ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

UINTBB · Jul 1, 2018

ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Well, as a nonresident and after all the applying across the west I have an Elk tag for Unit 1,2b,2c rifle from Nov.30th-Dec.6th.
Happy to be hunting Elk once again.
Any thoughts about the unit would be appreciated. Some questions I have, never being in that part of the State, ARE:Is it a good time of the year for camping?
Any general thoughts from those that have hunted it about terrain and techniques?
Hoping all good luck in the remaining draws.
Thanks for you assistance.

azbiggame · Jul 1, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

1 of the BEST general elk tags in AZ,CONGRATULATIONS.unit 1 will hold largest numbers of elk.Elevations here will hold elk from highest to lower elevations in late NOV.Spot and Stalk is the norm for this general hunt.A good warm camper will make for more comfort should weather come.Plenty of access through out unit.GOOD LUCK,

Bruce & SilverGrand

Beavinaz · Jul 1, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

The wife and I were up at Biglake last month for a couple weeks fishing and just checking out the area in our side by side. We saw a lot of elk while there. We saw one nice heard of elk of about 15 with most of them bulls and though they were just growing I know there were going to be some nice ones in the bunch. They were only obout 50 ft from us but my blood was pumping. There were a lot of elk in that particular are. Wish I had a tag. I marked the spot with my gps so I will PM you later with the coordinates.
Rich

UINTBB · Jul 3, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Thank you Gents,
Sounds like a good tag. I know the success was fairly decent and I am always looking for a good quality Elk hunt.
Spot and stalk sounds perfect.
What type of terrain does the area consist of?
Thanks again.

BOHNTR · Jul 5, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

These bulls are from Unit 1....taken last week. I love to explore that unit. From my limited experience they can be up high or low, depending on weather. Last winter (January) I saw many of them at 9000'.

BOHNTR )))---------->

UINTBB · Jul 6, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Very Impressive BOHNTR,
Thank you. Sounds like I am in for a potentially great hunt.
Good luck to all.

dirtclod Az. · Jul 19, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

You drew a great area,my father shot a huge6x6 there.Came straight in a bugle.

azbiggame · Jul 19, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Brad ... do not be fooled, BIG difference hunting in SEPT when bulls are Bugling ... not so in Your hunt in late NOV.Bulls will be far from the fence private pastures around ALPINE,AZ and open areas by Reservation borders to the WEST. The week will go by quickly, be prepared for a tough hunt if success is a must. Good tag ... Bruce & SilverGrand

UINTBB · Jul 20, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Thank you, much appreciated.
I am planning an stalking and hopefully spotting a decent Bull.
If you have any thoughts please pm me.
Best regards.

OGBugler · Jul 24, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Great hunt, this year should be no different. Wife drew the tag this year. Prepare for heavy snow. It wasnt bad last year but the year before we hunted in a blizzard. Just be prepared for it. We do get snow. In 2008 we had a 6 foot storm shut down some communities up here.
Glass is key besides knowing where they like to go in the late season but bulls are bulls and the big ones tend to drop into the nastiest stuff they can find to recuperate. 1 in itself is a big unit. The 2 unit is best up near the state line and can hold some really big bulls as not many get out and hunt them there. The bulls are looking pretty good despite how dry it has been. we have had a ton of rain in the past couple weeks and its looking great. We saw a couoke bulls last week just out camping that will make the 340 mark handily, and overall saw 9 bulls in one afternoon on public land. If we get the weather hard, hunt when everyone else is in camp by the fire.

UINTBB · Jul 24, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Thank you OGBugler,
Should I plan on camping OR are there any towns nearby?
Every winter is different but what kind of elevation and potential snow amounts would be typical?

Thanks again.

OGBugler · Jul 27, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Eager/Springerville and Alpine are all in unit 1. and they all have hotels or cabins to rent and places to eat. Either place is close enough to get on elk within minutes of where you choose to stay. Eagar has a best western, the rode inn is in Springerville, Sportsmans lodge is in Alpine and there are also cabins there to rent I just dont remember the name.
If you plan on Camping I would bring a wall tent with a stove. late november hunts in this unit are unpredictable and it can snow heavy. Feet heavy at times. Other times you would think its a beautiful October nearing halloween. The main thing is to be prepared. I tell this to NR because i think alot of folks from out of state think, "oh well its Arizona," how much snow and how cold can it get there. lol, in 1971 Hawley lake reported 40 below zero temps. I was a bit young then but in 2011 i was in 24 below temps so it does get cold.
Make your reservations early if you dont camp. That first weekend the hotels will probably get full fast especially in Alpine. Best of luck to you

UINTBB · Aug 5, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Thanks again OGBugler,
Friends, Its getting closer. Pretty soon we will be hunting in God's Cathedral.
Love it.
Best wishes.

