billrquimby Report post Posted June 24, 2011 I drew one of the five cow elk tags for the August 5-8 Flat Top area in Unit 1. I've driven around the east, west and north sides of the unit, looking for access roads, but it seems every road has been locked up by landowners or the forest service. There's the Sheffel ATV trail on the south end of the unit, but I don't have an ATV. I suspect that at least two of the other hunters will concentrate on Picnic Ridge, where there is a two-tracker that runs north for about 1 1/2 miles before dead ending. I have no doubt elk can be found in the heads of the little canyons along both sides of that ridge, but there would be a huge problem packing the meat up over the rim and onto the mesa, especially for a 75 year old fat man. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted June 24, 2011 I can't help with access, but I'll ask around. If you get a cow down and need help getting it out, give me a shout. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted June 24, 2011 Bill, not sure, but I work with a guy who I think has a friend who guides in that area. I will talk with him tomorrow. I will do what I can. TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted June 24, 2011 what are the boundaries of the hunt? if you can hunt on the sipe ranch, go there. they'll help you pack one out if you shoot it there. used to be a lot of roads that went down into milligan mesa from the milligan valley road, but most of them are not there anymore. there are elk in the hayfields on the north side of flat top all the time. shouldn't be much problem getting permission to get in there and shoot one when it jumps the fence. there are several roads into subdivisions that will get you to the forest fence. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
el diablo Report post Posted June 24, 2011 I haven't hunted that area as it's new for the limited op hunt. I did the round valley limited op hunt a few times. The FS roads are always locked but the game warden will open them for the hunt (at least they did for the round valley hunt). If you can hike in on those roads pre season you'll have a better idea of what you'll be looking at during the hunt. I know the last time I did that hunt they didn't open the gates until later opening morning so don't worry if they're not open 1st thing. Also if you get an elk down somewhere in there thats tough to get to and there are locked gates for FS roads you can call the game warden and they'll let you in as well. Those hunts are tough, have very limited access and require a lot of hiking. Good luck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted June 25, 2011 what are the boundaries of the hunt? if you can hunt on the sipe ranch, go there. they'll help you pack one out if you shoot it there. used to be a lot of roads that went down into milligan mesa from the milligan valley road, but most of them are not there anymore. there are elk in the hayfields on the north side of flat top all the time. shouldn't be much problem getting permission to get in there and shoot one when it jumps the fence. there are several roads into subdivisions that will get you to the forest fence. Lark. Hi Lark: Sipe and Milligan are not in the unit. It's very small. The unit takes in all of Springerville and Eagar, and its boundary follows Nutrioso Creek from Highway 60 south to Highway 180/191, then west along the Saffel ATV trail on the very south end of Flat Top to Water Canyon Road and then north along Eagar's Main Street to Highway 60. I've checked every gate along the perimeter of every huntable area, and all are locked. I've seen the fields below the north end of Picnic Ridge, and I'm sure elk would use them, but I haven't knocked on any doors yet. it sure would be nice if someone could point me to their owners. What I haven't done, but will do next week, is to glass likely looking areas at first light several times to learn where the elk are leaving Round Valley to bed each morning. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted June 25, 2011 need to look in the country on the north side of flat top, just south of the forest fence. those fields along there probably have a lot of cows in them at night. several city streets will take you to the fence. just have to make sure you're 1/4 mile from a house. take a range finder. i'll try to come up next week and maybe i can figure out a place to go. i know all them outlaws up there. that time of year you need to put one down where you can get it in the truck fast and get it skunt, split and in the locker before it starts to sour. i learned a long time ago that the quicker you skin an elk the better it tastes. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted June 25, 2011 hey bill, one other thing to do would be to talk to the local warden and see if they can give you some pointers. a kid i know got called on a depredation hunt up there and he said the game warden showed them where to be and where they would be legal. he shot a 370+ bull and the warden helped them load it up. they let out those tags because they want to get rid of some of the elk. i'd give them a call. those field guys are usually decent to work with. with only five tags you'll probably have a warden in your back pocket on that hunt anyway. but be real careful about being far enough away from houses. there used to be a way to drive all the way to the north tip of picnic ridge. there should be a buncha elk along the west side of it between 181 and the 60. go ask dale hall if you can drive through his gravel pit and hunt the back side of those old fields. the gravel pit is north of the old highway where it used to go up picnic. there are always some elk there. don't know who owns the fields now, but it shouldn't be hard to figure it out. most of those folks should be easy to deal with. i think the trammel boys own a lot of that, but they aren't around anymore. i also don't know where the city limits are anymore. they might have annexed even more. i have a pal who lives right in there. i'll axe him if he has some ideas. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted June 25, 2011 i'll try to come up next week and maybe i can figure out a place to go. i know all them outlaws up there. that time of year you need to put one down where you can get it in the truck fast and get it skunt, split and in the locker before it starts to sour. i learned a long time ago that the quicker you skin an elk the better it tastes. Lark. I'll take you up on your offer for help Lark. I'll even buy breakfast, lunch and dinner, if you've got the time to spare. I'm in the White Mountain phone book. You are absolutely correct about processing the meat quickly. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdenton Report post Posted June 26, 2011 Bill, I actually spoke to my wifes uncle yesterday who married one of the trammels that lark mentioned. As you are on us 60 and leaving springerville to the east right as your about to head up the hill they own some of that pasture land to the south. He said theres been quite a few elk in the fields. Generally alot of bulls in there this time of year but there is a pretty good group of cows and calves. Ill try to talk to him and see about hunting them. If not on private the road that heads north from picnic hill will take you right to where those elk are. You can be on that rock pt just south of hwy 60. Great glassing point to the fields or off the east side into nutrioso creek. Those elk usually leave the fields and will come to bed right underneath where you would be glassing from. Pretty easy to shoot just not so easy to pack. Sometimes those elk will come and saddle right between two rock knobs as they go east towards nutrioso creek. I can email you map if you want. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted June 26, 2011 Bill, I am no help on where to go, but done hesitate to call and I will help pack the elk out for ya! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
afmalinois Report post Posted June 26, 2011 Bill, I am no help on where to go, but done hesitate to call and I will help pack the elk out for ya! +1 I am pretty sure that you could shoot your elk anywhere you have a shot, and you would have enough help to bucket brigade it out of the canyons! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted June 26, 2011 Bill, I am no help on where to go, but done hesitate to call and I will help pack the elk out for ya! +1 I am pretty sure that you could shoot your elk anywhere you have a shot, and you would have enough help to bucket brigade it out of the canyons! Thanks. I appreciate the offers. Bill Quimby Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.270 Report post Posted June 26, 2011 h e l l bill, you might end up with enough help that you can take some salt and pepper and a fryin' pan and just build a fire and eat that elk where ya drop it. when i'm in rough country after elk with my boys we usually eat about half for lunch and there ain't so much to pack out. Lark. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billrquimby Report post Posted June 26, 2011 It looks like I'll have lots of help. Bullwidgeon's grandfather, two uncles and a great-uncle will be with me. My son-in-law and one of his friends may come up, too. Packing out pieces won't be the problem. It will be finding access and getting me to where I need to be, and then out again. My heart problems are such that I must walk slowly and stop often to allow my heart rate to drop before moving off again. Bill Quimby 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
