5b North Archery Elk

t_boneking · Mar 11, 2019

I got lucky and drew a 5b North early archery tag. I've never hunted in Arizona before but I'm looking forward to the challenge. I have some friends that have hunted it in years past and I feel like I have a good starting point. My question is, what would be the best seven days to hunt? The first seven days or the last seven days? Any other tips or insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

BOHNTR · Mar 12, 2019

If you can't hunt the entire two-week season, I would choose the last 7 days.

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

Trailrider · Mar 12, 2019

PM sent to your email box.

fugitive · Mar 12, 2019

The rut usually starts turning on in the end of the first week / beginning of the second week.

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

t_boneking · Mar 12, 2019

Thanks guys for the info! It is looking like the first nine days of the hunt is what I will be able to get! I hope the full moon on the 14th doesn't mess me up. Im looking forward to this hunt.

desperatehills · Mar 12, 2019

I hunted Arizona in 2016. The bulls were way more fired up the second week. I killed my bull on day 12

hardcore · Apr 2, 2019

I drew that tag last year and definitely agree with what everyone else is saying about the 2nd week being better. I almost hunted the entire season and wished I had come two days later so that I could of hunted the last two days... cause the bulls were way more vocal the last few days that I hunted. The first 10 days of the hunt were hot and dry which didn't help...we were seeing mid 80?s for daytime highs and the bulls were active for about an hour in the mornings and then not a peep out of them the rest of the day. We ended up getting a nice rain and it cooled off about 20 degrees and that seemed to help fire them up a bunch, we had a couple of really fun days after that. Maybe you will have some cooler weather this year at the beginning of the hunt, but I would definitely try and get the last half of the season off instead.

Boskee · Apr 4, 2019

They moved the archery hunt up years ago and it's usually better in the second week.

joesikora · Apr 12, 2019

Does AZ send you an email even if you don't draw?

Thanks Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora

t_boneking · Apr 13, 2019

I checked through my portal account. I can't remember if I even received an email.

sagebrush · Apr 14, 2019

I didn't get an e-mail either way. They just sent me a generic e-mail saying the results are now available on the portal or by phone. I was successful in one draw and not the other.

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard

Blacktailslayer · May 12, 2019

Congrats on the draw! I wasn?t drawn with 9, how many points did you have?

t_boneking · May 12, 2019

I drew with 8. I'm starting to get an idea of where to spend the majority of my time and I'm really looking forward to this hunt! Regardless of the outcome it is going to be fun.

t_boneking · May 12, 2019

I drew with 8 points. I'm starting to get an idea of where I'll spend my time hunting and I'm really looking forward to this hunt. It is going to be a fun September.

Flatlander · May 14, 2019

A word of caution about the final week of the hunt. As the rut heats up the bulls will start to break antlers fast. Maybe you care and maybe you don't.

t_boneking · May 14, 2019

Thanks for the heads up. I'm still trying to figure out exactly when I'll be able to make it down there. Either way I'll spend a good chunk of time down south chasing elk!

bomberodevil · May 16, 2019

I hunted 5B South last year, tagged out on a 320 bull on day 12. North and South are close in terrain. South has more elk but I think North has a little better quality of bulls.

Last year the temp of the first week was in the 80?s, dry, and zero bugling. The second week was great as far as rainy, cooling off, and the rut took off. If I only had one week to hunt, no choice at all, it would be the second week.

t_boneking · May 16, 2019

I think I'll just head down and plan on staying till I get an elk or the season ends, which ever comes fist!

bomberodevil · May 16, 2019

Obviously, that's the best. If you have the time, spend the entire season there. I was in camp 4 days before the season began, and I planned to stay the entire two weeks. But if you're short on time, the second week is pretty fun.

t_boneking · Sep 8, 2019

Well I was able to get my schedule figured out and I'll be able to spend the whole hunt chasing bulls down in 5B North! Im super excited and I hope to share some success pictures coming up shortly! Good luck to all you Arizona archery elk hunters!

Cactusbuck · Sep 9, 2019

Good luck to you. It should be a fantastic hunt!

cmbbulldog · Sep 9, 2019

Good luck!

huntazido · Sep 9, 2019

Bulls are looking good in 5BN and really spread out. Don't be afraid to go out into the flat semi-open juniper country. Good Luck!

Calbuck · Sep 10, 2019

Subscribed to this thread..boy and I are anxiously awaiting our chance at 5B late rifle hunt. Curious to see how the earlier hunts go.

t_boneking · Sep 10, 2019

Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice! I am planning on hunting the flatter pinion and juniper country, but with 14 days to hunt I'm guessing all try a bit of everything. I feel like I've got a good plan but only time will tell. I'll make sure to give an update once the hunt comes to an end!

t_boneking · Sep 27, 2019

Well my hunt came to and end with a tag left in my pocket, but I had a great time, saw some awesome bulls and in the end I missed a chance at a great bull. In the end I was happy with my effort as I hunted the entire hunt and gave it my all. It is a tag I would love to have again. And I was thrilled with my first hunting experience in Arizona. Thanks for all the help that everyone has giving me and good luck the rest of the fall!

desperatehills · Sep 27, 2019

Thanks for the update. There is nothing quite like hunting elk in Arizona

oilcan · Sep 27, 2019

Glad to hear you had a good time even if you were not successful.

Joe2Kool · Sep 27, 2019

Sometimes the best hunts end with tag soup! Glad you had a good one!

Joe2Kool · Sep 27, 2019

Sometimes good hunts end with tag soup. Glad you had a good one!

Boskee · Sep 28, 2019

The memory's of the hunt will last far longer than the taste of the tag soup. Archery elk hunting is one of the most addicting things we have in life. Congrats on having a great hunt out here and hope you draw again.....Just after me! :^)