Swivelhead

Called back, still spring ........ Who knows when!

Just called, spring result no longer available, we are close!

Keep the faith guys, a buddy of mine got an elk hit on a Capitol One card at 11:00 am this morning.

Got a hit for 3 elk tags the evening of the 20th. 27 or 1 archery bull early. We are ecstatic. Have not had a White Mtn tag since 05. I believe there will be additional hits early this week. Predict the results will be posted Wednesday @ 0943

You are really into claiming behaviors. I'd suggest you BUY or lease some hunting land. I pay no attention to stands & cams (other than to note somebody thinks it's a good spot). If you are there hunting so be it. However, I may need to check the spring you're sitting for sign but I'll try to do it midday. It is public land and nobody can expect to monopolize an area for days on end.

Looks as though New Mexico is going to have to move their application deadline to early March if they want to keep maximizing the take from AZ applicants. Likely, when NM picked the 3/19 date they had not considered the CC hits that come prior to draw results actually posting. Bet the NM deadline will be 3/1 within a year or two. Good luck in the draw.

Thunderhead = 30-06. Thunderheads are a good affordable head. Not a good head if your going to shoot 100+ plus yards though.

A safe is likely the best money I ever spent. That being said, if I had it to do over again I'd get a safe (or better yet two!) that was about 800#'s. My safe is about 1250 empty and is a bear to move even with the door off.

Aquifers get recharged via snowpack. Rain is good, snowpack is better. Our aquifers are depleted, springs are drying up, rivers run less every year. We are pumping our aquifers at an unsustainable rate. Eventually the Verde will suffer the same fate as the Salt and Gila rivers. Just a matter of time.

+1

Yes, it's never cool to block a road.

You ARE a dirt bag if you think a trail cam, salt pit or tree stand gives you a claim on a hunting spot.

Appears that moose was "yarded" on the trail. Note droppings in the trail when the shooter/photographer advanced on his machine. Likely that moose was stressed from a tough winter and deep snow, it certainly was not willing to abandon that hardpack for powder. Just a bad deal. I've got no problem with the shoot but self reporting and meat salvage is a must.

During Malay elk hunts only.

Some of AZ's best sheep herds are in high density lion areas (22, 24, 31, 32). Sheep evolved with lions. We are witnessing Darwinism within the recently released sheep in the Catalina Mtns. Sheep from SW AZ have little experience with cats. These recently released sheep don't know their turf just yet, many have likely never even seen a lion. I am confident that predator evasion in rooted in sheep DNA. Sheep in 22, 24, 31, 32 ARE from transplants from SW AZ and they are making it. I believe most people are rooting for the sheep, even the Center for Biological Diversity. G&F ALWAYS gets drug through the mud when predator control is the issue. Suspect that with each lion killed sheep the G&F gets closer the green light from the preservationists to suppress the cats proper. Likely, when the next group of sheep are released there will be a lot less lions. That and the remaining sheep will have street skills. This restoration project is far from over IMO.

Although there may be fisherman hitting Black river at Ten of Diamonds and fellow elk hunters in the area, you will need to be self sufficient. It really is a remote area. Bring lots of fuel for the truck. You'll be 80+ miles from a fuel source. Cell service is non-existent to really poor.

Ever since I started boning Javi's out at the kill site the quality of the table fare has gone way up.

Dang, missed another one ......

You are asking a lot for less than $300. The height you want = heavy, even if you spend $$$. Super smooth pan heads are $200 & up. Which Manfrotto tripod & head combo do you currently have?

I'm not a fan of transporting binoculars connected to tripods. Not sure how you guys do it but my experience is that it stresses adapters, studs and the bridge between the optical barrels, especially on heavier binoculars. The bino bib looks solid. A plastic shower cap works too.

How much weight will you be stacking on your leg/head combo?

Anytime it rains the roads get juicy. Bring the chains as the monsoon thunderstorms likely will occur during your hunt. San Carlos has a clay soil that is world class slippery. I've hunted turkey in the spring around the Malay area. See elk occasionally but not many. There are elk rubs here and there from the previous Sept. Not a lot of sign. I'd say you'll need to give yourself as much time as possible in your hunt area. Likely, you've got a tough hunt on your hands. FWIW the elk I've encountered in the Malay area are wired like whitetails. They move out quick!

I've run 12.5 X 37 BFG A/T's on a F350 LB/CC with good results. Tried a set of KM2's, great traction but could not handle the weight. Front tires eventually separated.

As previously discussed, those of you who have concerns about AZ G&F have an opportunity to let them know how your feel at the SCG meeting Wednesday @ 6:00 pm. I'd bet you can submit concerns via the web if you cannot attend physically. If not this meeting, when? The department ought to know how you feel about the Catalina cat feed, ever increasing license costs, whatever chaps your hide. At least your opinion will be heard by people who COULD do something. Apparently, other than bellyaching on internet forums, many of you have broken off all contact with the department. All this hostility toward the dept. and you are unwilling to voice your opinion at meetings or email the commissioners? You're kidding right? Many of you have said your piece. What are you going to do about it?

unless you hit cable!! Then you cracked, leaking, and fu$ked!!Hammer drill will stop on a cable or rebar. If you hit one, pick another spot to set an anchor. Not a big deal.