Arizona Elk Draw Results 2015

[jeffpg]

I have rifle hunted elk in Colorado in the later seasons and I've been fortunate enough to get close to bugling bulls in Colorado's high country during the early muzzleloader season while on backpacking hunts a few years ago, but this will be my first time to bow hunt them. It's been on my bucket list for a long time though and I am very excited about it!

Book animals are always nice, but I am really just seeking a great hunting experience with a chance at a good representative of the area in the 350 inch range. That'll suit me!

There are pics on that website but here's one for ya.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Great buck jeff, heavy and wide! Do you know how many points you had when you drew that tag? I've got quite a few deer points built up now and am thinking I may apply for a "strip" tag next year.

 

[Wheels]

I have rifle hunted elk in Colorado in the later seasons and I've been fortunate enough to get close to bugling bulls in Colorado's high country during the early muzzleloader season while on backpacking hunts a few years ago, but this will be my first time to bow hunt them. It's been on my bucket list for a long time though and I am very excited about it!

Book animals are always nice, but I am really just seeking a great hunting experience with a chance at a good representative of the area in the 350 inch range. That'll suit me!

There are pics on that website but here's one for ya.
View attachment 40512

Sweet!

 

[Diamondhitch]

Great buck jeff, heavy and wide! Do you know how many points you had when you drew that tag? I've got quite a few deer points built up now and am thinking I may apply for a "strip" tag next year.

Im 3 years in now myself. Would be a hunt of a lifetime.

Great Mulie Jeff.

 

[jeffpg]

Thanks guys, the Strip is really a very special place. I hope that you all get the chance to hunt the incredible mule deer that live there.

Good question about the points, Phil. I only had about 6 points going into the draw that year, and it was a freaky fluke that I ever drew the tag. There were some wacky factors involved including the court case that was previously brought by USO Outfitters against all the western states for discrimination against non-resident hunters for not allowing them to be equal to residents going into the draw system. For a short time, they won the case against Arizona... In fact, the year before I drew a judge actually awarded a fellow a tag! He claimed that if he had not been discriminated against, that he would have drawn a tag the previous year, so he simply gave him one!

Arizona had also put about 10 to 15 extra tags into the draw that year for some reason. Somehow all of the planets aligned just right for me and I was chosen in the draw, and then went on to choose just the right young fellow to guide me and killed the biggest buck to come out of 13A that season. Blessed for sure!

I only apply for the archery hunts there now, as I know I'll never get another rifle tag there. I don't know how many points a non-resident needs these days, but it's gotta be a lot. I'd be interested to know how many it takes for a resident.

One thing is for sure, if you ever get the chance to even go help a buddy on that hunt it will be well worth your time. I will accompany my pal Brec if and when he ever draws it if I possibly can, and I'd like to tag along and help any of you guys too should you draw.

and no matter who you are never, EVER make the mistake of not hiring a great guide on a hunt like this!

 

[Deleted member 15212]

points for me!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Congrats on the tags guys! I myself have another bonus point, apply for 1 and 27, will draw it one day. At least I get to go hunt with some buddies that drew 27. Any chance to get out there is welcomed.
Good luck,
Cody

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

@jeffpg, were your ears burning today? My buddy KJ and I made our first preseason scouting trip today. Mentioned you to KJ. We've been experiencing very strange weather this spring / early summer here in AZ. After a very warm weather with little snow in the rim country, the story has been rain and lots of it. In the better part of 14 years I've lived here, I've not seen rain so consistently in the April-June period like this year. My truck is caked in mud from our travels through our elk hunting area. Water everywhere, green grass everywhere and flowers blooming. Usually up until the monsoon season starts about the 1st-2nd week of July, most of the water holes are dry at this point. Some grass from the snow melt, but nothing like this year. Hopefully this translates into great antler growth.

 

[enysse]

Congrats Phil, they say the antler growth will be excellent this year. Anyone who drew a tag, will be very happy. I have a ton of points too....but applied for points.

