Thank you Arizona!

[Deleted member 33033]

9/12-25...hitting the opener to improve my odds.

 

[AirBaller]

Bummer about the mistake, but with only 2 NR points you had 0% chance of drawing that multi unit 17/18/19/20 archery bull tag. It took 8 pts to even have a shot at one last year.

 

[AZ Jim]

Good unit, plenty of elk. I have not hunted elk in it myself, but have hunted the bordering units and always see them crossing back and forth. I have some friends who hunt there often and say it is good. Even though you won't be hunting bulls, bring your camera. You will see some good ones and should fill your freezer with a big cow. I added some links for you.

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_units_8.shtml

http://www.meetup.com/arizona-hunti...=Map_of_Stock_Tanks_in_Arizona_Hunting_Unit_8

http://arizonahuntingmap.com/hunting-unit-8.46.htm

Unit 8 Elk

Overview: Approximately 95 percent of the Unit is public land administered by the US Forest Service. Ponderosa pine is the dominate vegetation type in the higher elevations above 6,000 feet with scattered gamble oak. The mixed conifer vegetation type is most common on Bill Williams Mountain and the pinyon/juniper vegetation type is found at lower elevations. Water sources consist of mainly man-made lakes, stock tanks and wildlife waters with the Verde River making up the southern boundary. The Unit is divided roughly north and south by the western extent of the Mogollon Rim with Sycamore Canyon on the east and the Welch Interchange along I-40 between Williams and Ashfork on the west. The lower elevation ranges from 3600-5500 feet with the higher elevation ranging from 6000 to 9200 feet. Most roads are on the Kaibab National Forest map. Access is fairly good with two-wheel-drive, but poor weather could cause hazardous conditions that would require four-wheel-drive operations. Current Information (updated 07/2013): The elk population appears to be stable to slightly decreasing. The 2012 survey resulted in 728 elk observed for ratios of 30 bulls (46% spikes) per 100 cows and 50 calves per 100 cows. The 2012 combined harvest for GMU 8 was 512 elk (169bulls/38spikes/283cows/ 22calves), for a 39% combined hunt success. With the declining bull to cow ratio over the past several years it has become more difficult to harvest a mature bull but with the high calf crop this year there should be a good number of spikes available next year. Further data can be found in the Game and Fish Department publication, “Hunt Arizona”. Areas: During the early seasons such as archery and muzzle loader the elk will be found throughout the Unit mainly above 6000 feet elevation. Good areas to check are Garland Prairie, McDougal Flat, Barney Flat, Round Mountain, Summit Mountain, McCracken Knoll, Jackass Knoll, Dutchkid Knoll, Boyd Knoll, Snyder Knoll and Bill Williams Mountain. Good access roads are Forest Service Roads 12, 105, 108, 110, 122, 139, 140, 141, and 354. During the late seasons such as general bull and general antlerless the elk may move to lower elevations if there is significant snow fall at the higher elevations. Check areas such as Sycamore Canyon, Sycamore Point, Tule Canyon, Lake Pocket, Deadman Pocket, Limestone Pocket, Lonesome Pocket Government Canyon, Secret Pocket, May Tank Canyon, May Tank Pocket, Bear Canyon, MC Canyon, Wild Steer Mesa, Tule Basin, Hells Pocket, Hells Canyon, Devils Pocket, Devils Canyon, Rabbit Bill, and Flat Mesa. If there is no snow the majority of elk will remain at higher elevations (see above).

Good luck,

AZ Jim

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Thanks Jim...higher elevations it is. How's the area during El Niño events? Stormer or drier? I know the area gets hammered by wind, rain and lightning during monsoon season.

 

[AZ Jim]

Where's Bruce,

Generally it seems to be a little stormier (wind, rain, snow) in northern AZ during El Niño years, but that does not always hold true. The time of year you will be there, you will most likely be experiencing the end of the monsoon season which should bring strong afternoon / evening rains and thunderstorms. Yes definitely hunt higher elevations. You will probably do best for cow elk in the 7000 ft level and above range. I would recommend staying out of P.J.'s and find some Pine and Oak mix or even better Pine, Fir and Aspen mix. You will most likely catch the beginning of the rut, so if you hear the bulls, you can follow your ears to the cows. If the elk follow the patterns that are typical in the surrounding units, they will move down to water and graze in the evening and work there way back up to their beds up in higher elevations in the morning. It wont take long for them to bed up if it is warm. Hunt the cuts on the shady side of mountains during the day. It will still be fairly warm as hunting temps go during the day, so be prepared for some in field meat care. If you do not butcher yourself there are good meat processors in Williams and Flagstaff. I recommend Coconino Game processing just outside of Flagstaff.

