daverp

Just got back from the 7W late rifle cow hunt. Did not see much. Tag soup for my out of state buddy I was helping out. I grew up in this unit. Know it very well. Have several glassing points in the PJ's to the west side of the unit which are our "go to" points, and have never failed us. But with my interest in hunting U10 over the last 15 years, I'd not been back to 7W until last August for a trip with the son and granddaughter to our "family camp" that we've used over the last 45 years. Did not see any elk back in August ,though we weren't glassing or scouting, just camping, predator calling, etc. As the granddaughter had never seen an elk, we did a bit of driving around after dark in areas we'd typically see elk, and spotted nothing. Fast forward to the late rifle cow hunt. I get up there 2 days after the hunt started. On way to camp that afternoon, a cow was standing in the road not far from our camp, and close to one of our great glassing points. On Saturday afternoon went to my best spot. Glassed up a group of 8 cows coming through right about sunset at 450 yards. I figured "great, it's all the same, we'll get that tag filled for sure". Buds got into camp Sunday evening. Four days to hunt. Those elk I spotted were the last elk we saw with the exception of two cows who just came into my best spot at last light at 400 yards. Just a bit too dark for him to make out and confirm antlerless at that range, and he could not take a shot. Glassed another great "go to" point with 360 degree views for miles. Not a single elk moving. Glassed a couple of the really cold mornings from the truck, glassing high. Truck glassing necessitated by buddy with the tag having Raynaud's disease, and hands become unusable when they get too cold despite best efforts with heated gloves, hand warmers, etc. But these spots have always been easy to see elk from as well. Still nothing. What we did see a lot of was deer. Which is quite unusual for this area of 7W in my experience. Saw or glassed up 6 different groups of deer in different areas. Anyone else experience the same? Never had a problem on late rifle bull hunts here glassing up plenty of elk. This last trip has me a bit shocked at the lack of activity at my best spots.

Ha, yep. Ones I'm looking at though have a 4x optical and 28x digital zoom. That should certainly do the job and get it high enough it won't bother the coyotes. Now....locating an incoming coyote with the camera, trying to zoom in and then also track it on its way to the call would be an entirely different story. Likely not worth the effort, but would make for a very cool vid if one could pull it off. Saw a couple vids with guys monitoring coyotes with the drone, or trying to chase them off of their cows with a drone. The coyotes (much to my amazement) generally seemed to not give a crap unless it was very low, very close, and coming right for them. Still in about mid-point stage of research, and getting ready to pull the trigger on one this week for an upcoming camp / shoot / way early scout session for a buddy's Dec. cow hunt in U7W. Won't need it for even terrain scouting locations as I'm pretty sure I've covered most of that unit on foot over the last 40 plus years (home unit where I grew up) and know where we need to go, and know the elk will be there when we get there. But I dang sure might send it up early a.m. in August just to see what elk are about in an area ahead of his December rifle cow hunt just for chits and grins. As for consideration or worries about it getting shot out of the sky.... Like I said, I won't completely avoid the woods during seasons just because I don't have a tag, but I will avoid a lot of shooting in a game rich area, or doing much of anything that could screw up a tag for a guy that has been trying for it for years. I dang sure wouldn't be flying a drone around in such a manner that it could interfere with someone's hunt (or even hunt experience). I stay out of the woods period during premium hunts (early rifle bull, etc.) But if I'm out during a general season rifle deer hunt camping (not hunting) I could see where someone could get bent out of shape, especially if they thought the drone's (my) intentions were other than on the complete up and up, get pizzed, and take a shot. Chance to take I guess, but I'd be dang pizzed to lose a $2k flying camera in that event. I'd be equally as pizzed to get a ticket and hefty fine from G&F just because I was flying a drone during archery deer season just because I happened to have a sidearm on me or rifles in the truck with no tags in camp due to very vaguely worded regulations open to a wide range of possible interpretations.

I see what AZ has to say about use of drones during and immediately preceding a big game season: Section R12-4-319 - Use of Aircraft to Take Wildlife A. A person shall not take or assist in taking wildlife from or with the aid of aircraft, including drones. B. Except in hunt units with Commission-ordered special seasons under R12-4-115 and R12-4-120 and hunt units with seasons only for mountain lion and no other concurrent big game season, a person shall not locate or assist in locating wildlife from or with the aid of an aircraft, including drones, in a hunt unit with an open big game season. This restriction begins 48 hours before the opening of a big game season in a hunt unit and extends until the close of the big game season for that hunt unit. I've recently become interested in drones for use while out camping, shooting, off roading, general exploring, etc. Brother has one and we were messing with it the other day when I was over, and seems like a hoot. But I wonder if anyone has received clarification on the above statute, or knows beyond what is stated in the statute where the "good side" of the line is. If neither I, or nobody else in my party holds a tag during a big game season, would drones be ok to fly and even spy on some critter activity? With big game seasons running from August to late Jan, that's a big chunk of time not to be able to explore with drones in the outdoors. Is this like a spotlighting thing, where you can't spotlight wildlife while in possession of a firearm or other ability to take? My only possible thought of uses in relation to hunting for me would be pre-season (well before season) terrain scouting. We've all been there countless times. You find what looks to be a promising glassing point on the topos, check vantage point / view with google earth, and all looks good until you get up there and find out you can't see a thing due to foliage in the way. I can see how a drone could show pretty easily if the point has possibilities, or if boot leather and time would be better spent on other spots. Son thought it would be cool to aerial film predator calling. I'd have to agree, not yet knowing just how high you have to be to not screw up a calling session while still being able to get some footage of the action. No real interest in droning over populated areas for fun, so if the "good side of the legal line" puts me at a point where I couldn't drone outdoors at all during a big game season (which most units obviously have running dang near consecutively from Aug to Jan), I may have to re-think a $2k type investment in a drone here. I also realize that even if I'm on a great legal standing, and I happen to be flying a drone during an open season, there are going to be some guys wanting to take a shot at said drone. But much like with shooting activities, I generally try to avoid target shooting in the woods where shooting might interrupt a great hunt for someone, and would behave similarly with any droning.

