DCMHunter

I am with SunDevil Raise the bonus pass to 40%... DCM

As stated in another thread. They need to increase the bonus pass to 40% so some of those numbers can start coming down. DCM

They need to increase the bonus point pass to 40% or they will never see those number come down. DCM

What unit would you put in for if you had max bonus points and why? DCM

Thanks Its been 30 years since I was last in unit 9 & 10, I hear there are some access issues in those areas. Are there any maps showing private land and those public lands that are blocked by private? I had unit 2 a couple of years ago for a dear hunt and saw very few big bucks in unit 2B and some access issues on the northend of the unit. It was nothing like when I had my muzzy tag out there 20 + years ago. There was one respecable buck out behind the SRP power plant on private land, if he is still alive he my be worth spending time to try and catch him on state land. What do you all think about unit 1 did the fire affect any of them? DCM

Unit 28 should be open. Look up around blackjack.

As dry as it has been start looking for water. DCM

Well were do I start? I guess I will start 16 years ago when I drew a muzzle loader cow elk tag and after that hunt I decided I wanted to hunt the early bull hunt and that started my adventure. For elevan years I put in for the Early rifle hunts in unit 1 and 27 without success. I picked up several left over cow tags during that time so I was not completely with out elk hunting. six years ago after going on several deer hunts with my brother-in-law I decided to split my points with him and started concentrating on the early archery Bull hunts. When putting in this last January I felt like we had a very good chance at getting a tag. The bonus point pass for the previous two years was 11 for Unit 27 and 12&13 for unit 1. With my 17 bonus points and my brother in laws 5, giving us an average of 11 we felt that the non-resident tag was with in our reach. The real adventure started the week after learning that we did indeed draw a unit 1 early archery bull tag. I set out a few trail cameras in an area that I felt would be good and started exploring new areas . As the summer progressed and I found more and more areas that I liked I bought more and more cameras. Then the elk started getting an itch and decided to use some of my cameras as something to rub on to scratch their itch. At one time I had out 13 cameras not counting the four that the elk and bears destroyed. I know have lots of camera parts to make one myself! It was a weekly chore to go out and check cameras and explore new trails and areas. I found lots of enteresting areas and got lots of good picks. I even had someone putting salt out in front of one of my cameras. I got pictures of deer, elk, turkey, coyote, bob cat, bears and people. And I had regular incounters of all of these during my exploring. It came down to the last few days before the hunt and one last round of checking cameras before we set a plan for our hunt. The first day of the hunt was fun with getting busted by a bunch of cattle that moved into the area, calling in other huntes and ending the day with a scream off with a big bull that was flat tearing things up but would not come in. As we decided to try and advance on him we found a deep draw between us and think that is what stopped him from coming any closer. The next day found my brother-in-law not feeling good with some high altitude sickness. Comeing from 300 feet above sea leval to 10,000 feet can take the energy out of you. I went up to set a Blind i had set up and ended up busting the cows as I approached it. I went ahead and set there that morning and had a couple of small bulls and cows come by and listened to some screamers work by on both sides of me to a trail that dropped off the top down into an area that was realy rough to bed down. The third day we had acouple of close encounters but could not close the deal on anything. That evening we decided to hunt our third area and as we got to our area I found that someone else liked my camera more than I did and broke it out of its mount. That evening I had a cow and calf come to with in 15 feet of me and my son and a big bull about 20 yards away in the furs not allowing for a shot. My BIL tried to do a stock on a bull in a wallow and got to about 40 yards before being busted. The next day was more of the same with several close calls but un able to close the deal. On the fifth day We had some close calls in the morning and then decided to go back to the stolen camera. I was sitting a small blind area by were the camera was and my BIL dropped of to the wallow to set up a stand. I had a nice bull coming into me with some cows when another bull came in and ran him off. The new bull kept coming into me. He would send a cow ahead of him and then he would advance. I quiet calling and let my BIL do the calling down below me. The cow and bull finally worked there way down to in front of where the camera was when I decided to take the shot. I had to adjust by possition a little to get lined up and every time I moved the least little bit the cow and bull would look at me. My BIL would then call and draw their attention back to him. I finally got turned and drew when the bull went behind a tree and waited for what seemed to be forever for him to step forward. I finally ended up leaning forward enough to give me a shot and at 30 yards my G5 did the job. I saw an instant spot as my arrow hit him. he wheeled and turn and there was no spot on the other side. I started making funny calls too get my BIL's attention and waited the dreadded 30 minutes. As we started looking for him we could find no blood and no arrow for some distance then we got to were I saw him fall and get up again and that is were we first found some blood.He didn't go more that 70 yards and piled up. My son packing the head out. It was after midnight before we got him off the mountain and the next day was spent getting him into a cooler and resting up. The adrinalin rush with getting my first bull and with a bow no less can wear you out. The little over a mile hike out didn't help either. With it being night time I did not want to go get the horses. More to come later with my BIL's first bull'. DCM

