7west with a bow??

[The Frugal Hunter]

Buddy drew the late archery hunt in November.. we will be headed out in July to learn some country.. my question is do the big boys just hold up on public or tuck tale and head off toward the private in the later season? Thanks.. any info on the area would be greatly appreciated as well

 

[Setcams4u]

They know how to disappear on public. Private land is rarely a factor in Arizona. Especially in unit 7W. Bring the glass and listen for the 320" bulls to still bugle in early November. Generally speaking after the late archery season starts they all go silent.

 

[CactusPepper]

Frugal,

Sent you a private message.

 

[SlowElk]

So..... I drew the late rifle bull tag. I contacted AZ DIY hunting, bought their information. This is my first bull tag in 35 years. I am not looking for a trophy, just a branch antlered bull. My question is, how valuable will scouting be now, as opposed to later in the year? Are the bulls mostly in a core area year round, or do they have a defined summer vs. winter range?

 

[AZgamefinders]

It's a great question. The answer depends on the weather. If they happen to be at the same elevation in November as now they could be in the same spots.

However, monsoon storms are a factor as well. Often they tend to be "patchy" which creates regions of higher quality forage which will move them.

That's why buying GPS coordinates now is kind of a joke. Newberg is right on this one. Wait till just before the season starts for best scouting results.

 

[SlowElk]

I'll be up in 7W off and on all summer. I figured I'd get out and about, check the information I got, at least to know the "lay of the land". Hope to do a preseason scout before the bowhunters start in November.

 

[AZgamefinders]

It's a great unit for public access and elk numbers. The big bulls there are harder to find after the rut. You should have a great time.

 

[flashgun]

7W is very glassable. Get up early and get on top of a knob

 

[Desertdeer]

I have the late rifle tag as well. I just got back from a few days scouting around down there. I am from Utah and that country is far different from what I am used to. I would love to hear and share info about the unit as our scouting progresses. Hopefully we can help each other out and have some success. I am planning on going back down in 2 weeks now that I have a decent idea where I want to hunt.

 

[SlowElk]

I was in 7 West this week. The water tanks I checked are almost empty, just mud. The couple of tanks that had plenty of water were in the middle of an area being logged (aka clearcut). We really need some good monsoon rain. Plus, locals were telling me it's never been this hot, it was mid-90s.

 

[Buster]

Big rain hit Saturday but still wasn't enough to fill tanks. I have a archery tag this year in the unit.

 

[huntazido]

I have the late rifle tag as well. I just got back from a few days scouting around down there. I am from Utah and that country is far different from what I am used to. I would love to hear and share info about the unit as our scouting progresses. Hopefully we can help each other out and have some success. I am planning on going back down in 2 weeks now that I have a decent idea where I want to hunt.

The late rifle hunt will be totally different than what you will see and find in September. I think you would be better off scouting a week or two before your actual hunt. If you come this early all you are really doing is getting to know roads, tanks & terrain. I wish you good luck but that is my two cents.

 

[Desertdeer]

Thanks for the replies. I am gonna try to get familiar with roads, water, and glassing points this summer and fall. I am really hoping to have a good time. My dad and I both have tags. My main focus will be getting him a bull. He is 66 years old and has never shot a bull.