Arizona elk / draw - cont from AZ elk previous thread

[ck2128]

I'm pretty unfamiliar with AZ game & fish dept in regards to the draw. Typically, I just put in for CO and NM, but was considering putting in for AZ elk this year.

Anyway: I was looking at the map of AZ provided on the G&F website and it didn't look like too much public land available to hunt?? So, assuming you draw, do you next try and find a landowner to let you on his land? I was just going to put in on a good unit and hope for the best. You can't get drawn without putting in but I didn't want to put in on an area that was all private land. I'd prefer to get drawn and have a place too hunt without trying to hunt down some private land to hunt on. Am I wrong on my thoughts on this in regards to public land to hunt on?

 

[CDN]

ck2128- I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that Arizona does not have a lot of public land to hunt but to put it bluntly, your wrong. Az is about 84% public land. When it comes to elk hunting access I'm not sure there is a better sta te for access. Just put in, hope you get drawn and have fun.

 

[DonVathome]

FYI there are other threads about this (draw odds), if you are a NR apply, huge elk but know you are unlikely to draw a good tag in under 10 years, and that is bow, drawing a good rifle tag in under 20 is a fluke. There were enough new applicants, NR, in AZ one year to cover all NR elk tags for 5 years. The way the draw works most NR tags go to max pnt holders. Not trying to discourage you, just know if you want a good rifle tag you must apply for a long long time.

 

[sremim]

You'll have more trouble trying to find private land than public. It is not an issue.






It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[Lien2]

I got a letter saying they are moveing the elk draw deadline to Feb. 13th? Did I read that right?

Lien2

 

[sremim]

Yes you did read that right. They are moving the elk and antelope draws up so we can find out more than a month before the season starts. As of now, you can only send in paper applications. They say you will be able to apply online sometime this month, but we'll see. I can assure you the deadline will be extended because of all the last minute apps, but get them in before that.









It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[stinky]

Also, in AZ, land has to be marked as Private and or no-trespassing...vs this state where you are expected to know where private land is, even if there is no fence, and have permission to hunt on it.

If I remember right, AZ is about 25% National Forest.

 

[fugitive]

Starting this year you will have better chances of getting drawn for rifle than before. This year AZG&F moved almost 2000 archery tags over to the rifle hunts.