I finally have time and access to the 'puter again and am enjoying the campfire once more.
I need some help with an upcoming hunt in AZ Unit 10, late general season bull tag, nov 29 start. Has anyone done that hunt?
I've hunted that unit twice a few years back, during the archery season (late Aug/early Sept I think) for cows. I got schooled on how smart they are against a guy with a traditional bow. Hunted Boquillas ranch outside of Seligman and also north of the RxR tracks outside of Ash Fork (Forest Rd 7 area out past the flagstone quarries).
My questions are:
Are bulls still in those areas during the late season? There were lots there during the archery season and they were easier to get close to than the cows! If not around where I've hunted before, where to try?
What type of shots to expect distance wise etc. I could get close (to the bulls, not the cows) during the rut, but these animals will have seen lots of folks with all the seasons in that unit since August. I'm going to be prepared for shots out to 300yds or so, hopefully closer ( would prefer 200 or closer, my "comfort" range).
Weather? I'm expecting it to be "similar" to the Show-Low/Pinetop area at that time of year, freezing or nearly so at night up to 70's maybe in the daytime, and possible rain/snow events.
I'm not looking for a real bruiser, although I know they exist in that unit. Might hold out the first few days but this will be my first rifle elk hunt and if successful my first elk. I may just shoot the first legal bull I see, I like to eat meat.
Places/roads/etc to watch out for/stay away from? Has there been any fire activity there this year? Any old burns to check for food sources for bulls trying to gain back some weight?
Any help/recommendations/advice is welcome. Thanks in advance,
Geno
I need some help with an upcoming hunt in AZ Unit 10, late general season bull tag, nov 29 start. Has anyone done that hunt?
I've hunted that unit twice a few years back, during the archery season (late Aug/early Sept I think) for cows. I got schooled on how smart they are against a guy with a traditional bow. Hunted Boquillas ranch outside of Seligman and also north of the RxR tracks outside of Ash Fork (Forest Rd 7 area out past the flagstone quarries).
My questions are:
Are bulls still in those areas during the late season? There were lots there during the archery season and they were easier to get close to than the cows! If not around where I've hunted before, where to try?
What type of shots to expect distance wise etc. I could get close (to the bulls, not the cows) during the rut, but these animals will have seen lots of folks with all the seasons in that unit since August. I'm going to be prepared for shots out to 300yds or so, hopefully closer ( would prefer 200 or closer, my "comfort" range).
Weather? I'm expecting it to be "similar" to the Show-Low/Pinetop area at that time of year, freezing or nearly so at night up to 70's maybe in the daytime, and possible rain/snow events.
I'm not looking for a real bruiser, although I know they exist in that unit. Might hold out the first few days but this will be my first rifle elk hunt and if successful my first elk. I may just shoot the first legal bull I see, I like to eat meat.
Places/roads/etc to watch out for/stay away from? Has there been any fire activity there this year? Any old burns to check for food sources for bulls trying to gain back some weight?
Any help/recommendations/advice is welcome. Thanks in advance,
Geno