Arizona Unit 4B

[Flatlander]

I'm glad no one has bothered to notice that they are shooting 50% less bulls out of 4b then they did 4-5 years ago, all the while raising tag numbers in all the "primo" units like 1, 9 ,10.

Tag numbers in 10 are going down, just saying.

 

I think people overlook that as an indication of quality potential. Less bulls getting shot = more bulls making it to maturity = higher percentage of quality bulls being taken.

 

To that point, I expect 10 to make a big splash again in the not so distant future.

[yotebuster]

 

I'm glad no one has bothered to notice that they are shooting 50% less bulls out of 4b then they did 4-5 years ago, all the while raising tag numbers in all the "primo" units like 1, 9 ,10.

Tag numbers in 10 are going down, just saying.

 

I think people overlook that as an indication of quality potential. Less bulls getting shot = more bulls making it to maturity = higher percentage of quality bulls being taken.

 

To that point, I expect 10 to make a big splash again in the not so distant future.

You exposed my ignorance of unit 10. Seemed like for a few years in a row they had tag increases. Didn't realize they were going the other way. Eliminating the early rifle hunt in 4b was a huge step in the right direction for bull quality in my opinion. They've also cut the archery tags for sept quite a bit. They still have a lot of November rifle tags in there though but the success rate is minimal so they aren't hauling to many bulls out that way.

[Saguaro]

I always dream of getting that big Bull. I waited 20 years for an early rifle tag in one of the primo units. I spent the whole hunt shopping for a big bull. I must have passed literally 100 Bulls. The best I found would have been a 360-370 Bull if he wasn't busted. I don't mind busted up Elk as long as their main beams are clean. This one wasn't. He was broken up to where he was a 6x4 and looked silly and lopsided. My first Bull was one I got in a left over hunt that had broken points and maybe scores 314 but has main beans that go on and on. Since the early hunt kind of taught me that no matter the unit, there aren't 380 bulls everywhere, I will be focusing on what you call "Good Bulls". I hope I find one in my 4B hunt this year.

[Flatlander]

Yeah, they gutted 10 for a few years with 200 archery tags and an astounding 100 early rifle permits. This is the second year in a row with reduced tag numbers, only 100 archery tags and 35 rifle for the early hunts. There are still a bunch of mid and late tags. But overall I think it will start producing again.

 

I also expect that in a couple of years they will probably reduce tags again in 1 and 27 and expect those units to rebound strongly when it happens. They have had increased tag numbers in the fire areas for several years now to reduce the impact of elk on the burned areas and allow the vegetation to recover. Now that it's been five years since the fire, tag numbers should start coming down and they should start allowing the herd numbers to recover. Should.

[Alpinebullwinkle]

I expect you are correct Flatlander about the units 1&27. In 27 they have added 350 tags or about a 40% increase. The result has been a big decline in the herd size and due to the better sight clearance and changed food supply a greater amount of larger bulls have been harvested in the late gun hunt....whereas pre-Wallow Fire a 340 bull at that time was a monster. Add in more wolves and harvest statistics along with quality have really gone south the last few years.

[Flatlander]

 

 

 

 

And if two or three bulls over 360 in the last 5 years is monsters coming out of there every year then yeah 4b is awesome. Expect lots of 300-310 bulls and smaller with the possibility of a 340 if you hit it hard. Lots of people out during season and not a whole lot of places to get away from roads.

These locals are all butt hurt because Jay Scott blabbed about how his buddies kid smoked a stud in the unit on his podcast.

Nah not worried about that. It won't take these guys long to figure out 4b is a tough hunt with top end bulls in the 340's with the occasional 350. Most bulls killed 300 or less. And don't want you lying to these guys about where you're hunting

Really? Cause you seemed kind of butt hurt about it before.

 

[bonecollector777]

Didn't know not agreeing with someone saying what unit a bull was killed in meant I was butthurt. My bad. Yeah I'm extremely butt hurt now that you brought it to my attention. Thanks for clearing that up.

[trphyhntr]

theres so many giants up there i guess anyone with a 4b tag has no excuse to kill anything under 350

[HuntHarder]

I think Flatlander has a crush on BC777. Seems to always want to try and push his buttons. Mancrush ?

[AZ8]

I can't put my finger on it, but there's something going on here with BC777 and unit 4B!

 

I understand his argument. 4B doesn't consistently produce trophy bulls. I get it. He's stated this argument ad nauseam on several 4B threads, both here and other forums.

 

I guess I just can't figure out why he's so concerned with people that actually put in for that hunt as if it's his tag. Why worry about it?

 

It is fascinating.

[WHT_MTNMAN]

I think it is because of flatlanders love affair with 4B and the recurrent theme of how good 4B is...yes it has and can produce great animals... high quality hunt it definitely is not.

[azruger]

4b sucks!!!!! Lol. That should get him going..... hahaha

[COA]

Meanwhile in 4b a 390 bull is watering amd jay scott is writing the next podcast!!!

[azbugler]

Hey jglaudel, let’s go out in the morning and kill you a nice bull! Nice meeting you.