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Hello, I am new to the site, new to Elk hunting, and new to Arizona. I submitted into the draw this year and was drawn for the late rifle (11/26 - 12/2) bull hunt in 22N. Being somewhat newer to Arizona and new to Elk Hunting, I have been in contact with a few guides. However, after doing some research, I am not certain if I want to spend that kind of money for a not so elite hunt / unit. My concern is being new to Elk hunting, I recognize the learning curve and the difficulty of the Unit (from what I have read). ELk hunting is something that I hope to continue to pursue for years to come. I have been doing a lot of research on 22N and e-scouting some of the common spots and plan to spend a weekend doing some actual scouting sometime soon. I have looked at everything from fully outfitted down to scouting packages. Also, I understand the weather can get tough that time of the year. Are most DIY hunters back-packing / tenting it, campers, or cabins? Thank you in advance for any insight and advice!

Sat my ground blind all day Friday with nothing but crows and squirrels coming in to visit. Saturday around 9 am I heard a rock roll, while I was outside of my blind, and looked up to see an elk at 50 yards coming in quick. I peeked up to watch for antlers and saw the bottoms of them as the tops were in the tree branches. By now he was at 30 yards and cl;osing, so I grabbed my bow and quickly crawled into my blind. However, my didn't raise my second knee high enough and it cought the bottom edge of the blind, causing the entire blind to move, making a terrible racket on a noiseless morning. I heard a commotion and looked out. The bull had spooked and ran diagonally away from me,ehind two pine trees quartering away. All I could see from my angle was his back half. I panicked and drew my bow back, but my arrow was pointing out the blind's window and the bull apparently saw the movement and was gone. Lessons learned for next year. No meat, but an adrenaline rush all the same.