CatfishKev

Cleaning an elk can be overwhelming if you haven't done it ESPECIALLY a bull! If you do go gutless make sure to watch some gutless method fail videos first so you know what not to do. I have blown it a couple times doing gutless and it is not fun. I'm going to start with the front quarter for now on and then probably at least open the belly cavity to release the pressure of the guts before I start taking off the hind quarters. Yes it kind of defeats the purpose of doing gutless to some degree but it's insurance to not taint the meat. Nothing's worse then a full freezer of meat that no one wants to eat. Here's what you should do. Offer to help on some archery hunts as a glasser and pack out guy. Preferably in your unit, offer to help on the early archery, youth hunts or whatever. Experience in the field is priceless. It will be a good way for you to tweak your gear needs as well. I have 2 kids with youth tags in unit 23. Your welcome to hang out and get some first hand experience. Last time we killed second morning. What's your gear situation and budget to work with for the gear you still need?

Was the below average stuff that didnt sell just poor specimens or due to inferior processing?

Savage 06 and mattnduke, go down a few threads and read the first elk hunt gear and tips thread. Lots of great tips. Then look up old threads on glassing, Get a tripod and a pair of 15s and learn how to glass. I dont know 22 from experience other then driving through and pictures from other hunters here. But i can tell you it is a glassable unit which definately puts the odds in your favor. Mattnduke you live less then an hour from the unit go there and learn it, you guys that live close have little excuse to not get out beforehand and check things out. 22 south is not known to be a trophy unit so adjust your expectations accordingly, for your wife let her shoot the first legal bull unless you guys get lucky and glass something up or have something good come to water. All the info is already here, you just need to apply it in the field. Good luck guys.

The good news is your trophy quality will go way up if you hunt in 23.

What can I buy with 5 ponts?

Maybe a brake and doubling up on the hearing protection. A can might be a good idea but not sure if you get it in time for the hunt. Member rancillio (avatar is a license plate with "silencer" on it) here is a dealer and a nice guy. I've got my can from him.

Take vacation for the first part and call in sick the rest of the time. If it dont work, looks like its time for a new job! Congrats to you guys.

At least you did the right thing and spent the time looking. We did the same thing on my daughter's youth hunt, hunted hard and had a shot 2nd to last day. Found a little blood so spent the last day and a half looking and another half day after the hunt. My heart broke for her because she was so determined.

Kudos to you for being a good sport!

16 year old daughter got a youth tag and my 10 year whom killed last year scored another one! Two years in a row for him! Oldest son nada! Gonna have to put him in for a horn hunt!

Not enough I'm sure, but if you can get paid to hunt that's a win!

Saw a 143 eldx on a cow elk at 400 yards (6.5cm) i was pretty amazed. She jumped, kicked and rolled and that was it. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but the SST are the same as the eldx with the exception of the polymer tip. The SST will start to melt and deform over long range and deform, vs the eldx is meant to withstand the heat and not melt. Meaning if you are not shooting long range the sst are just as good?

Agreed, very good looking dog. Hope you can find him a good home.

There are clubs you can join. If you have time, which is what it all really boils down to. At least this is one hobby that can make you money instead of just costing money!

I'm lucky enough to have 5 kids and right now 3 are of hunting age. All 3 have killed one elk the last years. We got drawn for 2 youth tags this year (a first). Cant wait, I love helping my kids hunt. In the meantime im banking points for a primo hunt for me and my wife each. In the meantime i get to hunt with the kiddos and keep the freezer full. Not a bad gig at all! My advice to you is learn and understand the draw process, your good now because you had minimal points and have a tag. Go do the hunters ed course and watch the AZGF YouTube videos on the draw process. The last thing you want to do is build up points and burn them on the wrong hunt. Hopefully you got beginners luck and scored a bull tag!

Well if your happy just to hunt a new species in a new state you won't be disappointed. After all you drew a tag. I don't know draw odds for your hunts but based on the 2a and 2b threads you bumped to the top they seem less desirable and therefore you could have drawn it. If you did.. here's the good news, you have home field advantage! Get a pair of 15s and a tripod and glass glass glass. Learn every part of the unit, find the north facing slopes and shady areas to identify bedding areas. Look up lots of threads on glassing etc. Find feed and water sources and stack the odds in your favor. Find shelter areas or push zones and you will be golden! Good luck dude!

Right on, didn't know if you had it narrowed down. Hope it's a bull tag!

Will this be your first elk hunt? You seem unfamiliar with the whole process, and I don't mean that disrespectfully. Friends on an elk hunt are lifesavers. Any idea which hunt you got?

Lol, I figured. Bull, cow, unit etc?

Nah, jus start hunting harder to hunt animals right here in AZ. Like Fire ants.

I got 0 experience judging elk. Hearing about scores I always figured a 300" bull is a shooter any day in my book. That being said I would still guess him over 300.

Dang, 3 tags! What unit? We got 2 in 23.

What you get?

Nice find dude, congrats!

I made a paperweight!