Coueser

You lookin for any new friends? Count me in if hunting with you means shooting bucks like that!!!

Ron, Thank-you for taking the time to post here. I think we can all agree that when it comes to hunting we want more hunts and better hunts. Unfortunately, we are dealing with a limited resource that seems to be becoming more limited each year. I for one don't understand how every hunting magazine I read states that hunting is dying away when in Arizona it sure seems tougher each year to draw. I remember 20 years ago it was pretty easy to draw an archery bull tag. Today, it takes quite a few years and a lot of luck. I appreciate the opportunity to hunt as much as anybody else. Having said that, if these are changes that need to be made to keep that opportunity to hunt available than I will support them. I think we all wish that we didn't have these restrictions, however, it seems obvious that archery tackle and hunters have become more proficient and numerous and something needs to be done to maintain deer herd numbers. Thanks again.

Thanks for the info!

Just checking to see if the rumors mentioned earlier in the year that Mercer's ranch was off limits were true. Does anybody know if there is any access allowed up Tom Rhodes road? Any information would be appreciated since I'll probably head into a different area all together if we can't take those roads. Thanks.

WOW!! Best write-up of a hunt that I have seen in a long time. Amazing pictures and videos. Looks like you had an amazing couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing.

I thought the Hendrickson ranches were in 33 near Oracle, not 32.

Congratulations! That buck is awesome. I'm just curious if you had seen that buck the previous year, and if so how much you think he grew in that year. Again, congratulations on a sweet buck. That mass is unreal!

I'm guessing 370. He sure looks like a shoot first, score later bull to me!

Thanks for the update. That's too bad. I have that tag this year as well. I guess that means that more of us will be packed into the same areas. The ability to get out and hike and get away from roads will probably be more important this year than before. Good luck to ya. I sure hope they get some new public roads built so we can avoid the whole private road mess because I sure don't see that problem ever getting fixed. There are just too many inconsiderate people that ruin it for those that try to be considerate. Anyways, thanks again for the update.

AZONECAM - With the system now, if you don't have a license when you apply, then you have to pay for it and it will be sent following the draw if you are drawn. It should be coming in a few days.

Late December 32 Life is GOOD!!!

TOTALLY UNcool!!! I yelled to my wife that draw results were out as soon as I saw all the posts and went all the way to G&F web page. It takes one devious mind to come up with a stunt like that!

What were the maximum number of elk bonus points going into the draw this year? I think it was 19 but wanted to know if somebody could verify this for me. Also, does anybody know when G&F prints the survey that shows the total number of applicants and ther bonus point breakdown?

Great pictures and great story. Thanks for sharing!

Has anybody heard anything regarding the number of applications this year. It's probably just hopeful thinking, but I was hoping that the paper applications might decrease the number of total applicants. Now don't say G&F never did us a favor.

I'm for it.

I'm curious, did your dogs take much of a beating from the lion? Were they all allright? Great pictures and thanks for sharing!

It looks Awesome! Great story as well!

I'm definitely the minority here, but as a hunter who loves to be in the field as much as anyone else, I for one would not mind seeing salt and definitely feed outlawed. I do think that it is ethically wrong, and I know that that's a can of worms that don't need to be opened right now. However, I can't understand how so many can say on the one hand that salt/feed does not offer a distinct advantage, and then in the same post gripe about how Game & Fish keeps trying to keep handicapping them. The two statements are an obvious contradiction. No; I'm not a PETA lover or anything like that, however, I personally feel like we should try to harvest these animals without baiting them in any way. In my mind it cheapens the hunt. No; I'm not trying to degrade all those who hunt over salt. I think with the law how it is now, everybody has that right. I'm just saying that if the law were to change, that I would support it. I think more of us should support Game & Fish. I tend to agree with Tony's opinion earlier, I think Game & Fish really is trying to do the best thing to manage the animals and the people. They're dealing with limited resources and doing their best to provide opportunity for all to enjoy them, whether they just want a chance to hunt or a chance to harvest a trophy animal. I think the fact that we would all like to see more animals in the field is testimony to the fact that the harvest numbers might be too high right now, and doing something to help lower them while still maintaining hunter opportunity is a step in the right direction in my opinion. Thanks

I'm going to have to say that I agree with the proposal. It seems to me that there are WAY too many roads throughout the entire state. It's impossible to get "away" from the traffic anymore. Anything to make the wildnerness areas a little more wild is definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion! I'm tired of trying to hike into "secluded" areas during hunting season to find that every obese Tom, Dick, and Harry has driven his quad right into my area on old logging roads. I'm for closing them all up.

Skunked again Congrats and good luck to all who drew. Be sure to post some pictures and keep us informed on how your hunts go.

Amanda, I liked all of them as well. I've got to admit, I did have to cheat to find some of them. I'm curious, do you need an adapter to take pictures through your Zeiss 10x40s or do you just stick the camera up to one of the eye pieces?

I'll add one more tidbit of information. I called Game and Fish and asked them if two people are on a card and one has 2 bonus points and the other 3 bonus points how many are given. They said that since the average is 2.5 bonus points they round it up and the application receives three bonus points. I have used this to help out my dad who took four different kids to hunters safety course but never actually signed up himself. When Arizona went to the bonus point system, he was out that point, but since we put in together, he actually ends up with as many points as I have.

I've got a quick question for you. Is it legal to spotlight during hunting season? Obviously, I know that it is illegal to hunt while spotlighting, but is it lawful or even ethical by that matter to spotlight in the middle of the night to try to locate animals to hunt in the morning? I'm just curious as to how you all feel about this.

Thanks for the responses! It sure is great to have so many people who know so much about hunting in Arizona on one website. The great info on this site is invaluable. I still haven't decided for sure what I will do this year but good luck to all of you on the draw!