Archery Elk 6A south

[coltwayne]

I drew a 6A south archery elk tag as my second choice. Im from northern Utah, and plan on doing it my self. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to tell me what to expect from the unit. As far as trophy potental, and just what kind of a hunt Im looking at. Ive read good things about this unit, but just kinda wanna know what you guys think?

 

[DonMartin]

Good unit, lots of bulls.

I'll be helping out two friends (father/son) who drew those same tags. My muzzleloader bull elk hunt starts the day after this archery hunt closes, so I'll be spending a ton of time there this September!

Our best bull we've taken there with a bow was 344 (Gross) 340 (Net). We've taken bigger on gun hunts-- both muzzleloader and rifle, in the past.

Bigger ones are out there for sure, and you'll see a lot of bulls, just have to "wade through" the 250-300 class bulls to bag a good one.

Have a good time and enjoy the hunt. This is a great place to chase bulls as long as you are realistic about what to expect.

Sure there are some boomers there, but they don't get big by being stupid. Everyone thinks THEY are the one going home with the big guys, and the stories you'll hear from every guide/outfitter/hunter would leave you to believe that everyone kills a huge bull on this hunt. Truth is, it doesn't happen very often.

If a clean 330 bull comes by, I would tell a hunter to take him on that archery hunt.

Don't take my word on it. Call G&F in Flagstaff and ask the unit manager or the game specialist who they would do if a 330 6 X 6 came by on this hunt.

Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

 

[coltwayne]

Thanks Don, you were one of the guys I was hoping to hear from. I was in one of your hunters safty classes last year. Thanks again for the help.

 

[DonMartin]

Hey if you see my AWO sign by the road, stop by and chat!

Do you have my cell number? If not send me a p.m. and I'll send it to you.

Always glad to help out if I can. Good luck!

Don Martin
AWO

 

[Bates7]

Hey Colt congrats on drawing a good tag. I've hunted that unit a ton during my lifetime. I hunted it last year during the general bull hunt during Thanksgiving weekend. I was in bulls everyday. I actually had one shot out from under me. I totally agree with everything Don is saying about the unit. 6A has the highest elk population in the state.

"Vegetarians are cool. All I eat are vegetarians - except for the occasional mountain lion steak."
-Ted Nugent-

 

[coltwayne]

Thank for the info guys, Im liking what Im hearing so far. Ive read a little on the unit. But its always better to hear it from the guys that hunt it.

 

[ruthunter]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-01-10 AT 07:56PM (MST)[p]I have hunted 6as alot over the years and i agree that a 6x6 330" bull would be a great bull to take..i had two buddies last year during archery elk that took mid 350" bulls out of there...

 

[Cazador]

I also drew this tag and I'll be up there quite often this summer scouting around. I'm very familiar with the northeast half of the unit but will be scouting other areas. A good thing that has occurred recently is less pressure due to the reduction in bull and especially cow permits. A consideration for this hunt since you are driving from afar is to plan on hunting the latter half of the hunt since it starts relatively early. Last year hunts started about the same time and the first weekend the rutting activity was weak. By mid-week the following week/weekend rutting activity picked up considerably. The rut can be a little unpredictable but one thing for sure is the latter part of September/early October they are rutting hard. Like the others have said there are a lot of elk in this unit and I've seen some 350+ bulls. A lot of the herds have very predictable feeding/mating to bedding areas so if you can get yourself in between the path of those two areas you will/can get a lot of shot opportunities.

Keep in touch and I'll let you know my scouting progress and can give you some tips/pointers.

 

[AZBuckSnort]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-10 AT 03:38PM (MST)[p]My son & I also drew this hunt. We're excited to be able to bow hunt together again for bull elk, should be a great time in the woods.

I also drew a Unit 10 pronghorn hunt this year so it will be a very busy September for me!

Jim

 

[KaibabHntr]

I'll be there for archery bull. Heavy scouting starts in June...

Ryan
www.KeyToTheKaibab.com

 

[huntandfish]

My 70 year old dad shot a 365 bull there two years ago with his bow.330 would be a good goal without knowing the unit.Hunt some of the fringe areas that do not have a lot of elk.If you do your scouting you can find some tank's without people sitting them.

 

[Cazador]

huntandfish; I sent you a PM.