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Hello, I've hunted for the past three years unsuccessfully. I'm (self-taught/Learning) and didn't grow up hunting nor knew anyone that really did. I'm not looking for secrets! I understand we are all out looking to come home with meat for the year. Will someone one be kind enough to point me the right direction in this unit. I'm not afraid to get off the road and hike. I'll take ANY tips, I'm not proud, just humbly learning. One step at a time. Thanks, Mark

Alright, I'm throwing out a life line here. My nephew was lucky enough to draw a rifle tag for unit 23 her in AZ. I have spent a number of days up scouting for him and did find good sign, just not as fresh as I would like. Here's the kicker. He's a senior in high school and has his mind set on going to either West Point or the Air Force Academy and found out last week he has his an interview on Saturday 12/1. So, what was originally going to be a 4.5 day hunt (1 scout day on the 29th) has now been shrunk to a 2, possibly 1.5 day hunt. He's hoping to get to camp mid day on 12/1, but is unsure if he'll be able to get out of town early enough. Any help would be greatly appreciated! This is his first hunt, our only goal is to find a bull, and I really want to help him be successful. Thanks in advance for any info you're willing to share

I am new to Unit 22 and need some general direction. Both my 11yr old daughter and I drew elk tags in Unit 22, she has a youth cow tag and I have a rifle Bull tag after Thanksgiving. I have read the general recommendations by Game & Fish, we are going to start scouting in a few weeks for the cow tag and was wondering if the places they mention are the best places to start (south of golf course for cow tag, and dude burn for bull). Things to consider: - I have an artificial knee so I am unable to do difficult hiking/climbing. - We will be staying in Pine, would be awesome to hunt close by - We would like to not have to compete with 100's of hunters, so we get that means getting off the main road and hiking in. We just need to know areas to hike to - This will be my first bull hunt Really appreciate any constructive help! Thanks in advance!

Just looking for a little help in 4A. Me and my dad drew the late rifle bull hunt in 4A this year. We're both pretty familiar with the area but just curious if anyone has any specifics on the locations of elk.... pines or cedars, etc? So far I've taken one scouting trip and the watering holes listed on the game and fish maps haven't panned out. Any info would be much appreciated as this is probably the last time he'll be able to go. Thanks!

I have a bull tag in units 3a/3c this year and am debating on trying the Phat Head S.O.B 100 grain because of the amazing toughness of the Phat head blades and the extra cutting capacity. I wouldn't normally consider going with a mechanical for bull elk but this one seems to be as "fail safe" as they come and I am hoping the blades will fly like my field points. I was impressed by the youtube video in which they shot several mechanicals through metal barrels and most of the mechanical blew up or were severely damaged. I know the key is sharpness and placement and flight on each individual setup. I will be using an Elite Energy 35 set at 70 lbs and want something that is capable at longer ranges if needed. Only downside to these broadheads is price at $45 for 3!! But how often do you get a bull tag? Has anyone used this broadhead?

My father has a 4A rifle bull tag this coming weekend and I will have my hands full with this hunt as my father’s mobility is limited. This will probably be one of his last hunts, so I want to make it memorable for him. I’m thinking I might need some help if he gets one down far from a road and if anyone else will be up there and come into a situation needing help we are more than willing to help out however we can. We are staying in Payson and both would be more than happy to help anyone in the Payson or 4A unit. Please message me if you would like to exchange numbers, and please do not hesitate to ask for anything. Thank you and good luck to all heading out this weekend! If you see this truck, you will know it's me.

I was drawn for my first archery tag and it is a 11m early bull hunt. I have been doing OTC deer for the last two years in the Flag area because I am a student at NAU. I put in for this unit because it is close for me and I know it holds elk. I am not sure where to start scouting but am looking to put in some time because I taking this hunt serious. I have been rifle hunting for the past 10 years so I know how to hunt elk but archery is different. Looking for some help I don't need honey holes just some direction to help me tag out.

Been trying to find them up the hill. No luck yet. Who has experience there?

Good Afternoon fellow Hunters. I am new to this so bear with me.{ no pun intended} I am mostly an avid Mule deer hunter. This year I drew a unit 10 early rifle bull tag. I know it is a big unit with much diversity and private land. I recently went to check out the unit and had a few questions if anyone can answer. I have been told that there is some good hunting around Cataract Canyon. Would that be the north or south end? I also came across a road closure at the north end of Rose wells. Is that also closed during the hunt? Also was told that there are elk out in the north praries. Is that possible? Any info on the unit would be helpful. Thanks. Muley224

