AZhuntingfamily

I'm have been in this conversation a 100 times. I have an older buddy who swears by heavy arrows and I have another that is speed crazy and wants them light. Either way they seem too balance out that is if you don't go crazy light. Personally I shoot 500+ at a minimum I shot my first elk at 52y with a 400g arrow and had a real bad experience. The elk was quarted away and the arrow slid up 5 ribs before making entry 1/2inch into his heart. He ran for a long ways and it was by the grace of God that I found him. Granted it could have been a Brodhead issue but I have been shooting heavy ever since. For instance I just had a 66y pass through on an Antelope shooting FMJ 11.4 GPI and 100g tip personally I think the lighter arrows lose energy at greater distance I could be dead wrong but I base my logic off from experience and tend to disregard the rest.

Just west of forest lakes Canyon point camp ground has water, dump station and showers. Miller's should also have a freezer truck at the gas station in forest lakes they also have water there if you ask.

When I fill out my hunting license and apply for a draw I do so believing that the AZGFD is keeping my information confidential. It is not that I am paranoid but I absolutely hate solicitors, if I want your product or service I will come to you don't come banging on my door or send me junk in the mail. So, the root of this all... I was lucky to receive an Antelope tag this year 1 of 4 for the area I chose. I came home to find a post card with my name on it that says Congrats on your Antelope Draw! you have received 10% off your next mount. The post card came from a private business so I must be oblivious to the fact that azgfd is giving away my name and address every time I draw for a hunt or these guys are dug up my info some other way. Has this happened to you?

Dont get me wrong I am a big fan of how azgfd opperates. I have lived in different states and if you think we got it bad well me tell ya others have it way worse. To the point of slotter them all just to make a dollar. I understand they are subject to provided information as public record...but come on my address! Really? I wish there was a box I could check that stated I invoke my right to privacy and wish not to be contacted by solicitors.

Got hit for $90 either 31/32 or 4b Its my first and probably last Antelope tag cant wait!

I used USAA as well and I'm in the same boat. Have USAA and got hit for 90 on the 1st

I came across this piece of land forsale near overgard and it showed some pics of what looks to be Elk Pictographs on the property.....you be the judge

I guess we could add a 4th...every deer in between those stages ie the little forky in the bachelor herd that gets abused but refuses to join the does. Or the big buck of the bachelor herd that is extremley aggressive and starts to wander. My definition of rut would be that bachelor herd joining the does full time, pushing off the forks and spikes and the big ol boy in the flats taking does for himself at all cost. And this I have only observed in Dec/Jan and even Feb.

3 classes of Mule deer bucks I notice in November down south. 1. The spikes and forks that hang with the does because there still coming of age. 2. The bachelor herd 3x3s/4×4s that spars and occasionally checks on the does up in the hills about 20-30min before the heat of the day 3. The big ol Mack daddy buck that roams the flats all alone, when he spots another buck he attacks and pays no attention to the does. This same buck is usually found in velvet with the bachelor herd but breaks off come November. December is a whole differnt ball of wax. My 2 cents from my years of scouting.

Let me be devils advocate here. Is it possible the meat was spoiled when they finally located the deer? If that was the case I would only take the head too! I would tag it ofcourse.

Im glad you were blessed with a 7 day hunt with your pops before he went. Sorry for your loss.

Good times! Great video

Time to watch the birds I guess. Thx for the advice.

Unfortunatley my wife injured a forky near the mexican border in 30b. It looked like he was hit in the lower shoulder and just started limping after he was hit showing no signs that it was fatal. We tried to get a second shot but lost him while we were moving to what I thought was a better vantage point. We looked for hours after that with no luck and never picked up a blood trail. I would just like to know if anyone has spotted the poor little guy. My hope is that he is in one of your freezers and not coyote bait.

So I set out in the evening and started following a herd, chasing bugles and calling to them to try and get one to turn. I was about an hour into the chase when I heard behind me from a long way off a low grumbling predator type growl that lasted around 5-10 seconds. I paid no attention to it and kept trying to get on the Elk that were up ahead (I figured probably bear or dogs). I let out a bugle, then the growl responded (along with other Elk) and it was a lot closer then before. I moved ahead with the herd and finally got visual of a few bulls pushing cows around so I was planning my route into a good shooting position when from behind me I heard the growl again, this time it was so loud that the hairs on my neck stood up. Call me crazy but the only thing I was thinking was bear oh crap a bear, I have no gun, I froze up knocked an arrow, unbuckled my hunting knife and knelt down. Trees cracked, another growl, more branches broke, another growl (I about crapped myself), finally he showed himself (thank god he was an Elk) and he was big (339 to be exact). He moved past me about 70y in the trees I let out a bugle and he turned on a dime right at me 25y Elk down. That's the story so the question is what could it be? He was older with smaller whistlers then most could that be it? I had seen him in the past pushing cows early in the hunt but he made no noise maybe he was a pissed off herd bull? laryngitis? The big big question, if this is a specific territorial sound could I mimic it for my bag of tricks? I would appreciate the input, maybe this has been discussed before but I havent been able to find the thread. I know I have heard people talk about hearing similar sounds but I never gave it much thought. Not a chuckle, not a bugle, not quiet (as loud as a normal bugle) and lastly it sounded purely predator and scary as heck.

Well, I learned somthing thanks Lark!

So old tired Elk with rabies? Im begining to think thats Larks issue as well. Haha Correct me if im wrong but to bugle they push hot air between the whistlers right? (kind of like Lark). So if its an age thing these bulls can never bugle? My Elk was mature but not too far past his prime.

Nice Bull good job!!

Went to check my cam and low and behold it was unlocked. Kuddos to all you 4b hunters that did not mess with my cam! You guys make me proud to know there are still honest people out there. Any way I had a few decent pics with plenty of cow and a pair of 6x6 bulls. I attached a pic of a bull I spotted on the way to check my trailcam. It dosent seem the rut has kicked of I have not seen and bull with cow nor have I heard a bugle. Could be a tuff hunt. GOOD LUCK to all those with tags!

Awsome Bull man Congrats way to stick it out!

Watch "Arizona Elk 2015" on YouTube Arizona Elk 2015: Took this video 30 mins after my shot he is still roaming in 4b for you rifle nuts

Oops Ant Elk was 9

Day 9 Elk

Another pic

Well we got it done on back to back afternoons. My partner stuck his on the afternoon of 9th day (we didnt find him until the AM) and I stuck mine on the afternoon of the 10th day. It was an awsome hunt that resulted in 2 really nice Bulls!