Elk Hunting in Arizona: What you need to know

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Why hunt elk in Arizona? Most outfitters will answer with a number: 400. Arizona is the state that consistently rewards the hunters with elk antlers that are over 300” mark, and some approaching and even over the magical four hundred. But even the hunters who don’t care for the score of their trophy can’t refuse the draw of hunting the majestic mountain monarchs.

The native elk of Arizona, once described as the Merriam subspecies, were driven to extinction by overharvest and overgrazing. A reintroduction program that started in 1913, releasing elk from the Yellowstone National Park, had only a limited success, but by the 1990s elk numbers in Arizona reached huntable proportions. Today elk herds in the state number about 35,000 animals. The Merriam subspecies was described as having a relatively small body with impressive antlers, and apparently its heritage, if not its genetics, lives on as Arizona elk have impressive racks – but you know that already.

Whether a late season spot-and-stalk, or the archery season hunting during the bugle, elk hunting in Arizona is renowned as excellent – if you can get the “elk permit-tag”, that is.

How to get an elk permit in Arizona?

Although theoretically there are options to get a tag over-the-counter, for all practical purposes an elk hunt in Arizona is a limited draw hunt. In 2020, nearly 25,000 elk hunting permits were issued; of those, however, only 10% could go to non-resident hunters. The deadline for the draw for pronghorn and elk in Arizona is the second Tuesday of February. The draw happens in the following manner: each participating hunter, via a randomized computer procedure, gets one or more drawing numbers, one for the application, and then one for each of the bonus points the hunter may have accumulated over the previous years (for not drawing a tag, etc.). The smallest of the drawing numbers is used in the application process.

In the draw, the applications are lined up according to their numbers, from lowest to highest, and the first, second, etc. get the permit, until the general or non-resident quota for a certain unit is reached. There are three rounds of the draw. The first round distributes 20% of permits, with the applications that are first in the list winning. The second round distributes the remainder of the permits between the applicants who weren’t successful in the first round, taking into account the applicants’ first and second choice units. The third round is similar, but for third, fourth, and fifth choice units. Applications are randomized again before each round. For a more detailed description of the procedure, click here.

Bonus points are very important for Arizona limited draw. They are awarded automatically for each unsuccessful application for the relevant species. In addition, you can purchase them. If you drew and purchased a tag, but something happened that prevented you from hunting, you may preserve your bonus point by surrendering the tag (it has to be done before the start of the season). Alternatively, you can transfer it your own minor child or grandchild, a child with a life-threatening condition, military veteran with service-related disability, or a non-profit organization for the benefit of the two previous categories.

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Close to the end of the current year’s season, Arizona Game and Fish usually distributed another limited entry permit-tags for late season hunts. This year the deadline for entries was December 3, 2021, and the hunting season will run from December 20, 2021 to February 15, 2022. Too late to apply for now, but mark it in your calendar for the future.

Can I get an OTC tag for elk in Arizona?

If any of the permits for a unit are left after the third round, they are available over-the-counter on a first-come, first served basis. Visit the Arizona Game and Fish website after the draw results have been announced, and if you’re lucky enough and a tag for a unit you’re interested in is available, mail in your application. Beware: the application deadlines are tight! Some over-the-counter tags, both bulls and any elk, and both all legal weapon and archery only, are issued for areas where elk are not wanted for conservation reasons, but hunting success in such areas is typically low.

Another option to get an Arizona elk tag, if money is no object, are ruffles, auctions, and hunting on tribal land. Tribal land includes some of the best elk habitat in the state, such as San Carlos Apache Reservation. The permits are available from the respective Nations, and are either auctioned or issued on first come, first served basis. For elk hunting in the highly esteemed trophy areas that produce 400” class trophies on a regular basis, you will be required to hire a licensed native guide. Tribal land hunts are not cheap; the tags may cost from $2,500 to $20,000, with a surcharge for bulls that score higher than 375 Boone & Crocket points. By contrast, a regular non-resident elk permit-tag costs $665.

an elk with antlers in velvet

What’s the best time to hunt elk in Arizona ?

