8 Bonus Points in Arizona

Bill_in_SD · Dec 12, 2010

I got 8 BPs in Arizona. I like hunting the rut, later in the rut the better, when they are vocal. I like the looks of the 6A Muzz hunt, when it is available. I can hunt muzz or bow. I do not want to back pack way in, but do not want to road hunt.

Any suggestions? Should I put in for next year, or wait?

I'm looking for a mature 6x6. Anything above 300 would be fine.

Thanks
Bill

chipc · Dec 13, 2010

Bill,
Check out what some people ( including huntin'fool, etc... ) consider to be ''average'' units - like 5A, 5BS, 4A, 6A, etc..
These units are very under rated in my opinion. With 8 points you should be pretty close to drawing an archery tag in any of those. I hunted 5A 2 years ago and had a great hunt. Lots of Elk, Lots of Bulls. Average was probably 310 or so but we saw 3 in the 350 + range. The other units I mentioned are similar. Access in those units is very good - national forest with lots of roads. The terrain is mostly mild with a few scatered nasty canyons. GOOD LUCK. Chip

intothewind · Dec 13, 2010

I also hunted 5A two years ago and did pretty good, just as Chip noted. However they increased the number of tags in that unit in 2009 and still more this year. I helped a couple of my buddies hunt it this year and the number of hunters out in the field was a marked difference from 2 years ago, too many! We hunted hard for 5 days and saw one raghorn bull, no cows and no calves.

piper · Dec 13, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-10 AT 07:58PM (MST)[p]Bill - you have about half as many points as your gonna need to draw an early 6a muzzleloader tag, unless your very lucky. I had 14 last year and still got my annual notice.

Bill_in_SD · Dec 13, 2010

Piper, thanks, that is good to know. Thanks everyone else.
Bill

chipc · Dec 14, 2010

Bill, Check the draw odds feature on here. It'll give you a good idea of where you stand. Good luck ! Chip

PaysonOutfitters · Dec 23, 2010

Bill,

I am sure you know this, but in case you don't.
Make sure you at least put in for a bonus point or you may loose your loyalty point. Plus you will get another bonus point.

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ElmerFudd · Dec 24, 2010

The only sure to fill the nonresident quota in the top pool hunts are the strip rifle deer hunts, because the top pool waiting for them is 80% nonresident and climbing. There is always hope for less than top pool points on everything else.

azbiggame · Dec 25, 2010

n.r. applicants don't waste a choice (2) on Your application trying to draw a hunt,early rifle or early muzzeloader,without max bonus points,it will not happen ??? The only way a n.r. can hunt rutting bulls in AZ. is with archery equip.Any bonus point numbers over 10 and You are in the game for units like 1,8,9,& 10 for the archery draw,lesser numbers of b.p. for the n.r. applicant all other units can be drawn,and yes Big Bulls are in all hunt units in AZ for archers wanting to hunt "Rutting Bulls"Again don't waste one of only two picks You have --- Good Luck on Your 2011 application.

Bruce & SilverGrand