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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Big Sneaky on March 31, 2009, 09:08:00 AM

Title: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on March 31, 2009, 09:08:00 AM
Well I just found out that my cousin and I both drew archery Arizona elk tags for this year.   I am some kind of fired up!  Now I have a lot of research to do.  The unit we drew is 6A North.  If anyone knows anything about this unit I would love to hear about it, good or bad.

Both of us shoot ACS CX's mine is 58# and my cousin's is 55#.  Looking forward to getting an opportunity at some good elk.  Good thing I started my workout program 2 months ago.  I will be ready when it comes time.

Thanks for listening.  Cade
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: elknut1 on March 31, 2009, 09:29:00 AM
Awesome!!  You gotta love elk hunting!! Your excitement & enthusiasm will carry you through until Sept.! (grin) Good Luck!

 ElkNut1
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on March 31, 2009, 09:42:00 AM
That's awesome. Which sub unit?  I have read that 20% of the whole state Elk population occupies that area and that many of the state's mature bulls are taken from there. Best of luck.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: kadbow on March 31, 2009, 10:10:00 AM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: ishiwannabe on March 31, 2009, 10:42:00 AM
Best of luck to you guys!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: bohuntr on March 31, 2009, 11:10:00 AM
Bowhunting elk in Arizona ... you guys are some kind of lucky!!! Good luck, take lots of pictures and make sure to give a thorough report of your hunt to your Trad gang buddies!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on March 31, 2009, 11:21:00 AM
Yeah, you got the lucky part right.  We drew this tag with 1 bonus point.  I should probably go buy a lottery ticket.

Paul, I hope to get to put some of your elk calling tactics to work.  Great instructional videos by the way.

Cade
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Whip on March 31, 2009, 11:37:00 AM
Wow!  Just looking at those draw results is probably as exciting as calling in a big bull!
I got the big "No Thank You" from AZ.  This was my first time putting in for a point - hope I am as lucky as you next year!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Tim on March 31, 2009, 12:01:00 PM
YOU DOG YOU!!!!!

Enjoy! I drew the oh so covetted tag several years back. Saw 29 bulls in 8 days, 19 where 6x6 or better!

What an incredible experience!  :clapper:
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Chortdraw on March 31, 2009, 01:01:00 PM
Congrats there Big Sneaky. I also got drawn for elk in unit 6b. Both of these units are good elk hunting. Mine is for cow but both have some huge bulls in it. I wish you the best of luck. I am going to use the new static recurve I just built and see if it will be my lucky curve. Have waited a long time for this.....I am stoked!!!!!!!

Chortdraw
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on March 31, 2009, 01:18:00 PM
Chortdraw, I hope you can get one with that bow you built.  That would be the ultimate.  

Do you know if a fellow can get away from the crowds in 6A North.  I am one of those guys who likes a little solitude.  The unit seems a little small compared to the amount of tags issued.  I really didn't expect to draw this tag this year so I'm having to change my mindset a little.  Needless to say I am some kind of excited!

Cade
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: charles suttles on March 31, 2009, 01:32:00 PM
Can't believe it but I just got the news I have drawn a 6A Bull tag along with a friend of mine. Took 9 pts for us! You guys were really lucky getting in with one point! Charles Suttles [man, its gonna be a long summer]
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: snag on March 31, 2009, 01:47:00 PM
Must admit I'm jealous! Glad to hear you drew an awesome tag. I'm still waiting on a couple of chances. Hope to see some great pictures and read a story! Kind of puts a different look on the days ahead, doesn't it?!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Ray Hammond on March 31, 2009, 01:53:00 PM
I was drawn in 5B North a few years back....pretty country in there.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: The Ursus on March 31, 2009, 02:02:00 PM
I drew a 5B South tag a few years ago.  Elk were VERY plentiful!!  You will have a blast!!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: AZStickman on March 31, 2009, 04:05:00 PM
Take a look at the two quiet Zones...The rattlesnake quiet zone by Stoneman lake has been good to me over the years..... I'll be chasin cows in 6A South....... Terry
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Chortdraw on March 31, 2009, 04:47:00 PM
Glad you also got drawn Terry. 5b South is our usual stomping ground but we saw a lot of Elk in 6b so we put it for our first choice. We hunt tree rats all over 5b. Just came back from the archery range and had a great time with the new bow. Have a longbow at the same draw weight as the new recurve but had to jump up one size in shafts so I have a heavier shaft which is what I had hoped for. We will also be hunting turkey in May, in 6b so we can do a lot of scouting in the area.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Chortdraw on March 31, 2009, 04:53:00 PM
Cade, you can find some good areas if you tent camp and get back off the roads a bit. There are a lot of Elk in that unit and the hunters move them around a lot. There will be a lot of road hunters too so you should be ok. Pretty area, sort of looks a lot like Colo.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: PAPA BEAR on March 31, 2009, 05:29:00 PM
i heard from the primos boys that unit 16 (cottonwood) is the spot.but you arent to far from there i hope.you should have a great hunt and see lots of bulls anywhere over there.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Chortdraw on March 31, 2009, 06:44:00 PM
We will be up the hill from Cottonwood about 20 miles. I hope I don't see too many bulls as I have a cow permit. But they are so much fun to watch it is always a blast......Chort
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: PAPA BEAR on March 31, 2009, 08:04:00 PM
ohhhhh...cottonwood and only a cow tag ? arggghhh..that would drive me over the edge man.theres some huge bulls in that area and plenty of them.cow meats better than no meat i guess eh.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Duckbutt on March 31, 2009, 08:22:00 PM
Got the "thanks for playing" myself.  Got three points and still playing the game.

