Alpinebullwinkle

It wasn't Hoochie Momma's Bob. Actually one of the quacking cows smelled me at 40 yards. Guess I'll have to take a shower before Saturday nite!

Collama Chile. It was a nice 7x6.......but didn't have any air left in him. Business pal Chileno that I guided about 10 years ago. Maybe the biggest bull in Chile!

Only two bulls were bugling today but the cows were going crazy making the begging sounds which surprised me this early. Then I heard the first "glunking" of the season from the herd bull, which again, is unusually early for that issue. So your saying I have a chance!

Had at least 10 different bulls bugling this morning but they shut down by 8:00 AM as it was sunny and warm. Was 46 degrees though when I left the cabin. Walked up on two bulls trashing trees. Great start for this season so far.

First day out for me with my bugling equipment. Had 4 different bulls answering routinely between 9-11:00Am on a sunny day which I thought was an exceptional start. Real cool around Alpine so maybe an early rut? Always ask that question but very seldom ends up that way. We'll see.

Amen MC68

I get a kick out of watching hunters arrive at their tree stand first thing in the morning. When they arrive...... I give a bull bugle and then time them looking thru my binos how long it takes to get into the stand. It is hilarious to watch. Arms and equipment flailing. Looks like it sometimes draws blood. Never had the guts to meet the chaps and ask them if they saw the bull !!!

An awesome buck to take with a gun........with a bow......even more significant!! Congrats on your tremendous success.

I usually have a face net for benefits already mentioned.... but sometimes just use charcoal provided compliments of the USFS from the Wallow Fire!

Not only a monster but a unique monster at that. Awesome and well done son!

Str8shot most of us here realize the USFS has not used common sense to manage "our" forests for at least the last 40-50 years. Are you suggesting we all lower our standards to match their unprofessional behavior?

Every one of my archery Bulls have been taken mid-day between 11-1. But I know my unit like the back of my hand and familiar with most of the bedding areas. For some reason the Bulls think all the hunters are taking a nap about noon so I have the element of surprise on my side! They are also really Horney when they get up from their morning siesta a little after 11 AM.

That's great if you are Robin Hood and can shoot long distance but I have never shot at a bull over 50 yards.....or even thought of attempting it (except once with a monster unsuccessfully).. Very seldom necessary with proper tactics but lots can go wrong at scud distances!

Most important archery tip? Make sure you and your archery equipment are ready! All the previous input is excellent. But if you can't execute the kill when in position you can't achieve your goal. Trust me......I have made every mistake in the archery bull manual, but still managed to harvest numerous P&Y Bulls

Short answer is "the day the music died". From my experiences the major tunes end around October 6. The rutting music usually continues intermittently until about November 1 though

Agree the body suggests 3 year old. G4 and G3's suggested good genes to me but second glance agree my estimate is likely too high even a month later.

Adding one month of growth I'm guessing 350-355

327. Good luck this year Bob. Anxiously awaiting this years story.

For many years in the 1970's and 80's i would complain to AGFD about the late notice on the elk tag draw in August when our kids were getting ready to return to school and too late to modify summer vacation plans. Eventually they listened to my whining and many others and changed to the current and more user friendly April elk tag notification system. I have to give AGFD credit that today they communicate much better with their customers than former years and are much more responsive to input.

That first bull is wonderful. Get the gun or bow! But please do not name him Cecil!

Bulls will bugle randomly until November 1.

I understand what you are saying grey ghost but from my experiences the wilderness side you prefer has not been any less frustrating with hunting pressure even though it is "roadless"

After I lose patience scoping a basin without seeing anything I will give a predator call before departing. Often a curios deer will stand up and check me out

Everyone is entitled to their opinion grey ghost. All I can say without lengthy dialog is AGFD agrees with me. That is why they have openly opposed the Grand Canyon Monument proposal the demoncrats are trying to get Obama to ram down our throat against public opinion.

Geez zee guys......based on what I am reading on this forum there is minimal real estate to legally use trail cams in unit 27. Special designations like the Blue Wilderness and Bear Wallow Wilderness prevent that privilege. Just another reason why I say special land destinations are bad and we particularly can't afford any more in Arizona. They don't allow USFS and AGFD to manage responsibly and deprive the public of many user privileges that are not detrimental to the resource!