Devil Diver Down

Well done and congrats to Skyler! Although it would have been nice to see the bird before the shot, I'm glad he didn't wait--as he said, too many close calls to risk blowing it for video.

Congrats to the successful hunters! My boys couldn't connect on their hunt this weekend in 4A/4B. We were at the Youth camp in 23--big time thanks to Rich W., AES, AZG&F, NWTF and all the other orgs that pour their time and money into making these events possible. I joked with my boys that they might have tagged out if only they had a better mentor--there weren't enough to head out with all of the kids, so they were stuck with me. This was my first attempt at calling turkeys and we got some gobbling action Friday morning and a little Saturday but couldn't get the boys to leave their hens. It was exciting anyway!

I know 6A is a large area unit but I'm a little concerned about the number of tags for the early bull archery hunt--650 bull tags and 75 cow tags makes for a pretty big crowd. Anybody else hunt the early archery hunt in 6A recently? Is it even possible to get away from other people to do a set up?

Sounds like you were handed a really crummy deal on this, mulie hunter. AZGFD needs to make it right by, at minimum, squaring your bonus points situation. I guess it would depend on how many people got screwed to determine whether they could hand out 'make good tags'. As appealing as it is to hold funds, see charges that equal a draw and the (IMHO) easier app process by filing online, it might be more failsafe to use the old paper app. Of course, there could be (and probably are) screw ups by AZGFD on those, too. Best of luck getting it cleared up positively and keep us up to date.

Thanks to everyone for their input! I'm grateful and a little surprised at how much information you all have been willing to share publicly. Almost none of my friends or family hunt (except my kids) and none of them archery hunt, so I don't have many sources of advice. I'm going to put a TON of effort into this hunt, scouting, conditioning, etc. but I really do appreciate the tips you all have given. I feel like it's given me a head start. And as a bonus, the scouting and hunting will help me put my oldest on a cow during the October junior hunt in the same area

Awesome bull, ruthunter! I don't expect the quiet areas to be very quiet that first weekend. I'm going to scout them well but I'm pretty sure I won't be in them Opening Day. I'd rather hunt some of the areas that might not hold as many elk if there aren't going to be as many bodies--I'm a relatively new archer so I'm probably not going to beat anyone on a race to a bull. Facing a deal like kimberx2 did might sour the hunt pretty fast. I'm planning on staying the whole hunt and don't have a problem heading in deep, so maybe I'll get some 'days off' from other hunters and even worse, their tag-less buddies. Thanks for the input!

First ever archery elk hunt for me here and my oldest gets his first ever elk hunt on the junior cow tag--both of us in 6A! Gonna have to spend a long, long time learning the unit!

My best amateur guess is it's gone unless those files are showing up on your PC trash folder. Sounds like either the drive was (re)initialized or evereything inadvertently dumped on your crash. It stinks either way. Those bulls you posted are some pigs for sure! Oink Oink. I don't think I'm holding out for anything in that class--probably spike and up for me Best of luck to you and your clients this fall!

6A archery for me and 6A junior cow for my oldest. I used to love to hunt elk in that unit but it's been a long time since I pulled a tag there and never for archery. I'm pretty sure it will hunt much different in September than it did in late November.

Bill, that's great info. Thanks so much for taking the time to post that and your follow up about other, lighter calibers. Shot placement is everything in my mind and that means shooting the rifle enough to be comfortable and to know it well. A recoil of 31.6 fpe is a considerable jump up from the .06. A muzzle break doesn't really excite me but it's probably what I'll do if I decide to keep the rifle. I do understand the lighter Tikka will have some bite to it so that's why I'm looking at a smaller caliber. I'm not a small guy (6'1"/185) but I have started getting flinchy in the past. Ernesto, congrats on your win but I'll pass on the trade, thanks but I may end up selling it if I decide not to keep it or my oldest son doesn't want it. Thanks to everyone for their input. Now I just have to decide whether I want to put some rounds through this rifle or sell it.

I'm not butt hurt that I'm having to wait to see which unit I drew my bull tag and where my oldest son drew his junior cow tag.--the G&F stated deadline for notifying is still 2 weeks out--and don't think too many other people are either. I do wish they'd move the draw up a little earlier so we could have results before app deadlines hit for nearby states, but that's my only real complaint. Other than I'm not too productive other than with the refresh on my laptop. Best of luck to everyone!

