Should I drop Arizona?
- Thread starter ktg
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oilcan
Long Time Member
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Don't stop now.Depending on the unit you could draw an Archery or late Elk tag.After the $ spent for 8 years i"d rather hunt a lesser tag and get out then get out without even drawing there.As far as the deer i"m in the same boat.They could change the rules so you never know.
BuzzH
Long Time Member
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I'd keep applying with that many points.
I would apply for a late tag for elk and maybe think about a coues deer with your deer points.
I had 7 points this year and drew a nice late bull tag in AZ. Fun hunt and I'm going to continue to apply for the late tags hoping to draw again soon.
It would be nice to have the early rut rifle tags, but theres not much wrong with the late tags.
I would apply for a late tag for elk and maybe think about a coues deer with your deer points.
I had 7 points this year and drew a nice late bull tag in AZ. Fun hunt and I'm going to continue to apply for the late tags hoping to draw again soon.
It would be nice to have the early rut rifle tags, but theres not much wrong with the late tags.
sagebrush
Very Active Member
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A lot of people think there are only a handful of units that are worth applying for in AZ. Take a look at all the available data. There are a number of hunts that are much better than CO for elk and most states for mule deer. The Coues hunts are the best in the country. Get off the Strip and unit 9 rut hunts and go hunting. I drew elk tags in 07 and 08. Mule deer tags in 05, 06 and 08.
ramtagless
Active Member
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How old are ya?
I would keep at it. I drew a very good antelope tag in AZ with 3-4 points...you just never know. And...if you got years ahead of you, eventually you will be in a good position. Your off to a good start and unless your older than dirt...dont stop now.
I would keep at it. I drew a very good antelope tag in AZ with 3-4 points...you just never know. And...if you got years ahead of you, eventually you will be in a good position. Your off to a good start and unless your older than dirt...dont stop now.
Why do people think there is no hope of hunting good deer or elk in AZ if you don't go to the strip or unit 9 or 10?
I usually respond to these posts telling people that there is more out there. I think this might be my last time. There are too many people who just don't get it.
It is everyones dream to pull that north of the river tag or 9 or 10 bull tag, but chances are better it wont happen. Sure there may be more big deer up north and more big elk in 9 and 10, but that doesn't mean they are behind every tree, and they are extremely hard to hunt.
If you want to hunt quality bulls and have a chance at a tag EVERY year, apply for the "lesser" units. You will have a better chance at getting a bigger bull by hunting a "lesser" unit 3 or 4 times over hunting 9 or 10 once. 9 and 10 are getting to be very overrated for elk.
They could just as easily change the rules to allow non max point holders a shot at these tags. Look how easily they changed them to the way it is. If you drop out, you may regret it.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
I usually respond to these posts telling people that there is more out there. I think this might be my last time. There are too many people who just don't get it.
It is everyones dream to pull that north of the river tag or 9 or 10 bull tag, but chances are better it wont happen. Sure there may be more big deer up north and more big elk in 9 and 10, but that doesn't mean they are behind every tree, and they are extremely hard to hunt.
If you want to hunt quality bulls and have a chance at a tag EVERY year, apply for the "lesser" units. You will have a better chance at getting a bigger bull by hunting a "lesser" unit 3 or 4 times over hunting 9 or 10 once. 9 and 10 are getting to be very overrated for elk.
They could just as easily change the rules to allow non max point holders a shot at these tags. Look how easily they changed them to the way it is. If you drop out, you may regret it.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
R
redrabbit
Guest
I helped a NR this past fall who drew an archery bull elk tag with 8 or 9 points. It was not unit 9 or 10, but a great hunt none-the-less.
You might have a chance at an early 12AW tag. Don't forget that you might be able to pick up a buffalo tag also for use during that hunt.
With those points, you could draw any Dec coues hunt and have a blast.
You might have a chance at an early 12AW tag. Don't forget that you might be able to pick up a buffalo tag also for use during that hunt.
With those points, you could draw any Dec coues hunt and have a blast.
Actually, the only hunts nonresidents need to be in the top pool to draw are the late Kaibab/Strip deer hunts. That is the only top pool so heavily weighted nonresident for it to fill the nonresident quota in the top pool round. Early rifle elk odds suck for everyone, even residents. Use your second choice on something realistic....
But, go ahead and drop out. I wish more would....
But, go ahead and drop out. I wish more would....
LAST EDITED ON Jan-28-09 AT 09:16PM (MST)[p]Thanks for the advice. I actually expected few people to say anything other than 'drop out, it'll help my odds'.
Coues deer hu? Interesting. Never thought of that. What's that hunting like?
