4huntrs Report post Posted October 14, 2020 I went up on a youth elk hunt this past weekend and had a spectacle unfold in front of me and was conflicted on calling it in to Game and Fish. Just for the sake of conversation here’s the story. A friends son had the JR Elk tag. We go up to an area that we scouted a few weeks ago. At first light bulls are bugleing and anticipation grows. Finally we spot a single cow about 75 yds below the ridge were on. His son gets in position to shoot and the cow feeds just out of our sight but in full view of a road in the flats. So all we need is for the cow to feed out about a 100 yds. As we’re waiting here comes a side by side headed to their spot. They have no idea we’re there. Perfect timing for them ,unfortunate for us. The cow spooks runs out in front of them. Time to just watch the show. The hunter gets out of the side by starts shooting. Miss, Miss now the elk crosses the road and Miss and on the next shot hits her in the back leg. As she start limping across the prairie I decide to video the rest of the incident because I knew what was going to happen. The cow gets out of their sight so the hunter jumps back in the side by side and they drive quickly down the road about a quarter mile until they start angling away from where the cow went at which time the driver turns off the road and drives cross country about a hundred yards until they can see the cow. The hunter shoots again. Not saying he was still in the side by side when he shot. He could have got out on the passenger side. They drove cross country again down the opposite side of the fence to get to the cow for recovery which I believe is legal. However after field dressing the side by side leaves. And the parent returns in a truck driving cross country from a different direction. I did not call it in. Had it not been a JR hunt my attitude would have been different. I showed the video to a Game Warden I know and he said I should have called it in. JR would have only got a warning. And more then likely the parent would have received 2 tickets. 1 for hunting from a vehicle and 1 for diving off road. The Warden said it was the dream call. Hunters still on site and video of incident. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Should have called it in. Lousy lesson to teach your kid and the future hunting generation. Why didn't the warden attempt to locate the group afterwards? He had video evidence. Driving off road to retrieve an elk is perfectly legal per AZGFD and their agreements with USFS/BLM/STL (but not on private land). Driving off road to PURSUE an elk is 100% not legal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Delw Report post Posted October 14, 2020 I think you should post the vid, public shaming and you can get other unbiased opinions. if it went down like you said its better than calling Johnny law. I personally would not have called the G&F cause it was a kids hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted October 14, 2020 How is showing an officer the tape different than calling it in 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBIG10 Report post Posted October 14, 2020 1 minute ago, trphyhntr said: How is showing an officer the tape different than calling it in Bruh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Well how long after did he show the officer, it’s not like when you call them they show up instantly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBIG10 Report post Posted October 14, 2020 I didnt want to tell my mum so I told dad. Same same lol Sorry about the botched hunt Public land Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted October 14, 2020 He could have called it in, they’d have it skinned and taken out by the time they got there. and then still be showing the officer the video. So what’s the difference? I’m just asking, there was some details about time left out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted October 14, 2020 1 minute ago, trphyhntr said: He could have called it in, they’d have it skinned and taken out by the time they got there. and then still be showing the officer the video. So what’s the difference? I’m just asking, there was some details about time left out And why didn’t the officer that saw the video do anything if it was a dream call? 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Just now, muledeerarea33? said: And why didn’t the officer that saw the video do anything if it was a dream call? That’s what everyone reading is now wondering I think Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ctafoya Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Call it in Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Delw Report post Posted October 14, 2020 he said he showed it to a Warden he new, so probably when he got home of a day or 2 later. I have my doubts, I think its misinterpretation on how he thought it should go or was a tad pissed cause it ruined his kids hunt(which I can understand). but the only thing I can think of from this story is maybe the guy would get ticketed for driving off road unless he was on a 2 track of coarse. but I see nothing else Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Did the kid shoot from the road or step off of it? When the elk crossed did he shoot across the road or step to the other side? Assuming it's a "maintained" road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4huntrs Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Showed the video a few days later. At the time I thought it was borderline and because it was a jr hunt didn’t want to over react. And agree not what should be taught to new hunters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBIG10 Report post Posted October 14, 2020 Post it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