Thanks,

AZ Jim

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Where's Bruce,

Generally it seems to be a little stormier (wind, rain, snow) in northern AZ during El Niño years, but that does not always hold true. The time of year you will be there, you will most likely be experiencing the end of the monsoon season which should bring strong afternoon / evening rains and thunderstorms. Yes definitely hunt higher elevations. You will probably do best for cow elk in the 7000 ft level and above range. I would recommend staying out of P.J.'s and find some Pine and Oak mix or even better Pine, Fir and Aspen mix. You will most likely catch the beginning of the rut, so if you hear the bulls, you can follow your ears to the cows. If the elk follow the patterns that are typical in the surrounding units, they will move down to water and graze in the evening and work there way back up to their beds up in higher elevations in the morning. It wont take long for them to bed up if it is warm. Hunt the cuts on the shady side of mountains during the day. It will still be fairly warm as hunting temps go during the day, so be prepared for some in field meat care. If you do not butcher yourself there are good meat processors in Williams and Flagstaff. I recommend Coconino Game processing just outside of Flagstaff.

Thanks,

AZ Jim

Thanks for that...I was leaning exactly that direction. In fact, it's why I decided NOT to camp in the woods and just kick it in the motel at night. Less crap to carry in the pack and no sleepless nights with lightning storms. Bubblehide is gonna try and join me and assist me with calls, deploying the deek and of course, humping the elk out and processing it. He's got a lot of experience but neither of us have been in the Kaibab before. September can't get here soon enough. I am gonna try to get up there next month to scout but work may interfere. I'm told the weather in August is absolutely insane and sometimes scouting is pointless because of the wind and rain. That true?

 

[AZ Jim]

I would not say it is pointless. If you find them in August that is where they will be in September most likely. Early mornings and late evenings will be the most productive. The afternoon thunderstorms might let up a little in the evenings. Even if it is stormy, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the area. Find some elevated areas to glass from. Take every opportunity to scout that you can. Learn all of the water holes and check them for tracks. Even if it has rained, all it takes is a few days to dry, and the elk will hit the water holes again.
AZ Jim

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Have you ever sat on/near water in a pop up? Am told the bulls won't start gathering cows until the end of Aug, beginning of Sep and that scouting may not be helpful...to stick to Google Earth. Sounds counter-intuitive but what do I know? The unit is mostly pines and short junipers...thinking stalking in the junipers would be stealthier than walking around in the tall stuff.

 

[CODE3RUN]

1

 

[baco]

I will be hunting right next to you in 6b chasing bulls and I plan on using a ground blind over water so hopefully it works

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I've got a little pop-up for the same application...might beat sitting in the rain.

 

[Bubblehide]

Bruce, Jim is right on with his info. The elk should be at and about 7500'. They may still be using wallows pretty heavily during OUR hunt (hey, even if I am there as a mule, caller... it's still my hunt too). So any small water sources may bring them in. I like the idea of using a blind if we come across active wallows; and yes I have a few small pop-ups, so remind me to bring one or more. By the way, Bruce, this will be your first elk, right?
















I am so looking forward you seeing you eat the raw heart!

 

[Deleted member 33033]

It won't be raw but it will be eaten. I'm thinking sliced, seasoned and flash fried.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I wish google earth showed elevations on their map.

 

[cjack]

.

 

[Bubblehide]

I wish google earth showed elevations on their map.

It does. It displays at the bottom of the page for wherever your cursor is.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

Mine was covered up by the Visitor Info bar. Now I see it. Thx!

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I just pulled out the Ameristep Doghouse pop-up blind I bought and it is 12' X 12'. I didn't anchor it with stakes but this is what it looks like. Weighs 20lbs and is roughly 5 1/2' tall...plenty of room for two people but damn! not a light sucker and is NOT blacked out inside which concerns me. It does have shoot thru screens which is up in this pic. Got anything better Gary?

 

[Bubblehide]

Bruce, what I have are small single person blinds. They are blacked out if I recall correctly. Yours looks good, we just need to be camo-d out from the window level up. I can bring a couple of mine, and you can bring yours. I don't exactly like mine in windy conditions as they are not very stable. From what it sounds like, we could be in some windy conditions; I just hope it's a steady directional wind.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I'm told those T-storms do crazy stuff. This Doghouse does move in wind because of the size but since you wanna carry it in...okay fine.