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cwnova

19a Cow Hunt

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I just happened to see two cow elk in there this morning. I frequent the northern area of the unit. The north section has a lot of roads but not a lot of hunters , ATV or otherwise. The problem is, the animals are few and far between, plus the critters have large ranges in that area.

I'd post a pic of some cow elk that I captured with a game cam a couple of days ago, but I left my SD card with all the pics in one of my cameras. :wacko:

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If you get drawn in this unit PM me. I don't know a lot but I will share what I know. I don't plan to hunt there much.

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Elk bring out the worst in some people some times. Hunted it a bunch look at onion mtn, ash creek, pine flat. All are tough areas to hunt but it sounds like you want it that way. I always see elk in these spots when I go in there and a cow shouldn't be a problem. Scout a bunch and you will do fine.

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I am a new hunter and also new to the forums, and this is also my first time posting.

 

I am interested in starting to hunt unit 19a during one of the two cow seasons that are offered. I am intrigued by this unit for a few reasons. While I live in Tucson now, I am from Prescott and still have family there. I love the environment around the prescott area and feel comfortable in the nearby terrain. If I get drawn for elk this year, it will only be my third time. I was successful (lucky) in my first hunt ever, for cow elk in 7 west back in 2013. In 2014 I covered a shitload of ground in unit 8 but came up empty handed.

 

Ever since I found out that unit 19a issues a small number of tags each year, I am becoming more and more interested. I am young, and in good shape, and I don't mind putting the miles on my legs. I would rather have a tough hunt in seculsion rather than a tough hunt being surrounded by guys on atvs.

 

Does anyone here have any experience with unit 19a? I hope to do a scout of the area in spring, and If i like what I see i may also attempt to start hunting deer in the unit (this year will be my first time applying for deer). From what I can see it doesn't look like the area has too many access roads, thus preventing atv hunters. I also am assuming not many atv hunters would even apply for a hunt with a low elk population in the unit.

 

Am I right in making this assumptions?

 

I appreciate any comments or insight, thanks!

Hey cwnova, sorry to see you get jumped on like that! I don't see anywhere in your post you asking for directions or locations! You did it right by taking the time to share your background, your thoughts and asking for folks to share experiences or insight. This site is full of very knowledgeable guys and as you've already seen there will always be somebody willing to help via PM's. Welcome to this great sport and to this great site and best of luck to you!

 

BTW, 19A is super tough and I agree with the others, there are better options for somebody that may have limited time to scout and limited experience.

 

If you wanna bounce some ideas around or need any advice PM me anytime. JIM>

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Wish I could help, I know it is a tough hunt. Nothing wrong with asking for some helpful advice, we all need alittle direction sometimes. Good luck on the draw !

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It's always the guys with 1 post looking for help. I'll save everyone the hassle....again.... 19A is tough. you will be very hard pressed to get info out of anyone. there are very few elk and the ones that are there are kept secretive. the first place to start is AZGFD.com. since you are opposed to getting out there and ffinding your own spots, here are a few to start with

 

 

Elk Overview: The elk population in Unit 19A is relatively low. A small archery bull hunt has been offered here annually since 1993. With the expansion of the elk herd, a rifle bull hunt and rifle cow hunts were added in the past few years. Check stock tanks for elk use (tracks) prior to the season. Areas of elk concentrations change somewhat year-to-year, depending on localized summer rainfall filling stock tanks and greening up vegetation. Monsoon-type storms during the archery bull hunt briefly intensify elk rutting behavior, aiding hunters who stay afield. Most elk in Unit 19A are relatively low in elevation and temperatures are still warm during the archery hunt. Plan ahead to make sure your hunting location and your elk removal/field care procedures allow meat to be cooled quickly after harvest to prevent spoilage. Cold storage facilities are located in the surrounding towns of Camp Verde, Dewey, and Chino Valley.

 

Areas: Most elk in Unit 19A are in the juniper and shrub oak habitat types – lower in elevation than hunters would expect. These areas have dense vegetation cover, so stalking may be difficult at times. The Prescott National Forest map identifies the following locations where most of the unit's elk are found: Onion Mountain (just north of the I-17/Hwy 169 junction), Boulder Canyon, upper Cherry Creek, Powell Springs, Goat Peak (note that some of this area burned during the summer of 2003), upper Ash Creek, and Burnt Canyon between Forest Service roads 413 and 132. Lower elk densities are found west of Woodchute Wilderness in Martin Canyon and CCC Canyon, northwest of Woodchute Wilderness in Munds Draw and Wildcat Draw, and near the Verde River off Forest Service Road 638 downstream to Perkinsville (at the junction of County Roads 70/72).

 

Thanks for the reply. Being a new hunter and having no hunters in my family and circle of friends, azgfd has been my only source of information. I'm not particularly interested in people giving up secret spots - I understand that issue; I was mainly hoping for some feedback on the area and possible past experiences in the area that someone has had. Given that I live in southern AZ and have a fairly busy schedule, I am not opposed to getting out and scouting the area, I just can't get out and do it on a whim. I'll try to remember that new hunters shouldn't ask for feedback on a unit as their first post..

 

Don't let one guy get you down. You did nothing wrong by asking for some basic info. As you have seen, this site is full of amazing people that are willing to help. Overall, this is by far the most positive, helpful site I have been on. A lot of the other sites are full of people bashing each other. I personally have given info on a "honey hole" and have had that favor returned. Some people are overly secretive about every single spot they know of. If you no longer hunt an area, or hunt it very seldom, why not pass along a little info? Especially when it comes to the animals you only get to hunt once in your life or once every 20 years...ie. sheep and antelope. Good luck.

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Here is the cow I shot last month on the late hunt. This is right where she fell. We didn't hardly have enough room to break her down.

Hardest stock, hardest shot, hardest pack out, I have ever had on a cow hunt. In 19a finding them is the easy part.

I know excatly where that tree and shrub is at. JK. Killing seems to be the easiest of the hard part for sure. Packing is definately the hardest. For all who are putting in for elk. I suggest unit 10 only. No need to worry about other units as the drought, the cold, the sun, the moon have depleated all the other units. Save your money. Gas is going back up. Do not seek the the treasure.

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Did you end up getting a tag for this unit? I got drawn for 19A and I am in the same boat as you ( I Just happen to be in Phoenix).

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You have a cow tag? What is the date in that hunt?

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My Grandfather and my dad drew the early cow hunt, they got a cow in there the last hunt they had so hopefully they will pull it off again. Ill be on my 6a cow hunt but if anyone has the later hunt I will gladly come help with glassing or a pack out. Daniel

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On 1/29/2015 at 3:24 PM, oz31p said:

my wife hafthe early cow tag a few years ago. I scouted 14 consecutive weekends. I found a few heards. On opening day there were people over running every spot I have found. The record was 7 trucks in one spot.

Was this near perkinsville? 

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