Beavinaz · Aug 5, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

I have been up here at Big Lake for almost 2 weeks and have seen more Elk in this place than any place I have ever been. I was up here in May/June for two weeks and saw a lot of Elk then but not like now. I thought it was a little early but on my way to fishing at the south end of the lake 3 days ago I heard a Bull bugling and cows responding. I put on over 200 miles on my SxS last trip, and up to 250 miles so far this trip. I think I have been on every trail in this area and have seen Elk just about everywhere, some places more than others. Last night at about 7 pm after fishing at the south boat ramp area I saw a herd of almost 100 Elk in the big meadow on the way back to camp. Talked to a lady who had been watching them and she said that there were even 2 fighting. Best news there were a lot of calves in this group. It was getting dark and I didn't have my binoculars with me to tell how many bulls were in the group. And for what ever reason they were all running around in a big oblong circle. What a great site it was. I will be out there again tonight watching for them with my camera and binoculars.
Rich

Joe2Kool · Aug 11, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Looks like a good hunt! Good luck and post some pics!

Elkextreme · Sep 26, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Im a NR from New Mexico, this summer I wentfishing in big lake 1st weekend in June didn't see anyt elk but the views up there are spacticular. Than went to alpine and saw lots of sheep.

npaden · Nov 24, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Getting really close now! Hope to get there on Wednesday evening so I can have some boots on the ground at least a day before the season opens.

BOHNTR · Nov 25, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Elk are still up high....and resident herds that stay lower year round. Saw a good bunch yesterday at 9000? elevation. Of course I had about 100 or so in the front yard (meadow) at daybreak this am.....including a few bulls.

BOHNTR )))---------->

105Coues · Nov 26, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

We are supposed to get some snow this week. That may get them moving. That is an awesome Hunt. Good luck! I assume you already have a plan.

105Coues · Nov 27, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

This coming snow will help for sure. Good luck! I could give you some ideas if your plans change due to the weather.

blacktailBC · Nov 29, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

LAST EDITED ON Nov-29-18 AT 08:17PM (MST)[p]Sent you a PM 105coues

105Coues · Dec 1, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

LAST EDITED ON Dec-01-18 AT 10:13AM (MST)[p]Got it. PM sent

Trailmakrs · Dec 3, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Me and my little boy are in Springerville chasing Elk and have only seen small bulls and not many to boot. We are seeing 300-400 cows and spikes a day. Got any pointers?

blacktailBC · Dec 4, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

It's been a tough hunt so far. Hunted hard and have seen dozens and dozens of bulls. Saw 35 opening day. I have not laid eyes on a bull over 270. Oodles of raghorns . Tons of elk around, and fun seeing them, but no big bulls sighted.

Tikka · Dec 15, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Any update guys?

adirondack · Dec 18, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

My 16 year old daughter had the tag this Dec. Like most here have said plenty of smaller bulls. She killed opening morning. About a 270" 5?6 her first elk. It was a great hunt for her. We saw a few nice bulls in trucks and at packing plant. All together we likely saw 3 that went 330"+. I would also say we only saw a small sampling of what was killed. Not crowded, great weather fun hunt for a 270"-300" bull with a chance for bigger would be my general summary of this hunt.

blacktailBC · Dec 18, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-18 AT 05:54PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-18 AT 05:52?PM (MST)

We shot a couple decent 6 pts. Nothing real big. Saw lots of elk, but no extra large bulls. We did encounter pressure. I wouldn't describe it as heavy pressure, but there were a few hunters everywhere we went. Overall had a fun hunt. Shot our bulls on the last 2 days.
Thank You to the members who offered assistance with the hunt.

WABULLSnBUCKS · Dec 20, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

>LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-18
>AT 05:54?PM (MST)
>
>LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-18
>AT 05:52?PM (MST)
>
>We shot a couple decent 6
>pts. Nothing real big. Saw
>lots of elk, but no
>extra large bulls. We
>did encounter pressure. I wouldn't
>describe it as heavy pressure,
>but there were a few
>hunters everywhere we went.
>Overall had a fun hunt.
>Shot our bulls on the
>last 2 days.
>Thank You to the members who
>offered assistance with the hunt.
>

No pics...

adirondack · Dec 20, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/9823810772.jpeg

adirondack · Dec 20, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

http://www.monstermuleys.info/photos/user_photos_2018/9795710861.jpeg

adirondack · Dec 20, 2018

RE: ELK Unit 1, 2b, 2c Rifle Nov 30- Dec 6

Great hunt for my 16 year old daughter's first elk. Her younger brother and boyfriend traveled 2400 miles one way. We arrived evening before hunt found a forest road that looked good. At daylight 4 of us hiked and glassed, passing on several bulls. She made 2, 420 yd shots hitting him twice. Great hunt for 3 young kids who had never been to Airizona before. A ride to the Grand Canyon made a complete trip.