AZ hunting

Hey man. I've never hunted 23 before but I've spent alot of time in the Sierra Anchas camping and checking out the indian cliff dwellings. Mostly down in the Cherry Creek area. I've never seen any elk, although I've never been looking for them. A few deer and some javelina. Supposedly there are quite a few bears and mountain lions there. But thats down in the low area. My father in law hunted deer down there and said it was the hardest hunt he's done. The manzanita on the hillsides used to be incredibly thick. So much that you couldn't see 5 ft in front of you. But that's all in the low areas near Cherry Creek. Up in the higher elevation I think it's alot flatter. I'm not an expert but it seems the elk would up high on the plateau as long as the weather allows. I think they go lower depending on how much snow.

If you do want to access the back way into the Sierra Ancha, go Highway 288 North towards Young. You'll cross a bridge just after skirting the lower East section of Roosevelt Lake. A few miles later you take a right (east) on Cherry Creek (dirt) road. That road goes all the way to Young the back way. It's flat and smooth dirt for 20 miles and then it's a narrow mountain road that you must have 4wd. Although I wouldn't travel it if there is snow. Lots of landslides because of the active erosion. There is so much open country out there. The scenery is spectacular, some of the best I've ever seen if you make it all the way to Devil's Chasm.

 

To lazy to read back. Anyone hunting 6A bull?

 

No 6A, but 27 Late Rifle Bull

 

Nice man congrats

 

Thanks, you too!

 

7W cow x2

 

Thanks for the info. Devil's chasm and the cliff dwellings is how I first heard about the Sierra Ancha's and it's why I originally wanted to go there. I haven't ever managed to get up there to hike to any of the dwellings but I will make it happen one of these days.

I agree with your assessment that the elk won't be there and that they'll be up in the pines. Just based on the pics I've seen, it's way too vertical and chopped up for elk on that side of the range but what do I know? Haha. I'm just trying to figure out where to start looking. I live in Tucson so making the drive up to scout might happen two or three times if I'm lucky before the hunt and once I pick a side of the range I'm pretty much commited to it for that weekend.

Got any pics of the cliff dwellings you'd care to share?

 

Buddy of mine got an Elk tag for Unit 8. Any guidance or suggestions on where to start scouting? looking for areas where I can glass.

 

Bull or cow? We've been cow hunting there for years when we get drawn. The problem now it seems like more roads are closed. I got a $180 ticket last time I was there I didn't notice I was on a closed Road ☹

 

That is happening in unit 10 too, lots of area that was open 6-7 years ago is closed. Sad

 

Hey guys!! So complete newb to hunting here! This will be my first season ever hunting!!

My brother and I got drawn for the late bull rifle hunt for 5A! I’m pretty much starting from scratch on every level so any advice is more than welcome! I’ve learned my lesson that it’s better to buy once and cry once, so I’ve done my research on most of the gear that I need, but I’ve yet to buy anything! If anyone have any advice, or killer gear for sale! Hit me up! Like I said, every little nugget will be appreciated!

Anyone have experience in the late hunt of 5A?

 

Anybody know this unit? Don't want to strike out when the wife is with me haha

 

Has anybody seen any bears moving yet this year? I checked trail cams two weeks ago and got nothing. Planning on heading out for 4 days next month. Just curious if anybody else has seen anything yet. I'm on call so can't check cams this weekend and the suspense is killing me

 

My hunting buddy got a call from a friend today and told him they camped in 35a this weekend and they had a bear in camp and saw 2 mountain lions so the bears are moving at around 6000'. We're gonna head out there Saturday to check it out, maybe set some cams, maybe get lucky. If no luck we'll be headed to 34a that following Wednesday night.

 

I figured I'd post some recent trail cam pics. I've gotten these over the past month.


The last 5 are screenshots from vids. That forky will be a nice looking buck this coming season. The big guy is a huge 2×3 but I can't tell if the tine on the right antler was broken off or if it grew like that, either way he's a big old coues buck and he'd be a real trophy.

 

I just went through my vids from one of my cams from this weekend and HOLY SHIT! I got a HUGE 3×3. He must be a brother of the big 2×3 I posted the other day. They look about the same age- both mature bucks for sure. I think this one might be 120"+. Here's some screenshots:


Last pic is only to show how much wider his rack is compared to his ears.

What do you guys think? Any guesses on inches of antlers?

 

Anyone have any recommendations for shed hunting? Or is it as simple as hiking and exploring on foot. Figure it’d be good opportunity also to scout areas.

 

Yea, it's pretty much just hiking around good habitat. Look for heavily used trails and bedding areas.

 

Anyone knock down a bird?
We had my buddy’s 13 year take his first gobbler. Such a fun hunt when they are gobbling!

 

Awesome!