huntlines

What a stud! That is an old buck with lots of mass, Congrats

I agree 100%

Sweet! I'm headed up this weekend and can't wait to check the cams again!

Had a great time scouting the last several days with the kids. Fishing was slow but all the wildlife we saw made up for it. We saw Turkeys, deer, antelope and of course elk. One heard of cows and calves must have had 150 head in it! My 13 year old daughter killed her first coyote and then the next day got her second. I even got a few nice bulls on camera....enjoy.

Looks like you got some great bulls there. The bull in the fourth picture looks to be the biggest. He has great front ends and the back looks good too. The bull with the sticker point in the last picture is a great bull as well. If he had a little bigger whale tail he would be huge. All shooters just have a great time. My only advise is to be patient. To many guys get all worked up for the hunt and either shoot a rag horn opening day or get frustrated due to slow rut activity. Be patient, enjoy the ride and the rest will fall into place. Don't let anyone try to tell you 5A is not a trophy unit. It is a great unit and you will have a blast during the hunt. Good Luck

I was told by a game and fish officer the use of radios while hunting was illegal. He had a scanner in his vehicle which picked up most of the two way radios on the market and used it to try to catch people using the radios to take game. I had just bought a set of radios and was a little upset to learn it was illegal. I was even more upset to find out how useless the radios were and can hardly ever get decent clear reception out of them. I have discarded them mostly because they are useless unless within line of sight. I'm sure there are better models out there now. This was about ten years ago so I don't know if G&F still see this as a violation or not but it was what I was told...........

I found coues but it was a little farther north of Stoneman lake and south of Rattle snake canyon. Saw about six does a spike and a decent 3 point but it was a few years back. Better glassing farther north of Stoneman too.

Sounds fishy to me......... probably going to release some wolves and don't want them getting shot......

The higher elevations are closed to vehicle access in 31 from November 15th through April 15th. Walking in is fine but if we have a decent winter then the deer have moved down anyway. Lots of hunting pressure in both of these units from early October through December so hunting near roads isn't going to get you anywhere. Unit 32 has a lot of private property issues but there are public areas and ones that are good if your willing to hike. Tree stands are a good way to hunt if you can locate a good breeding area or scrape line. Hunting water this time of year usually isn't as effective as the August/September hunts. Spot and stalk, grunting/rattling are great methods this time of year depending on the rut. Last few years I have noticed the rut is over by mid January. Most of the campgrounds in the lower elevations are open year round. Don't bother with the pay sites because there is plenty of camp sites that are free. I would camp which will get you out hiking in the area your going to hunt faster and you can sleep longer. Down side here is you will need good camping gear because it gets really cold at night and snow is not out of the question even in the lowest of elevations. Game and fish just changed the law here and scents can not contain cervid urine. Scents do work well just make sure you use the right kind. Also no baiting is allowed. If you want some areas to start out with PM me and I will get you started. Good luck

Checked a few cams and nothing huge yet. One nice 6x6 that needs to keep growing. Going back up on the 18th to check them again and put some more out and hope to get a monster on camera!

Sweet! That first bull has some great 3rds. I missed going out last weekend so I'm going nuts till I can get back up north.....

Have never heard of a bull hard horned this early, however the bugling I can believe. We heard bugling all through the November hunt and I also heard some bugles during my sons Turkey hunt in April!

Going to start placing trail cams soon. Should have had them out already but work has been busy. Hope to have some good pictures soon.

Each week I look for more pics from you. Very nicely done! Love watching them grow.

Some of our bulls over the years. 2006 we went 3 for 3 and again in 2011. See if we can go 3 for 3 this year!?!

Love your pics! Keep up the good work! Makes me want to get out and do some more scouting and maybe hang some trail cams....

I know people who had this hunt last year and they said it was unbelieveable. The first week of the hunt was the best for the rut. This was a surprise because usually it is the second week. Anyone else who hunted it last year see the same thing? Also for those of you that are hunting it please let me give you a little advise. USE YOUR CALLS VERY LITTLE! 2010 and 2011 were stupid crazy with people running all over the place cow calling. This made the bulls clam up and they wouldn't bugle much. When they did bugle as soon as a hunter got close and started blowing their cow calls the bulls would round up his cows and leave the area. Best advise is to not call at all and just slip into the bugles getting the wind right. Just my 2cents

I agree with the mandatory harvest report, all though on this site all I ever see when a new rule is implemented is how stupid that is and we don't need more rules so how does the AZGFD go about forcing people to report. I looked and it appears NMGFD rule is you don't report by a certain time you aren't elgible for the next draw. It must work to a point but they don't have bonus points. Can you imagine the uproar if someone lost their loyal point because they didn't report. Oregon has had mandatory reporting for years but no enforcing of it, they were only getting a 42% compliance so this year they will charge an extra $25 if you hadn't reported again I believe that would cause a huge uproar here. Now there is the question of are they doing that bad of job, it seems to me that if the majority of people weren't happy with the AZGFD they would be getting so much negative feed back that they would have to change something. Lets say they cut tags back no doubt lost revenue so what now, they raise fees they have to, and lets don't kid ourselves the passage of this new bill the department will be changing the fee structure. I honestly don't mind some fee increases lets be honest the cost of doing business is true for the AZGFD too. I guess for me it just doesn't seem like its that bad. NOT THAT BAD? When does it get "that bad, when the deer population is so low you see 20 hunters for every deer, or is it when you get real excited to see one deer all day? I have seen the Mule Deer population diminish significantly over the last 20 years. I used to hunt them in areas that now have hardly any Mulies and what you do see aren't the size they were years earlier. I for one would like to get something changed BEFORE we get to crisis levels....JMTSW The only deer population that is that low is the desert mule deer and if you take a look at any state that has mule deer you will see that AZ. mule deer aren't the only mule deer down on numbers. Also take a look at where mule deer numbers were high 20 years ago you know what I see I'll tell you a heck of alot of those pretty adobe houses that all look the same. You know what else I see in traditional mule deer habitat? Whitetail deer and there numbers seem to be doing just fine. IMO Ok so I'm fine with increased fees as well IF and only IF they decrease the amount of tags being given. You and I both know that isn't going to happen because they want the money. I understand things cost more to operate the department but at what cost? The only animals doing well are the elk and with the amount of tags they are offering for elk this year I see them going down hill to. If the whitetail are doing as good as you say they are then why did G&F close units to archery hunting in December? None of what you are saying makes much sense.........