That's how we do it. We always plan on a primary and secondary glassing spot in camp the evening before. Often the parking spot for a prime glassing spot is pretty obvious. We try to get out and plan on being at our spot well before sunrise, but occassionally someone has beat us to it. If we arrive at our planned parking spot and there's a vehicle there already, we head out to "plan B" spot. I prefer to not share glassing points with other hunters during the season, and I'm sure they don't want to share with me either if they beat me to it. One case we experienced was being at our glassing point about an hour before sunrise. Froze our azzes off until sunup. Shortly after a group of bulls was headed our way, with a nice 6x the boy wanted to try for. As we are watching them, and they are almost in range and position for a shot, they stopped, then busted out of there about an hour after sun up. Shortly after noticed a rather portly guy huffing his way up the top of the ridge, skylining himself, instead of using the military crest on the opposite side of the intended glassing area. That was frustrating, but nothing worse than that. He came up, talked to us, parked himself about 50 yards away and started glassing. We just got up and left after a bit. Can't understand encroaching on a glassing spot where someone has established themselves, especially walking in during prime glassing hours. Too scared to walk alone in the dark I guess. I've sometimes made the walk in when it is scouting season and shared a spot, and visa versa. Usually makes for a good time meeting other hunters. But not during a season.

How old is she? We bought this for the grand kids last summer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KUL0D4Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 $100, and keeps the younger ones entertained all day. Kids in their early teens likely won't appreciate it as much though. Kids depart, it gets deflated and put in the shed until next visit. We've set it up a half dozen times, and still going strong. There are some out there that are larger / taller and can accommodate even adults, but saw a couple bad stories out there on some of those with "sudden deflation" and people crashing into the ground causing spinal injuries.

Thanks for info. We may stick closer to U10 than further away. NE and SE portions of 18a. Brother coming over this weekend, maps on the way and will be here Friday, and we are going to game plan. Will make the first trip up in a couple weeks and get the lay of the land. Have a feeling September is going to come pretty quick. Good thing is I have taken some time off after the move back home, and unless a too good to refuse offer comes up for work, I should have some decent time to dedicate to burning some boot leather and rubber. Definitely want to spend a good chunk of time familiarizing with the unit. I think at this point the familiarization, along with looking for good evidence of last year's scrapes will give us some decent starting points. Then, the week before, head up and start looking for rutting bulls hopefully around previously identified areas with good glassing opportunities. As for the Onx app, never used it before. Signed up for it, and it looks interesting. Like Google Earth, but with a lot more info. Will take some getting used to, especially being a paper maps kind of guy myself.

Brother drew early rifle bull for 15a,b and 18a. Have spent countless time in U10, but none in the above units. So we need to start hitting the scouting now. Thinking of starting in 18a, south and north of the 40 for the first trip up in a few weeks, brother seems interested in that area. I plan on spending a week to familiarize and "see what I can see". Look for sheds, glassing points, etc. Get the lay of the land. I'm not currently working (taking time off), he is, so I've got time to invest. Not looking for areas, but rather areas to avoid. Built up areas, heavily hammered areas, etc. Not at all interested in a "Williams Corner" type hunt, but rather an out in the middle of nowhere (as much as possible) middle of the Boquillas type hunt. We have no problem putting miles on the tires and boots. Any of the 3 units meet that kind of criteria? Starting now so I can get custom topo's printed up (not exactly cheap) and don't want to waste time in areas that would be fruitless or frustrating (people, private property issues, etc.). As soon as I can get some topos in, I'm headed out.

So, moved to AZ permanently on 8/19. About 4 days short of residency requirement for the Antelope / Elk draw, so I just got a BP for elk to save what BP's I have to use as a resident next year (will be going into that draw with 12 points). My NR license is valid through June 12. Just tried to purchase a Resident license in preparation for the deer draw, and it won't allow me as I have a valid and current license. I changed my residency status in the portal, and it shows the Resident options available, but won't allow me to select and continue due to having a current NR license. I'll give G&F a call in a couple weeks I suppose once everything dies down for them, but curious if anyone has come across this? Can I apply as a resident with a NR license? Seems to me that would be a big old rejection if I did get "drawn".