Congrats and can't wait for the vicarious ride along at Tradgang when you get back!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: longbowray on March 31, 2009, 08:52:00 PM
sent you a pm
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: elknut1 on March 31, 2009, 09:23:00 PM
Cade, sounds great! I hope the DVDs serve you well. Hey, if you have any questions you may be concerned with please give me a shout!!

 ElkNut1
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Stone Sheep on March 31, 2009, 09:59:00 PM
Sent you a PM.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on March 31, 2009, 10:16:00 PM
Terry, thanks for the info I will look into those areas.

Chortdraw, also appreciate the info.  Hope you get a cow with your new bow.

Ray, pm'd you also.

Paul,  I've had your DVD's for a couple of years now.  I just haven't been able to connect yet.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement guys I appreciate it.  Now I have to figure out how I'm going to sleep from now till September.

Cade
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: highcountry on March 31, 2009, 10:26:00 PM
You guys can just send me your tags and I will let you know when you can pick your elk. Oh, send your camera too if you need some hero shots!
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: njstykbow on April 01, 2009, 10:30:00 AM
Congrats to all who drew.  I drew my first AZ bull tag this year...7E...as my second choice.  Not sure I can wait 'til September.  Planning to hunt the entire season.

Joe
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on April 01, 2009, 01:31:00 PM
That's awesome Joe.  Congratulations on drawing a good tag.  We're also planning to hunt the whole season.

Highcountry, now where would be the fun it that.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: BRONZ on April 01, 2009, 01:41:00 PM
Awesome!  Congrats!  I just filled out my info for NM-- we'll find out in June.  :pray:
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: AZStickman on April 01, 2009, 01:56:00 PM
Dale.... Good Luck on your hunt!!.... Terry
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: elknut1 on April 01, 2009, 02:06:00 PM
Cade, you need to be more aggressive! (grin) Less cow calling all in all, it's way over-rated you will call in more satellites by far. Aggressiveness comes in various forms from calling at exactly the right time to re-positioning ones-self at the right time with no calling. Don't have a setup where you are pinned down & don't have the luxury of moving if need be! Think aggressive & be aggressive!!
 Practice your bugle type screams as if in your face stuff & pleading & re-gathering cow sounds. With that small amount of artillery you can work the most call shy bulls around, "timing" is key!!
 When your sounds are authentic sounding it will give you the needed confidence to use them & not hold back. Good Luck!

 ElkNut1
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: highcountry on April 01, 2009, 06:41:00 PM
You guys should have a great season.  We had a whole bunch of snow, I still have a big pile in the front yard, even after a couple of warm weeks. The woods still have white stuff.  Just starting to green-up.  Lots of elk are moving up last few week, also lots of road-kills on I-17(areas 6A/North-West = 6B)last few weeks. March is our big snow/water month but Mother Nature fogot. Still lakes and tanks are full. We have too many roads here so getting away from the ATVs and such in some areas is tough. Seen the first elk in 7E & 7W yesterday driving to the Grand Canyon to work, about 7800'-8000' where I seen them, up high a little early. We had a weeks of high temps, but was 10 degrees at the canyon. CayonHunter has a Unit 8 tag, and a very good Montana bowyer(you guess who) had a 27 Bull.  I have the "Pink Tag Blues".
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on April 01, 2009, 11:09:00 PM
Thanks for the update highcountry.  Just got off the phone with my cousin and he is already having trouble sleeping.  He's like a kid getting ready for Disneyland.

Paul, thanks for the tips.  I have always been worried about pushing elk out of the area I hunt.  I have only hunted in OTC units in CO so I tried not to pressure an already pressured animal.  I'm pretty decent with a diaphram call but I will be working extra hard on my calling from now until September.  Man, this is gonna be some kind of fun.

Thanks again guys, Cade
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: highcountry on April 01, 2009, 11:25:00 PM
Your cousin sure has a whole bunch of sleepless nights coming. Just get in touch with me about three weeks prior and I could help out. Buddy has a meat processing shop in your area. PM me any time. 6A is one of my favorites, has a quiet zone. I really like 7E, its is across the street.
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Big Sneaky on April 02, 2009, 02:14:00 PM
Thanks highcountry,  nice to be able to talk to someone about things like a meat processor.  I hope I can bring some business to your buddy.  I will PM later this year to see how things are going.  Thank you, Cade
Title: Re: Arizona elk!
Post by: Whip on April 02, 2009, 03:31:00 PM
You guys had better stock up on the Ambien or Nyquil PM.  You need to get some rest bwtween now and September!
I am SO envious!  
Someday.  Someday......  :pray: