Late Season Elk Unit 1

J939K · Mar 10, 2019

Drew the late tag in unit 1. Obviously, I'm not especially worried about score, more so I'm just looking for an adventure and a fun winter backpacking trip with a rifle. I know there are a lot of tags given for this unit. So, I'm hoping for a few suggestions on places to pack in that I could avoid the droves. I'll be hiking, no horse unfortunately, and probably have the good part of a week. I think in a week, I could probably pack in 5ish miles and still be able to pack an elk out. Thanks so much in advance for any help.

carnicero · Mar 20, 2019

I had the late archery tag last year. Challenging, but great hunt. I went w/ Jed Larson A3, so I'm not inclined to provide a lot of info on location. That being said, you'll be hard pressed, I believe, to not be glassing up bulls if you find a good vantage and move as necessary to other vantages if you are not seeing anything. 5ish miles, if solo, could be a big chore packing out a bull if you are on the second to last or last day. There are places in the burn where packing out with a horse is a lifesaver. Good luck!

J939K · Mar 20, 2019

Thanks for the reply, Carnicero. I have been looking over maps and google earth quite a bit since I made this post and it appears there are roads just about everywhere. It doesn't appear that there are too many places to get more than a mile away from ATV access. I will head down a few times in summer to get a lay of the land and look at some canyons. Sounds like there are a lot of bulls to look at on this hunt. Excited to spend some time in this part of Arizona, should be a fun hunt. I'm thinking of hunting and camping up some drainage's that parallel roads and try to get different perspectives into some of the country. I figure it might be the best way to avoid getting in others way. I will be by myself for the last 5 days of the hunt, so you are probably right on not planning on packing out a bull within the last day or two.

105Coues · Mar 20, 2019

Late bull hunting in 1 the weather can be just cold to downright brutal. You must be tougher than i am to backpack in that weather. Lol
There are many roads. Not sure you can get 5 miles from one and not pass another. I admire your ambition tho.
Should be a good year as we have had lots of snow.

Where are u coming from?

J939K · Mar 20, 2019

I'm coming from Utah. Yeah, I looked at weather from the last two seasons during that hunt and it can definitely get chilly. I like the the idea of wondering around with a camp on my back, but the more I study the unit, the more it seems a bit foolish. Maybe the better way to hunt the unit would be staying closer to a vehicle and glassing and moving until I find a bull. I'm afraid that will put me in the same boat as a bunch of other hunters. But, better having some competition than not having a tag at all.

105Coues · Mar 21, 2019

You are correct that there will be lots of people. It can be a good hunt though and most of them will be on or near the roads. If you have any questions, feel free to PM. Good luck!

DidIDraw · Mar 21, 2019

May I ask how many points you had?

I applied with 11 and didn't draw, I'm wondering how much point creep there may have been this year.

As I was studying the maps I was most intrigued by the two wilderness areas that have both burned or partially burned. Looked like the best places to get away from other hunters but may be bigger country than appears on the map that could pose a serious challenge for a solo hunter to get a bull out.

I've hunted late elk hunts in AZ five times and a couple of times the weather was warm enough to worry about the meat spoiling. One hunt turned off really, really cold near 0 degrees overnight.

Looking forward to hearing about your experience after the season is over. Best of luck to you.

J939K · Mar 21, 2019

Sent PM's.

DidIDraw, Unfortunetly, I am not much help with the point issue because I got lucky and drew with 8.So, I figure the whole hunt is a bonus. I will have to remember to keep you guys updated on scouting and the hunt. I will have a friend helping for the first two days (Friday and Saturday). I will be solo after that.

Abiggerfish2fry · Mar 21, 2019

This is my unit 1 late Elk from a couple years ago!

Wapitiwilly · Mar 22, 2019

That bull is a tank. Thanks for sharing ??

J939K · Mar 22, 2019

Wow, that's a great bull. Thanks for sharing with us! You've made the 8 month anticipation even worse!

Abiggerfish2fry · Mar 22, 2019

>Wow, that's a great bull. Thanks
>for sharing with us! You've
>made the 8 month anticipation
>even worse!

LOL! Sorry

Gator · Mar 27, 2019

Bigger fish
That is pretty dang good bull.
Not too broken up like some you see on those late hunts.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

Abiggerfish2fry · Mar 28, 2019

>Bigger fish
>That is pretty dang good bull.
>
>Not too broken up like some
>you see on those late
>hunts.
>
>"I have found if you go
>the extra mile it's Never
>crowded".
>>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>>the MM green signature club.[font/]

Thanks Gator! Yeah he is not a bad but and he only has lost about 1" of one of his points.
Joe