Scooter

I drew a late archery bull tag in 22N. I know the area a little, I have maps and a GPS. I've seen some Elk there- but this is my first elk tag ever. I don't know anyone else with that tag personally. I am looking at hunting the entire time, and probably truck/tent camping until I find elk then going bivy for the chase if it lasts a few days. I just wondered how many of you actually go full solo. I'm coming up from Ft Huachuca, alone. What do you guys think, try to find people on here and team up or just go all Jeremiah Johnson? My concerns are safety, sanity, success, and pack out...

Great stuff... Keep those "sanity checks" coming!!!

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm in pretty good shape physically, I am in the military so my navigation and survival skills are adequate, decent shot with my bow out to 50yds or so, and I've been going for lots of walks with my pack. I have been wearing my big internal frame pack and putting about 60-70lbs in there for short hikes and 50lbs for 4 mile and longer walks. The terrain in the Huachucas is pretty challenging so I have no doubt I'll be physically ready for November. It's the mental part I'm worried about. I operate best when there's somebody else there pushing me to plan, act, and most of all- focus. I would wager a fair amount of money that after about three or four days if I don't see any elk, I will start to regress. This late archery tag is a long season- and I'm hunting every day of it until I get my first Bull elk. It will probably be my only bull elk for a LONG time if not my lifetime. I will probably get reassigned back east sometime next spring and who knows when I'll get back here. I guess maybe I should have said that I don't need hunting advice for 22N, I'll find my own bull. I just wonder what some of you solo bivy hunters do to keep sane and keep focused on a tough hunt.

Dang, got all excited but you saw a different black SUV... mine is the H3 with the white sticker in back.

Forgot... I have been using regular Winchester and CCI 209 primers

I haven't used mine on elk yet but I wouldn't hesitate to take my CVA Wolf Magnum with two IMR White Hots or two Triple Se7en Magnum pellets under a 300gr Powerbelt Aerolite. Get me 150yds or closer and it's gonna be on the ground!

Spring Turkey hunting has always been really dangerous! Gotta know your target and beyond. Don't call while on the move either...

Vapor trail... Had one replaced last year, my peep hasn't moved or rotated since it was installed. Very happy with it.

For a mid hunt meet up, the one burger joint in payson with all the big muley bucks hanging on the wall is pretty good...

I'd rather have a November hunt for field care and no-bugs. early hunts have their issues, but the elk are more cooperative

Good to know, thanks fellas.

Sporterized custom 1943 Izhevsk round receiver Mosin Nagant 91/30... Yep. The ancient but still awesome 7.62x54R. Started out as a $80 milsurp junker. Pillar and glass bedded on an ATI Monte Carlo Stock, Scout Scoped, cleaned thoroughly, cut and crowned 23" barrel, pushing 180gr .311 SP's at around 2650fps. Shoots just barely over MOA. No elk tag, but I'm putting in for some Coues hunts this fall. I feel pretty good and confident out to 300 yards.

They are...

I drew the late 22N archery tag. I did the early archery deer season hunt up there last year... You're gonna have a fantastic hunt!!! Anybody want to link up for the November hunt? I just need to know somebody so I'm not totally solo. Coming up from Ft Huachuca, so I do know some nice Coues country down south here...

Nice!! Hopefully I will get to see it sometime when I am out there. Thx for the support! If you want to see owls in Sierra Vista- go to Lowe's... In the garden section they nest every year and they're an awesome sight!

The hummer is mine... wearing that sticker LOUD AND PROUD!!!

Same tag for me- Late archery 22N

Card hit for 114... Looks like my first elk hunt ever.

I got hit on the 18th...

The fact that you got a blood-covered arrow means you got at least a couple blood vessels. I don't know what kind of broadhead you use, but if you caught any lung, bubbles would have been present. Not always, but most times. High hits like that often don't leave any trail at all... You must be using a three or four blade! Honestly, I want to believe he's fine, but watch the crows. I think he's just one of those rutted up, aggressive bucks that just has that superior will to live. Good luck, hope you find him dead or alive!

There ain't no heat down here... Cccccccc Cold!!!! And wet.

Yeah I hear ya...

I am So Ready!!! I tried to get some buddies on deer during rifle, but they couldn't connect. now I gotta go out and clean up the mess they left! I have a few spots down here JLW.

Put in a full day of driving and hiking and didn't see a dang duck on any of the tanks down here. In fact, only a few held any water at all. Where the heck are they? Also, anybody know whether or not there's farms in and around Willcox willing to let folks grab some Geese when/if they migrate?

I also have been longing to shoot one with my longbow. Been training for it!