AZ Limited opportunity or Late hunt ??

[chipc]

I have 9 Elk P. points for Arizona and really would like to hunt there. Especially since the AZGF is going to the ''increased opportunity'' philosophy. Based on my historical drawing sucess in Az and every other western state I'm looking at some better odds alternatives. I'd sure appreciate your opinion and perhaps some info. on the ''limited opportunity '' Elk hunts in Az. They are units 2,15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28,31, and 32. Also, in your opinion what is the best late rifle hunt 22N or 23 ? THANKS for your help ! PM or e-mail at [email protected] if you don't want to post. C.C.

 

[sremim]

Be careful with any limited opp. hunt in the Verde Valley (parts of 19,6,21) units. Although there have been monsters killed the past few years, especially this year, they may have OTC archery hunts in those units during 3 different seasons. What I'm saying is, there will be enough locals getting these tags that big elk will be even fewer and farther between, and the opportunity will be more limited.












It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[chipc]

Thanks Sremim, I should have been more specific. I'm looking at the units not in the Verde Valley. The rifle bull hunt is Oct. 3 - 16 60 tags and Oct. 17 - Dec 14 250 tags. C.C.

 

[muleybowhunter]

az doesnt have a otc archery tag for elk you have to draw a tag for archery. deer is otc the limited opp tag is a great tag you just have to do your home work if you want ti kill one. 2 people i know that had the tag shoot elk this year.

 

[jasn]

A friend had the early Oct. cow hunt in 2. We saw VERY few elk, and didn't see another person tag one, not even a cow. I wouldn't hunt there, most of the locals won't either.

Did you say you have 9 points? I wouldn't burn them on any of the limited hunts if I were you.

 

[sremim]

"az doesnt have a otc archery tag for elk you have to draw a tag for archery"

Read the new proposals from G&F. Re-read my post. I said they might have them. They probably decided this past weekend if they were going to do it, so it should be known soon.

















It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[mike111]

Scremin is right, it does appear they will have the OTC elk tags in the Verde Valley. With 9 points I would burn those on a late November rifle bull tag. There are some good bulls in those opportunity units, but make sure you have some time to scout. Good Luck!

 

[Anaconda]

#1 Do you bow hunt ? If so, you are getting into the ball park, I wouldn't burn 9 points on a sub par hunt.

#2 Even rifle or muzzleloader, stay away from the ?limited opportunity? hunt unless you have some very good inside information, maybe good private land to hunt. You have a good chance of drawing some of the better late hunts with 9 points.

Drop a hundred bucks on ?Huntin Fool? or look at somebody elses. With the new ?Money up front? regulations, I suspect you can draw a decent hunt in the next few years.
Most of the ?decent? hunts in Arizona have a real chance at a monster bull.

 

[chipc]

Yep, I'm a bowhunter too so I might try for an archery tag. I'm a 'fool member too so I know what Garth and the boys have to say about the various units but so do 100,000 other people. I'm just getting frustrated with my inability to draw a tag !! And now that I've waited 9 years the AZGF wants to turn Arizona into Colorado ! I don't want to burn my points on a sub - par hunt but it sounds like they all will be after several years. Don't get me wrong its not all about the antlers and I've had a great time on several raghorn hunts. However, this was supposed to be something special. Oh well, thanks for the advice. C.C.

 

[cmbbulldog]

You should have decent odds on drawing some very good units. I would not even think about using 9 points on those hunts. Lots of units in AZ produce big bulls. You dont have to put in for just 9 and 10.

 

[gilamonster8]

>You should have decent odds on
>drawing some very good units.
> I would not even
>think about using 9 points
>on those hunts. Lots
>of units in AZ produce
>big bulls. You dont
>have to put in for
>just 9 and 10.

+ 1 dog with 9 points a bow tag in a very good unitshouldnt be that tuff.

 

[Idcurs]

9-10-3C-8-27-1 are all big bull units and have very low drawings odds for gun or bow.If you don't have to be in 370 type bulls every day go for a unit that can still produce one just not in the big numbers.The 4-5-6 and 7 units have great bulls and a lot of them.In the past I have bow hunted every unit I just listed and have seen big bulls in every one.I would not even think about a late rifle hunt with 9 points,most units have to many hunters and on a very dry year many broken bulls.Stay with a bow hunt or early rifle or mussy hunt.