Brother got hit for early rifle bull today. Either U10, or U15a/b, 18a. Guessing the latter with only 5 bp's. But still....we are going early rifle bull hunting!

The keys are great. Never did do any fishing there, though I wish we would have. We stayed on Key West. Was a great time, and will go back. Would recommend a stop on Big Pine Key to see the Keys Deer. Smallest specie of whitetail. I remember reading about them in the old man's outdoor life magazine as a kid, wondering about these crazy tiny deer that swam the ocean from key to key. First time I'd read about Coues deer as well. Couldn't have been but 8 years old, but both these tiny whitetails fascinated me.

Won't be moving to Flag unfortunately. That may have to wait 10 years or so until retirement for that. Then Flag, Prescott, Sedona....who knows. Somewhere out of the valley. But will be looking presently to relocate to Chandler / Gilbert area. After living in Kalifornia all these years, close enough for me. The Hobbles and U10 each a bit over 3 hours away. White Mountains about 4. Compared to 6 and 8 to 12 hour drives now to get to those places. The ability to get to places easily for weekends will be life changing. Aside from all the other numerous benefits to being back in Az compared to this chithole.

Have been absent the forum for a while. I came down with heart issues 3 years ago (corrected via stent, no damage), and mom came down sick. Haven't stepped foot in AZ dirt in 3 years, except for the time I took the future wife of last 11 years to Sedona to propose. Had to turn my U10 deer tag back in unused in October as I couldn't leave mom alone. Didn't apply for elk this year either. Grew up in Parks and Flagstaff. Left my home at 18 years to join the Army for a few years, with an eye at that time of getting out after three, and putting in application with Flag PD. One thing led to another, and I would up doing 10 years in the Army. Korea, Fort Ord, CA, Germany and South Carolina. All those years longed to be back. We moved around a bit as a kid, but the one spot I always thought of as "home" was our secluded campsite up in the Hobbles in U7w. Didn't matter where we lived in AZ, we were up there often for camping, elk hunting, etc. Got out of the Army and got back to AZ briefly for about a year in the midst of a nasty split and custody battle. Then it was off to Kalifornia to stay with family while I continued the battle. Got my son back, but never got AZ back. Wound up staying out here due to solid work, 50/50 custody, and stability. All those years, and countless trips back with the boy to show him what AZ had to offer. Elk hunts, deer hunts, predator hunts, trout in the white mountains. We had a great time, but it was just never enough making those 3 to 6 trips a year out. We had toyed once or twice with the idea of moving, but an elderly mom here kept us pretty much locked in. I'm the only family she had close who could help. Mom passed 6 weeks ago. Then a few weeks later, out of nowhere, the woman texted "want to move to AZ?" I said "sure". She didn't think I'd take it seriously, but I was. Two weeks later, the deal was sealed. Her company offered a transfer to their Tempe office. She accepted. No cut in pay from her current CA salary, which is quite nice. Walking away from a 25 year job that pays nicely - with nothing lined up in AZ - is nerve racking. But worst case, I've got enough to live off of for a few years. Not that I want to do that, and dig into part of the retirement nest egg. Will be looking for work as soon as we get fully settled in. Almost said "no" due to the anxiety of walking away from a 25 year job, but knew I'd kick myself the rest of my life if I didn't make this move. Opportunity may never come up again until retirement, and the timing couldn't actually be better. So, I'm back as of July 1st. Getting house emptied and up for sale (good time to sell!), and packing up. Won't be applying or hunting as a resident this year, but next year, good to go. Almost biggest concern at this point is saving a sufficiently nice bowel movement to deposit on the west side of the Colorado before I cross over for the last time.😀

NR here. Grew up in AZ but left for the military, and never quite made it back (though still have family there and will retire there). To this day the only state I hunt in is my home state of AZ. Oh, it was all about a money grab alright. But not by G&F. It was all about USO trying to jack AZ residents by trying to grab up the lion's share of tags for NR's. I understand the license purchase requirement. Azzhats at USO caused this. G&F is doing what they needed to do to keep things fair, keep a majority of tags for residents, and to discourage the playing of the system by shady outfitters like USO. No way should NR's have any right to receive more than the 10% of allotted tags. The license purchase was never required before USO started their crap. AZ G&F had to do something when the NR 10% cap was lifted for a while there in order to keep a majority of tags for residents. Their only option at the time was was to require license purchase by NR's in order to participate in the draw. May still be a good case for it, but at any rate, once that cat was out of the bag, there was no getting it back in. And I'm sure the continued required purchase of NR licenses to apply for a draw all adds up to not enough to cover legal fees to fight the likes of USO over the years. Not all NR's were, but there were plenty of NR's licking their chops at the prospect of the 10% NR cap being lifted in AZ. Well, what you see now is the result of that greed. The blame lies somewhere, but I don't see the need to put it at the feet of G&F.

Hit for U10 deer. Hoping for some good rains between now and then.

Here's mine. Just a couple trips in on it, but easily the best tent I've owned. Sturdy, easy to set up. I got the 10x10 though. Almost wish I'd of picked up the larger one, but this one is "good enough" room for 2 people, and the big buddy heater keeps it relatively warm.