AzDiamondHeat

I guess it is just a change in the mentality of the hunter and the atmosphere in which we hunt. Nowadays I care more about being out in the woods than the kill. I want to see my children out in the woods and soon my grand kids. And I like a good story.

"If you had a hot girl would you give every dude in town her phone number?" Nope, but if I was bragging about it online I certainly wouldn't be afraid to say were I met her.

For those of you who think it affects the draw, are you going to change your future applications based on a story and a pic someone posts on here? Are your friends? How many people do you think will be influenced by a 300 class bull to go put in for that unit? Or even a 330? Do we not know already that these bulls exist in every unit? How about a 350+? What unit did not produce a 350 class bull this year? If I post up a 380 that I killed in 4a will you all start applying? Will an onslaught of others apply to the point that 4a becomes like 10 or 23? Do you REALLY believe that? Why is it that the BIG bulls are always posted with the unit? Most of the BIG ones come from known "trophy" units anyway. I think it is just a different mindset these days. We all think there are secrets, but in reality there are very few.

No, I have not changed my username and I have not been on here long enough to read every thread. I thought it to be a good conversation. For clarification, I am not talking about honey holes or specific locations. CLEARLY I would never expect anyone to divulge that info. But not saying a UNIT? Also, I am not talking about the guys who shoot a one in a lifetime trophy. Just us regular shmoes that killed a regular animal. I guess we all just have different mindsets when it comes to hunting . It's just a conversation.

That's just it. A UNIT is far from a honey hole. I am not saying to give GPS coordinates, but to not state the UNIT is silly to me. I would find it VERY hard to believe that just because someone states what unit they were in when they had success, all of the sudden that unit is going to become more inundated with hunters. What unit already doesn't get a ton of applications? There are only so many tags and your wait to get one is very unlikely to change. I agree, the population growth has more to do with it than anything else. I don't know, I just think it is silly.

Yes. 223 for fox and bobcats. BUT, the caveat was with the specific load I mentioned. It is not the BEST for anything, but it works quite well on everything. I do agree that there is nothing better for fox than a 17 though.

It doesn't necessarily "matter", but it makes better conversation. I think it just adds to the story. Sometimes the answer is expected and sometimes not is a surprise. It's like telling your buddy about this hot girl you met but won't say where you met her.

Sorry guys, meant to post this in the campfire.

OK, we are all friends here so I will say this with trust... DONT go poking around the fresh earth mound at the bottom of that drag. Just sayin.

I'm just impressed they had the decency to stay on the road.

Getting deployed or getting married? About the only two things that can stop a good predator hunter...lol

Saw many coyotes and even a bobcat on my elk hunt. Never in a good spot to let one fly though. Although I have been hunting predators a LONG time, I rarely get a shot past 50 yds. Terrain just doesn't allow it. Because of this, I often carry my 223 with 34gr hp at about 2900 fps. Have yet to lose a coyote and doesn't mess up fox. Ideal for what I hunt. Now for strictly coyotes and open country I load up some 60 gr vmax. Hard to go wrong with a recipe used by some of the best in the biz. Lions and times where i don't care about fur, 6.8 with 95 gr suits my needs. Ive also been known to lob a few footballs from my 300blk. All have their place. The only thing that REALLY matters is that you do it QUIETLY... Anything but suppressed is uncivilized. Lol

I know a friend of mine shot a real nice bull , but where are the other reports? You guys all stalling for dramatic effect???

Nah, not serious at all. I shoot a 6.8 spc when I want them dead(tournament). Mostly I carry a 223 loaded soft because we call in more cats and fox than coyotes. When the fur is good we skin and tan so the bigger bore is a no go.

Holy crap, are you hunting velociraptors??? lol

I tend to change mine every time I get drawn for elk. lol

G&F will not trap it, they will refer you to a company like Critter Getter to remove it.

Wow. That's a fantastic story. Well done.

Wow. That's a fantastic story. Well done.

Yup. 2 of the last 3 days of our hunt were close to perfect weather wise. The hunts that are starting should be getting it really good.

Not necessarily. The lousy conditions were pretty much a fact (in many areas, but not all). Being a lousy elk hunter had nothing to do with it. I commented on the lousy conditions in my area, but I never complained about them (maybe a little). I would still take the lousy conditions any day over not having a tag though. Hunting is hunting. But some of us still got lucky and put some meat in the freezer.

Update: So after another week of hunting in mostly bad weather, my buddy FINALLY got his first elk. Last day in high winds and he was able to get it done. We chased some distant bugles and ran into a small group of rag horns and spikes. Had three of them come into my call and after a 10 minute standoff my buddy put an arrow in this little raghorn. It ran 80 yds straight down the canyon and crashed. 20 yds from a road. All the other pics of him with the elk he is giddy as a little school girl. This one he wanted to look tough...lol If the little ones taste better, this one should be DELICIOUS!!!!

Not a wannabe at all. You are now a TRUE elk hunter. WE are hunters, not just killers. But hey, the world needs camp cooks too.....just sayin....lol

Nothing like a elk tongue pic to make your day.

meh. I passed on one bigger.... NOT Outstanding.