrats Jeff on a very nice buck! Glad you posted. Travis

Congrats on a very nice NM buck! You should be proud! Travis

Congrats on awesome buck! I really enjoyed your story and how you pointed out the true reason why everyone should hunt, to have fun and enjoy yourself! I have been lucky to draw a few really good tags myself and I always put way to much pressure on myself to get that trophy animal. And then when things aren't going so good, I almost get this panicked feeling that I'm not going to get him. I also think I hunt worse on these tags because I overthink them and just don't let my hunting senses take over. When I look back, some of my most memorable hunts are the hunts when I wasn't expecting to get anything and do. I'm the most relaxed on those hunts and soak it all in. Thanks again for sharing! Travis