varnco

Really nice buck. What time of day did you take him, if you don't mind me asking.

Seems like the rut varies by location? I was up in 24a last weekend and just saw solo doe's and 1 solo buck (youngster). Up in the mountains (man, it's a shame the burn it got (again), but should be good in a few years). The rut should be starting (or I missed it, lol). Good luck all!

Very nice!

Went up again to 7E this weekend, and like seeing tanks with water and the greenery is amazing... food everywhere. Saw quite a few deer, including a couple of bucks (since it's OTC), but nothing taken. Scouted around the N side of the main mountain there, and saw sign, but didn't see any elk, and my 2 evil cameras only got deer on them. Did about 5 miles on boots, and was in the 8400 - 8700 elevation area Scouted around on the S side of the mountain, general area, N of 522/Shultz Tank, up to 9400 feet, and again, found elk sign, but no elk (cows or bull). Did about 5 miles on boot and was in the 8400 - 9400 elevation area. Came across a few OTC deer hunters, one saw 1 buck, said last year, there were many more. Maybe the drought earlier this year has kept some of the animals away? Any tips are appreciated... or just keep doing what I'm doing? thanks!

Heard 2 bugles in 7e tonight at dusk. Central/flats part of unit

Thanks! Went out to the flats and didn't hear any bugling, but missed a nice 5x5.

Went over to the flats tonight north of 514 and didn't hear anything either. Must be later this year. There's always something, lol.

Here any bugling? Nothing in the bearjaw/abineau canyon areas. Dead silent.

Quiet in 7E, so far.

Very nice! Congratulations!

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep at it!

Thanks.. there is food everywhere.. in trees, in prairies... everywhere. Water is available in most areas as well, if there's a tank nearby. All good things, but then again, that means they can be almost anywhere. I am going to assume they are going to be higher/ cooler than the lower elevations at this time of year and in September, as it's still relatively hot in Flagstaff (High 82* this week). I am hoping they're talking at the beginning of the hunt, but I know they're more likely to be talking towards the end of the hunt. Heading up again this weekend and see if there's anything on a few cameras I put up.

Hunted this unit before, but a late rifle tag instead, about 4 years ago. I have my tracks down on where I went, sign, etc. It was very dry and a super moon, with no snowfall Wondering how this unit will hunt differently with a September 10th Archery hunt, no full moon, but still pretty dry conditions. I'm guessing that by Sept 10th, they'll be up high most likely, in the timber, to get away from the August OTC Archery deer hunters. My first trip back to the unit will be in the next two weeks to get familiar with the unit again, find the open/closed roads/trails and see how dry it is (again). Thanks.

Thanks

Were they responding in the first part of the hunt or only second part? Sep 10 seems a bit early, but like that there's virtually no moon.

I am extremely happy to see the rain they are getting up north. I was going to go today and do some initial scouting for camping area, looking for cow elk sign, and throwing up a few cameras, but decided against, since they were calling for lightning as well.

Thanks... I didn't hear that any significant portion of 7E recently. I guess I'll see when I'm up there later this month when I get up there, but it looks like the slate fire took out the top NW section of 7e.. out in the PJ flats. That just means the moved somewhere... to find that somewhere is the challenge. Thanks!

I was pulled for 7E archery, (Starts 9/10) and was wondering if there's an advantage of early part of the 2-week hunt or later part? I can only hunt a max of 5-7 days, so I need to pick wisely. I unsuccessfully hunted this unit for late rifle a few years ago, so have a decent lay of the land (at least the side I hunted, which tended to be the east side of the mountains). My brain says early, as there's usually never a better day than the first day the season opens. Are they likely to be bugling in the early part of the hunt, later, or is bugling just over-rated (makes for great TV shows). I was also planning on scouting starting in late July, to get the lay of the land, find trails, setup a few cameras, look for active trails/bedding for cows, assuming the bulls will come to the cows in September. Any bulls on cameras in July won't be there in September. Thanks!

👍, But want some elk in my freezer! Planning for success

Good thing I am going for antlers! 😉

Thanks everyone. It appears there are pros and cons to both, but the moon phase with 9% illumination on the 9th, no pressure for months appeals to me immensely. Perhaps splitting this up may make sense and give this older body time to recover and come back later for round 2 if not successful the first round. Full 14 days is not an option. Early Pro: Unpressured new season 7% moon Early Con: Low rut activity 500 fellow hunting friends Late Pro: Potential higher rut activity - autumn equinox (9/22) Late Con Pressured elk, likely moved out of August scouted area Less elk (hunter success) Full moon I appreciate everyone's feedback!

When he finally creates one, it'll be tied to his license and will show. They still have a database for him, whether he choses to create a portal account or not.

Trying to figure out my odds using go hunt. The AZGFD web site says I have 4 points: 2 Species, 1 Loyalty and 1 Hunter Ed. So, is that how many points i have for the "Bonus Pass" and then for the next pass, I will have 5 points total (including this year's submission for a tag). To calculate my odds of getting draw, do I use 4pts or do I enter 5, since I'll have 5 "random numbers" generated? Thanks!

I am probably running headfirst into a buzz saw, but according to their site: https://www.gohunt.com/insider/draw-odds DRAW ODDS The most accurate draw odds ever. Our data scientists and hunters have combined proprietary formulas and state data to reveal your true chance to draw hunts in the West.

so, in my scenario, I would have 5 points even though the AZGFD site says "4", as I outlined?