 

[billc]

There is going to be some elk and deer this year in az and nm. My elk hunt is in a non trophy unit really I my friend sent me this pic. last week. This bull has 2 month to grow yet and he has seen a few bigger one already. He has said the same think about the amount of rain this year.

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Congrats and good luck Phil.
Witold

 

[Diamondhitch]

There is going to be some elk and deer this year in az and nm. My elk hunt is in a non trophy unit really I my friend sent me this pic. last week. This bull has 2 month to grow yet and he has seen a few bigger one already. He has said the same think about the amount of rain this year.

View attachment 43339

If that is non-trophy, Ill hunt culls alllll daylong!

 

[billc]

If that is non-trophy, Ill hunt culls alllll daylong!

I will be hunting for a trophy. LOL the unit is not known as a great trophy unit in new mexico. That would be a great cull elk for sure though. I about fell out of my chair when sent that picture.

 

[AZDAVE]

Good luck guys, I drew a better luck next year

 

[Diamondhitch]

Good luck on your hunt, no US draws for me this year. AB draws will be known in a month.

 

[jeffpg]

Hey guys, I hope that you are all doing well. I have had some unexpected changes in life come my way recently and have been very busy adjusting to it all and I am doing fine.

I don't even know how to properly say just how I feel about this, but I will tell you what happened with my Arizona elk tag and you can use your imagination....

As pumped as I was about having the 3A-3C Archery elk tag for this fall, I was totally devastated to find upon opening the envelope with the tag enclosed that I had drawn a COW tag instead of my BULL tag!

Yep, I somehow clicked on the wrong selection when applying.

In all my years of applying for the draw hunts all over the US, with applications normally totaling 50 to 60 per year, I had always been super careful and never made a single mistake. Somehow, I did it this time.

Looking back, I believe that with my wild and crazy work and hunting schedule building up to a peak in activity during the past 3 years, I simply became too busy and stretched out to properly pay attention to everything going on around me and dropped the ball on this most vital of hunt selections!

Well, I had heard of this nightmare happening occasionally and now it has happened to me. Nothing for me to do but man up and take my medicine. At this point, I am not sure if I will go out and hunt the cow or not... That would be the right thing to do, and I like to think that I am man and hunter enough to not only hunt a meat cow and enjoy it, but to also enjoy the hellacious carrying ons of the screaming bulls in rut going on all around me, even though I won't be able to shoot one.

In fact, what I may wish to do is to simply join up with some of you guys who also have a tag and help you out with your hunts... After we have gotten your bulls down and out, then I could try to shoot me a meat cow. That sounds like the positive start to a good plan to me.

Phil, that is great news on the moisture as it is sure to promote excellent antler growth! It may be salt in my wounds to an extent, but I can honestly say that I am glad for you dudes who have your bull tags. It's certainly a bummer to lose 14 bonus points on a cow tag, and although I know I'll never make be able to make that one up, I am alright with it all and I am determined to put forth extra effort to capitalize on securing a great bull tag in one of the other states that I am still building points in. It'll work out!

 

[Diamondhitch]

Ouch! I feel for ya. Maybe youll get lucky and pull next year with no points.

 

[enysse]

OMG, jeffpg, I have nighmares about that happen. I'm so sorry that happen, it would haunt me for a long time . That is awfully expensive lesson.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

My buddy KJ sat on a water hole yesterday morning while I pounded ground. Bugles everywhere when I opened the door. Chased the one that was closest and was upwind. Played cat and mouse for an hour or so. Had another bull move in to challenge him and I got the opportunity to see the two Bulls fight!!!

Couldn't quite get a shot though. Following the bull that won the fight I got a shot at a smaller bull but badly misjudged the distance and missed. A little while later chasing bugles they went quiet.

Took KJ back to where I missed to hopefully find my arrow and get back into the Bulls for the evening. We didn't get a chance to look for the arrow.......

KJ's bull:

 

[Royal27]

Well done!!!!

I will miss the bugling again this year, but can't wait to go try and find them in a month here.