2021 Arizona Non Resident Elk choices

[elkman224]

All, my apologies. I misunderstood a text I read in reference to the units. See updated first post below. We have 15 points and 1 loyalty point per AZG&F. We have been applying for hunt 3131 which is units 1, 2B and 2C. Sorry for any confusion.

Hi all. I am a non resident of Arizona with 15 elk points and 1 loyalty point. We have been applying unit 1,2b, and 2c archery for years with no success yet. Looking at the current points does anyone have any better unit recommendations to rifle/muzzleloader hunt early season. We would rather hunt via rifle/muzzleloader at this point than archery as we will probably not draw another tag at 52 years old. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CAElkhunter]

That is s tough one. Most of the recommended units still require 23 + pts for early rifle / muzzle loader.
Late season rifle / muzzleloader you might be able to draw a decent unit like 10 or 27 but late season is hit
or miss with the bigger bulls going deep.

 

[HuntHarder]

A non- resident putting in for a limited opportunity unit 31 tag? Do you have vast knowledge of 31? There are very few elk in there and it requires some good insight in order to make the best of that tag.

 

[Blackcow]

I’ve never seen more than 10 tags for 28/31/32, I think there’s 5 this year. Not enough to cover the 10% non res cap. Even at 10 tags, a party app of more than 1 person wouldn’t be considered. If you want to stick with archery, there are units you can draw( most likely) this year. Unless your heart is set on 1, 27,9,10,23, 3a/c, and even then you have a boxers chance with the change they made a few years ago. An early rifle/ muzzy is going to be tough.

 

[weaver]

You're still a long way out from a quality early season rifle/muzzleloader tag.


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[NoWiser]

Sadly, 14 points isn't that many. You'll never catch up to an early rifle or muzzleloader tag.

 

[Wapiti1]

OK. Not sure what your trophy needs are, but you can pull, or have a reasonable chance to pull several decent early archery tags from 4B through to unit 8 going east to west. Good hunts in most of those for nice bulls.

Late rifle in 1, 27, and 8 could be worthwhile. One of the 18's could get you a big bull, but you'd really need to go guided.

8 and 6A have high populations. Lots of tags, but still a fun hunt. The muzzy hunt in 6A is before late archery and rifle and might be worth a look for a nice bull.

Like I said, not sure what you want out of the hunt, but you have some options. Food for thought.

Jeremy

 

[elkman224]

Thanks for the updates. To clarify, we have been applying and planning to go on a guided hunt. We are not going to wait this long to do self guided as there are other states that we go for that. We just want the opportunity for our having to wait this long. Our outfitter has said for 5 years that we should have drawn but we arent so lucky. We have been on several archery hunts in units 13 and 17 in New Mexico with minimal success that holding a firearm would have made a difference.

 

[canyonhunter47]

I think you’re close to 21/22S muzzleloader, but that will be a physically intense hunt. You should be guaranteed pretty much any late hunt, except for maybe 23 depending on point creep. If you’re applying as a group make sure there are enough non resident tags available to accommodate your group

Either way, unit 31 elk would be a waste of 14 years of licenses and app fees. Those kind of tags only make sense for locals shooting elk off their fields

 

[elkman224]

All, my apologies. I misunderstood the text I read in reference to the units. See updated first post. We have 15 points and 1 loyalty point per AZG&F. We have been applying for hunt 3131 which is units 1, 2B and 2C. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Extrapale]

Your points don't match up with your desires. 22s muzzy is about it. Several early archery options.

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[NoWiser]

You have a few more years to wait for a Unit 1 archery tag and a few more decades for an early rifle tag. If you want to hire an outfitter, get some warm clothes and apply for a late rifle hunt.

 

[wapitibob]

Your outfitter doesn't know what he's talking about. Spend $20 for TopRut or if you are an elite user of onX, toprut is included.


2016 took 15 points (2 backfill tags 1@11, 1@12)
2017 took 15 points
2018 took 16 points
2019 took 17 points
2020 took 18 points (1 out of 22 with 17)

 

[elkman224]

Thats weird. I talked with a reference that lives in my state who has hunted twice with him and has been drawn since we have been applying.

 

[canyonhunter47]

Thats weird. I talked with a reference that lives in my state who has hunted twice with him and has been drawn since we have been applying.

There a small number of non-res random tags available in the draw so he could’ve gotten lucky, but catching the bonus pass is what’s going to guarantee you a tag

It’s hard to say when exactly you’ll catch the bonus pass, since tag #’s have been cut and some % of NR’s trying to get unit 9 or 23 give up and go to unit 1. If you can get the Ed point that would help. I would say “probably not too many years” but no one can really say for sure

 

[elkman224]

I guess we will throw in again and hope for the best

 

[slickhunter]

I view Az as more like the lotto, gotta be in it to win it, but odds still tough, is sad that after 15 years you don't have the pick of the top units

 

[pirogue]

Your points don't match up with your desires.

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Now that’s a classic statement, and appropriate for about 99% of applicants, resident or non-reaidents

 

[elkman224]

Here we go again!!!!!

 

[Brooks]

When I started putting in for a unit 1 early archery tag it was taking 9-10 points. I’m up to 19 pts now and still never have drawn. I elk hunt at home in NM about every year or I’d have to lower my standards for AZ.