Hatchet Jack

I've only had the 27 late tag, but have had similar experiences as those above. I tried to hit it too hard the first few days and even put on several miles the day before my opener trying to find the elk, and I was worn down just a few days into the hunt. my right knee still isn't the same after taking a tumble while putting a stalk on the bull I ended up shooting on day 6. you'll also get really sick of jumping deadfall and trying to get thru the thorns for days on end if you hunt in the burn. they'll get ya right in the pouch if you're not careful. such an neat area and it'll make you earn it, but you'll have a blast. wish I was going. let me know if you need a meat hauler I'm only a couple hours away.

I picked up a pair of lightly used euro 15's a month ago and have really enjoyed them. Just was curious if conquests were a slight upgrade at same price point. I didn't get an elk tag so I don't have much else to talk about right now.

You should see good numbers of elk and they shouldn't be getting pushed much. Will be a fun tough hunt I was very tempted to do that same one. Good luck

same here, my card was hit this day last year. hoping for another miracle

glad I moved...

that's a tank

Anybody know if you can do "view shed" on caltopo? Basically you select a point, and the program shows the land surface area that is visible from that point. I took a GIS class where we used it a little in ArcMap but I forgot how to do all that. that would be great for finding good glassing points in areas you aren't able to scout a bunch. I need to look into this caltopo site more now.

I get a lot of crap from guys at work for always being on Google earth. the biggest problem is that I'll plan out my weekend hikes while sitting in my comfy chair and staring at the computer screen. it usually makes for a miserable Saturday morning, trying to get to that glass point that i swear was only 3 inches from the road! but i keep doing it time and time again.

I help out w/ one of our local scout troops and I've noticed the parents are the number 1 main factor here no doubt. The scouts who have parents that make them do chores and take them outdoors are heads and shoulders above the ones whose parents just let them play video games all day. When we go on backpacking or fishing trips, the kids that never go outside literally can't make their own food or tie on their own lure, while the others who have more active parents are able to have a good time and do their own thing. They are better at resolving problems. Kids aren't just born lazy/stupid/entitled pieces of crap... well maybe a few. It's mostly developed over years of no responsibility and never having set goals and working toward something worthwhile. jmo. Then again, I guess I am considered by definition a "millennial" and I'm blinded by my own stupidity and we really are the scum of the earth.

Not sure what history knowledge has to do w/ a generation's productivity, but ok.

This^^^. I've never guided but both my brother and dad did a little for a local outfitter a few years back. the hunters they had were regular joes that had saved for years to come to utah to hunt big mule deer. My dad and bro felt the pressure big time especially as the temps kept rising and all they could show these guys were 20" 3 points. They did end up killing some decent bucks but i know they both did not enjoy that their hobby and escape from everyday life had turned into a job and more stress. having said that, if you have the grit and skill i could see it turning into something positive for you. Anything that's really worth doing won't be a walk in the park. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I've always wanted to make my own elk burger, so I decided to start this year. I have several large freezer bags of elk meat I already cut into small chunks and froze back in December. I finally have my grinder and want to make some elk burger. Would it be ok to slightly thaw the meat to where I can break the chunks apart, grind/mix with a little beef fat, and refreeze? I really don't want to grind a pound at a time as I use it.

man I learn more useful info off this board in a week than I did in 5 yrs of college. heck of a lot cheaper too. Thanks to all.

when is the drawing?

as long as you keep that avatar pic i'll be watching your updates...

thanks guys, you are all awesome. So what I've gathered is... 1. Don't think 2. Don't look for them 3. Sleep in. sounds like a good hunt to me

I should put this in the optics forum but I figured I'd get more feedback here. I realize it's a lot or personal preference but i'll ask anyway Just moved to AZ from UT about 2 years ago. on my late rifle hunt last fall I decided it's time to step up my optics. I have used vortex viper (non hd) 10x42 for several years now. They still work great for hand held scanning at medium distance. I also have the vortex nomad 20-60x60 (not the greatest). Should I stick w/ the vipers for around my neck and and get a pair of SLC 15's for the tripod or ditch the vipers and get a good 12x50 as my all purpose glass I'll be hunting mule deer in WY/CO/UT, elk in WY/AZ and coues deer. What do you guys think?

i'm going thru this same dilemma and i think i'm going to get the 15's and keep my 10's around my neck. I thought about just getting 12's as an all purpose glass but i liked the idea of the extra power if i need it.

thanks for the input fellers. I have gone back and forth about ten times but i now think i've settled on the 15's. Of course i gotta wait until i've finished paying off the wife's student loans this summer before i buy a pair. that'll give me plenty of time to mull it over whether i wanna break the bank and go w/ the SLCs or settle for the zeiss or meopta

the only reason I'm not jumping on this is cuz I've yet to look through a pair myself, but if what I've heard of them is true this is a smoking deal.

Got my javelina rifle tag in the mail the other day, never got charged for the tag but they did charge me twice for the application.

cool, thanks for the pointers. i'll put up some pics if I'm successful.

5guys those are sweet. Do you just use peroxide to whiten them? Also is it easier to get the brain out before or after simmering?

Long time listener, first time caller... This is my first year hunting az, I drew the 27 late rifle bull tag. I've heard some horror stories on how crowded it gets, anybody have any insight on what to expect as far as crowds go? I've done a good amount of scouting and know where I want to focus my time, I just don't want to see 399 other hunters in that canyon opening morning. The areas I plan on hunting have very little road access, and i'll be getting in there at least a few miles on foot to glass. I'm hoping most of the people are road hunters. I know the country fairly well and where I expect to find elk, I just don't know what to expect once you throw in the chaos of 400 hunters. Anybody have experience here? many thanks in advance.

well fellers I made a trip this weekend... put on several miles on the boots, most of them off the rim. Saw a group of cows w/ a raghorn was all for elk. Did turn up some nice rams and 4 bears so it was still a good weekend. There's got to be elk in there, just couldn't find them. Maybe they're still hanging top... Oh well we'll find em. They are where they're at.