phx hunter

You said it right, D. I often hear about these repeat offenders of poaching. They clearly don't think hunting laws matter. I know the officials have to punish them some how but I always find it funny when they take away the hunting license of someone who was hunting without a license. I guess that showed them. Clearly they will stop now that it is against the law for them to hunt. Oh well maybe two less applicants in the pool. Although the bonus point they will get for the class they have to take might just give them the incentive to play by the rules.

They know that the archery hunters are the more dedicated hunters. We will put in year after year no matter what they do. It is the occasional hunters they need to target. By increasing the percentage of general tags they will keep the others coming back and increase their revenue through the application fees. Follow the money and everything they do makes perfect sense. Don't get caught up in thinking the G&F cares about the wildlife or the sportsmen.

Can't tell you how angry that makes me. Don't know your friends' situation but if they need the help put me down for a cooler and a sleeping bag. Maybe others could chip in some of their extra gear as well. Let your friends know there are still good people out there. Let me know. Josh

Is it possible that he is more likely to fall on that side and damage the antlers during growth? Nice pics. Good work

Easy there, big fella. My comments were not directed towards you in any way. I was simply apologizing to vini for my poor choice of words. I saw the tag description before I first posted. Looking back I felt that my comment might have come off as trying to embarrass the man. I was not, so I revised my statement. He did an outstanding job and that is all we should talk about. I think another topic thread is in order for a discussion of anatomy or ethics. Feel free to start one and we will all jump in. I am now sorry for messing with this guy's post. Well done vini.

Got "drawn" for a supplemental archery elk hunt for this last weekend. It was my first elk trip and I am hooked. With what other hobby can you spend entire days looking for fresh droppings and feel satisfied when you succeed? Maybe just me. Went up with a cow call and stomped around some. Finally heard a bugle. My call didn't seem to be getting the job done so I improvised a bugle call with a Gatorade bottle. That got him going. Thought I brought him in to 30-40 yds on my right. When one of the biggest bulls I've ever personally encountered came crashing in at 20 yds from my left I was a bit startled. Not massive but nice. After nearly soiling myself I tried to draw but spooked him off. Those releases aren't as easy when your hands are shaking like crazy. Rounded out the weekend with chasing a smaller bull around never getting quite close enough. Still had one of my favorite hunts of my life. Learned a lot. Anybody get out this weekend?

I also saw the part about the tag. Please don't think I was trying to bust a fellow member of this site. These things should be dealt with in private. I was simply curious about the animal. I don't know if the patch is developed or from birth. I put out the question in case a veteran goat hunter knew the answer. My sincere apologies to vini. I was not trying to cause a problem. JM

vini, I know this will come across as stupid but that looks like a doe. Obviously you would have picked that up while you were dressing it so it can't be. I just thought that all bucks in the pronghorn family had the black cheek patch. Also, some does have horns. Am I just way off? Or am I missing something in the photos. I know enough to know that I don't know enough about them and I was just curious. Congrats on the take and thank you for doing your part to bring the younger generation to the sport.

I ran into some of these idiots up on the plateau a few years ago. They were driving up and down the highway with a howling coyote tape playing at full volume with speakers pointing out the windows to scare the deer away. I thought it was one heck of a fast 'yote until I saw the standard issue hippie-mobile drive right into my camp. Still get a good laugh from that. Anybody have something like this happen? I like that they talk about spraying repellent around bedding areas and generally disturbing the lives of the very animals they are trying to protect. Smart! Kick up the game so the road hunters can get them. Why don't they poison water supplies and burn the feed while they are at it. These guys are hippcrates... hipokrates... hipo... dang, what was that link to the dictionary they gave us? Sorry, just my weird sense of humor. At least I think I'm funny.

I may be missing your point entirely but it sounds like you have already talked yourself out of every idea you thought of. I can't believe that you found your favorite spot in your old area the first time you went out. It probably took some trial and error. There are plenty of places to get you the cover, altitude, and accessibility you are looking for. While I don't recommend my method of looking at maps until your eyes bleed, the right combination of topos, "google earth", and yahoo maps should provide half a dozen places to scout this weekend. As far as the hike goes, sometimes "there is such a fine line between stupid and clever." If I talked myself out of every dumb@##$ hunting idea I thought of, I would never make it out of my truck. Sorry I don't know 21 but I wish you the best of luck. Welcome.

4B Bull

They said "technical problems" were delaying things from getting 100% up and running. The spring draw link has been removed and replaced with the fall draw link. However it does not get you anywhere. Since I have my results and am now in a zen-like calm, I can tell you all to be patient and everything will be fine. Sorry, just kidding. 10-15 minutes was the estimate the G&F gave to fix the problem. Anyone believe that?

I couldn't agree with you more about the fun. I will also be happy when I see "the results are up" someday. I just can't take the rush from new info followed by another let down. I can tell you that I am fairly sure that my eventual death will occur from a massive heart attack in the week leading up to the draw results. Until then let's all chip in and hire some kid to hack the G&F data base. JK J

Could we all agree to not posting info from "inside sources" about when the results will be up. We have all wasted time hoping because somebody "talked to a guy" somewhere. I may be the only one getting all excited and then...... NOTHING! If it is just me, I will shut up. JM

Called them around noon. Not very informative. The guy said they were processing and that the charges we are getting are for successful apps. No estimate for when the info will be released. Sorry. Maybe I didn't ask nicely enough. Josh

Muley, $39 is the price of two deer tags (19.50 each). Did you put in with somebody? Josh

Hey all, love the site. Have met and hunted with some of the members in AZ and am now proud to be your newest member. Got drawn for NM unit 23 WT. Not Burro Mtn. I respect the need to protect your spots and am not asking for GPS coordinates. But, if any body could point me to some general areas, websites or articles I would appreciate it. Please no suggestions like "No-tell-um creek" or "I don't thinkso Mtn." Also wanted to hear (in private) from any who have used and liked Gila Wilderness outfitters. Don't know if I am violating any "rules" in asking that. If so, please let me know. I look forward to posting my pics this fall.

I figure since more than half their staff has no idea what I'm talking about when I ask, carrying an actual copy with me while hunting wouldn't hurt. Never know which type of officer you will meet out there. J

Don't know if you still need this resolved. I called the customer service dept @ the game and fish and they are faxing me a copy of the directive. Will scan it and email it to you if you need it. Same goes for any one else who does. Let me know. J

It sounds like the bows that professional shops use to check your draw length. They have almost no resistance. Your question got me wondering about my own kids learning archery. I did some looking and found www.kidbow.com . They have bows as low as 15 lbs. I would someday like to teach my kids and am interested what you find. Good luck.