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I drew my first AZ antelope tag this year with 17 points (15 pts + HS +loyalty). I still feel very fortunate to have drawn with 17 and personally know of others who didn’t with more. I started preparing immediately. I spoke with some of last years tag holders, AZGFD officials, guide friends and internet searched all I could. I purchased maps, OnX hunt chip and the premium membership and drove the unit marking areas. I became a member of the Arizona Antelope foundation and attended their online webinar. I even sweet talked the wife into some new NL 12x42’s. I was all in, putting everything I could into this hunt. Who knows if/when I could draw again. I spent over 33 days scouting and put 6,500+ miles on my truck, not to mention 2 new sets of tires. I’ve hunted Wyoming a few times for antelope and have looked over plenty, but judging them is still tough for me, especially from a distance. Anyhow, I made a list of the best bucks I saw and named a few. Some of them I had patterned well and saw them often, some I only saw 2-3 times. My biggest hurdle would be finding one on public land during the hunt. I arrived on Tuesday before the Friday opener and camped on a piece of BLM 6 miles from Holbrook. Not wanting to mess up any archery hunters I glassed from camp, the highway and once from Denny’s when it was raining, Hee Hee. I did manage to find one of my top 5 bucks on Wednesday but never saw him again. Thursday afternoon I spoke to an archery hunter headed home. After talking and looking at a few pictures I found out the best 2 bucks were taken during the archery hunt. Opening day- I’m in my target area but only see some small goat bucks and a few muley bucks. I head to another area for the afternoon hunt and spot a tall and wide but thin buck I had on my list. I watched him until dark and headed back to camp. I had several friends come up Friday night to lend a hand glassing or to deplete my supplies. We had a quick dinner, a few spirits and went to bed. Saturday- Two buddies and I are looking for the buck from the night before. We see a small buck chasing two does. We move to a little knoll an spot him glowing in the morning sunlight almost a mile away. I check with OnX and we are both on state land. We watch him feeding for a few minutes until he beds. I make a plan and we go over some signals. I head off west with the sun at my back and the wind in my face. I’m at a brisk walk while below a small rise trying to make up time. I stop occasionally to look at my buddies for instruction and to look at OnX for location. Before the last knoll I turn for last direction. They indicate the buck is walking towards me. I creep up towards the top of the knoll, lay down and start crawling forward to a bush. After a minute or so I see the buck through the brush feeding towards me at around 600 yards. I decide to crawl another 30 yards to a rock outcropping for a better shooting platform. After reaching it, I see the antelope feeding to me around 500 yards. I get set up to shoot, ranging several trees and bushes along his path direction. He should walk within 300 yards or closer. Naturally, at 445yards he beds down looking in my direction. I decide I will wait until he stands back up. I check my ballistic calculator and decide on 34” of hold over. After 15 antagonizing minutes and several trains horns later I feel the wind start changing direction. I afraid he may not stand but instead bolt from his bed. I decide to set up on the gun, blow a call and hope for the best. With a great rest I blow the call and watch him stand up broadside facing to my right. I find my hold over, settle in and the recoil surprises me. As I’m cycling the bolt I hear the impact and watch the goat run from left to right FAST !!! I watch him pile up in a cloud of dust and rocks. He must have slid 12’ or more and broke off a prong that we never found. I collected my brass and walked back to the top of the knoll. I flagged my buddies, sat down in the shade of a juniper and started shaking. I dug out my tag and some water from my Fanny pack and texted my wife and kids. Soon my buddies arrived. We hugged, high five and shook hands. I tagged my buck and took some pictures then we headed back to camp. We skinned/processed the buck and got the meat cooled. Soon we started celebrating and with Holbrook being so close, everyone got dilly bars from DQ.

BTW I thank you all for not forgetting! My crew and I observed a minute of silence gathered around the flag yesterday morning once for each tower. Afterward we were chatting about the riots in Portland and how the cops there and elsewhere are being treated and we all agreed that people had forgot so I thank you!

Ft. Benning Ga M16 qualification range .

Unit 10 sucks, son got a real small buck, saw maybe 30 goats 6 bucks, 3 decent , one got wacked s2 were running ridges and were not accessible big Bo was way over rated and hunted. Talked to game warden and he said there has been to many tags for last 3 years, next year big tag reduction. One big unit. Thanks for everyones help.

If anyone needs artifical velvet applied please give me a call.

I know what you mean. Had a few (5) archery tags this was my last buck.

Before I ask the question.....YES.....I KNOW....late season rifle hunt in unit 9 is a difficult hunt for many reasons. HAHA not to be rude, I just don't want to waste your all's time with that part of it. So this year, I was fortunate enough to draw an early season archery Elk tag for unit 8. I have spent most of the year scouting for that hunt which will end on September 23rd. From that point on I will be putting all my efforts into preparing for my 12 year old son's rifle hunt in unit 9. The hunt is from November 26th-December 3rd. I understand the unit has challenging weather, limited area to glass and other difficulties. Does anyone have information that could help me get started in there right direction? This is his first Elk hunt and he is excited beyond belief!!! I'm hoping it will be a successful one. I truly value your all's help and advice. Last year was his first deer hunt down in 36c and it was because of the info the members on this page provided that helped us in getting him the little buck below and was a memory neither of us will ever forget!! Thank you all in advance.

