Flatlander

Getting 4 random numbers is the same thing as getting your name in the hat 4 times.

What NOTAGS is trying to point out is that the Game and Fish data is based on the total number of applicants (first and second choice) divided by the total number of tags. However this is not in line with the way the tags are allocated. First 20% of the tags are assigned to the applications with the highest bonus points. So if there are 100 permits for a hunt, then 20 are allocated this way leaving 80 for the rest of the applicants to draw. Those 80 tags are then drawn at random. Except, each application is entered into the drawing x the number of bonus points for that applicant. For instance, someone with three bonus points will have their application entered into drawing 3 additional times, the application plus once more for each bonus point for a total of 4 chances. So even in the random draw, bonus points come into play. For these two reasons the draw odds listed in the regs are not the most accurate available. However, they do offer a fair indication of overall application interest and patterns.

Bonus points apply to all applications. You know this.

Good rutting, but by that second week bulls will be getting broke.

Be snarky if you feel like it. I told him what my opinion was. I’m no expert or big time guide so I don’t have any inside info. And I don’t put in for rifle antelope in AZ so whatever he does it’s no hair off my nuts. Just answering the man’s question.

Dude... nice!

The recent reports I have heard from these units reflect dwindling age class and lower overall buck size. 19A has lots of big ones but there may or may not be any left after two archery hunts.

Same question, same response. A goal of >80” in AZ is achievable in almost any unit in the state. Pick the hunt experience you want. Unit 10 - A chance at finding a super big buck, potentially shooting long range, lots of other tag holders. 5BN - Same potential for a huge buck. Not as many tags but still gets plenty of attention from guides and outfitters. More vegetated areas. Unit 9 - Hunt the trees and fewer people. 19B - Lots of private’s land you buy access to and have all to yourself. Highly recommend doing muzzle loader instead of rifle in this unit. 5A - Very few tags. Open country. Not nearly as much hype as 5BN. 3A / 3C / 4A / 4B - Lower on the radar but plenty of opportunity for a buck over 80”. Not as big of a circus as the more popular units. Units I would stay away from 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 3B, 7, 8, 19A (unless you do archery), anything in the 30’s. One thing to note, they reduced antelope tag numbers significantly in several units this year. When you look at gohunt it will show the draw percentages from this year but will not reflect point creep from reduced available tags. Further complicating things is the fact that many premium tag holders point guarded tags last year so they are back in the draw this year. With our current moisture conditions it’s very possible we will have similar conditions which some say lead to smaller overall horn growth. I will say this, I highly encourage you to use those points. Between aggressive tag numbers, dwindling habitat, and high predator numbers I think antelope are really struggling in this state. AZ’s days as the antelope Mecca of the world may be numbered.

Looks like a great time. Congrats on the buck!

I don’t remember this thread. Wow Jake, glad you are ok.

I can’t even remember the last time I had an animal pop up so fast I couldn’t chamber a round. If I have time to put a rest down, turn up my scope (or even dual turrets), range find, etc how could I not have time to open and close a bolt? Ifi was sitting down calling elk I might chamber a round, but I basically glass everything I rifle hunt. I guess turkey hunting I would chamber one while calling. I just don’t see a reason while walking around.

Yeah, that’s how my coues hunts go too. Nice video!

I missed a nice buck in 24b today during the hard rain. I thought the shot was perfect but it just gave him a haircut. Almost a perfect Christmas present.

Sleeper unit

Nope. They already issued the regs and most units went down in tag numbers. And tag allotments are based on percent success so having fewer tags probably wouldn’t change it anyway.

I got a .22 from my grandparents when I was 12. A racer from my dad a few years later and a blanket from a girlfriend. Still have all of them.

Sweet!

Congrats, can’t wait to hear about how it came together. +10” for the flat brim

Merry Christmas Tony!

I will say this about bucket list hunts. Don’t sit on points or wait for “premium” tags. Just go do it. In WY 8 pts will draw you some pretty dang awesome antelope hunts. So research up, consider the minimal cost of a gohunt insider membership and an OnX subscription. Find a unit with lots of public land and go do it. The great thing about antelope is in a few years you can do it all over again. It doesn’t take long to draw decent tags. The cost is really the gas to drive there and the expenses of a camp. A few hundred for a tag and that’s about it. The bigger constraint for me is time. I get one or two chances to take a full week off during the year and that’s it. So like this year I invested 11 days on a Shiras moose hunt in ID. That was pretty much all my hunting time for the year. So I would suggest putting one on the calendar every year and making it happen. If you don’t plan in advance and force yourself to go it won’t ever happen.

Price?

Been thinking we should put together a CWT 🇲🇽 trip. Maybe it’s time.

MX Coues Yukon Moose WY High Country Mule Deer Selway Rifle Bull Elk Dall Sheep

The quail and ducks and doves will thank you!

Dang man, that’s not too common right there. Too bad no rifle, that opportunity probably isn’t coming back again anytime soon.