I've been putting in for 23N for elk. I know a guy who would share a bunch of info on that hunt. I'm up for any unit though with good success rate on 320+ bulls. Might even hire a guide the first time.
I'm not too old. I got lots of time left. I'd probably end up giving the tag to one of my kids anyway.
Coues deer hu? Interesting. Never thought of that. What's that hunting like?
I've been putting in for 23N for elk. I know a guy who would share a bunch of info on that hunt. I'm up for any unit though with good success rate on 320+ bulls. Might even hire a guide the first time.
I'm not too old. I got lots of time left. I'd probably end up giving the tag to one of my kids anyway.
T
tincup
Guest
Yes, Drop Arizona.
chipc
Very Active Member
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KTG, I'll echo what others have said here. With 8 points you are very close to a late rifle tag in 3/4 of the units in Arizona. You are also very close to a GREAT archery hunt in 3/4 of the units in Arizona. I drew an '' average '' Arizona archery bull tag last year with 9 points and had a fantastic hunt. We saw numerous bulls every day with many in the 300 -325 range and 3 in the 340 - 360 range. There is so much talk about unit 3A/3C,9, and 10 that some think those are the only good units. That is FAR from true. Do you apply for a tag every year or just points ? I'd start applying if I were you. GOOD LUCK. Chip
muleymaddness
Very Active Member
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I'm opposite of you - I'm just starting. I figure if I don't ever put in, I won't ever even have a chance. I'm going to look at it like a sheep tag - hope to draw deer once in my life. I'm 28, so I've got lots of years ahead of me.
Its all a lie. Unit 9 is the only unit with elk, and they are only there during the rut. Same with deer and 13B.
Drop AZ..............wait, they are stuffing as many people into units as they can on most hunts, maybe your chances are good!
Is that ethical?
Drop AZ..............wait, they are stuffing as many people into units as they can on most hunts, maybe your chances are good!
Is that ethical?
CAelknuts
Moderator
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KTC, you're nuts if you drop out now. You can easily draw just about any coues deer tag with your points, and have a decent chance at an early Kaibab tag. As for elk, there are a lot of units you can draw with your points, just stay away from 9,10, 3A/3C, 23 north.
My son drew an 'average' muzzleloader elk tag when he was 16, and had an awesome hunt on an 'average' unit. You're nuts if you drop out with 8 points.
My son drew an 'average' muzzleloader elk tag when he was 16, and had an awesome hunt on an 'average' unit. You're nuts if you drop out with 8 points.
C
CGS371
Guest
I too just dropped in. I wish I had 8pts!
upmuley
Active Member
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>I've got 8 points for elk
>& deer. I'll never
>draw a muley tag north
>of the ditch & I'll
>probably never draw a rut
>elk hunt. I'm thinking
>of cutting my losses &
>not sending AZ any more
>money.
>What would you do?
How old are you and what kind of animal are you looking for? If you're 75 and looking for a unit 9 tag drop. If you're looking for a good bull and a great hunt stay in! Don't waste 8 points. Too bad you couldn't sell them on Ebay - you could get some serious $$$.
>& deer. I'll never
>draw a muley tag north
>of the ditch & I'll
>probably never draw a rut
>elk hunt. I'm thinking
>of cutting my losses &
>not sending AZ any more
>money.
>What would you do?
How old are you and what kind of animal are you looking for? If you're 75 and looking for a unit 9 tag drop. If you're looking for a good bull and a great hunt stay in! Don't waste 8 points. Too bad you couldn't sell them on Ebay - you could get some serious $$$.
H
hatrick
Guest
I have 11 non-res pts for elk... how long do u guys think i could draw maybe a 1 or 27 tag (archery) I know I could draw with no points but I'm a realist-Hatrick
Yes and no. If the max points for that hunt is 10 for nonresidents then yes there would be a chance to draw it.
But if a resident applies with a nonresident, the 10% rule still applies and the resident is now drawing out of the nonresident pool.
Now if they were to apply for a hunt that the tags didn't get distributed in the first 20% then the number of points wouldn't matter.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
But if a resident applies with a nonresident, the 10% rule still applies and the resident is now drawing out of the nonresident pool.
Now if they were to apply for a hunt that the tags didn't get distributed in the first 20% then the number of points wouldn't matter.
"I'll keep my guns, freedom, and money.
You can keep the "change"!"
logslinger
Active Member
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- 505
KTG, I think you are using reverse psychology on all the people that have less points that you. They think hey here is a guy with 8 thats going to quit I might as well with 7. I hope it works. You have been at it to long to really think about quitting now. Hold onto the dream and don't ever let the state win.
