I am going to start putting in for elk in Arizona this year and not 100% sure what unit to go with. I am 90% set on unit 9 or 10, but open to other good areas. I want a hunt where I have a good chance at a 350 bull. I know these are hard to draw without max points, but some one has to get lucky, so I figured I might as well put in for an area where I can have a quality hunt, even if it takes years to draw. Do these two units produce that type of bull very often, or do I need to look else where. Or if their are any other units that I would have a good chance at a 350 class bull I am open to suggestions.
Arizona Elk
- Thread starter HuntinFoo
- Start date
R
redrabbit
Guest
I do not know what AZ unit would be better than 9 or 10 for trophy elk.
You did not say if you were resident or nonresident and how many points you have. I suspect the only the NR that draw unit 9 archery bull have enough points to draw in the 20% pass.
You did not say if you were resident or nonresident and how many points you have. I suspect the only the NR that draw unit 9 archery bull have enough points to draw in the 20% pass.
N
NeverStopHuntin
Guest
Are you applying for archery or rifle tags? There are some units on the east side that produce giant bulls. There are units that are WAY easier to draw then 9 and 10 that will still produce 350 bulls.
CAelknuts
Moderator
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You can find a 350" elk in just about any unit in Arizona. That said, a 350 bull is a giant elk, bigger than most people realize. If you're a non-res and don't have points accumulated, you're pretty much wasting your time applying in 9 or 10 unless you're applying late rifle. You don't say anything about how much elk hunting experience you have, or what type of bulls you've taken so it's hard to know exactly what you're seeking. You can have an outstanding elk hunt in just about every AZ unit, and maybe have an opportunity to take a bull bigger than anything that most hunters will ever shoot. And, it doesn't take a 350 bull to fulfill those criteria.
chipc
Very Active Member
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LAST EDITED ON Jan-16-09 AT 02:22PM (MST)[p]After applying for 9 years for the ''premium units'' last year I and a buddy said the heck with it and applied and drew an archery tag in one of the ''average'' units. We had an awesome hunt. We saw 60 bulls in 8 days of hunting and had at least 1/2 in bow range. My buddy took a handful of hair off of a 340 bull that he misjudged the range on and then killed a 310 bull. I was more picky and blew my chance at a giant on the last day. Units like 7w, 6a, 5bs, 5a, 22n, 8, etc... all would give you a decent chance at a 330 - 350 bull if you hunt hard. As elknuts said, a 350 bull is A LOT bigger than most people think. My buddy thought his bull would score about 335 it ended up being 310. If you are just starting you have a better chance to get struck by lightening than get a unit 9 tag in the next 15 years or so. Pick an ''underrated'' unit and have the hunt of a lifetime !!! Good Luck. C.C.
ClarkW
Active Member
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- 202
Every AZ unit has that caliber of bull and you are looking at two of the three hardest hunts to draw out there. I advise pick one and pick a unit with better draw odds for your second choice. Look at the regs and compare the amount of people putting in for a tag to amount issued.
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bigandtasty
Guest
I've been putting in for 12 years now, on the 'early-rifle' hunts and no tag yet!
What get's me every year, is I always hear that somebody's wife, girlfriend got an early elk tag.
With no bonus points and first time putting in for the draw.
Something is really 'fishy' going on around here...
Anyways, you never know about getting drawn. Unit 10 and 9 are over-rated, and elk have spread to other units and are doing, quite well. Fly the areas and see the caliber of bulls out there and you'd think that an elk wouldn't be in that kind country, but they are now! An example, is that Cornville bull that was killed, not too long ago...
What get's me every year, is I always hear that somebody's wife, girlfriend got an early elk tag.
With no bonus points and first time putting in for the draw.
Something is really 'fishy' going on around here...
Anyways, you never know about getting drawn. Unit 10 and 9 are over-rated, and elk have spread to other units and are doing, quite well. Fly the areas and see the caliber of bulls out there and you'd think that an elk wouldn't be in that kind country, but they are now! An example, is that Cornville bull that was killed, not too long ago...
DonMartin
Very Active Member
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- 2,081
Like the others noted, you didn't say if you are a resident on NR.
Makes a big difference.
If you are NR forget it unless you apply for a late general tag, and then I wouldn't hold my breath!
Great units and both have the bulls you'd like, but if you are thinking of applying for an early rifle tag just ain't gonna happen unless you are a resident..... and are dang lucky! I've had two early bulls tags since 1972 and I'm a resident!
Don Martin
Makes a big difference.
If you are NR forget it unless you apply for a late general tag, and then I wouldn't hold my breath!
Great units and both have the bulls you'd like, but if you are thinking of applying for an early rifle tag just ain't gonna happen unless you are a resident..... and are dang lucky! I've had two early bulls tags since 1972 and I'm a resident!
