Swivelhead

If you don't have astigmatism the focus of an optic will usually correct the flaws in your vision.

Brands mentioned are all excellent. Be honest with yourself as in what would you really like to have, spend accordingly. Personally, I have three pairs of 15's: Swaro 15's ( pre 2006, not NEU), Swaro 15 HD and Zeiss Conquest 15x56. Zeiss are very good but finicky with IPD. Optically, Zeiss are on par or better than the older Swaro 15's, prefer the ergonomics of the older Swaros over the Zeiss. Swaro 15 HD's are a step up. Ergonomics are amazing, good eye relief and a large sharp sweet spot. What ever you purchase, pay particular attention to eye relief as it's a big deal for eyeglass wearers. Likely, you'll own your new binos for a long time. Plan ahead as eventually, you may need eyeglasses.

I'd recommend reading AZGF regulations till your eyes bleed. It's a long read, there are a lot of rules but you need to know them. Strongly suggest an AZ hunter education class. Class is available online but you will need to attend a field day. Upon successful completion of the course, a permanent bonus point is awarded for all species requiring a lottery draw. Should you choose to hunt out of state, many states require proof a non-resident has completed a hunter education course. Welcome to CWT. Ton of info archived here, use the search feature. Site has an abundance of talent - shooters, gunsmithing, reloading, archers, shotgunners, fishermen, historians, biologists, etc. No matter the question, somebody on this site will have an answer, it's amazing. Have fun!

Smokin' deal. Material for one this size cost me $75 15+ years ago.

Always end a tactical nap with "amen." Especially at work.

Not sure if it was this particular crew but watched a SCAT crew work a controlled burn southwest of Freezeout Mountain. Wind picked up to a scary level, visibility was nil due to smoke, we packed up and got the heck out. Those guys were on it. Figured the whole place would be torched but upon returning the following year, treatment area was burnt (it was a juniper thinning cleanout) and nothing else. Impressive.

AZ roadhunters are amateurs. From what I've seen, Utah is the Babylon of road hunting.

Were you on a road that continued on a substantial distance? If the road you were accosted on dead ended within a reasonable distance, say a 1/4 mile or less, I could see the guys point. In that case, park and go for it. A civil conversation could have avoided negative contact with a fellow hunter. If the guy was trying to stop access an ongoing road system for his own benefit, I know what I would have told him.

Sitting water (especially this year) is very effective. Generally, if a target animal shows up, the shot opportunity is very good. Unfortunately, there always seems to be serious competition for a seat at a water source. Personally, I don't need the drama and don't care to compete with fellow hunters.

Dry as it's been water sources should reveal a lot. Acorns & water is where I'd look.

Local news station 12 has video. Said 800 acres in the vicinity of Sears Kay ruin. Appears to be burning to the northeast.

Sitting water is the one sure way to have negative interaction with fellow hunters & the general public. Expect it.

I've had similar experiences at the tail end of the early archery hunt. Hunters that have the early rifle or muzzlerloader elk hunt that opens tomorrow are out scouting with abandon. It's one thing if someone scouting for an upcoming season innocently interrupts a stalk. No excuse for this man's actions, he knew your son was on the elk. Selfish SOB.

Any AZ unit can produce outsize bulls. Great genetics in our state, bulls just need a chance to get old, have decent feed and be somewhat parasite free.

Still hot & dry. Call the ranger district in which you'd like to shoot and have a conversation.

I see the wound, could be an injury from dueling with the competition. Anybody see and arrow shaft or broadhead?

Cool looking bull. My brother encountered a giant double beam bull in 5BN but it was 10+ years ago. Brother really wanted the bull but it did not happen.

Congrats on your success!

Noted

Due dilligence by the seller is key.

You guys assume the worst. An out of state buyer can arrange to have the seller ship the weapon to an FFL in his state of residence which is perfectly legal.

Really nice bull. Gotta love those high country black racked antlers with ivory tips. Good job!

Not trying to hijack this thread but .......... a good read (long) should you have interest. https://apps.azdot.gov/files/ADOTLibrary/publications/project_reports/pdf/az660.pdf

I agree and will not take a frontal or quartering frontal shot on a large animal such as elk. Too much armor.

Likely, the reason you have little blood to trail is the arrow apparently traveled through a large muscle mass prior to contacting vitals. Dense muscle mass will contrict and limit external blood loss. Unfortunately, there was no exit wound to drop blood on the ground. I suggest you & your group grid the thickest nastiest terrain in proximity to the shot. Pay close attention to north and northeast facing slopes. Use your gps to make sure you don't miss too much. I agree 100% with Yotebuster concerning quartering shots and echo his experiences. Arrowed a buck in Colorado a number of years ago that was a quartering frontal shot at close range. Arrow passed through the shoulder mass and split a rib perfectly on exit (1.5" two blade Magnus). The split rib acutally stripped fletching off the arrow. I knew it was a fatal shot. Deer bled for 30 yards then nothing. Area was choked with oakbrush and it took and hour of GPS gridding to find him, the deer traveled less than 200 yards. The muscle mass contricted and the rib closed up causing minimal external blood loss. It was a headscratching recovery. GPS gridding is your best bet to find the animal you seek.