AZ Unit 8 archery elk help

[Khunter]

After better than a decade of waiting, managed to draw archery elk in Unit 8. If anyone would be willing to share a few pointers or realate some experiences from the arcehry season in 8, as I start planning for scouting trips it would be much appreciated. Should have ample time to prepare and to hunt with a couple trips this summer plus arriving 4-6 days early and staying till end of season if needed.

Kirby

can send to [email protected] if preferred

 

[DesertDiesel2500]

From AZG&F web page.

A good area to find elk is south of Bill Williams Mountain, off Road 108 and122. It transverses through three topography and habitat types. Summit Mountain, Morgan Mountain and Round Mountain are consistent areas where a number of elk are harvested each year. They are areas of higher elevations. Popular areas to scout for elk would be Barney Flats, Coleman Lake area, and Garland Prairie. All areas are on the Kaibab National Forest. Check local forest map.

Some lower elevation areas provide glassing opportunities in several side canyons. This year has been a very dry year. Scouting for available waters would help you locate areas of high elk density if dry conditions persist. If a good monsoon season occurs, this may distribute the elk more commonly throughout the unit. Cold weather and snow that might come in early November can play a role in the herd movement prior to rifle elk season. Most often they migrate to lower elevation within the unit to the south and southwest.

 

[PleaseDear]

Congrats on a real good tag!

Maybe WARBRIUM will see this and get with you as he has real current experience in 8.

Enjoy your hunt!

Robb

 

[muleybull]

I grew up in the middle of this unit and it used to be a great area for elk. It still could be, but last few years during the archery hunt seems that one hunter will bring 5 or 10 friends and they all split up and chase elk. Hard to find a elk 15 other people arent racing each other to get to.

Hopefully the right people drew this tag this year, then this will be a great hunt again.

Good luck, post pics if you get lucky.

Is that ethical?

 

[WACKEM]

Hey Kirby, its Danny from So Cal. Lost your number call me when you can so we can go over maps. Talk to you later.

 

[Azelkhunter39]

Check out the water tanks on the backside of the hills behind Coleman Lake, was there last year and it was full of elk tracks and the bulls had it all tore up. Good luck.

 

[Tracker]

Gets better later in the season, a week on the end would have really made a huge difference when we were there. The lower elevations will hold few elk but also a chance at a monster.

 

[Khunter]

Thanks guys. First trip over to scout is coming up.

 

[Khunter]

spent a couple days in 8 over 4th of July. Did find one big bull in the making and one that was big on the left and stunted on the right along with a lot of tehr animals.

Heading for 5 days scout trip in a week. Aug.10-15

Ideas and suggestions always welcome. And thanks to the several guys who have helped a little and a lot already.

Kirby

[email protected]

 

[need4x4]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-02-08 AT 02:34PM (MST)[p]Hey Kirby.

I don't have experience personally in 8. However, I have hunted the 7 west unit twice in the last 4 years. I have two buddies who hunted 8 two and three years ago and they had rifle tags.

I think 7 and 8 are similar.

My last tag in 7 was archery. Man did I have a time. I tried to do it all on my own and it was very difficult, because they were very call educated. Best bet was silence.

Also, I found after trial and error, that my best tactic was to drive around between two and three in the morning and stop every quarter mile or so and listen. Once I found what sounded like a heard bull. I would just sleep in the truck. This was my best way to get a chance early morning when the sun came up. early on for the first hour of shootable light, you can get in on them with some luck and some skill.

Also, get out at mid day, took a locals advice and caught a herd bull in the open. Of course, I didn't get close enough for a shot, but it was close.

I tried a stand over some mud that was being used, but they were using it at night, so no dice.

Set you goal and work hard. I would hire a guide if you don't have a helper. Two is better than one. Go very easy on the calling. It did not break open as far as rut in 2007 in 7w during archery.

Let me know how you do.

 

[azbiggame]

Kirby:

Great unit for Big Bulls,have hunted/guided in 8 for many years.Had My archery BULL tag in 2006.Weather was Warm,to warm --- elk came to water after dark and were headed back to Canyons before first light.Biggest bulls usually in the "PJ" Timber.The unit 8 herd is in intire unit,though.If weather is warm,You will want to hunt the Ponderosa Plateaus as Elk will be making "Noise" in the cooler higher elevations.As stated earlier keep calling to a Minimum.Prey for monsoon rains during Your hunt,it will make a Big Difference for the Quality of Your hunt.

Congratulations on drawing a very "Coveted" Az elk tag.Good Luck and arrow a Big-un www.silvergrandoutfitters.com

 

[Heat]

Good Suggestion:

"Also, I found after trial and error, that my best tactic was to drive around between two and three in the morning and stop every quarter mile or so and listen. Once I found what sounded like a heard bull. I would just sleep in the truck. This was my best way to get a chance early morning when the sun came up. early on for the first hour of shootable light, you can get in on them with some luck and some skill."

That is a great way to find some elk if you don't know what patterns they are using before you hunt them. I only ask one thing...PLEASE DO NOT BUGLE AT THEM FROM THE TRUCK!!!

If you just listen and then crash like the guy describes above, that's plenty, just don't sleep too good! Be ready to get in there on them as soon as you can see well enough, minding the wind of course.

Nick

 

[stealth_archer]

There is a lot of opportunity in unit 8. I personally spend a lot of time the (in fact just got home from there today)and have found a bunch of elk. Like others have mentioned Coleman Lake/Barney Flat area generally holds a lot of elk. We went spotting last night and Dogtown flat was full of them.

I had an archery tag their in '05 and passed up about a dozen 320 - 330 class bulls, looking for something bigger (which is out there). I think that one of the most important aspects is the heat. It was hot then and it is now. If I was not on a bull by 8:00 am, I was done until the evening hunt. So a word of advise, be in the field on elk no later then 4:00am. It will give you a huge advantage.

You can email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Good luck!

 

[KaibabHntr]

I've also used a variation of the get out and listen technique that worked very well for the morning hunts. I'd get out about 3:30 am and park about a mile, maybe a little closer, from the area I wanted to hunt and start walking towards my spot. The elk were bugling like crazy in the dark early morning and I'd just walk with them on the road/trail as they moved along - avoid the trees as it can be too noisy in the dark. Sometimes there'd be up to 3 different herds in the general area and as shooting light got closer I'd start moving into the trees and put the sneak on. Got me real close 4-5 times. The unit was 5B south, 2006 archery bull tag.

KaibabHntr
www.KeyToTheKaibab.com
Everything you need to hunt AZ unit 12A!