Alan:
Here is my take on your situation. If you're an archer, you've got a real chance to get one of those 650 tags that G&F is offering this year in Unit 6A.
As for muzzleloader and early rifle hunts, you are way out on those.
I drew that early 6A muzzleloader tag as a resident with way less than max points in 2010 and was fortunate enough to take a quality bull. We saw at least three others of this caliber during the hunt. There are some real boomers there!
If you're an archer wait it out for a few more years or dive in and go to Unit 6A.
The only problem with that 6A October hunt that Bruce is talking about is that G&F pushed it to the very end of the month this year. We used to have some late rut activity there and got some good bulls when that hunt was earlier. Now, not so sure, I think we'll miss it (rut). Still ought to be a decent hunt though. I'd take it over a late general hunt...
Anyway, every elk unit in AZ has some boomers bulls in them. They are just tough to find. Take a look at the odds and play the game. Though I'd never advise a NR to burn 11 points on a late rifle hunt, there are some great bulls taken on them every year. Here is a photo of a young man from Kingman who took a very nice bull in Unit 10 last year while hunting with his father and uncle,who know the unit very well. Check out those fronts and thirds! Wished our early bull in 10 had those thirds, he would have been a 390!
Anyway good luck and good hunting!
Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters
This guy scored 378 2/8 (gross)