I haven't had time to read the entire proposal closely yet, but from what I have read I see it as 1) something that is NOT going to have legs in its current state or 2) a proposal that has some merits, IMHO at least. I may be alone or at least on the wrong side of the fence on this on most of your opinions, but I'm okay with that because I think it leaves room for discussion and I always try to have an open mind. Here are my takeaways so far: - I don't think the designation of the area as a National Monument is a good idea at all, so I reject it based on that first and foremost. I will email McCain & Kyl to oppose this, though I don't think it's in their ballpark to do so right now. - I dang sure would have a problem with wolves or grizz being re-introduced there and I sincerely hope the language that's in there--which doesn't at all call for a re-introduction, it allows for the Sectretaries of Ag and/or Interior to call for 'analysis regarding recovery' of those animals--would be slashed out of any real proposal. - Hunting and fishing is not excluded by any of the language I read. - It does not call for an end to grazing either--though I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. It allows for 'permanent retirement of grazing permits' but existing permits would continue. I suspect that it may mean that grazing would eventually peter out and come to an end as existing permits expire, but again I don't see that as a bad thing for me or other sportsmen. I can see why ranchers would not like it but there's quite a few issues I don't see eye to eye with ranchers. - It reduces road density in the area--another positive to me. I fail to see where that would not HELP deer populations. I understand about wanting access for work projects, bringing in catchments, etc but I don't think the size of reduction is large enough--one square mile--to sweat. I see it as a positive. That's my 2¢. Your mileage may vary.

Spring is the time of year when I make my contributions to the various organizations who I support, because they support the things I think are important. I can't afford to support all of them so I have to make choices. I let them know how I feel about their stances--we won't agree on every issue but we need to see eye to eye on the big ones and I vote with my dollars accordingly. Here's a list of organizations that won't see a dime from me this year: Anglers United Arizona Antelope Foundation Arizona BASS Federation Nation Arizona Bowhunters Association – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Arizona Chapter of Safari Club International Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Arizona Deer Association Arizona Flycasters Club Arizona Houndsmen's Association Arizona Trappers Association Ducks Unlimited Phoenix Chapter Mohave Sportsman Club Outdoor Experience 4 All South Eastern Arizona Sportsmen Club – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Southwest Walleye Anglers ABA and ADBSS got money from me last year but won't see my money this year because as long as they are still aligned with AZSFW they can pack sand. Three others from that list also got money from me in 2011 but won't this year because of their direct involvement with AZSFW. Groups that will get my money because they were members of AZSFW or AZSFWC but have pulled out of the organizations because of HB2072. I already support 2 of these groups and am adding a 3rd this year. Arizona Elk Society – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Coconino Sportsmen – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version National Wild Turkey Federation, AZ State Chapters – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Hunt of a Lifetime - publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Three other organizations opposed to HB2072 that will get my money this year: Arizona Wildlife Federation – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Mule Deer Foundation – publicly opposed to HB2072 in any version Money is tough to come by in these economic times (unless you're personal friends of Don Peay, I guess ) so IMO it's more important than ever to choose wisely but also to give--time and/or money--to the organizations that represent your interests. There's plenty of money being thrown around on the other side of the fence. Think of it as an investment in the arms race that's coming. The time for choosing up sides is here. And I've made my choice.

Exactly. I'm as anti this bill as anyone else but if we ran every legislator out on a rail as soon as they supported or introduced a bill we didn't like, we'd have an empty government. Hmm, maybe that's not such a bad idea Weiers seems to have a decent track record of supporting Arizona hunters. People make mistakes and we'll see if he 'hears' the feedback we've given. If he starts down this same road again, that's twice too many and probably earns him a permanent vacation. Maybe he'll end up being a positive force in solving some of the issues that threaten the future of hunting in AZ. For those that think there aren't significant access problems in AZ--how many inaccessible acres of PUBLIC land is okay? Zero sounds like a good number to me.

I appreciate the things AZSFW has done for Arizona hunters, but that doesn't grant them a blanket pass for everything they do. HB 2072 is, at its best, a poorly aimed attempt at a good cause. At worst, well, it's what a lot of folks here are calling it. There are too many problems with this bill--the lack of credible audit/accounting, the great disparity between the auction and raffle tag seasons and the lack of specifics regarding how the profits will be well spent not to mention the dangerous concept of further monetizing of our natural resources--for it to be allowed to move forward or even be place on hold by the AZ Legislature. The bill needs to be killed entirely. A new one, with radical changes and specifics can always be written and introduced. Clearly, the money needs are great to tackle the issues targeted by the supposed profits--hunter R&R, habitat enhancement and access issues. Those issues are important to every hunter in and outside Arizona. Our hunting futures and those of our kids depend on them being solved. But we cannot give the farm away to save one cow. I'm not ready to judge everything the AZSFW group does by this misguided or possibly sneaky attempt at legislating our game. But it's not a good step for them in my book.