As stated ill give two boxes 50 rds total to the first ill take them .the catch is your kid must be there .the cost is free and only a thank you required I'm in Gilbert and will be available sat or Sun afternoon again free for kids .and no 18 is not a kid anymore.the rest of the shells will be for sale I've got 12 and 20 probably 100 plus of each ill post later

Posting for a buddy who does not have an account. He built this set up and never used it. Scope has been mounted but the whole set up is unfired and should be considered as new. Rifle is Tikka T3X 6.5 creedmoor and scope is a Leupold VX6 HD 3-18x44 fire dot duplex. He’d prefer to sell together for $1850 but would separate if he had a buyer for the scope and rifle. Scope $1350 and rifle $550

Thanks for all your kind words of congrats. It sure was bittersweet to be tagged out so quickly into the hunt but awesome I got a respectable buck. 2 things that I will take on all my hot weather hunts from now on is a bug-a-salt gun and a bucket misting fan. Made it fun and cool.

If anyone is interested in just the scope, let me know.

Load your charge weight testing at .050" off and go shoot.

I try to imagine what was going through the minds of our soldiers around the world and on our soil on that day and days to come! Thanks oz for being where you were that day!! I was at Home Depot buying materials. Got back out to the truck and called a cabinet maker who was building cabinets for our kitchen ( who happened to be a Vietnam Vet) he started screaming the F’ing Pentagon was just bombed! He had no idea of what was going on really so I kicked on the radio and listened. I ended up down the street at a circuit city watching the news with a bunch of others

My son goes to NAU and knows those woods inside and out plus hes a great hunter. Hes taken a few people on here in the past. If you already know what your doing then dont ask, if you are new to area or just new to elk hunting send me a message. I will put you in contact with him.

In great condition. $750 text 602-501-1549. TC

Ok. Its yours

I will take the BH209. I can come get it tomorrow after I am done at the range.

Sounds like a great time. Congratulations!!!

Short version. Returned yesterday. 1.5 day on Pacifica. Didn't crash so yay! 90 miles out. It was either chase BF or hunt for YF. We chose BF. About 17 BF, (20-40#) 14 nice Yellow tail and some bottom stuff. No real fish on flatfalls, all flyline except the two on the kite at dusk. 196 and 214#.

He ended up getting it

Long Read 🙃 Oregon ranchers, Larry and Amanda Anderson received a letter by the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife asking for permission to survey their land in order to track a nearly endangered species. The letter requested use of the landowners’ creek to document the amphibian life represented, specifically the foothill yellow-legged frog which is noted to have recently declined in population. I love this response. "Dear Mr. Niemela: Thank you for your inquiry regarding accessing our property to survey for the yellow-legged frog. We may be able to help you out with this matter. We have divided our 2.26 acres into 75 equal survey units with a draw tag for each unit. Application fees are only $8.00 per unit after you purchase the “Frog Survey License” ($120.00 resident / $180.00 Non-Resident). You will also need to obtain a “Frog Habitat” parking permit ($10.00 per vehicle). You will also need an “Invasive Species” stamp ($15.00 for the first vehicle and $5.00 for each add’l vehicle) You will also want to register at the Check Station to have your vehicle inspected for non-native plant life prior to entering our property. There is also a Day Use fee, $5.00 per vehicle. If you are successful in the Draw you will be notified two weeks in advance so you can make necessary plans and purchase your “Creek Habitat” stamp. ($18.00 Resident / $140.00 Non-Resident). Survey units open between 8am and 3pm but you cannot commence survey until 9am and must cease all survey activity by 1pm. Survey Gear can only include a net with a 2″ diameter made of 100% organic cotton netting with no longer than an 18″ handle, non-weighted and no deeper than 6′ from net frame to bottom of net. Handles can only be made of BPA-free plastics or wooden handles. After 1pm you can use a net with a 3″ diameter if you purchase the “Frog Net Endorsement” ($75.00 Resident / $250 Non-Resident). Any frogs captured that are released will need to be released with an approved release device back into the environment unharmed. As of June 1, we are offering draw tags for our “Premium Survey” units and application is again only $8.00 per application. However, all fees can be waived if you can verify Native Indian Tribal rights and status. You will also need to provide evidence of successful completion of “Frog Surveys and You” comprehensive course on frog identification, safe handling practices, and self-defense strategies for frog attacks. This course is offered online through an accredited program for a nominal fee of $750.00. Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you. Otherwise, we decline your access to our property but appreciate your inquiry. Sincerely, Larry & Amanda Anderson"

Congrats. That is a shooter for sure.

"🤷‍♂️ Much of the western U.S., an area already besieged by drought, should expect more dryness, the almanac projects. Nearly all of California, currently battling the raging Caldor Fire near Lake Tahoe, is pegged for a mild and dry winter, along with most of Arizona and parts of western Washington and Oregon."

You mean: Caught his wife banging the landscaper.

Only thing I will add to the above great advice is don't be afraid to hunt in the elk bedding areas mid day. Most of my bulls the last 20 years have been taken in bedding areas between 11:30-1:30. Wayne Carlton is the only one I have heard to acknowledge this and only in the last few years. Understand that you will not see the elk again if you bust them out of their beds in Colorado but not the case in Arizona. Instead of taking a nap in mid day go shoot your elk at noon in their beds!!! They will answer your light quack timidly at first and after 15-30 minutes come in to investigate.