22N december hunt

[kennyazman]

well, I just got back home from my hunt in 22 north. and it was very tough and frustrating. opening morning I found myself loooking at 3 cow elk across a canyon about 1000 yards away and about 4 other groups of hunters that i noticed looking at the same canyon. That evening I tried to get away from hunters and went to another canyon and found myself looking at more hunters and a large group of cows and 2 very small bulls ( too small to pack out of that nasty canyon). I wasnt even on the control road where I know most of the hunters are and I was seeing 2 or three hunters everywhere i went even in the wilderness area. Any ways to sum it up i hunted 5 days and saw way more hunters than I did elk and it was very hot. I noticed on the the recommendations for next year they have only 100 tags for this december hunt which i think is a great idea. Too many hunters for this hunt. i guess i just had higher expectations. oh well, I guess its archery season now.

[Sam]

well, I just got back home from my hunt in 22 north. and it was very tough and frustrating. opening morning I found myself loooking at 3 cow elk across a canyon about 1000 yards away and about 4 other groups of hunters that i noticed looking at the same canyon. That evening I tried to get away from hunters and went to another canyon and found myself looking at more hunters and a large group of cows and 2 very small bulls ( too small to pack out of that nasty canyon). I wasnt even on the control road where I know most of the hunters are and I was seeing 2 or three hunters everywhere i went even in the wilderness area. Any ways to sum it up i hunted 5 days and saw way more hunters than I did elk and it was very hot. I noticed on the the recommendations for next year they have only 100 tags for this december hunt which i think is a great idea. Too many hunters for this hunt. i guess i just had higher expectations. oh well, I guess its archery season now.

 

 

Agreed. The AZGFD has given out way too many permits over the last three years. Almost every unit has seen an increase in tags. I had the same experience in 5A during the bull hunt. However, 5A will still see the same number of bull tags next year. There is a decrease in cow tags - luckily for the elk population. In 2003, 5A had 50 bull tags. Then up to 115 in 2004. This year, 339 plus early bull and blackpowder for a total of 411......absolutely out of control.

 

I wrote to all the board members at AZGFD - not sure if it will help.

[JLG]

I had the same hunt. I helped on the early late rifle hunt and we took a spike and a 4 x 4. On our hunt we have taken 2- 5 x 5's and 2- 6 x 6's. I am going out this morning for the last day with a couple of folks. Hopefully, we can cap it off with another bull or two.

I have a trailer in Star Valley and I scouted alot during the summer. I looked for remote locations I could glass from. All the bulls have come that way. The packouts have been murder, but we have filled 6 of 7 tags so far, Take Care, JLG.

[Big Browns]

22N used to be a great unit to hunt. Unfortunately G&F has almost ruined that Unit. They have slowly been increasing the tag numbers and killing off the Elk population. Just 4 years ago I could go to almost any part of 22 and glass up a number of good Bulls. Now it's become difficult to find a rag horn. Is there still GREAT Bulls in 22? Yes, but the amount of tags is decreasing there numbers dramaticly. Over the last 4 years I have seen the number of small Bulls being killed increase dramaticly. The quality of this hunt has gone way donw. Not just in size or number of Bulls, but it's become a war zone full of un-ethical hunters. Hopefully G&F will drop the number of tags on both hunt's and start going back to quality of hunts and not just opportunity.

 

Just my 2 cent's.

 

Adam

[desertyankee]

I only hunted on opening morning Dec 3rd, I didnt see too many hunters where I was til I shot my bull, then they all started showing up. lol. There was not one other hunter within a mile of me. By the time I had my bull packed out, there were about 15 hunters all parked next to my truck or driving past it. Before I shot, it was not too bad and I was near control road. The secret for me was to hike into an area where you could not glass from a road or anywhere easy. It helped to have several bulls spotted well before the hunt started. Then I just hit those spots on Thursday and found which ones the bulls were still in.

 

This approach worked for me as well in 22N. Didn't see much evidence of bulls coming down off the Rim yet, but the resident bulls were sitting tight in their core areas, doing the bare minimum of travel. I never even broke out the binocs; just hit the cool ponderosa canyons and crept around checking for rub density. Had a nice young 6 x 6 come right to me, will post the story ASAP.

[Coues 'n' Sheep]

Jeremy from Chasin' a Dream Outfitters has been out everyday of both hunts. In the first hunt they put 3 bulls on the ground and on this second hunt his Wife (Kristy) shot a bull that is over 330" broken and likely 345"-350" if not broke. I found the bull Tuesday morning and after 2 stalks and 10 hours (no other hunters) and a single shot at 170 yds the bull took a Dirt Nap! It was a short pack but in the dark and the pics did not turn out that great, but hopefully they will post them and a story soon!! Thanks To Jeremy and Kristy for letting me be a part of the hunt!!

 

 

I also agree that there, have been WAY too many people in the woods week after week in these units.... and that the elk quality as well as the hunt quallity/enjoyability is suffering.

 

... oh and the Stupid $hit some of these tagholders (and their Entourage's) do is just pathetic.... we are our own worst enemies....