15 NR elk points and ready to hunt

When I keep hearing about the possibility of non residents odds getting even worse in 2016, it makes me think I should really try for a elk hunt in 2015.

Initially I always thought I would put in for a archery hunt, but the last couple of years of reviewing harvest odds for even some of the top tier units, I was kinda surprised at the low harvest rates. Now I'm thinking I should maybe think muzzle loader.

More of a DIY kind of hunter and really cant afford the guide. I would be more happy with a 340 type bull that I did on my own than with a 380 bull that was guided.

I know the muzzle loader units change from year to year so maybe I'm jumping the gun before the elk regulations are released, but does anyone know is there a good early season muzzle loader I could draw with 15 points. Sorry for asking for help on figuring out the whole pass/draw deal but for some reason Arizona's draw odds are harder for me to figure out than other states.

I also welcome any suggestions. Thanks

The only early muzzle loader tags you had a chance of drawing in the bonus pass as a non-resident in 2014 were 3B, 5B and 22S. Those were all subject to the 10% non-resident cap.

Archery on the other hand, you could draw any early hunt except 9, 23N and 23S and, in just about all of them, you would be under the 10% cap and be guaranteed a tag.

Buy a bow.

I got this bull in 2010 in Unit 6A on a muzzleloader hunt. We had two non-residents in camp that also drew with 15 points!




Not the unit is USED to be, but still a place where there are some bomber bulls!

You can draw Unit 10 with those points for archery, still some great bulls there too!

Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

My son drew his muzzleloader tag this fall with 12 points, in the pass round. He had a great hunt, DIY, and took a bull that'd definitely fit the criteria you describe.

Here is a link to the thread: http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID12/16009.html#.VIfVUqN0wT4

Thanks for the information guys. I'm actually a bow hunter and have taken some bulls but I do kinda worry about the harvest odds and think muzzle might be the way to go for my case. I will be studying up on the 5 and 6 hunts.

Andy,

I am in a similar situation. I have 17 points and keep thinking the same thing. I wonder if I should switch to muzzle this year. What ype of hunt can I draw with 17 points for a muzzleloader hunt? I dont think my 2 extra points help me that much.

They will help a bunch.

WapitiBob,

I sent you a PM