Here are some live pics that we think are our bulls. Mine BIL,s

Sorry for the break but had to go to work for a little while. As mentioned earlier the day after I got my elk we pretty much took the day off and took care of my meet. That afternoon we went over and checked out an area rite on the state line and only had one bull talking to us but not coming in from the New Mexico side of the line. The next morning we decided to go up to a area where we had already had several close encounters and try it again. We get up and set just above a wallow and at first light we had bulls talking all around us and we started trying to get one to come in. First thing off the bat we have a big sounding bull just above us answer and start our way. Him and his cows start working down to the right of us and as they get to about 40 yards my BIL reaches up and breaks a branch out of his shooting lane and guess what?? The cows bust him and off they go. My BIL sets his bow down and reflicting on what just happened when another bull and some cows come down to our left just across the draw at about 45 yards. I was trying to keep the bulls interest and get him to come in closer not realizing my BIL did not have his bow in his hands and every time he reached for it I would call and they would look our way. Yep you quessed it when he finally got his bow up they saw us and they were gone. At this point my BIL is feeling like it is just not going to come to geather for him and was really reflecting on what has happened over the last week when all of a sudden from the aspens just 30 yards above us this bull turns loose with a deep growling bugle that just about makes us jump out of our pants. When we get turned and see this Sevan By working straight towords us and just trashing anythimg that get in his way with his sevan by three rack. Yep thats right his right side is broken off just below the third point and he is having a bad day. Well we thought we were about to have a bad day as this bull comes straight at us with an attetude when at 15 feet he turns a little to the right and walks past us. As the bull gets about 20 yards below us I cow call and he turns offering a perfect quartering away shot. My BIL lets loose and punches this bull with what looked to be a high shoot. The bull turns and runs across the draw and stops to my cow calls and looks back at us while my BIL is trying to get another arrow. The bull turns and on his second step does a face plant and is down for the count. Because of the elivation we had on him the shoot was a double lunger. Three bulls within less than an hour and the last one down 40 yards from us. Talk about excitement!! Well with this one I called in the horses. I may be biase but I think I have some of the best looking wranglers of any outfitter. It was a great hunt and I can't waite for the next one.

On Wednesday before the archery elk hunt my wife and brother-in -law went out to check camera's and swap out cards. At that time everything was fine with this camera and we got some good pictures. On the third day of the hunt we went to hunt this area and found that some want-to-be JA elk hunter had taken my camera. The low life had to break the camera to get it and then left the mounting base still attached to the tree. My question is what are these want-to-be's doing that they have to break and steel a camera just to keep ther photo from being seen? Any JA that would stoup to this leval can not call them selves a hunter or guide, just a lower than scum dirt bag. We saw several other hunters and guides in the area and are currently trying to find out who they are. I had moved this cam at the beginning of the Deer hunt because someone else set a camera and ground blind in the saddle just above its location. And the area is big enough that I did not want to interfear with their hunt. This camera would have taken a photo of this elk on the evening that this photo was taken because he was staning infront of the camera if it had been there when the arrow hit him To all low lifes out there If it is not yours don't take it DCM

I have boxes for about half my cameras. I got them off amizon. I serched the area and could not find the camera and the mount has no marks on it. I had elk work them loose in the mount but not completely off. There were fresh horse tracks infront of the camera with shoed feet so I know they were not ours. DCM

Ya I will post the story of my brother-in-laws and my hunt later. when I have more time. DCM

Its Friday morning and it has been light out for several hours now. In less than one week is the Big Opener. Is everyone ready?? I hope I can find This 6X6 again. or his buddy a 7X I was unable to get a picture of. Couple more days of work and then setting up camp on Monday. DCM

If you feel you know were these are at please pm me so we can talk. Other wise keep guessing.

I was looking to enter a big bull contest and was wondering where to go. I clicked on the lenk here and it says cant be found. Thanks DCM

Here is another one we will be chasing around come Friday. DCM

Where is the clinic? and what time?

Feel sorry for your loss. I currently have several cameras out and I even have a gentalman placing salt in front of one for me. All my cameras are well off the beaten path and locked. I have never lost a camera and hope not too. I would like to say that if anyone knows where my cameras are and would like to leave me a note or PM me I will be happy to share photos. DCM

I am looking for someone who may reconize this area and has been there several times over the last month or so. I have pictures and would like to speak with the person scouting this area. If you recognize this livestock salt area please PM me or email me at dmcdowell.DM@gmail.com I am planning on hunting this area and would like to know what your plans are so we do not interfear with each others hunt. And if willing I would like to share some information. DCM

The ATV's need to stay on designated roads and trails. I went out shed hunting in unit one and every place I hiked too someone had beet me there on a four wheeler. There were ATV tracks everywhereexcept on the road. DCM

Unit 1 early archery bull!!! Ya baby! DCM

Will it be today? Or can we get another video? DCM

Man what a rollercoaster after getting a pending charge last week and then it being removed. Today I got hit with an full charge and funds were removed to the game and fish. We will be hunting elk in September, now to find out what unit so I can start scouting. Any one have any good camera's for sell real cheap? DCM

MAVinWA. They got you coming and going. You should of already paid the $7.50 draw fee leaving $587.50 sounds like you paid the draw fee twice.