azelkhunter69

Wonder if the "lost property" was a trail cam?

Looks like they are big early. Glad I have a tag. As for the cameras, I typically put them out in July. I realize it is a waste of time as far as patterning specific bulls for the rut hunt but it's fun looking at the pics. This year I also have an antelope tag so I will probably only put cams out for elk in the middle of August.

The buck my dad killed would have been right at 82" if he hadn't broken 1 1/2" off one side. He wasn't real tall, but had mass all the way up.

I plan on spending most weekends scouting this summer, especially all through August. Since this is probably my 1st and last rifle tag, if any of you kind gents want to share where you saw some of these "nice bucks" over the last year, I wouldn't be opposed to getting pointed in that direction to check them out. I "guided" my dad in that unit 10 years ago and he shot a real nice buck so I have plenty of knowledge on where to start. 3 general areas that I will hit hard. They are not secrets. Obviously, there are antelope back in off Bloody Basin Rd. and up off Dugas. And I also thought I would check up by Cordes Junction where they transplanted a herd from Utah several years back. Curious about the "interesting spots" 6AYoteHunter? I won't hold it against anybody if they don't want to share. I personally am not bothered by sharing info on basically what has turned into a once in a lifetime hunt, about like sheep. Not like there are honey holes you can hunt every year. Not like deer and elk. I will keep you posted on how things work out. Funny thing, all the time I have spent in 21, I have only ever seen one snake.

Originally, I just asked this question out of curiosity. But fast forward 4 months and I got super lucky and drew tag #5 of 5. So, I will be hunting them come September 6th....just so happens, it would have been my dad's 81st birthday. Good to hear there are some good bucks left in there.

Had the same problem with the vizsla I had. She bit my son and the little girl next door. After she bit the neighbor, I had her put down. It sucks, because other than biting kids, she was a good hunting dog. Just didn't want to see any more kids get bit...also didn't want to get sued. Good luck.

You guys hit the jackpot!!! Good luck.

1st bull I agree with Heat and KRP. I would say 300 - 310. At first glance you get excited because you are drawn to his top end and width. But, he has nothing on the front. He is pretty though.

Other than the limited opportunity hunts, statistically speaking, you should never draw a bull tag with anything other than your 1st two choices. But, according to some people on here, there have been a few times where something strange has happened(they won't say what) and they drew a good tag with their 3rd or 4th choice.

BOOM, an elk tag AND the antelope tag I have been waiting 17 years for.

How long before we see the post that says, "I just got off the phone with the lady at Game and Fish and she said........" or "My fiend(friend's friend, cousin, neighbor, etc) works at Game and Fish and said......" ?

They're late.

7:08am for me last year. Getting close.

Yes, you can turn the tag in once. Next time you have to keep it. AND, pay for 2 tags both times...if you put in with someone else. I figure paying for 2 tags is still cheaper than going out of state.

There is always a way to work the system. This is no worse than the guys a few years back that were "selling" their points...basically had a ton of points and would put in with someone that had less for a price. That was actually worse in my opinion. Some people really abuse the system, but that is always going to happen. I've seen videos of kids of outfitters where the kid just wanted to shoot any deer and go home because he was cold but the dad/outfitter wouldn't let him because he wanted to make a video of his kid shooting a monster so they could advertise and brag. And it was like the kid's 3rd Kaibab late tag because the dad had been putting in his wife and all the grandparents for BP's for years just for this purpose. Now, that I didn't agree with. Pointguard definitely was a good idea for people that draw but then life happens. But, it definitely can be used for reasons that were unintended. Me, I absolutely love to hunt, and in a state where it is increasingly hard to draw, I am going to use every legal means necessary to draw a tag. I study reports, don't put in for the "premium" hunts, etc. I have drawn probably 5 archery bull tags and last year was the 1st year I drew with as many as 6 bps. Before that, the most I had was 4. I have been pretty lucky in the draw also. Recently, my daughter decided she has no interest in hunting. Well, I have been putting her in for BP's for elk since she was 10, assuming that when she got big enough she would want to go. Now she is sitting on 7 points and doesn't want to hunt. So, like it or not, I am putting in with her this year so I avg. out to 5 bps. and bought her Pointguard so I can do it again if we get drawn. Am I an evil person for using the current system we have to work with? I don't think so, but I am sure many others will.