Most of this is a repeat from the 6A bulls thread but a few members thought it would be a good idea to start a new thread. It's already been a week since this bull went down and I am still pumped! Here is the story... My brother in-law Greg and I were hitting it hard since opening morning and we were into bulls every morning within 30 minutes. The bulls were very quiet so we just kept the wind in our favor and began to still hunt then spot and stalk. We got on a decent size herd Saturday morning and spotted a monster bull and a nice 5x5. We hauled butt to get in front and set up. Never saw the big bull but the 5x5 walked right up to us at 30 yards. This was the closest I had ever been to a bull and it was awesome! He never gave us a shot opportunity and eventually squirreled away. Sunday night was the only night we found a bull in the evening and I missed on a downhill 60 yard shot. Right over his back. At the time I was a bit discouraged but knew that's how it goes sometimes. Apparently it wasn't the bull that was meant for me. Monday was the slowest day we hadn't seen a bull all day and we put in some miles. Monday evening we hit one spot and the wind was all wrong so we backed out and moved to a different area. Wind was good, hitting us in the face so we began moving but didn't see or hear anything. Then about 6:30 we stopped and were ready to make it back to the truck. In one last attempt I decided to try and call to get a response. The first was a bugle. We had some success with the cows calling back if they were in the area.Then I grabbed my mouth diaphragm and started up with some cow calls I had been practicing. A few seconds later we heard a bugle but not just any bugle we knew he was on his way and coming in fast. We had seconds to get behind a bush and I was going to position my brother in-law a little further back to continue calling but the bull was already on us so we stayed put. He hung up at the end of a clearing and was looking in our direction to find where the call came from. Then he started trotting again and circling us to get wind. I immediately went to the other side of the bush and drew back. I asked for a range and he was way too far and now staring in our direction. It felt like I held my bow for the longest time until I couldn't do it anymore. So I attempted to let down with him staring and just knew he was going to spook. Thankfully he didn't notice and it took all my strength to let down as smoothly and as subtly as I could. He began moving around us again still out of wind and slowly coming in closer.My heart was racing and my hands were a little shaky. We were focused on the bulls movement while trying to control our own as we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes. Finally he stopped provided me with a broadside shot with his eyes behind a tree.I knew this was my opportunity and I remember Greg telling me "you got this". I drew back and took a couple deep breaths trying to control my nerves. I put my pin on the spot, waited a few seconds and let the arrow fly. He immediately bolted. I didn't see the shot but not 5-7 seconds later we heard a large crash. We weren't sure if he was down or crashing through the trees in the canyon he ran into. I slowly made my way to the shot area and just stood there still in shock. My brother in-law followed and started looking for sign and I just heard him say "Dude, come here". I looked down and there was blood everywhere. We peaked down the canyon and there he was piled up about 125 yards away. It was over. I don't know if he moved or my shot went forward but it went in the neck and severed the major arteries. It was over very quickly for him and for that I was thankful. I fully intended to take the first bull that would have provided me with the opportunity. I really just wanted to gain some experience and get the first one done. I spent tons of time this summer scouting for areas with lots of elk, practicing in different shooting scenarios and working on my calls in the truck to and from work. I think the hard work we put in paid off and I was happy we were able to get it done. A big thanks to Greg. We worked well as a team and had some laughs too. I am glad he introduced me to archery and hunting. Also a thank you to my wife Jaime. She spent a lot of time scouting with me this summer and of course for putting up with my new found obsession. Now the pictures!! Signature Taxidermy in Flagstaff scored this bull at 350 1/8".

Found these sheds in a new area we were hunting. All were found on one ridge. This one scores 192'' Also, a coues found many years ago during spring works on one of the ranches. Side view

Well my bussy went up Wednesday. Checked his cam down low and no elk on cam. Set up camp Thursday up high and found two groups of bulls. Me and his other buddy showed up Friday mourning at 1:30am. got couple hours of sleep and it was time to eat breakfast. The plan was stay near the top of the ridgeline and hope to run into some bulls. Since the ground was frozen out in the open from the dew and 18 degree temperature. Well we ran into couple cow elk right out of camp but no bulls. We crossed the main road and up another hill ... no more elk but deer sign everywhere. While we get to the edge of the hill we glass some pockets of meadows we can see and still nothing ... no deer no elk ... no nothing. While other two guys are talking about the "plan" i hear a short bugle across the small valley. We end up hurrying down and up this small valley to hopefully catch this bull moving. By time we get to cresting this hill some water bottles fall out of my pack. I take it off and start putting the water bottles back in my pack and a hear our buddy whistle. I quickly look at him and he was pointed down in front of us. I turn more and see a cow elk making its way torward us in this small draw. We get on our knees hoping that they won't see us. From my point of view i can only see a small portion of this draw....i glass and glass and glass and not seeing anything more and my arms are getting tired so i let them down. Well that one cow i saw is now 30 yards away right in front of me and she snapped her head to me. I felt terrible that i ruined the hunt that mouring... but she turned back to my left cause my buddy is moving and she turns and takes the other elk with her (calf). But the guys are talking i cant hear them but they keep pointing down and talking. All of a sudden hear thats a good bull and my buddy moves into a better position. waiting and waiting .. .. .. .. .. and boom! I remember saying all right he got a shot on opening mourning! and than Boom! he shoots again .. .. .. now im starting to think ohh no he missed ! After couple mins he waived us over and starts shaking his head. He says his first shot was broadside and the bull quartered to him and stared at him. He puts another bullet in and on his second shot the bull didnt hump, flinch, it just ran and not seeing blood. Now we waited 10 mins and started looking for blood where the bull was standing .... not seeing anything we are getting discouraged after couple yards. All of a sudden i hear OH MY GOD !! THERE HE IS !!......he only ran 25-30 yards no blood at all .... We waited couple more minutes and poked him to make sure he was dead. We went to the off side to see the exit wound ... except there was none ! 180 grain 30-06 ?? really no exit ? it had an entry but no exit really strange. We took pics, tagged him, and gutted him ... i stayed with the elk while they got the truck. Luckily he dropped 30 yards from a road. Well since the wallow fire there arent that many good hanging trees anymore. We skinned him while his head was on the ground ... good learning curve there... not many pics but hope they work. This first one is how close we walked up by time we saw him.

This was a big bodied bull, and a great archery harvest for a father and son hunt. Congrats to the Gibsons! 14yr old girls buck, she passed up bigger ones because she had seen this one, and he was still in full velvet in October. Young Matsons First Deer....... Gotta love the youth hunters, their enthusiasm is contagious!