2023 AZ Elk Draw

Whip

WKR
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
609
At least it's better than what Montana pulled when they sent out tags to some people only to turn around and say - "Whoops! Sorry, that was sent out by mistake. You really don't have a tag..."
 
Joined
Jun 5, 2022
Messages
17
At least it's better than what Montana pulled when they sent out tags to some people only to turn around and say - "Whoops! Sorry, that was sent out by mistake. You really don't have a tag..."
That was as cruel as it comes.
 

idazona

FNG
Joined
Sep 25, 2022
Messages
8
Well, it could be worse. I have 3 kids I apply for and cannot even get a portal for them at all. Consequently no way to even check until tags are mailed!! Ugh.
I put in about 6 family members and it has been the most confusing process ever since they eliminated the phone call in line. You used to be able to call and confirm the bonus points and tags draw, but now I've resorted to creating new emails for my family members and even then I haven't been able to create a portal for any of them. The amount of time I spend typing in social security numbers for these apps is ridiculous.
 

DEHusker

WKR
Joined
Jul 5, 2014
Messages
417
Location
Colorado, US of A
I put in about 6 family members and it has been the most confusing process ever since they eliminated the phone call in line. You used to be able to call and confirm the bonus points and tags draw, but now I've resorted to creating new emails for my family members and even then I haven't been able to create a portal for any of them. The amount of time I spend typing in social security numbers for these apps is ridiculous.
I get it. I do the “SSN shuffle” every year for AZ with me and my kids. But, I’ve drawn some great tags for them and me so I consider it a labor of love…

I do HATE how you can’t see what is drawn for anyone but my portal until tags are mailed. It sucks. I wish they would just email the results after the draw and be done with it. Similar to AK or NM.
 

Blackcow

WKR
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
499
Location
central Az.
The ONLY date AZGFD is concerned with, and Gaga’s in writing is the one circled in red. Always has been, probably always will.09B38350-2F47-4FAC-A3A9-6B47C5FFEE8E.jpeg
Will it take that long? No. But they’ll tell you, they have until that date to do whatever they need to do.
Once upon a time, it was all paper apps and a check up front, no phone line even, yet. To top it off, elk and antelope were with all the fall hunts, deadline in May and ALL fall tags mailed out in June. Then the phone line came and you’d be hitting re dial all day to get through. Do I think they can do better with the portal? Heck yeah. You have to have it to put in, so the app process should take minutes, all your info is there, click click and done. No re entering your ss 200 times.
For now it is what it is. The problem I see is people seem to think the credit card back door is something other than what it is. It’s something WE discovered, they had nothing to do with it. Just a heads up. Typically, if you haven’t had a hit the 1st 2 days you won’t. The exception is as they go through and re allocate for all the people who’s cards were declined or something.
A heads up to everyone that puts multiple people in, do yourself a favor and call them( can’t do it online) and have them set up a family portal with one email. Makes the juggling much easier. If you have too many people for it, maybe try telling them to do it themselves lol. Unless you’re buying points for your aunt Maude who doesn’t even hunt so you can piggyback her points later. I’m which case, knock that shit off.
 

Sand Wrench

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 8, 2021
Messages
126
Call me crazy but I think AZ has one of the best draw processes in the west most years. WY elk holds your money for literally 3+ months, CO does the draw weeks or more in advance and you don't find out results until much later. AZ has all this weird portal update non-sense, but you get a sneak peak and at least some information about whether you drew, what, 3 weeks after the draw deadline? It's far from perfect but I like it. The fact that I know my results this year before NM, MT, CO, and UT deadlines is a big plus.
I agree. Guessing your results from CC hits isn't perfect, but it's better than nothing. I just fired off my New Mexico application last night, and it was nice to know that I (probably) don't have an Arizona tag.
 

idazona

FNG
Joined
Sep 25, 2022
Messages
8
The ONLY date AZGFD is concerned with, and Gaga’s in writing is the one circled in red. Always has been, probably always will.View attachment 530202
Will it take that long? No. But they’ll tell you, they have until that date to do whatever they need to do.
Once upon a time, it was all paper apps and a check up front, no phone line even, yet. To top it off, elk and antelope were with all the fall hunts, deadline in May and ALL fall tags mailed out in June. Then the phone line came and you’d be hitting re dial all day to get through. Do I think they can do better with the portal? Heck yeah. You have to have it to put in, so the app process should take minutes, all your info is there, click click and done. No re entering your ss 200 times.
For now it is what it is. The problem I see is people seem to think the credit card back door is something other than what it is. It’s something WE discovered, they had nothing to do with it. Just a heads up. Typically, if you haven’t had a hit the 1st 2 days you won’t. The exception is as they go through and re allocate for all the people who’s cards were declined or something.
A heads up to everyone that puts multiple people in, do yourself a favor and call them( can’t do it online) and have them set up a family portal with one email. Makes the juggling much easier. If you have too many people for it, maybe try telling them to do it themselves lol. Unless you’re buying points for your aunt Maude who doesn’t even hunt so you can piggyback her points later. I’m which case, knock that shit off.

So I called them and they said that the family portal only works for dependent minors. I’m putting in my parents, siblings, cousins, wife. Unless you know something I don’t. I was so excited when the announced the family portal, but then I realized it was useless in my situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Blackcow

WKR
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
499
Location
central Az.
No, you’re right. Immediate family only. You can put a spouse and dependent minors. All the rest of my relatives and friends can fend for themselves or miss the deadline I guess.
 

Whip

WKR
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
609
I know I'm not the only one still sitting on pins and needles waiting for the portal update.
So what's your over/under bet on when the update will come? Let's set a time of 10am MT on Friday - St Patty's Day.
Over? Under?

I know it doesn't really matter. It will come when it comes and based on my credit card hit I'm in. But I still can't get past feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve, pretty certain I'm getting a BB gun in the morning but don't know if it's going to be a Red Ryder or a Model 25 pump.

I'm going to be ecstatic either way....
 

Scoot

WKR
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
1,627
Whip, some of us are a whole lot less excited about what we'll see when the portal updates! In fact, most of us are!!! Congrats on the tag!
 

Whip

WKR
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
609
Whip, some of us are a whole lot less excited about what we'll see when the portal updates! In fact, most of us are!!! Congrats on the tag!
I sure know your pain. Spent a lot of years crashing back to earth after getting my hopes dashed.
I hope you eventually get the tag you've been waiting for and that it is everything you always hoped it would be.
 

Eastcoasthunter94

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Messages
128
Location
Upstate New York
I drew a late muzzleloader elk hunt. I had 2 bonus points and on the portal my tag number was 67. I was shocked I didn’t draw my first choice late rifle 6A since they give out a good chunk of non resident tags
 
Last edited:
Joined
Mar 13, 2023
Messages
22
I drew 6a early archery! I get to shoulder through the crowds! 🤣. Even so I hope there will be some good bulls this year. If I could get a 330 plus would be a dream come true! Maybe that's not realistic for that unit.
 
Joined
Aug 3, 2019
Messages
55
Location
Prescott, AZ
I drew 6a early archery! I get to shoulder through the crowds! 🤣. Even so I hope there will be some good bulls this year. If I could get a 330 plus would be a dream come true! Maybe that's not realistic for that unit.
You better be scouting 30+ days if you expect to get a 330 bull in 6a. Few and far between. I wish you luck though. That would be a special elk in that unit.
 
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