5bs vs 6a vs 8 early archery

[BigPig]

These are all pretty close as far as draw odds. If you goal was a 325+ bull and you were more concerned with ample opportunity of bulls in that class versus the off chance at a 350+, which unit would you choose?

 

[HullinPhx]

6a has more bulls in it than 8 or 5. It also is bigger and more people. There are 325+ and 350+ in all of those areas. I dont think you can go wrong with any of the units you mentioned. I dont know 5bs as well as I know 6 and 8 but so I dont put in for it but I know there are elk everywhere

 

[TOPGUN]

I helped a buddy on the two week archery hunt in 6A last September up on the north end of the unit and we were into elk 13 of the 14 days. We never sealed the deal, but had some nice bulls inside 100 yards almost every day that would have been dead if it had been rifle season. I'd go there again in a heartbeat,as we had a great time. We were told that the following week they were really fired up and this year the season is moved back a week and should be great.

 

[goinhuntn]

I would say 6a. There is alot of elk in that unit.

 

[Boskee]

Big Pig, 6A has more hunting pressure than any unit in AZ especially for elk and the elk can be hard to find on some hunts. There are more elk there but there will be less pressure in 5BS and don't overlook 5BN but there aren't as many elk. 8 is a good unit too. If you decide to put in here and get drawn and would like some suggestions let me know. Regards, CA

 

[Bugler]

5Bs or 8. Every one of those units is easily and does easily produce 325 inch bulls every year.
But I agree with the others on the amount of hunters in 6A. Alot. I like 8 alot and theirs some bruisers that come out of that unit but for the quality of the hunt I like 5BS. But dont put in for it, its been my first choice for the past few years . lol

 

[AZ8]

just an FYI, no motorized elk retrieval in the 5's. could be an issue in the early hunts. otherwise, if you don't mind packing out, 5B holds nice bulls.


http://www.redrockcountry.org/about-us/tmr/tmr-home/ROD_MBGR_Alt3_11x17.pdf

 

[BOHNTR]

5BS........

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

 

[BigPig]

Thanks all. Pretty much confirms what I suspected.

 

[muleymaniac]

- lots of bulls over 350 in every unit in the state.

if I'm applyin for early archery elk - 8 first and then 5bs.

my biggest bull comes from 8

in my opinion 8 has better elk but 5bs is easier to hunt

 

[saddlesorerider]

My choices would be in order 8, 6A, 5A, then 5BN or 5S. The north end of 5BS is on fire right now and the south and middle gets multiple blinds on most the water sources.

 

[CAelknuts]

I haven't hunted 6 or 8, but have hunted 5BS a couple times. We had real nice elk hunts each time we were there, and saw some excellent bulls. My son shot his first ever elk at 16 years old in 5BS on a muzzleloader hunt. It was a young 5x6 that scored 334, and we saw much bigger bulls than that on both of the hunts I have made there.

They are ALL good units though.