 

[WesternSkulls]

Friends dont let friends put in for late hunts

Dont waste your bonus points on bad hunts

 

[sremim]

"Dont waste your bonus points on bad hunts"

You must not hunt elk in AZ. What is considered a bad hunt?












It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[AZWALKER]

If you want to hurry up and get drawn before it turns into Colorado I would look at units 7 or 8 for a rifle hunt. If you're willing to wait a year or 2 more, put in for the same units for archery. If you want to wait 3-4 more years put in for units 9 or 10 archery. If you want your Grandkids to someday inherit a bull elk tag put in for the early rifle tag in 9.

22 and 23 have some huge bulls but don't put in for those rifle tags unless you plan on going guided. Its rough country and a DIY hunt in there would be tough, unless you want to live up there for a few months and scout before the hunt. Plus... the bulls in those units tend to get busted up before the rifles get in there.

I don't think Arizona is going to turn into Colorado because of the new changes. I think there will be fewer bulls but they will still get big.,They will also be much smarter and harder to find in about 5 years. More opportunity = more hunters = more guys that don't know what they're doing = more unfilled tags. Its possible things won't change much at all. IMO

Donnie

 

[redrabbit]

CC,
You might do well to purchase the bonus point analysis from AZ Game & Fish to determine your best draw odds. Ask through customer service. They will send you a request for public information form. The report is around $25

 

[cohntr6]

You guys have a link or two to the OTC archery elk stuff?
Cant seem to find it.
Jeff

 

[cmbbulldog]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-07 AT 11:14AM (MST)[p]>You guys have a link or
>two to the OTC archery
>elk stuff?
>Cant seem to find it.
>Jeff


There hasn't been OTC archery elk in AZ in the past...

 

[redrabbit]

http://www.azgfd.gov/pdfs/h_f/huntingrecommendations/2008/Updated/CO4 - Elk 11-9-07.pdf

Look at the end of the document where it talks of general and archery non-permit tags (OTC). This was approved at the commissioners meeting last Saturday.

 

[sremim]

"There is no OTC archery elk in AZ... "



There is now.














It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[cmbbulldog]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-07 AT 11:14AM (MST)[p]>"There is no OTC archery elk
>in AZ... "
>
>
>
>There is now.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>It's Bush's fault!!!


I see that! Edited Sorry for the mis-info Jeff. They have never done so in the past. These are just recommendations? or are they final?

 

[sremim]

They had their meeting this past weekend to decide on it, and I believe they decided to do it, however I have not read anything official from G&F that says so. I've only heard they said yes from rumors, and we all know how trustworthy those are.










It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[cpugsie]

I down loaded the regs today! There are three OTC general and three OTC archery seasons. The first starts Jan 1 08 through March 31. Again in August 1 through Sept 11 and the third all of December. WOW! Not sure what to think!

 

[cpugsie]

Looked at the Regs today. There are three General and three Archery OTC hunts in 08. Jan 1 through March 31, Aug 1 through Sept 11, and all of December. Page 22 of the new Regs.

 

[WapitiBob]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-07 AT 03:53PM (MST)[p]I didn't see where they said resident only or not. Could these go to non res also??

non res, non permit, elk tag, $587.50

 

[sremim]

They will be treated just like any other non-permit tag. Available to anyone. Although I do believe I saw where it says the tags are only available at department offices.










It's Bush's fault!!!

 

[Prism]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-07 AT 04:28PM (MST)[p]Yep, those late elk hunts suck...NOT

I just downloaded the regs and am intriqued by these new hunts. Looks like the 12 units are in there too. Not sure how many Utah bulls get lost and head south with the deer, but I'd guess a few Paunsaugunt bulls may wander across the border that late in the year?

The one thing I do not like about these types of hunts is all of the added pressure that it puts on ALL wildlife, not to mention roads, camp sites, etc....