Arizona elk seasons begin in mid-September with the early archery season that usually lasts two weeks. This season usually sees the peak of the rut. Another great option, time-wise, is the trophy bull season. Typically it follows the early archery season, but some units alternate them. The trophy bull season can be either muzzleloader or any-weapon, depending on the year and the unit. Late archery and late bull seasons take place in November, after the elk migrate to their winter habitats.

The choice of the season dictates the hunting method, and the other way round. The early season hunts take place during the rut, and the most successful method is calling. By contrast, late season hunts depend on the spot-and-stalk method for both bull and cow hunts.

See also  .45-70 Government for Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Grizzly Or Brown Bear Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the .45-70 Government a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for grizzly or brown bear hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the .45-70 Government is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the grizzly or brown bear, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the grizzly or brown bear in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a grizzly or brown bear in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the .45-70 Government within the ideal range of suitable calibers for grizzly or brown bear hunting?” our answer is: No, the .45-70 Government is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber .45-70 Government Animal Species Grizzly Or Brown Bear Muzzle Energy 2270 foot-pounds Animal Weight 595 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a .45-70 Government? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a .45-70 Government round is approximately 2270 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male grizzly or brown bear is approximately 595 lbs. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in grizzly or brown bear hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for grizzly or brown bear to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the .45-70 Government. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the grizzly or brown bear being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether .45-70 Government is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest grizzly or brown bear - and to this question, the response again is no, the .45-70 Government is UNDERKILL for grizzly or brown bear hunting. [Click Here to Shop .45-70 Government Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting grizzly or brown bear to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 22 Comments RJ Adkins - Jan 02, 2024Completely disagree with article. The 4570 is the caliber of choice for many bear hunting guides. With correct bullets and charges it’s great for penetrating through bones in big bears. Also, I n a short lever action, it gets on target quickly with capability of fast follow up shots. Also quoted energy in the article is about half of the cartridge capability. Craig Sellier - May 23, 2024What I don’t understand is it’s been said by many that while fishing, camping, hiking or any other activity in Alaska or places where there big Grizzly bear 🐻. That a 44 magnum or a 454 casull is sufficient enough to carry for bear 🐻 protection for handguns. Yet for long guns they saying that the 45-70 and the S&W 500 magnum rifle’s are not suitable for hunting Grizzly bear. 🤔 Well, that 45-70 and that 500 Magnum 50 caliber shooting from 500 to 700 grain bullets is serious medicine. It’s been said many times that the 45-70 will kill the big 5 along with the 500 S&W also. I’d really like to get a real truthful answer so I’d know if I’d be safe are am I just going out there to feed the bear 🐻 me. I really need to know. I believe that 45-70 with 405 hard cast Barnes bullets would break shoulder bones and come out the other side. The 500 S&W magnum lever action rifle is capable of shooting through and through a car engine the 45-70 as well but they are not powerful enough to hunt Grizzly bears. I do realize some Grizzly bear 🐻 🐻‍❄ will go over 1000 lbs. And stand 10 feet tall. That’s a serious Animal and there’s no room for errors. Craig Sellier - May 23, 2024What I don’t understand is it’s been said by many that while fishing, camping, hiking or any other activity in Alaska or places where there big Grizzly bear 🐻. That a 44 magnum or a 454 casull is sufficient enough to carry for bear 🐻 protection for handguns. Yet for long guns they saying that the 45-70 and the S&W 500 magnum rifle’s are not suitable for hunting Grizzly bear. 