2004 AZ archery elk season

[beaner]

After last years great archery elk season, what do you guys think this years season will be like? For those that have been in the high country, how is the antler growth looking, and do you anticipate a good strong rut during the hunt?

S/F

 

[Bura Nut]

Beaner: I have been up in unit 1 and the horn growth is fantastic, drought hasnt hurt this unit on horn growth in my opinion. I saw a coupl bulls in late june that were already 350ish type bulls. As far as rut......they will do what they do each year and towards the end of the hunt they will be going strong throughout the day.......I will be up on the 17th for the opener and look forward to hearing the bulls scream..........Allen Taylor......

 

[beaner]

Thanks for the info. Looks like the elk Gods may smile upon me this year. I am about 90% sure the Marine Corps will let me take some leave and I will make it back for the first 10 days of my dads hunt. Just hoping this year they get fired up a bit sooner rather than later. Last time I hunted they didnt get going really good until the last week like you said. All worked out and I killed a good one. I just hope my Dad doesnt shoot the first branch antlered bull that comes in.

Any one else been up on the rim doing any scouting? My dad says those pine beetles have wreaked our old stomping grounds killing a lot of trees.

I know its early, but hear any bugling? One more month gents!!!

S/F

 

[Cazador]

I was up in 5B South this weekend and seen three bulls that were 350++. We also seen aLOT of Deer which is very unusual for this unit. We seen 15 bucks running together one day in which 4-6 of them were very nice sized 4X's!

 

[caelkhnter]

I was up in unit 6a north this past week. The monsoons have greened up things nicely. Saw lots of elk everywhere. We did here a few bugles everynight and sometimes early morning before first light. Saw a couple of nice bulls together, still in heavy velvet. Wish all of you who were lucky enough to get drawn the best of luck. You should have a GREAT hunt.

 

[azhunter79]

caz
where abouts in 5bs were you? did you happen to be around the hutch mountain area?
az79

 

[Cazador]

I was around the Bargaman(sp?)Park area/road just a few miles north of the Turkey Mountain road. We seen the majority of the Elk between these two roads. In 2 1/2 days there we seen at least 70+ Elk. I may be going back in there for Archery Deer at the end of the month.

 

[juice]

Anybody been up to unit 8 yet? I went down the end of last month and saw a few good bulls.

 

[bullwidgeon]

I have spent 8 days in units 1 and surrounding areas over the last month scouting for elk and antelope and the bulls look great. Overall they do seem a little spookier than usual. Maybe it has to do with the population management hunts and alot of airplanes flying around looking for them. I have seen two different planes looking for either elk or antelope or both the last few days. I hear tell of some absolute monsters already being killed on the population management hunts. I saw a dude with a 330 type bull in the back of his truck yesterday morning waiting at Rusty's. It looked alot bigger and would have scored more but was only 36 inches wide. Still a good bull for a tag he never expected to get. I kind of feel sorry for any of the archers who wanted to hunt the lower stuff around town, after a few rifle balls got bounced out through the hay fields and a few of the bulls got killed the ones leftover wisened up and got real nocturnal. Maybe the rut will change all that...
The good news is that it has rained like hell up there for almost 48 hours straight now. The country is greening up nicely, and the trout are biting good during the afternoon up there if you brave the rain and lightning. Too bad I had to come back to work. Good luck guys.

Bret M.

 

[Gamekiller]

Going up to check out Unit 10 next week. Any Seligman or Williams guys out there to update on rain in 10 ? Horns looking good this year??? Gamekiller

 

[Someburro]

It rained HARD in Williams yesterday. Rain and buckets of hail. Looked more hail on the ground yesterday than the snow we had all winter.

 

[Gamekiller]

Someburro, hope the hail wasn't too big. Might knock the 450 bull I have been watching stone dead!!!! Good to hear about the moisture though...

 

[chinochief]

Gamekiller, get ready to get muddy. I live right outside the unit in Chino Valley and it has been raining for the past couple weeks. I have been in unit 10 for about 14 days so far scouting for my clients and some of the roads are completely destroyed. Last friday they got a storm up there which I have never seen the likes of in my life. It dumped an estimated 5 inches of rain in a little over two hours. No kidding. I have never seen such severe rain damage up there in my life. Other than that the horn growth is excellent and the country is super green. Congrats on your tag and good luck on your hunt.

David R. Pereda

 

[Gamekiller]

Goodness Gracious! Hope it drys out by October. When you say rain damage, you talkin about guys tearing up the roads, washouts from swollen creeks, or both? Looks like chains are going into the back of truck for sure. I was also wondering if the tanks were full but I think you already answered the question. Sounnds like the tanks are going to look like lakes!! Thanks for the update... Gamekiller

 

[huntazido]

Gamekiller, remember the phone conversation we had a while back? You do not want to get caught back in there if the rains start coming down hard. It floods real quick and can be very dangerous. Be careful on your scouting trip and let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.

Might be wise to put a "USO not welcome here!" sign out in front of your camp when you go up. )

Good Hunting
John

 

[Gamekiller]

John, advise well taken. If it looks like a storm is coming, I'll get out of there quick. Already planned on a "no USO" sign. Don't want any trouble. I'll call you and let you know what I see when I get back. Tad