2023 AZ Elk Draw

I arrowed my bull in 2021 on a full moon and warm weather. Rutting hard. My experience it doesn’t affect them nearly as much as many think.

Did you change any tactics to get it done? Like listen for bugles at night? Walk into the wind? Glass more? Or just hunt the same. I’ve only ever had a late archery tag so any tips are appreciated.


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8 points and my card got hit yesterday afternoon. Resident pool for 5A early rifle or early archery. I'm a little worried about the moon on the early archery 5A hunt, looks like full moon is right in the middle of it.

The data I am looking at has the full moon on 9/29


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Did you change any tactics to get it done? Like listen for bugles at night? Walk into the wind? Glass more? Or just hunt the same. I’ve only ever had a late archery tag so any tips are appreciated.


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Full moon is September 29th, so that last week it will be getting brighter as we get closer to the end of the archery season. But the first week should be awesome coming out of the new moon phase. I sure wouldn't worry about it.

Personally, I hunt pretty much the same, but midday can actually be a great time to hunt during a full moon. I don't try to push through bedding areas but will hang out nearby or at a waterhole. If I need a nap you can bet I'll be taking it in the field and not back at camp.
 
Did you change any tactics to get it done? Like listen for bugles at night? Walk into the wind? Glass more? Or just hunt the same. I’ve only ever had a late archery tag so any tips are appreciated.


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Honestly, I simply hunted them the same. Got into the field an hour before daybreak.....listened for bugles, moved in silent. At daybreak snuck in on his cows and arrowed him when he came to get his last cow. Everything seemed 'normal' to me. I've had several other good archery hunts in a full moon......just never really thought much about it.
 
Full moon is September 29th, so that last week it will be getting brighter as we get closer to the end of the archery season. But the first week should be awesome coming out of the new moon phase. I sure wouldn't worry about it.

Personally, I hunt pretty much the same, but midday can actually be a great time to hunt during a full moon. I don't try to push through bedding areas but will hang out nearby or at a waterhole. If I need a nap you can bet I'll be taking it in the field and not back at camp.

5a has that alternating early rifle tag so the rifle tag is first on Sep 15-21. The archery hunt for 5a is sept 22-October 5th. So it literally straddles the full moon. They should be rutting hard that time of year, but the moon is going to be bright. I’m definitely not complaining though. If we have a halfway decent monsoon these elk should be above average


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My buddy texted me about an hour ago saying he just got hit so maybe there’s still a little hope left? Of course I checked mine the second I read that and I’ve got nothing 🤦‍♂️
 
Nada for me. 12 points and counting.


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5a has that alternating early rifle tag so the rifle tag is first on Sep 15-21. The archery hunt for 5a is sept 22-October 5th. So it literally straddles the full moon. They should be rutting hard that time of year, but the moon is going to be bright. I’m definitely not complaining though. If we have a halfway decent monsoon these elk should be above average


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Don't over think it, that unit is crawling with elk. You'll be lucky to sleep some nights, you'll swear your in Jurassic park. Those are good dates, rut should be full throttle. Pay no mind to the moon; cant hunt at night anyway.
 
How can you tell? Never knew there was a way.
Its not 100% because of a possible backfill tag but if there are 100 tags, 20 will be drawn in the bonus pass, and the tags are numbered as they're issued. Used to be anyway, its been a while since i had one.
 
I have to ask:
$550 credit hit. Is this elk or ?….I had a bunch of points for both.
I’m confused because I thought PH is $565 for NR and elk $665? $550 is neither of those.
Help please?
 
I have to ask:
$550 credit hit. Is this elk or ?….I had a bunch of points for both.
I’m confused because I thought PH is $565 for NR and elk $665? $550 is neither of those.
Help please?
I think your app fee is deducted from the tag fee.

That was the case for my son's youth tag. Total of $63. $13 when he applied and $50 to my CC yesterday.


Eddie
 
I think your app fee is deducted from the tag fee.

That was the case for my son's youth tag. Total of $63. $13 when he applied and $50 to my CC yesterday.


Eddie
Holy Hellfire, if I drew a lope tag, in AZ, I’m gonna not sleep until my boots hit the ground and I bust my ass to pull this off.
Thanks for the info. Very good news indeed
Congratulations to your son. I took my daughter this year and it was an amazing adventure. She’s hooked. You guys have a great time and good luck.
 
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When you say 100% draw odds do you mean that last year people drew with the same points you have this year? Point creep is real. I always assume it will take one more than it did last year. Sometimes more. Last year my second choice unit went up 2 full points.
I have 2 more than it should take to draw now I just don't have much luck. I've drawn 2 good elk tags in 30 years and even those took max plus points in the 6-7 range and we're both in Colorado with a true preference points system. I've got lots of points in several states and am always hopeful this will be my year but usually disappointed. Don't even get me started on sheep, goat, and moose it's getting to be borderline obsird that I haven't hunted any of them on my own tag. Guided a bunch and helped friends but no luck for me.
 
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