🤔 Well, that 45-70 and that 500 Magnum 50 caliber shooting from 500 to 700 grain bullets is serious medicine. It’s been said many times that the 45-70 will kill the big 5 along with the 500 S&W also. I’d really like to get a real truthful answer so I’d know if I’d be safe are am I just going out there to feed the bear 🐻 me. I really need to know. I believe that 45-70 with 405 hard cast Barnes bullets would break shoulder bones and come out the other side. The 500 S&W magnum lever action rifle is capable of shooting through and through a car engine the 45-70 as well but they are not powerful enough to hunt Grizzly bears. I do realize some Grizzly bear 🐻 🐻‍❄ will go over 1000 lbs. And stand 10 feet tall. That’s a serious Animal and there’s no room for errors. JTAC - Jul 04, 2024I am confused by this article… rated as “Underkill”. I got charged by an 800 lb male grizzly that surprised me after I stumbled upon a fresh kill. I had just enough time to pull my rifle up and get 2 shots off. The first round was so rushed I barely grazed the animal. The second round I tighten up my mechanics and took my shot for its chest. Right as I squeezed the trigger the bear dropped its head and that 45-70 405 round blew its skull cap off and dropped that bear about 18 yards from me. A lot closer than I ever want to be to any Grizzly in a full speed charge. I would suffice to say it was very effective. I get ethics of hunting shot placement and everything else when hunting. But, most of the time you do not normally get a 200 yard shot, depending on your location. I know if I hunt using my 45-70 for bear I am trying to take my shot between 100 to 125 yards away. Big hard flat tipped rounds work great. Z - Jul 04, 2024With the custom loads I have for my vintage JM Marlin 1895, I am confident 45-70 would be prevalent over any mammal indigenous to this planet. (Maybe not in one shot, because placement is a big factor…) I stand strong on this statement. Robert House - Jul 04, 2024With the right load the 45-70 Government can take any game on this Earth like with +P Hard cast and +P Underwood Extreme penetrator. EBob - Jul 04, 2024🤣 Have you ever actually hunted Grizzly Bear, or had to defend yourself against a Grizzly Bear dude? This article is total B.S.! LOL! Drew - Aug 10, 2024You can’t look at the most anemic factory loads and suggest a hunter might use those for a once in a lifetime brown bear hunt. Have you ever heard of Underwood, Buffalo Bore, Hornady or other +P hardcast or solid copper loads? Come on now, some approach 4000 ft/lb of energy. My own go to load throws a 300 gr Speer hotcore @ 2430fps @ 12’. Use your bullet energy calc. That’ll stop anyting on the planet except Elephant, Rhino, hippo or cape buff.. Mike - Sep 09, 2024Every article posted by foundry outdoors always states the same thing. Yall assume a lot. Never assume cause it makes an ass out of you and me. People aren’t quite as ignorant as assumed by writers and politicians. 4570 has killed bears for decades. No body armor on these critters. Shot placement is . 223/5.56 with 55gr fmj does it all the time do in reasonably sure a 45/70-430gr hard cast or a 325gr extreme hunter mono bullet will do the trick. G - Oct 18, 2024This article about .45-70 being underkill is full of blasphemy. Old time hunters were using black powder 45-70 with 405 grain bullets and they STILL stopped bears and any other critters that got in their way. Even to this day, .45-70 can be used to take down Safari game such as tigers and lions, albeit a bit light for that use but is practical. Whoever wrote this has clearly never hunted before or is trying to spread untruthful facts. 1 2 3 Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

