bigorange

Sounds like you found a good Plan B!

Saw 1 doe this morning...that was it. Back at work now. I know one hunter who put a buck to bed last night and hopefully gave him a nice wake up this morning...

Was in 27 this weekend. Lots of rain, but a lot of the tanks seemed low. Saw 5 or 6 bucks and at least 10 turkeys.

Was in 27 this weekend. Lots of rain, but a lot of the tanks seemed low. Saw 5 or 6 bucks and at least 10 turkeys.

Was in 27 this weekend. Lots of rain, but a lot of the tanks seemed low. Saw 5 or 6 bucks and at least 10 turkeys.

Awesome...congrats!

Whats left? Sending PM...

Sitting by the fire in 27...bulls bugling, cows talking. Awesome day scouting. Lots of elk, lots of fresh sign including a fresh rub with velvet still hanging. Pleasantly surprised at the road situation and a lot of barley on the slopes south of Alpine keeping the elk happy.

We heard some bugling one afternoon, but other than that it was all at night and right before first light. We saw mostly cows but also a couple of bulls...seemed like young ones that were already trying to herd cows. Here's hoping it will be an awesome rut hunt...

Forgot about that. Saw a news segment recently with several all over Tucson in swimming pools and other places.

Watched one diving for fish this weekend while swimming with the kids...very cool.

Yep...the fire is part of the experience. Also makes my hunting buddies smell better. Get the wind in your favor and don't worry about the smoke smell. Especially in the burns...smoke is a good cover scent!

I've seen those...nice bucks but I think they might be "hybrids" and probably not what Bobbyo is after. I still say west of the fence, but now thinking south of that other fence too.

Oh yeah...that place...with the trees and the bucks. Share away...I enjoy seeing your pics too.

Yeah but those wolves are tracking coyotes, not deer...

Nice pics...I like the last one showing yo what he thinks of you taking his pic.

Tonto travel management plan info is here... http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/home/?cid=fsbdev3_018761

There was a good discussion about this at the AZ Elk Society elk clinic. All of the forests are required to have a travel management plan in place and as stated above are in different stages of publishing them. Coconino was reported to have the best motor vehicle map (dated 4/15/2012) with dispersed camping (allowed within 300 feet) marked by dots along the road on the map...either one or both sides of road. Clear as mud. Looking at the map right now, 295E looks to be open to dispersed camping in most sections, but some sections not marked with dots. Based on the explanation given at the clinic, the areas with no dots were still open to camping but 30 foot limit instead of 300 foot. (Note that I'm no expert...this is my understanding) It was recommended to check out the FS website for updated travel management plan for whichever forest you're using. Looking right now for Apache-Sitgreaves because I don't want to be in the same situation on my scouting trip this weekend in 27... http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/map/state_list.shtml#Arizona Good luck!

Heading up there Fri to scout some. Looking forward to seeing the difference since the hunt last year...

Nah...you need a native guide west of the fence. I know a couple from work.

I just keep coming back to these...good luck next weekend Steve. Hope to see one of these on the ground. Txt me if you need help packing one out! Bradley

Reminds me of my first spring turkey hunt...driving into NM and see a gobbler strutting in a campground not 50 ft off the highway in AZ. That s the kind of stuff that keeps me coming back though.

I'm sure answers will vary. I have the late Nov/early Dec hunt. I don't have time to be out there constantly...work and life get in the way. I'll be out from time to time and hopefully more frequently as it gets closer to the hunt. Good luck to everyone...wish I had that later Dec hunt!

Very good analysis Coach...that's a tough spot to be in.

Awesome! Nice story too.