I know feeders, salt and baiting has been a heated topic over the years and even in this forum. No matter what side of the issue you are on it appears game and fish is attempting to put the issue at rest. The game and fish department has a proposed rule change to prohibit edible or ingestible substances to be used to attract game. The rule is amended to prohibit the use of edible or ingestible substances to attract big game for the purposes of hunting This can be found at http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/ru...ticle3NPRM.pdf It is open for public comment and I encourage everyone to take the time to contact game and fish to make comments. Whether you are for it or against it we should be providing input. I understand this is to try to avoid the spread of diseases and unusual high concentrations of animals. In Arizona our game animals have been in decline so high concentrations isn't an issue to me. The disease issue is also debateable and I don't feel there is enough proof this causes the spreed of disease. I do not like the game and fish department placing restrictions such as these on hunters. It recently took the state legislature to act to get restrictions on silencers and high capacity magazines lifted. Again it doesnt matter what side of the issue you are on in regards to high capacity magazine and silencers. The issue here is unnecessary to be placing these restrictions on hunters. People who want to use extended magazines can and those who do not wont. Unfortunately these restrictions will be affecting primarily archery hunters. I know there are some who feel the game and fish are constantly unfairly targeting the archery hunters. This can arguably be one of those examples but regardless we should all be a part of this discussion. Please make your feelings heard to the game and fish department. Please send an email to the address below to make your feelings heard, Rulemaking@azgfd.gov

I will be there too. Third tag in four years! Didn't get a tag last year but 2010, 2011 and now 2013. Not looking forward to the amount of hunters that are going to be in there though.............

Has anyone else heard about this? Drastic price increases proposed from Game and Fish! Better plan on being at the meeting near you to have your voice heard! Serious changes coming for both residents and NRs. Some interesting license additions but the tag fees are going to change drastically. $13 app fee... plus Resident deer tag $45 for general and $100 for premium (all dec draw hunts, Kaibab/strip) Resident elk $125 cow... $145 bull... $200 premium bull (all early archery/rifle) NR deer tag 500 premium... 300 general NR elk tag 350 antlerless... 650 bull... 1000 premium Youth tags stay the low R and NR. Don't you always like the notice we get concerning these meetings !! The public meetings will be held beginning at 6 p.m. (except for the Sierra Vista meeting) on the following dates: Thursday, May 16, Pinetop, Pinetop Fire Department, Station #2, 5976 Buck Springs Road. Monday, May 20, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway (Note: This meeting will also be webcast at Arizona Game and Fish Live Webcast). Monday, May 20, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive. Tuesday, May 21, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road. Wednesday, May 22, Flagstaff, Arizona Game and Fish Department Flagstaff regional office, 3500 S. Lake Mary Road. Wednesday, May 22, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St. Thursday, May 23, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road. Thursday, May 23, Page, Page Police Department Conference Room, 808 Coppermine Road. Tuesday, May 28, Globe, Besh Ba Gowah Museum, 1324 S. Jesse Hayes Road. Tuesday, May 28, Lake Havasu City, Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center, 100 Park Ave. Tuesday, May 28, Sierra Vista (meeting starts after the 6 p.m. hunt guidelines meeting), Sierra Vista Police Department, 911 N. Coronado Drive. Wednesday, May 29, Payson, Payson Public Library, 328 N. McLane Road. Wednesday, May 29, Safford, Graham County General Services Building, 921 Thatcher Blvd. Wednesday, May 29, Wickenburg, Wickenburg Community Center, 160 N. Valentine St. Thursday, May 30, Eagar, Eagar Town Council Chambers, 22 W. 2nd St. Thursday, May 30, Prescott, Yavapai County Building, 1015 Fair St. Thursday, June 6, Ajo, Ajo Ambulance, Inc., 1850 N. Ajo Gila Bend Hwy.

touche touche... had not thought of that!

Been doing the same thing. Lots of running and hiking in the mountains to get used to altitude. Shooting the bow almost every day cuz I'll be chasing deer come august and bulls come september!

Stoneman lake is good for bear. Try rattle snake canyon for whitetail.

This is unbelievable! Everyone involved should be held accountable in one way or another. The supervisors who completely screwed up the investigation should be held accountable as well. Heads should roll for this one but I bet nothing comes of it. Supervisors should know exactly how to handle an internal investigation and garrity rights are well known. How they could be so incompetent is mind blowing. Public trust has been lost in this one therefor none of the officers involved should be allowed to work. How can they ever go before a judge and testify in a case? Any defense layer worth a cent will bring up this incident to use against any of them involved.