Swivelhead

Dry as it's been, water will be very important. Creeks, springs, tanks, etc. Hens usually nest on steeper slopes, ridges above previously mentioned areas likely will have strutters. If you have water, feed and cover be patient, birds will show eventually. Call softly and sparingly, don't sleep!

Thanks! Yup, got confirmation this morning. Permit #59 unit 27 Sept archery only bull You'll have a blast, 27 is a great unit. You mention backpacking into the Blue. Not sure if you'll be solo but I would advise you have a sound strategy for conserving your trophy (meat and cape). It can get warm in September.

Congrats on your 1st elk hunt, results are up. Did you actually draw 27 EAB?

Beautiful old sheep, congrats to your dad. Story?

I am not a fan of waiting periods whatsoever. Waiting periods are "feel good" measures for the unlucky and are statistically insignificant. Assume for a moment AZG&F did start waiting periods, G&F likely would allow the non-eligible to purchase bonus points during the draw cycles they were not eligible applicants. This move would force ineligible applicants to purchase a license and BP's just to stay competitive in future drawings. If G&F is taking my money at least give me an opportunity however slight, at the prize. Odds have a strange way of hitting the "average." Drew 12B late 3 out of 4 years in the early 90's, now sitting on 13 deer points. Drew 27 EAB 3 out of 4 years 02,03,05. It's fun to be "that guy" but it's now been 9 years since.

G&F IS messing with us. Playin' us like trout!

I believe squaring BP's is about as fair as it gets. It's not complicated. Everybody still has a chance to draw, a big plus.

Remember when Circle K would have cases of shotgun shells stacked chest high inside the store for dove season? Can't remember what we paid for dove loads back then but I'm thinking $1.50 a box? Better days no doubt.

Bump for a great bow. Wish it was a lefty.

I am a fan of 8X binoculars and own two pair. Like the large field of view plus they are steadier to hand hold. 8 X 32's are perfect for a forest environment. I'd suggest taking a look at Zeiss Conquest's. Lot of value in the Conquest line.

Called back, still spring ........ Who knows when!

Just called, spring result no longer available, we are close!

Keep the faith guys, a buddy of mine got an elk hit on a Capitol One card at 11:00 am this morning.

Got a hit for 3 elk tags the evening of the 20th. 27 or 1 archery bull early. We are ecstatic. Have not had a White Mtn tag since 05. I believe there will be additional hits early this week. Predict the results will be posted Wednesday @ 0943

You are really into claiming behaviors. I'd suggest you BUY or lease some hunting land. I pay no attention to stands & cams (other than to note somebody thinks it's a good spot). If you are there hunting so be it. However, I may need to check the spring you're sitting for sign but I'll try to do it midday. It is public land and nobody can expect to monopolize an area for days on end.

Looks as though New Mexico is going to have to move their application deadline to early March if they want to keep maximizing the take from AZ applicants. Likely, when NM picked the 3/19 date they had not considered the CC hits that come prior to draw results actually posting. Bet the NM deadline will be 3/1 within a year or two. Good luck in the draw.

Thunderhead = 30-06. Thunderheads are a good affordable head. Not a good head if your going to shoot 100+ plus yards though.

A safe is likely the best money I ever spent. That being said, if I had it to do over again I'd get a safe (or better yet two!) that was about 800#'s. My safe is about 1250 empty and is a bear to move even with the door off.

Aquifers get recharged via snowpack. Rain is good, snowpack is better. Our aquifers are depleted, springs are drying up, rivers run less every year. We are pumping our aquifers at an unsustainable rate. Eventually the Verde will suffer the same fate as the Salt and Gila rivers. Just a matter of time.

+1

Yes, it's never cool to block a road.

You ARE a dirt bag if you think a trail cam, salt pit or tree stand gives you a claim on a hunting spot.

Appears that moose was "yarded" on the trail. Note droppings in the trail when the shooter/photographer advanced on his machine. Likely that moose was stressed from a tough winter and deep snow, it certainly was not willing to abandon that hardpack for powder. Just a bad deal. I've got no problem with the shoot but self reporting and meat salvage is a must.

During Malay elk hunts only.

Some of AZ's best sheep herds are in high density lion areas (22, 24, 31, 32). Sheep evolved with lions. We are witnessing Darwinism within the recently released sheep in the Catalina Mtns. Sheep from SW AZ have little experience with cats. These recently released sheep don't know their turf just yet, many have likely never even seen a lion. I am confident that predator evasion in rooted in sheep DNA. Sheep in 22, 24, 31, 32 ARE from transplants from SW AZ and they are making it. I believe most people are rooting for the sheep, even the Center for Biological Diversity. G&F ALWAYS gets drug through the mud when predator control is the issue. Suspect that with each lion killed sheep the G&F gets closer the green light from the preservationists to suppress the cats proper. Likely, when the next group of sheep are released there will be a lot less lions. That and the remaining sheep will have street skills. This restoration project is far from over IMO.