Got Horses/Mules in AZ?

[Shane]

Hi all,
A friend of mine has an AZ rifle bull tag for 6A in November and will hopefully need help extracting a big 'un. I thought I'd check with you all to see if you or someone you know has animals and would be willing to give us a hand if needed.

Thanks,
~ Shane

 

[MEF]

I've got some buddies that are guides and live in Payson that know that area really good. They use atv's to get around and you may be able to work out a deal with them if you want. I can either e-mail or post a name and number if you want. Mike

 

[widgnwhacker]

With the exception of a few deep canyons most areas in 6A are pretty easy to get animals out of. I will be hunting 6A myself for Bull Elk just before your rifle hunt takes place. If we can't get to an animal with a small Toyota pickup like this one, then we will quarter it and pack it out on our backs

Thats what Elk Huntin is all about

 

[widgnwhacker]

This one came out in my Toyota as well. Drove right up to him and loaded him with hellp of a couple come alongs and some 1" tubular webbing.

 

[widgnwhacker]

Here is another 6A Bull that came out in the Yoter

 

[widgnwhacker]

This one was kinda tough, it fell in the water tank after getting arrowed at 25 yds. Had to swim out and tie a rope around his rack to pull him out. This was the first amphibious elk hunt we have encountered

 

[widgnwhacker]

Here is yet another 6A Bull that was picked up with a vehicle, I think you get the idea. If you encounter an area in 6A that you think you will need a mule or horse to pack it out, you may want to rethink your plan of attack. 6A has mnay large bulls and lots of area where they can be found close to a road or water tank.

 

[widgnwhacker]

If you were gonna be around during the Muzzleloader Bull hunt the week before your rifle hunt , I would say if ya see this camp stop by and say hello.

 

[Shane]

Thanks guys. The plan was to have a phone number in the hip pocket just in case since it's a long-range hunt and we may hunt the quiet areas. Be careful with those vehicles in the quiet areas. They catch you in there with those rigs, you'll pay for sure. It's boots and animals only.

MEF - sure, please email a phone number/email address to me if you would. Thanks much.

~ Shane

 

[SDHNTR]

So I guess its legal to drive off of established roads? I can easily see how you could get a vehicle to your animal but can you seriously just drive cross country regardless of roads? I have never been in a National Forest that allowed this practice.

 

[widgnwhacker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Be careful with those vehicles in the quiet areas. They catch you in there with those rigs, you'll pay for sure. It's boots and animals only.[/b]

This is true and you can't access those roads because they have fallen trees across the road and piled rocks up. We respect those areas and only hunt on foot in them. And if we were to harvest an animal in one of these zones, they would be quartered and packed out on a backpack frame.

Now if you have dropped an animal close to a forest service road that is not in a closed area and are only going in to retrieve your game, we have never been bothered.

There has been a rash of ATV traffic that may soon cause many a problem. Because instead of using these vehicles just to get to and area and parking them, or using them to retrieve a downed animal, many are racing down roads and driving them offroad. Not sure how these guys think they drive up on an elk and stick an arrow in one

But I have seen it and it only gets worse every year.

WW

 

[MEF]

In most areas of Az it is legal to use an atv to retrieve a downed animal.

Shane, check out www.Goodman-Outfitters.com. Ty may be able to help you if necessary. But, like WW said you should be able to pack out without the need of mules or atv's. Mike

 

[widgnwhacker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

In most areas of Az it is legal to use an atv to retrieve a downed animal.[/b]

Not True, this is taken directly from the 2004-2005 Big Game Regulations Book.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

A person may utilize a vehicle on or off a road to pick up legally killed big game animals[/b]

Damn I hate it when Im right

 

[Shane]

It's all good, fellas. Thanks again for your help. Good luck this year and remember to be patient with the bad eggs out in the field. When the tree shakes that fruit will fall.

~ Shane

 

[moosehorn89]

ummm...widgn...those 2 quotes look like the same thing..."..in most areas it is legal" and " a person may utilize".... ?

unless you are diffentiating between "most" and "all"

or maybe I missed something

 

[widgnwhacker]

Moosehorn,

There is a BIG difference in the two. The first being a personal quote

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

In most areas of Az it is legal to use an atv to retrieve a downed animal.[/b]

And the second being directly from the Regulations book.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

A person may utilize a vehicle on or off a road to pick up legally killed big game animals[/b]

Now you could go by word of mouth if you like , but I will always use what comes directly from the rule book. That way you stay out of trouble and have a great hunt

 

[moosehorn89]

LOL - I guess I ain't getting it. If I had gone by the personal opinion, how would I be breaking the law you cited?

Anyway, not arguing.. just ain't seein it.

Good luck everybody!

 

[Nate_Smith2]

uhhh..wigenwhacer...I think you two are agreeing on this issue. He said it's legal...you proved it's legal...if it smells like a dog, it must be a dog.

Nate