Don Martin
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bigandtasty
Guest
I had my first elk tag, in 1983 and another in 1984. Both archery. Next one I had, was in 1997, that was a general.
I played, "Mr. Guide" to a lot of friends and family, in between.
I played, "Mr. Guide" to a lot of friends and family, in between.
I've been applying for bull elk as a resident since 1990 and finally drew an archery bull tag this past year in 10. As a second choice. All my friends and family have had anywhere from 3-9 tags in that same amount of time. A couple of them nonresidents.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
I just love how I can ask a question and most the people who reply dont even come close to answering it. I am not incompetent I know that most areas in Arizona are hard to draw, I am young, and am willing to waite 20+ years if I have to. I didnt ask people if they thought I had a good chance to draw them, I wanted some opinions on the quality of bulls in different units. I also know what a big bull is, and a 350 bull is big in my opinion, a 320 is good but I want to hunt where the chance of a 350 is good, then if things dont go as planed I may still be able to harvest a 320 bull. I dont want to waste my time in an area that has produced 2 350 class bulls in the last 5 years, I was looking for an area that produces a hand full every year. Thanks to a couple of people I got some help, plus did some other research on my own. I found out what I wanted to know and applied, no thanks to most. I am a non resident and it may be a long time before I get to hunt elk in Arizona, but their are always a few people who get lucky and draw with no points or only a couple. I am not normaly lucky and most likley it wont happen to me but you never even have a chance if you dont apply. I ended up putting in for some archery hunts, so the odds are a lot better than on some of the others hunts, so their is a chance I may be hunting sooner than later. Thanks to those who actually helped me out, I will return the favor if ever neded.
LAST EDITED ON Jan-17-09 AT 02:54PM (MST)[p]Pretty harsh there don't you think?
EVERY unit in AZ will produce more than a "handful" of 350 bulls every year. I can think of 1 maybe 2 units where they will be difficult to find, but they are there.
Thats what most of you NR's don't realize. There are more than just units 8,9, and 10. A 350 bull can be just as hard to find in 10 as it is in 6A.
And just because every other person in a unit doesn't harvest a 350 bull doesn't mean they are not there. Look at how many bulls were killed in 9 and 10 this year that made 350 or better. Not as many as most think.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
EVERY unit in AZ will produce more than a "handful" of 350 bulls every year. I can think of 1 maybe 2 units where they will be difficult to find, but they are there.
Thats what most of you NR's don't realize. There are more than just units 8,9, and 10. A 350 bull can be just as hard to find in 10 as it is in 6A.
And just because every other person in a unit doesn't harvest a 350 bull doesn't mean they are not there. Look at how many bulls were killed in 9 and 10 this year that made 350 or better. Not as many as most think.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
L
lvtohunt10
Guest
Huntinfoo
I had this same problem when lookin fore a unit in New Mexico. A few guys will really help you out and give you some info while the others question your ability. For what ever reason,, it usually ends up in an aurgument suggesting that you dont know what a 350 bull is. I dont have any info for you on Arizona but if you ever come to Idaho let me know. A friend of mine Buglelk shot a great bull down there last year after only appling for 3 years! He is a great guy and could probly give you some great info if you still need. Anyway,,Hope you get a dandy!!
I had this same problem when lookin fore a unit in New Mexico. A few guys will really help you out and give you some info while the others question your ability. For what ever reason,, it usually ends up in an aurgument suggesting that you dont know what a 350 bull is. I dont have any info for you on Arizona but if you ever come to Idaho let me know. A friend of mine Buglelk shot a great bull down there last year after only appling for 3 years! He is a great guy and could probly give you some great info if you still need. Anyway,,Hope you get a dandy!!
B
BUGLELK
Guest
There are elk in Arizona? Weird...I thought it was a desert...
Brian, shoot me an e-mail, your old e-mail doesn't work anymore...
Corey
Brian, shoot me an e-mail, your old e-mail doesn't work anymore...
Corey
Pruney
Active Member
- Messages
- 261
HuntinFoo,
To answer your initial question, no there are not enough 350 bulls in unit 9 and/or 10 to make it worth your while. I have been on Unit 9 almost every September for the last dozen plus years and I can tell you it is way over-rated. It seems like 80 percent of the bull you see are genetically deformed and have a spike or a club on one side. I hear it is much better in November though so you might try the late archery hunt.
I thought about taking the time to educate you on the Arizona draw system. However since you explained how competent you are I decided you just would not get it based on how ignorant of the AZ Draw system you two previous posts are. Someone has to get lucky. Really?
I think your best bet would be to buy the over-the-counter tag for the units north of the ditch. If you are as good as you say, a 350 should not be that difficult up there.
To answer your initial question, no there are not enough 350 bulls in unit 9 and/or 10 to make it worth your while. I have been on Unit 9 almost every September for the last dozen plus years and I can tell you it is way over-rated. It seems like 80 percent of the bull you see are genetically deformed and have a spike or a club on one side. I hear it is much better in November though so you might try the late archery hunt.
