mc68

Signed it. We still need about 220 more!

No response from being slammed there Willie?! LMAO!! Probably a good idea not to try to match wits with Bill though. Well said Bill.

What units you hunt AvetageJoe?

Thanks for the report Alpine

I live in Safford and the areas around here have been hit extremely hard from the prolonged drought that we are in. The mule deer numbers are not even close to what they used to be. I used to go out and do a lot of archery hunting 20 yrs ago during the Dec-Jan hunts, and you would see herd after herd of deer and every group had a good quality buck pushing them around. It was so much fun to see so many big bucks. Every year I would see a couple that would fit in with the bucks from up north. Now a days, you spend a lot of the day glassing and hoping to find 1 decent buck to chase. The numbers just aren't there. Its really sad, I tell my kids all the time what it used to be like and how much I wish it would get back to that so they could experience it too. Another critter that the drought has crippled is the quail. We used to have quail hunting that was world class around here. You could literally limit out within 30 minutes almost every outing. Now we hunt all day and will get maybe 10 birds between several of us. Its sad. The only thing to bring all the numbers of critters back is to break this drought and go into a wet cycle again. Pray for rain folks!!

Alpine Bullwinkle, how are the lake levels doing? Was there enough snow to fill up the lakes? Any fishing reports? Thanks

TJhunt2, I was curious how many tags will this be for you if you draw? If I remember right don't you have a streak of 15+ tags in a row?? Good;luck!

Good for her! Sounds like a proud parent andnyou should be. Thanks to her for her service, that's awesome. Congratulations

Goinhuntn my response was not directed to you at all. My point is, we have an amazing state to hunt elk in. For many of us its the top of the latter in our hunting dreams. I have been on both ends of the spectrum, had back to back tags in premium units and went 14 years without. I just feel like everyone should have the opportunity to experience hunting here( residents). I just think this way people would definitely get that chance. You would still be able to go hunting in a less popular unit with minimal points. The way it is now that guarantee does not exist. Anyway, congrats to all who drew their dream tag and I really hope you have a great hunt. Hopefully we will get the moisture we need and horn growth will be good.

That's kind of what I expected from some of you...can't have a decent conversation so you turn to making bogus comments. There has been no hint of whining from me. I simply put what I believe to be a good, fair idea to what in my opinion is a system that can be improved upon. But since you have no real input to defend your greed, you throw out nonsence. Please Willie, show me where you feel I have been whining? The way I see it, all I have done is present another option. Also, I guess congratulating those who have drawn tags is somehow whining in your world huh? I do like your idea of silence though, fell free to begin that immediately!

Desertbull a preference point system should work in As. There would be units that you could draw with 1-2 points. Then if you wanted a premium bull tag you would know that in 8-10,years, you could have that tag for sure. The way it is now you can have a bunch of points and still not know for sure you would have the tag. The common response is that "I want to at least have a chance of drawing my tag". This is exactly my point. So many people are not willing to level out the playing field. Those people that have terrible luck in the draw want to hunt just as bad as we do so why should they not get that chance? Please give me a reason other than our own greed that makes sense to keep our system the way it is.

If you were talking to me, I'm not "pissed off" thank you. I had a bull tag last year and had no expecatation of drawing a tag. I am just a guy who believes that there is a much better and FAIR way of working the draw system. What could you possibly say is ridiculous about that?!

Maybe a little TMI there Lark! But I totally know what you mean. And, I know that what you said is true, you are an elk hunting machine! You remember that year when you took that guy on the early rifle hunt and got that big ol bull right before me and my guy got back the to shoot him? Mason

Said it before and will say it again, the truly FAIR way for the draw system is preference point system. I too have had tags back to back and 2 out of 3 and its not right. Did I go and enjoy myself? You bet, but its not right that I had a tag when guys had 10-12 or even more points. I like the concept because you could plan on having hunts every x amount of years. You would know if you would have a tag and could plan on the hunt. It would not hurt G&F revenue because you have to put in to gain the points. I really wish more people would be less greedy and would be willing to do the draw on a fair playing field. I feel like everyone should get the chance to hunt elk here in Az because as you know it is an incredible experience. Congrats to those who drew tags, especially those who have been waiting a long time for your tag!

Definitely one of the coolest bucks I've seen this season. Congrats!

Much congratulations to Darr and Parker. Great job Carr in teaching kids the right way to hunt.

That is one awesome looking buck! Good job!

I have to agree with some of the comments stating that if you got only 1 lung at best, he's most likely still running around. One question I have is when you jumped him after the hit, did he show any sign of being in bad shape? Was he limping real hard or having trouble moving? Again, if not there's a good chance the shot was not fatal. If I were in your shoes, after all of the effort you have put in looking for him, I would accept the fact you will most likely not find him and resume hunting. I would hunt in that area with hope of finding some sign of him, but I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to harvest a different buck. That's just me and you must figure that out for yourself. Best of luck either way. Readers, please hold your comments for another post on situation ethics so this thread stays on point to help this guy out.

Nice buck Dane. Bruce, would you buy that poor kid some hunting boots?! Lol

Congratulations young man! Those are a couple great looking animals, keep working hard and there will be many more coming your way.

Wow, those are a couple great bulls! Congratulations on your success!

Way to get it done Jed!

Just gonna agree with what's already been said, great bull, well done, way to stay with it and congratulations.

Don't know you Adam but thank you for stepping up and helping this new hunter out. Samuel, it takes some real desire to want to learn to have the courage to openly ask for help from total strangers. I am sure you are going to learn a lot from Adam and you will be enjoying many great hunts in the future. And remember when the opportunity comes your way in the future, help out someone else who is in need. Adam, no pressure but make sure he gets to shoot a great buck!!

Great bull and great job getting it done.