Arizona Elk Hunting

I have been thinking of applying in Arizona for elk since I have to wait a few more years before I can apply in Utah again. Problem is that I have never hunted in Arizona and have no idea which units to apply for. I am not expecting to get drawn anytime soon and I what to hunt the good units. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
9,480
6x6 bull
I don't know from experience because I have yet to draw but everyone says go with 9,10,1, 3a-3c. Good luck getting one of those tags though. I am starting to look at units that are lesser quality but I might to get to hunt before I die.
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They run the draws so that people that have no points get some tags to draw too so you may draw the first year. Az has roads virtually everywhere so hunting and scouting are fairly easy. i met a clueless individual at Bass Pro Shop last year who had drawn a good tag and had to borrow a rifle and was buying camo clothes. We wanted to strangle him. ](*,)
Most of the units from Flagstaff east have good bulls in them. The edges of the Apache Reservation always are good places to look.
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"m gardner" wrote:They run the draws so that people that have no points get some tags to draw too so you may draw the first year. Az has roads virtually everywhere so hunting and scouting are fairly easy. i met a clueless individual at Bass Pro Shop last year who had drawn a good tag and had to borrow a rifle and was buying camo clothes. We wanted to strangle him. ](*,)
Most of the units from Flagstaff east have good bulls in them. The edges of the Apache Reservation always are good places to look.
 I dont think I will be lucky enough to draw my first year but would love for it to happen. Are the hunts usually during the rut? I drew a LE hunt in Utah in 08 that was at the start of the rut and that was the time of my life.
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Bowhunters don't get to hunt during the peak of the rut here either. Muzzleloaders do. I think it's the same as Utah, there's more money for the outfitters guiding fat old guys (with money) who won't put the effort into learning to shoot a bow. But there are some really nice bulls taken during the archery season every year.
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I wouldn't mind trying to tag a bull with archery. I got close enough to a few during my Utah hunt to shoot with a bow but not big enough. I am not interested in hiring a guide. I do not have the funds and I think it means alot more to do it on your own. No problems with people pointing me in the right direction though,
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bowcrazy
Unit 9 and 10 are tops but plan on a 12 year plus wait. In 2010 it took 12 points to draw unit 9 due to the AZ draw requirements. In AZ, 20% of the tags go to applicants with the most bonus points and if those top 20% are nonresidents the top bonus point holders fill the nonresident tag quota of 10% of the alloted tags. In unit 9 and 10 it seems like every year the top point holders draw the 10% non resident tags. In another 7 years hopefully I will be one of those tag holders. If you apply for 5 years in a row and do not draw a tag, AZ gives you an additional loyalty point as well as an additional point for completing their Hunter Safety Course. Essentially you can bump your point totals by two points after 5 years of applying. You can choose which species you want the loyalty point to apply. [-o<
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BOHNTR
I've drawn 3 archery bull elk tags since 1991 as a non-resident........I have a really good chance of drawing right now, but I'm waiting for better hunt dates for the archery season.

My secret? I don't apply for the popular units with all the hype (9, 10, 6, 8, 1, etc.). If you're willing to arrow a bull in the 310"-360" range you should look at other units that have better draw odds for NR's. Remember, the units with the "most" tags are not always the best to put in for if you want to hunt anytime soon.....Do some homework and buy the "expensive" odds book published by AZ G&F......you might be surprised what you find out.
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"BOHNTR" wrote:I've drawn 3 archery bull elk tags since 1991 as a non-resident........I have a really good chance of drawing right now, but I'm waiting for better hunt dates for the archery season.

My secret? I don't apply for the popular units with all the hype (9, 10, 6, 8, 1, etc.). If you're willing to arrow a bull in the 310"-360" range you should look at other units that have better draw odds for NR's. Remember, the units with the "most" tags are not always the best to put in for if you want to hunt anytime soon.....Do some homework and buy the "expensive" odds book published by AZ G&F......you might be surprised what you find out.
 Any pictures of these elk you have arrowed? Do you have a link to the odds book?
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BOHNTR
I've never seen a link on their website for the extensive stats book......I've called and ordered by phone.

Here are the three bulls I've taken there.......along with two of my hunting partner's on the last trip. These caliber bulls can be arrowed in ALL of the Arizona units.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/BOHNTR/1993AZBull.jpg?t=1295062771" alt="" />

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/BOHNTR/1999AZBull.jpg?t=1295062771" alt="" />

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/BOHNTR/AZ05hunt037.jpg?t=1295062771" alt="" />

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/BOHNTR/AZ05hunt064.jpg?t=1295063001" alt="" />
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Those are nice. I would fling an arrow at any one of them. I have never hunted or applied in Arizona. Most of my hunting is rifle in Utah. I have harvested a few dear locally with my bow though. A buddy of mine is trying to talk me into archery elk hunting in Northern Utah but from what I understand the success rate is low. Figured Arizona is closer and you could find a decent bull. I better figure out where to hunt soon as the deadline is in early Feburary isn't it?
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BOHNTR if you don't mind me asking how many points did you have when you drew each tag?
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BOHNTR
Depending on year drawn.....6-8 points.
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BOHNTR thats not bad those are some great Bulls.After drawing My Archery Elk tag this year with 12 points i am starting over at 2.I will not be holding out for the "TOP" units in the future so i will be doing some research on the other units in the coming years.
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