I thought about taking the time to educate you on the Arizona draw system. However since you explained how competent you are I decided you just would not get it based on how ignorant of the AZ Draw system you two previous posts are. Someone has to get lucky. Really?
I think your best bet would be to buy the over-the-counter tag for the units north of the ditch. If you are as good as you say, a 350 should not be that difficult up there.
Another smart a$$ post, sometimes I love this site, and it can be helpfull, and others I think it is just a big joke to some people. I hope that the 50%+ people on here that sometimes sound like they are an order of fries short of a happy meal, wont be out in the field when I am. That could be dangerous for all.
The bottom line is every unit in AZ will produce a 350 bull. However, they are not behind every tree, even in units 9 and 10. You would be better off and have a better chance at a 350 bull if you apply for a unit that wont take you max points to draw and you hunt it several times.
I guarantee you will have a better chance at a 350 bull in a unit you hunt multiple times rather than a "popular" unit you will only hunt once. That is unless you hire a guide.
But you are the expert, so good luck.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
I guarantee you will have a better chance at a 350 bull in a unit you hunt multiple times rather than a "popular" unit you will only hunt once. That is unless you hire a guide.
But you are the expert, so good luck.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
one_dryboot
Long Time Member
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- 5,043
With your attitude im surprised anyone has helped you!
L
lvtohunt10
Guest
huntinfoo
dont worry about most of these guys. buglelk is an elk killin machine. send him a pm
dont worry about most of these guys. buglelk is an elk killin machine. send him a pm
LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-09 AT 09:05PM (MST)[p]Huntinfoo,
There is good information that has been transferred on this post from some knowledgeable poeple...none of it belittling towards you until you got a little harsh. Makes it hard to share info when you reciprocate ungrateful feedback. Good luck drawing a unit 9/10 archery tag in the next ....while.
Maybe a good strategy would be to apply for units you could actually draw for the next few years until you build enough points where you could draw one of the coveted tags (9, 23, etc..). If you are a successful hunter, which by the sounds of it you certainly are, you can kill a 350 bull in many units in Az. with your bow and actually draw a tag in the next decade. Go ahead, call me "off-subject". I think it is good advice. Good luck in your pursuits!
There is good information that has been transferred on this post from some knowledgeable poeple...none of it belittling towards you until you got a little harsh. Makes it hard to share info when you reciprocate ungrateful feedback. Good luck drawing a unit 9/10 archery tag in the next ....while.
Maybe a good strategy would be to apply for units you could actually draw for the next few years until you build enough points where you could draw one of the coveted tags (9, 23, etc..). If you are a successful hunter, which by the sounds of it you certainly are, you can kill a 350 bull in many units in Az. with your bow and actually draw a tag in the next decade. Go ahead, call me "off-subject". I think it is good advice. Good luck in your pursuits!
fullcurl74
Active Member
- Messages
- 368
>I just love how I can
>ask a question and most
>the people who reply dont
>even come close to answering
>it. Thanks to a couple of people
>I got some help, plus
>did some other research on
>my own. I found out
>what I wanted to know
>and applied, no thanks to
>most.
Good job asking for help, then complaining about the help that everyone offered.
>ask a question and most
>the people who reply dont
>even come close to answering
>it. Thanks to a couple of people
>I got some help, plus
>did some other research on
>my own. I found out
>what I wanted to know
>and applied, no thanks to
>most.
Good job asking for help, then complaining about the help that everyone offered.
C
cohntr6
Guest
wow
Jeff
Jeff
fuzzyvelvet
Active Member
- Messages
- 537
HuntinFoo,
You hit the nail on the head!! I know I have asked questions on MM and so many people do not answer the question. They think they have to go a criticize and talk smack about everyone else. If someone needs some help and asks a question that I feel I can help with, I do. I don't go and claim they don't know anything about how big an animal is or they don't know how a certain state does their drawing, especially if I don't know the person. I don't know anything about Arizona so I can't help you out but I had to chime in on this one. Give the guy a break!!! If you wouldn't have talked smack in the first place this post would never have turned out the way it did.
Fuzzy
You hit the nail on the head!! I know I have asked questions on MM and so many people do not answer the question. They think they have to go a criticize and talk smack about everyone else. If someone needs some help and asks a question that I feel I can help with, I do. I don't go and claim they don't know anything about how big an animal is or they don't know how a certain state does their drawing, especially if I don't know the person. I don't know anything about Arizona so I can't help you out but I had to chime in on this one. Give the guy a break!!! If you wouldn't have talked smack in the first place this post would never have turned out the way it did.
Fuzzy
K
ktc
Guest
Come to Utah and join the crowd who claims you can hunt 400" bulls every 2-3 years in Arizona. I am surprised none of the Utards helped you find those units.
