kimberx2

I had this tag last year, and 1 year befor that. Last year there were hunters everywhere. They were really huge numbers around the mormon lake quite area. The first weekend there were people off of all the main roads in the northern part. By midweek it cleared out a lot then was way wosre second weekend. A lot of the hunters that were hunting the quite area moved away to try to get away from all the hunters. By the last week there were very few hunters. I hiked into rattlesnake quite area and didn't see anyone. Three years ago there were not half as many hunters and the hunts were divided into north and south units. Lots of hunters, but hike away from the roads and into areas with no easy access and you will find the elk. You still will run into people and another hunter shot a bull I was set up on, but that will always happen on public land hunts. Also had problems with people not respecting you getting to a water hole first. They would just go off 100-150 yds and start calling. I had three other hunters around me at one hole. As the elk started moving in they all started calling and moving in on them pushing them out. I have always had people respect you being first till this year. Had 4 or 5 days of people just hunting right around a hole I was on.

Last year 188,715 people applied for elk and antelope. Was there really 55,000 less people applying this year? That's crazy... because only one person I know got drawn this year! With 55,000 more people imagine how bad the website and phones would have crashed. I agree a text or email when the tag is generated would be nice.

I think it is pretty good now, with a good chance for everyone. But I agree it is not fair for those with high bonus points. I think azgfd should look into squaring the bonus points. Definite advantage as bonus points increase. Maybe raise bonus point pass to 25 or 30%??? Keep non-resi cap at 10%. I don't think you should have to wait to reapply, and with the squaring of the points it would not be as advantagous until you aquire more points. Good discussions. I like hearing all the different ideas..

$175.00 for a turkey tag is a big jump. But it is $221.50 for a non resi tag in Az, and it is a draw. Most of the units in NM are otc for shotgun or archery. Plus the second tukey tag was $10.00, not sure if that went up too, but 2 tukeys for $185 is way better than AZ. I'm just glad AZgfd is increasing the otc spring archery turkey tags each year. I can't afford the gas to get over to NM anymore. Thanks for the heads up.

336 phone calls and I finally got through last night. No tags.. bummer. Time to concentrate on otc turkey and bear. Good luck to everyone who drew .

pm sent

Cool pics. Is there three different cameras or did one of them get moved by the kittens?

Good luck on your hunt, I want a Goulds tag soo bad. 12 points and still no draw. I use expandables but only seem to recover about 50% of my turkeys. I wish I knew something better. I use a blacked out bow and fletching with noctural nocks. I use a double bull blind and it makes it a lot easier to draw on those turkeys. I have never found a mask that doesn't effect my arrow flight so I paint my face. I usually wear a black shirt, hat and gloves. If it is hot I wear shorts, cold pants, but color doesn't matter inside the blind. I prefer a head on shot but take what I can get. With the blind 10 to 15 yd shots are the norm for me and my buddies.

Congrats on the tag Mark. I don't think you can go wrong with any new bows. Try out lots of diff models then decide. I haven't seen you in years and thought I would say hi.. If you go over to Archery Headquarters to try new bows give Steve and me a yell and we can meet you there and shoot some. Kirk

I'm NOT turkey hunting, so I'll let you know if I find any turkey sign. When is the turkey hunt? Does it oerlap with the archery spring tag bear hunt? Yes the draw turkey and the otc archery turkey hunts do overlap with the bear hunts. There are turkey hunts from april 20th until may 24th. Yea for the otc archery turkey hunts this year. Don't have to drive to NM.

great timing on this thread. I've been out puttin up cameras for turkey and haven't seen any bear sign. I was wondering if any one else was seeing them on their cameras, or while shed hunting. Several cameras in unit 23 and 6a. Thanxs for any sightings...Ill post any good pics I get in a few weeks.

Nice spot, 200 deer in a week! Thnx for sharing. Good to see they haven't shed yet, gives us a chance that haven't got out shed hunting yet..

I remember talking about this at hunter ed class in Feb '08. It was definitely illegal then. But I can't find anything in 11/12 regs nor in the 10/11 regs. Possibly they changed the law?? Your best bet is to call Game and Fish and make sure your .50cal beuwolf is legal. I don't see anything on rifle weight either.

That looked like a really great trip. Suprised to see so much beaver activity. Thanks For sharing. Looks like a great area to explore.

Great contest. Lots of people guessing really early. 4/6/12.@ 3.00pm But I hope a lot earlier!

Great pics. Very tough choice, they all represent the spirit of coues hunting.

Wow. Those are great pics. That has to be one of the coolest critters to get on camera in az. Thanks for sharing your pics..

Hey guys my 1st post on here (long time lurker) and thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I've killed 3 bulls archery with light arrow set ups. 2 with easton flatline and 85grain wac-ems, from ranges of 3, 25 and 55yds. Arrows kill by cutting and not kinetic energy. So use what arrows your comfortable with and practice, practice, practice. Shot placement and sharp broadheads are what is important. I don't know how many people have told me you can't kill elk with 85 grain broadheads.