The unquestionable advantage of the early archery season is that it takes place in the heat of the rut. The mighty bulls shaking the mountains with their bugle, collecting their harems, and fighting each other for dominance is an experience that will make the hair stand on the back of your neck, and the close encounter with a bull, that archery hunting implies, triples the thrill. Yet, success rates of the rifle hunts, especially early general season, speak for themselves.

How successful are elk hunts in Arizona?

According to Arizona Fish and Game website, in 2020 elk hunters enjoyed overall 42% success rate in their hunts. For the general season bull elk hunts the success rate was 39%. Early seasons appear to be better than late seasons, with 36% versus 21% harvest rate for archery, while early general bull season hunters can boast success rates as high as 82%.

Muzzleloading season is also a great choice – it offers a chance to see some bugling activity, as well as 52% probability of success. Interestingly enough, success rates for antlerless hunts are not significantly higher than for bull hunts, and could actually be as low as 20% for late season archery hunts, proving once again that an educated cow is one of the toughest animals to harvest.

a hunter with an elk trophy in arizona

What are the best units to hunt elk in Arizona?

This is one of the most common questions, but unfortunately one that hardly has a definitive answer. The online hunting value map, created on the basis of hunters’ survey in partnership with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and published on the Arizona Game and Fish website, shows that the preferred elk hunting zones are located in a line that runs along the state’s northeastern border, roughly from the San Francisco Peaks and the Kaibab National Forest to the Apache National Forest. The hot spots seem to be covered by Units 12-13, 8-10, 6, and 21-23.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should drop everything and apply for the units mentioned. To say nothing of the fact that the most famous units also have the lowest draw success rates, your choice should also depend on when you plan to hunt, and whether you want to hunt a trophy bull or a delicious antlerless animal. The elk are far less territorial than deer, and will readily migrate between different habitats. This happens both seasonally and as variations in precipitation and temperature from year to year change the attractiveness of different areas.

The elk habitat in Arizona is mostly found in the ponderosa pine plateaus and mountains in the north and north east of the state, at elevations between 7 and 8 thousand feet, although some herds are found on high deserts below, or conifer forests above. Males and females stick together during the rut, but their winter stations differ. According to some studies, while bull elk are typically found in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine areas, cows prefer Douglas fir stands and meadow openings. This, of course, is not set in stone, but different choices of habitat is typical for elk in general.

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If you’re looking for a guided hunt, your best bet would be to first find an outfitter, and then take their advice on the unit. Most outfitters in Arizona offer to help their clients with filing the draw application. The limited draw system in Arizona is complicated, but careful selection of choice units may dramatically improve the chances of success. Usually they collect a fee for this service, which is counted towards the price of your hunt if you draw, but this is money well spent. Local knowledge and familiarity with the nuances of the system are invaluable.

Gear for elk hunting in Arizona.

Elk hunting is elk hunting pretty much wherever you go, and most of the tips covered in this blog post apply. A specific challenge of elk hunting in Arizona, however, exists, and it lies in great variations of the temperatures and weather. Arizona can be one of the hottest states in America, but elk hunts take place on high elevations, where you may, of course, experience the warm hot dry weather most people associate with Arizona deserts, but you should be prepared for rain, and in the late season even snow, too. Warm and rainproof or even snowproof gear could be essential, and top-notch boots invaluable.

To make things even more challenging, the temperature may vary dramatically across the day, and elk hunting typically implies a lot of walking over broken terrain. With the wrong choice of clothing, you may find yourself chilly in the morning, soaking wet (including in your own sweat) in the afternoon, and freezing cold in the evening. Think high quality thermal underwear, and a well-thought-of sequence of layers. Your outfitter should be the best expert on what conditions you are likely to encounter in the specific time and location of your hunt, so if you book an elk hunt in Arizona, be sure to ask them – and heed their advice.

The bottom line

Elk hunting in Arizona requires a lot of preparation. The draw takes place earlier than in most other states, and whether you’re looking for a DIY hunt, or considering a guided hunt, now is the time to start researching the state and the units you want to apply for. This is especially true if you want to secure the help of an outfitter in preparing your application. Even if you’re ready to invest in a tribal land hunt, you should probably contact the relevant nation well before the tags go on sale. Have a look at our selection of elk hunts in Arizona and act quick!

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Ethan Smith is a seasoned marine veteran, professional blogger, witty and edgy writer, and an avid hunter. He spent a great deal of his childhood years around the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Watching active hunters practise their craft initiated him into the world of hunting and rubrics of outdoor life. He also honed his writing skills by sharing his outdoor experiences with fellow schoolmates through their high school’s magazine. Further along the way, the US Marine Corps got wind of his excellent combination of skills and sought to put them into good use by employing him as a combat correspondent. He now shares his income from this prestigious job with his wife and one kid. Read more >>