Maybe he doesn't want to pay for the tag. If I read it correctly, even if you turn in the tag and get your points back, you still have to pay for the tag. Is that right?

Everyone is anxiously awaiting Friday. My card got hit at 7:08am last year. Fingers crossed to get lucky again this year. With all this moisture, the antler growth should be phenomenal this year.

Page 8 of the regs., under Qualifications. An applicant must possess a license (including lifetime, pioneer or disabled veteran’s) that is valid on the last day of the application deadline for that draw. Youth applying for big game hunts must be licensed. If an applicant does not have a license that meets that requirement, he or she must purchase the license at the time of application. Wonder how that works this year....you know, since we had two "last" days. SMH. What a cluster.

What date did you have the new license start?

^^ This is correct. I'm curious to see if Coues Assassin's app goes through. Depends on the start date of the license I guess. If it is dated later than Feb. 12th, then technically it is not valid on the draw deadline date and the app. should be rejected. I guess it still could go through since they have the license that is good through the 13th on record. I would be interested to see how this works out.

Tough hunt, probably the hardest I have ever been on. Put my wife in for that hunt twice when she was first starting out, because it was easy to draw. There is a reason why it's easy to draw. Once it freezes, the elk disappear. The only elk we saw on that hunt were in LO Pocket. After those two miserable experiences, I told her I was putting her in for a hunt where it would take longer to get drawn. But if she got drawn, I knew she could kill an elk. I hated to admit defeat, but felt like I was wasting my time. Good luck.

And so the addiction begins. Congrats.

Scouted for a month ahead of the season. Hunted for 13 days and finally everything came together. Tough hunt. Was hunting unit 8 and it was hot and dry. It was 85 the first 5 days and not much cooler after that. 81 yesterday. My son was supposed to be my helper but melted in the heat. I took him home after 5 days and was alone the rest of the way. Some of you will remember my dad passed away in May. This was the first time I went on a hunt without him. Emotional roller coaster for sure. Had many close calls and got a tip from a guy I met on a little hidden water spot. Sat there a couple days with no results other than antelope, mule deer, coyotes etc.. I did get several bulls on camera at night and it kept me coming back. I chased bugles around in between. After 12 days I was about wore out and decided for good or for bad, I was going to sit that spot until the end. Day 13 found me in the blind before daylight with bulls bugling all around. As luck would have it, part of the herd decided to come down the ravine to the water. The big bull pushed his way through the cows and into the water. 40 yards. He turned to broadside, I calmed myself, settled my pin and let it go. Hit him just a little high which brought on some nervous moments because he bled in his chest instead of leaving a blood trail. But I knew I hit him well and was confident he was dead. Made a circle and found him about halfway back. Not going to lie, I shed some tears. It was a long, physically and emotionally draining hunt for me. Then, I had no help. Did everything on my own. Told my wife, I can say I did it alone now, but I never want to do it again. A common theme with the bulls where I was hunting, was weak backs. Everyone thought it was from the drought. Not sure, but if this bull had backs to go with the ridiculous fronts, I can only imagine what he would have scored. All in all, I had a great hunt and met some good people. Was considering doing euro mount. Anyone have any suggestions of someone in Phoenix that is good, and reasonable? Almost done. Should have my hands on him soon. Can't wait to put a tape on him. Daniel Gradillas of Spot-N-Stalk Skullz holding him.

Hi guys, shot a nice bull Wednesday and I would like to get a euro mount done. I didn't skin the head or anything. Can you guys recommend someone in Phoenix or nearby that does a good job and is reasonable? Thanks. I have to thank Daniel Gradillas of Spot-N-Stalk Skullz for doing an awesome job.

Had a stinky head so Rossislider's kid couldn't help me. Couldn't be happier with Daniel Gradillas of Spot-N-Stalk Skullz. He has sent me photos and kept me updated all the way. Some of his photos are definitely frame worthy. Just adds to the experience.