Dukats Journal of Hunting

Arizona residents, Steve and Lori McGaughey, recently hit the hunting jackpot when they both drew Arizona antelope tags in the same season.  Arizona is an antelope hunters mecca and many people have applied for 20 years and not drawn a tag, let alone two in the same household in the same year. 

After 16 years of applying, Steve finally drew a muzzleloader tag in Arizona's Unit 8.  Arizona changes units and weapons around as part of their game management strategy and this season, hunting in Unit 8 was only available to muzzeloader hunters. 

The Arizona Game and Fish know something about how to generate monster bucks.  The Boone and Crockett world record antelope position is currently held by two bucks, both taken in Arizona.

 The buck taped out at 17-6/8" tall and rough scores close to 88 points which should place it in the top ten of the SCI record book for a muzzleloader.

Steve's wife Lori, after 14 years of applying, drew a rifle tag in Unit 10 during the same application period.  Lori was also successful killing a heavy buck at 302 yards with her .243.

For those of you who haven't applied in Arizona, drawing an antelope tag in Arizona is similar to drawing a bighorn sheep tag in some states.  The Arizona Game and Fish do an excellent job keeping the quantity of tags regulated, providing exceptional quality in the size of the animals. 

They limit non-resident tags to 10% of the tags drawn, and the majority of the tags available to non-residents go to those with the highest preference points.  To gain preference points you must consistently apply for big game tags in the state.