azmisfitfiend

Hello CW crew, I have read all the old posts on Alamo lake elk hunting on here and some stuff on other sites but it's all older info. My buddy travels for work and never knows if he is going to be home for one particular hunt. He came to me last week and was all stoked about this Alamo lake deal because its OTC and the hunt is open dated for months. I have been lucky and got drawn for elk hunts in unit 9 for 2 years in a row now, so i'm set. I want to help him out and tag along for this Alamo deal though. I know the success rate is low but to me. Hunting is hunting and if my boots or tires are on the ground, I'm a happy camper. Does anyone have any experience or stories with this hunt? I'm used to hunting up north, so this high desert stuff is foreign to me.

Those are my thoughts exactly but he seems dead set on doing this, so I'm going along with it. It only seems remotely possible with a few utv's and a bunch of guys on walkie-talkies. Haha.

This is exactly why i don't "contribute" to this site very often. I didn't ask for any "secret spots". Alamo is thick thick stuff and any "spot" a hunter has isn't my concern. I was simply asking for experiences anyone has had at Alamo to start a dialogue and maybe stray away from the usual CW banter. I'm not a newbie and i have helped and shared my gps cords with many guys on here. So, with that being said. If anyone has been there and wants to share your experience, go for it.

Thanks for the response but "good luck" doesn't exactly help me or offer any sort useful advice.

Christmas in April.

Unit 9 December cow for me. I was up there for the late bull hunt last season.

I just got hit for $135. Boom!

Please, for the love of God and country. Don't forget to vote! Did you ever post your story about your cow tag from last year?

1. Big Bo is actually owned by the Navajo Nation (So things could be much worse). 2. The ranch is "private" so they can do whatever they want. 3. We live in the United States of America and money rules. 4. Cattle ranching is an expensive venture with limited profits. 5. Your use of the word "retarded" isn't okay. I'm not defending either side, this whole situation is clearly bad for us regular "Joe Hunters" but having the facts and trying to see things from both sides usually helps when trying to come to a reasonable conclusion haha.

I was just up there. I had a bull tag but due to work I couldn't stay and I didn't tag out. It was my first elk hunt. I had a blast though. I have some info on some cows if you want it.

I'll be in up in 9. From what I'm hearing the weather is going to be brutal.

N71 07.374 W156 18.900

Cool Pics

They all went East to unit 9 hopefully lol. Are you hunting Big Bo?

My opinion on the head lamp debate is not important but I totally support your choice of breakfast food. Arizona is burrito country! haha. Nothing better than coffee and a good burro. Good luck!

Tell them to leave some for me. Heading up a few days before Thanksgiving.

Good call mc68

I picked up a Tikka t3 in .308 for my bull hunt this year. Put a diamondback vortex on with a dnz mount and a new airtech limbsaver. It is by far my favorite rifle now. I never saw the need for one but I was way way wrong.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'm heading up to 9 for the late hunt and I'm in the planning stages. This is my first elk hunt (first time putting in for elk as well!) I have been up there for deer a number of times though. My question is about meat transportation. I know most people will say a few 120 qt coolers will work but my problem is space. I'm going up alone in my 4x4 Dodge with a camper shell on it. I'm not a weekend warrior type hunter so I wont be bringing a camper trailer, quads, or my wife and kids haha. My plan is to stay light and mobile so I can move around if needed so I plan on sleeping in the bed of my truck. I'm in Queen Creek and I know southwest processing will have game trailers up there but i'm not a fan of that either. I was thinking about building something out of wood and Styrofoam that I could take up in pieces and build if i'm lucky enough to get a kill. I like to DIY hunt and I know I'm not alone in that mindset so I guess I am just looking for ideas or things that have worked well for hunters in the past. Thanks!

Awesome info. Thanks guys.I guess I was just over thinking it a bit. I will be up there late November for the bull hunt so it will be cold enough to work in my favor.

I'm sure this topic has been discussed before but I would like some fresh opinions on water hole ethics. I drew a unit 9 late bull tag this year and I have never hunted elk in 9. I have been up there for mullies and crowded water holes were never an issue. I know that people go to extreme lengths to try and "claim'' a water hole, i.e. setting up tree stands that are unmanned, posting signs (which I believe is illegal), camping in a blind (also illegal). I know the outfitters in units like 9 and 10 tend to think they own these places. Some of you are probably reading this post. It seems that "first come, first served" isn't as black and white as it sounds anymore. I'm not a push over in any sense of the word but i'm going up solo and getting into constant pissing matches doesn't sound like the best way to spend valuable hunting time. Any thoughts on this loaded topic would be appreciated.

I couldn't agree with you guys more. All really good info. Thanks guys.

I just downloaded a pdf that has all the unit 9 water hole gps cords and other useful info. If anyone wants it just message me your email.

That's a good point Red Sparky and it is definitely the route I would try to take as well.

I agree. Sitting on water isn't my first choice. Especially if it is snowing, which is very possible for my hunt. But I don't agree that completely counting it out is realistic. Sitting on water has proven success. I just plan to find some out of the way water holes that most of the truck hunters are too lazy to hike to. Also, the last half of the week should see far less foot traffic.