Wildcat
FNG
Howdy all. I got lucky and drew an Arizona 7W early archery tag. I have spent a little time in 7W, but not in September. I have hunted elk in New Mexico with a rifle in October, OTC archery elk in Colorado in
September, and one late archery bull hunt in Arizona. I am not a new elk hunter, but I have never hunted elk in a unit of this quality where I expect decent rutting activity and relatively low numbers of
other hunters. I will have a caller with me for part of the hunt.
I have been devouring all the information I can, mostly podcasts that Steve Chappell has done.
Here’s what I have so far:
Find the best feed first. The localized monsoons create scattered areas of good feed that will attract cows which will attract bulls.
7W has more water than surrounding units. If it’s dry, more elk may come in from neighboring units, but don’t expect much bugling in dry years. Even in a good year, the bugling won’t be like units 9 and 10.
7W gets a lot of non-hunting recreationists, plan for areas where they may be pressuring the elk.
If hunting solo, take advantage of the low profile and get as close as possible to the bull before making any calls.
If a bull has a big group of cows, he may not care for your cow calls. If this is the case, get to 100 yards or less and let an aggressive bugle rip.
Consider cow calling and sitting still for 30-60 minutes. Some bulls will come in quietly to investigate like a silent turkey would.
Sit water if all else fails.
Do you think I’m missing any general principles?
September, and one late archery bull hunt in Arizona. I am not a new elk hunter, but I have never hunted elk in a unit of this quality where I expect decent rutting activity and relatively low numbers of
other hunters. I will have a caller with me for part of the hunt.
I have been devouring all the information I can, mostly podcasts that Steve Chappell has done.
Here’s what I have so far:
Find the best feed first. The localized monsoons create scattered areas of good feed that will attract cows which will attract bulls.
7W has more water than surrounding units. If it’s dry, more elk may come in from neighboring units, but don’t expect much bugling in dry years. Even in a good year, the bugling won’t be like units 9 and 10.
7W gets a lot of non-hunting recreationists, plan for areas where they may be pressuring the elk.
If hunting solo, take advantage of the low profile and get as close as possible to the bull before making any calls.
If a bull has a big group of cows, he may not care for your cow calls. If this is the case, get to 100 yards or less and let an aggressive bugle rip.
Consider cow calling and sitting still for 30-60 minutes. Some bulls will come in quietly to investigate like a silent turkey would.
Sit water if all else fails.
Do you think I’m missing any general principles?
