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Arizona Elk Journal.

Fletch

Senior Member
Supporting Member
6,078
118
That hat is the only thing the mountain lion didn’t eat [emoji1787]. Good luck, time to press the issue.
Ha... Take a better look at that pic.... See the lion sitting up in that tree eyeing him up.... Probably thinking how good the previous owner tasted....🥩🥩
 
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Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Man, that terrain is flat. Have you been seeing many hunters? After how many elk you have been seeing I'm seriously thinking about putting in for this unit next year.

Not as flat as you think, nothing like Colorado though. There are a TON of hunters in this unit. Especially where the FS roads are which is everywhere. I got tired of them and found this area that is off limits to motorized vehicles.
Well before stepping over logs look on the other side and when climbing watch where you put your hands.... But I'm sure you knew that... It's not like your near a hospital if you get bit...

Thanks. Yeah i grew up in a state with 55 species of snakes with 6 being venomous ones. And I'll tell.you there are a LOT of them. Lol. Three were rattlers the Diamondback, Canebrake and Pygmy.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
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Camp.

20190922_151631.jpg


Heading up.
20190922_144307.jpg


Had to replace the disk, pads and caliper on a crummy that Jims brother let us borrow. Stuck caliper toasted the rotor and pad. Its not an elk trip if a truck doesn't break. Had the torch and WD 40 ready and disnt have to use either. Lifelong Arizona truck. Easiest job I've ever done not a soeck of rust on it.
20190922_112943.jpg
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I do miss sleeping out like that. Some of the best sleep ever had. I also enjoy trying to figure out the different sounds while falling asleep.
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
Smart move getting away for the crowds.

How many points do you have for AZ? My next Az hunt will be a dream hunt. Probably take 15 years. This unit is ok. I have seen some big bulls and 20% of the elk population in the entire state is here. But the pressure makes them call shy and they don't bugle much. Basically it turns into a sit water, slow stalk, or tree stand hunt them game. Really who wants to hunt elk like a whitetail. You want screaming pissed off bulls in your face. For that you'll need a more premium unit. Im sure it happens here in the deep dark canyons but that's some real hard hunting.
 

brock ratcliff

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
24,834
247
My buddy called in two 5x5 bulls tonight but didn’t have a good shot. He is in Colorado and claims they haven’t been bugling much there either. They do respond to calls silently. A lot. But like turkey hunting, what’s the fun in that. Hope you get one screaming soon!
 

Jackalope

Dignitary Member
Staff member
38,841
260
My buddy called in two 5x5 bulls tonight but didn’t have a good shot. He is in Colorado and claims they haven’t been bugling much there either. They do respond to calls silently. A lot. But like turkey hunting, what’s the fun in that. Hope you get one screaming soon!

Yeah thanks, seems like it just isn't hot here yet. The rifle guys will have a ball next week. The smaller bulls just started to herd up the cows a few days ago. The big boys let the little guys do all the work and then come kick their ass and take them. They then become satellites and want their cows back. From what I read that's when most of the bugeling is heard as the satellites and herd bulls bitch back and forth.

What's really strange is the elk rut kicks in the same time no matter if they're in far north Montana or central Arizona. They say it's triggered by the amount of light or length of day. They say the same about whitetails though. In Ohio they rut around the beginning of November, in Mississippi it's lke the beginning of January. Makes more sense for elk.
 
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Thunderflight

Dignitary Member
17,770
167
Shermans Dale, PA
How many points do you have for AZ? My next Az hunt will be a dream hunt. Probably take 15 years. This unit is ok. I have seen some big bulls and 20% of the elk population in the entire state is here. But the pressure makes them call shy and they don't bugle much. Basically it turns into a sit water, slow stalk, or tree stand hunt them game. Really who wants to hunt elk like a whitetail. You want screaming pissed off bulls in your face. For that you'll need a more premium unit. Im sure it happens here in the deep dark canyons but that's some real hard hunting.

I have 7. I was talking to a friend today about applying next year. He said it is worth it to wait another 5 or 6 years and draw the unit he hunted. I think its 27. Im most likely gonna wait now.
 

Thunderflight

Dignitary Member
17,770
167
Shermans Dale, PA
Yeah thanks, seems like it just isn't hot here yet. The rifle guys will have a ball next week. The smaller bulls just started to herd up the cows a few days ago. The big boys let the little guys do all the work and then come kick their ass and take them. They then become satellites and want their cows back. From what I read that's when most of the bugeling is heard as the satellites and herd bulls bitch back and forth.

What's really strange is the elk rut kicks in the same time no matter if they're in far north Montana or central Arizona. They say it's triggered by the amount of light or length of day. They say the same about whitetails though. In Ohio they rut around the beginning of November, in Mississippi it's lke the beginning of January. Makes more sense for elk.

Just my limited experience, but it always seems like they get really hot around the last week of septemeber.
 

teenbowhunter

Junior Member
1,059
72
Delaware County
Bulls were firing off like crazy in New Mexico September 1-6. Had some very responsive bulls in Oregon this weekend and called a couple in. Part of it just depends on random cows coming in heat just like whitetail. Good luck!
 
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