Another disappointment from AZ. 11th Year putting in for Archery Elk. Another NOT DRAWN beside my name. Good luck to everyone else who applied. Take care, Randy
My frustration also continues, skunked again for Elk.
I am irritated at the HUGE reduction in archery tags here, it almost seems that game and fish thinks archers either aren't interested (although archery hunts ALWAYS get filled) or aren't able to take the numbers that need to be taken to manage herds. I have felt for years that we archers could be far more successful if we were given a wider range of hunt dates. I have seen that archers are typically more ethical and put far more time into a hunt than rifle hunters.
None of my friends were drawn, even though many of us put high probabilty draws in november for 1st choice.
This may be the year to visit somewhere outside of AZ and actually be able to fling an arrow.
Me, too. This is only six years, so I'm just a newbie with the AZ draw. Hopefully it will be back to New Mexico again this year.
No speedy goats or elk for me. More freak'n pink slips. I told the kids to pack up, movin to CO. The wife did not like that. And the luck, we are #2 in the nation for snow fall. Some where around 135" and more coming. All the water and feed would be a great year to get a tag. Paying the dues for all the snow shoveling and Hwy snow combat. Good luck to the Tradgangers!!
Jethro,
I thought they REDUCED early archery tags and INCREASED (added) late archery tags...so in their mind they are giving us MORE opportunity.
It is too bad. I rifle hunted elk out there in November...not ever going to hunt them out of the rut or without my bow again.
Steve O, that late season has been a bust for archers. Really a bummer hunt for trad hunters. The elk are so buggered from being chased by ATV during the gun season(s). Start moving down the hill by then. All the pre-scouting does not count for much. All the archers I know that had the late season were bummed. But if you wanted a tag in your hand.
I am going to try to dig out some of my old regulations and look at the numbers, I suppose it could all be in my head but I am pretty sure the overall archery tag numbers have gone down, while rifle tags have definately increased, 17000 this year!
I drew that november bull hunt in unit 22 north 2 years ago, it was the hardest hunt I have ever had. Worked my rear off and got a shot but missed. Those late hunts are horrible for archery hunters. Like highcountry said, the elk have been pushed around and shot at so stinkin much it is hard to do much of anything.
I don't feel like Game and Fish has done much of anything to help archers out at all. I figure (I could be wrong) that they figure there is much more revenue to be made through rifle hunts and the amount of tags this year proves it.
9 points now for elk and lost count of antelope.
:thumbsup:
He went in this year with 11 bonus points and one loyalty point....so it is possible. He killed a nice 6x6 thirteen years ago and a beautiful 5x5 the year after. YES>>> he drew a non-resident bull tag two years in a row and punched both tags with his recurve! I wish him the best as he returns.
I hunted their 6 years ago and "Oh My" what an experience to remember!!!
Tim :jumper:
I had a Rifle Hunter tell me today I could have hunted pretty much any Rifle Season I choose with my 11 points. I will never use them for a rifle hunt (Archery Only) but I do not follow the AZ Game & Fish thought process ????????????? on Tags. I am done complaining . Move on . Come on New Mexico !!!
No tag for me this year.
got cow in 6b . dont care if bull or cow i wont to hunt .
RLC,
Your rifle hunter buddy is very, very wrong. Yes, you could have drawn a NOVEMBER rifle hunt with 11 points, but I don't think there are any September rifle or muzzleloader you would have even been in the draw with...those hunts don't even get out of the 20% NR pass with 11 points.
I wasn't drawn for elk either. Think I'll go up to the Kaibab and hunt deer for a week.(assuming I draw a tag) Havn't been up there for many years.