Arizona unit 8 late season

huntnbull · Apr 12, 2012

Drew the late season tag this year and have never hunted in Arizona before. Wondering if anyone has any opinions, tips, advice(good or bad) on this unit. We usually archery hunt in other states and pack in on horseback. Im wondering if we should bring the elk limo's or leave them? Wondering if the roads are nasty when the weather hits, etc. From the looks of it, sycamore canyon looks like the grand canyon, thats probably where they will be, but not sure. Ive heard they have pulled some pretty good bulls out of this unit? Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks
Justin

p.s.-first time post.

Atrain · Apr 12, 2012

P&Y Non Typical World Record came from Unit 8... so i guess you could say the unit has decent bulls

and yes the bigger bulls tend to be around Sycamore Canyon

goinhuntn · Apr 12, 2012

Hunted this unit last year late rifle. Sycamore is big you shoot a bull in there better have alot of help packing out. Its a good unit, with elk just about everywhere. The roads into Sycamore canyon get alot of traffic morning & evening!! Guys do good at the north end of the unit around Garland Praire. I past on a spike last year. The roads are pretty good thru out the unit. You also might want to check around the cinder pits off the 15
the exit is about 5 to 10 miles before williams can't remember the name of the exit. Good luck!!

huntnbull · Apr 12, 2012

Thanks for the info, will check out areas. Did you guys see anybody using horses, or is it mostly ride in, hunt and ride out. If we concentrate on sycamore, it sounds like horses are a must? cant tell how thick it is in there. Thanks again, and good luck on your hunt as well.

STEELSTUD · Apr 13, 2012

Thick is an understatement. Not many places you'll be able to get a horse into the canyon. Most of the elk hang on the edge anyway. Some hang low by the Verde River.

goinhuntn · Apr 13, 2012

+1 on that steelstud I think it would be rough on horses. Be prepared to fight the crowd in sycamore alot guys think the same about hunting the canyon. I stayed away from it last year and was in elk everyday just could'nt get a shot except for the spike I passed up.

BigChino · Apr 14, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Apr-14-12 AT 01:02PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-14-12 AT 12:46?PM (MST)

Justin

Lots of great bulls. You will have the unit virtually to yourself Monday through Thursday many locals and recreation folks up there on weekends. I have 3 Late Archery tags in Az the last 3 years 2 in 9 one in 8 I specifically put in for 8 to kill this bull. He did not present but still roams unless he gets killed this year. In a remote location that is hard to hunt but can be killed.

I am an Outfitter and if we can assist you we tailor hunts to meet your needs from fully outfitted to DIY.

JP Vicente
[email protected]

BigChino · Apr 14, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Apr-14-12 AT 12:59PM (MST)[p]2010 The Big Dog Arizona.jpg

huntnbull · Apr 15, 2012

Wow, nice bull. Thanks for the pic and the info, however were not looking to get guided, were into doing it ourselves. I hope i run into that beast!

Thanks

justin