Drew a 16A Gila Rifle Hunt

WapitiDave · Jul 26, 2006

My dad and I drew the first rifle hunt. We've both killed elk before but we know this is a prime unit and would like a decent chance at a 330" bull. Any suggestions as to where to begin to look would be appreciated. We plan on going up to take a look at the area in September and see how much damage the fire did. Thanks in advance for the help.

NMuzzy · Jul 27, 2006

The area where the bear wallow fire is closed until???

I ask that you please be respectful while scouting in Sep. as there will be an early and late season archery hunt going on. I have the late hunt. If you want look me up before your hunt and I'll give some pointers on areas to look at after my hunt has completed.

JO

rabidrattlesnake · Jul 28, 2006

Same here. I will give you info, but please don't try and get close to any bugling elk. Trust me there will be a bowhunter on that elk. Besides you don't want to add anymore pressure. What you should do is ask the bowhunters you see in the camps for suggestions. If you show them your tag they will know you are not messing with them and most of us are helpful.

Anaconda · Jul 28, 2006

Last year in 16A, 1st archery, I was less than 30 yards from a 330 bull screaming his head off. Just waiting the last two minuets till official "daylight".
Some bozo comes stumbling down the hill and blows the whole herd out. He is wearing full camo, but not carrying a bow. I have spent the last ten months wondering what that idiot was doing, now it hits me, he was scouting for 2nd archery or rifle.
Not trying to bore you with my bad luck, but please scout from a distance, don't mess up somebody else?s hunt.

archeryelk · Jul 28, 2006

Anaconda, you get any tags this year?

Archer

Anaconda · Jul 28, 2006

Nothing, nada, zip.
Just an "over the counter" D-7 deer tag in Calif.
Thinking about a OTC late rifle elk hunt in Co.

A total of 14 limited entery apps, 5 different animals, in 6 states and 0 tags.

archeryelk · Jul 28, 2006

At least look at what you had last year. You had a REAL good year. I didn't get any Elk or deer tags but did get a Moose tag

If I had time I would bowhunt CO or another state but I will be in BC 2 weeks from today.

Archer

NMuzzy · Jul 28, 2006

Last year I had the second archery hunt in 16D. My hunting partner and I were there a week early to scout for our hunt. We knew there was a hunt going on (first archery), so we waited until noon to do any looking around staying away from bedding area's ect. Our main goal was to find secluded water sources. We didn't even care if we seen an elk during that time. We knew we wouldn't see them since most likely they were bedded up. We were going off sign we seen to know if elk were in the area. Once we found what we were looking for we would mark the area in our GPS and high tail it back to the truck.
We would be back to camp by no later than 3pm every day before the "evening" hunt started up as not to mess up anyone's hunt during "prime time". It was nice to actually sleep in every day and make sure camp was set up nice, gathering wood near the main roads, playing horse shoes, shooting our bow's ect. The hiking during the hottest part of the day wasn't that much fun though

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WapitiDave · Aug 1, 2006

Thank You all for taking the time to reply. I'm aware that there are 2 bow hunts in September and didn't plan on going up until after the 2nd one ended. I know how hard it is to draw a hunt these days, much less a hunt in the Gila. I hope you all have success in your hunts and any pointers after your hunts have ended would be appreciated.
Thanks again. WD