Arizona 5B South Archery Elk

[180ls1]

Funny you mention 11M and 6A because those are the 2 units I have hunted in the past as a NR. I believe 11M was 7M when I hunted it in 2001, the Flagstaff Metro area. They were good, but I think 5B south may even have more potential? Your thoughts? I will definitely order a Flatline map. Not sure about the app yet?

Going by the numbers, 5B is definitely better. I never had a problem getting into elk and I drew the tag years ago before I had a decent idea what to do (I didn't grow up hunting).

How were your hunts in 11 and 6?

 

[elkhunterKohler]

Going by the numbers, 5B is definitely better. I never had a problem getting into elk and I drew the tag years ago before I had a decent idea what to do (I didn't grow up hunting).

How were your hunts in 11 and 6?

11M was my first. Great hunt but bulls did not want to come in to calls. I think they were too educated. No kill. 6A missed an easy shot at a big one, 340ish 1st hunt. 2nd 6a hunt passed on a couple of small bulls and never had an opportunity at a shooter. Lots of elk and tons of hunter. I've killed nice Bulls in a few different states but cannot seem to kill one in Arizona even though they were great hunts. I'm hoping that changes this year. My biggest question will be what I'm willing to settle on for size? How were your hunts?

 

[elkhunterKohler]

I was there 16 days last year and only ran into a couple hunters while working a bull. Bulls bugled all 16 days and had no problem getting on elk. The last 5 days of the season the woods will be empty... most tag holders only hunt the weekends. You'll have a great hunt. Ed F

Thanks for the info! I'm excited!

 

[180ls1]

11M was my first. Great hunt but bulls did not want to come in to calls. I think they were too educated. No kill. 6A missed an easy shot at a big one, 340ish 1st hunt. 2nd 6a hunt passed on a couple of small bulls and never had an opportunity at a shooter. Lots of elk and tons of hunter. I've killed nice Bulls in a few different states but cannot seem to kill one in Arizona even though they were great hunts. I'm hoping that changes this year. My biggest question will be what I'm willing to settle on for size? How were your hunts?

Let's talk off-line. My dad and I have been 3/3 there although two hunts were late season rifle. I'll shoot you a message.

 

[fmyth]

11M was my first. Great hunt but bulls did not want to come in to calls. I think they were too educated. No kill. 6A missed an easy shot at a big one, 340ish 1st hunt. 2nd 6a hunt passed on a couple of small bulls and never had an opportunity at a shooter. Lots of elk and tons of hunter. I've killed nice Bulls in a few different states but cannot seem to kill one in Arizona even though they were great hunts. I'm hoping that changes this year. My biggest question will be what I'm willing to settle on for size? How were your hunts?

I've hunted 6a twice and was only able to kill a 5x6 raghorn and help a friend kill a spike. I was helping another friend in 6a and watched him miss a 300ish 6x6 at 450 yards. I've never seen anything bigger than a 300" bull in all of my years of hunting and recreating in 11m and 6a. I know that they are out there and will keep looking for them. Maybe this will be my year across the street in 5b.

 

[Tberg]

Be ready to kill an elk at any time. you could be eating a sandwich in camp mid day and a bull could push 25-40 cows past right past your camp. Get a good map and camp in an area that allows you to access a lot of the surrounding area, don't stress out on hunting the entire unit, its all prime ground. If you're savvy you could hunt elk from your camp every morning. Its common to not hear much bugling in the afternoon, mornings are another story. Be aggressive, there are a lot of elk. The big boys usually don't show up till the 2nd week, killing one ain't easy. Find a few tanks and sit water, don't sit closer than 40 yards from the tank, the elk just know when something doesn't look right. I recommend a map from gameplannermaps.com, heck of a nice guy, hunter, and he'll work with you on the map that suits your needs. https://gameplannermaps.com/

Have fun, you'll get your opportunities.

 

[elkhunterKohler]

Be ready to kill an elk at any time. you could be eating a sandwich in camp mid day and a bull could push 25-40 cows past right past your camp. Get a good map and camp in an area that allows you to access a lot of the surrounding area, don't stress out on hunting the entire unit, its all prime ground. If you're savvy you could hunt elk from your camp every morning. Its common to not hear much bugling in the afternoon, mornings are another story. Be aggressive, there are a lot of elk. The big boys usually don't show up till the 2nd week, killing one ain't easy. Find a few tanks and sit water, don't sit closer than 40 yards from the tank, the elk just know when something doesn't look right. I recommend a map from gameplannermaps.com, heck of a nice guy, hunter, and he'll work with you on the map that suits your needs. https://gameplannermaps.com/

Have fun, you'll get your opportunities.

Thanks for the information and advice. I'm definitely pumped for this hunt!

 

[Bladeoutfitters]

Any luck?

 

[Plaid Moose]

Drew a tag this year for Archery elk for Arizona 5B South. Just looking for anyone who has hunted this unit before and is willing to share any information. It would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Gary

Hey Gary....I drew this tag (archery 5B south) this year. How did you end up doing?

 

[Plaid Moose]

Be ready to kill an elk at any time. you could be eating a sandwich in camp mid day and a bull could push 25-40 cows past right past your camp. Get a good map and camp in an area that allows you to access a lot of the surrounding area, don't stress out on hunting the entire unit, its all prime ground. If you're savvy you could hunt elk from your camp every morning. Its common to not hear much bugling in the afternoon, mornings are another story. Be aggressive, there are a lot of elk. The big boys usually don't show up till the 2nd week, killing one ain't easy. Find a few tanks and sit water, don't sit closer than 40 yards from the tank, the elk just know when something doesn't look right. I recommend a map from gameplannermaps.com, heck of a nice guy, hunter, and he'll work with you on the map that suits your needs. https://gameplannermaps.com/

Have fun, you'll get your opportunities.

Very helpful! I drew this unit this year (2023). I like the water idea.

 

[Plaid Moose]

Lots of elk but lots of hunters there. Get away from the roads as you'll see tons of trucks and ATV's. Don't ignore the grassier flats that don't scream "elky".

Without giving too many details a good spot to scout would be up north in the triangle top, near the 5BN 5BS border. You can get away from some ATV roads and catch some of the bigger bulls pushing down in September looking for cows.

Helpful info! I drew the unit this year (5B South) for archery

 

[Plaid Moose]

Congrats on the tag! You are in for a great hunt.

I am not going to give out specific locations, but here are a couple of things to keep in mind....

• The elk will be found throughout the unit. Lots of them. (Like anywhere else, the elk are where you find them!)
• Hunters will be found throughout the unit. Lots of them.
• Hunter-helper/posse's will be found throughout the unit. Lots of them. (For most people that draw this tag, it is either multiple years of points burned or getting lucky in the drawing. There are a lot of people tromping around the woods without tags, acting as lookouts for other tag holders. Don't get discouraged by this!)
• The Anderson Mesa runs along 5BN/5BS. The winds here can be tricky. On the top/western side of the mesa, the thermals tend to follow the prevailing wind direction, which generally comes from the SW in September. The thermals in the various canyons from the mesa ridge out towards the NE follow the typical rising/thermal patterns you'd expect in the mountains. (Not too many canyons in this particular unit you can hunt, more are found in the surrounding units.)
• The water holes are going to be crowded. Hopefully the trail camera ban keeps situations like having 8 trail cameras all pointing at one water hole from happening.
• Some of the roads shown as 'roads' on the FS map aren't really roads at all, they are FS roads, with varying quality; allow 2-3-4x what you think it should take to get from one place to another. An ATV or high clearance vehicle will situate you like almost everyone else out there - they provide no real advantage, other than getting you to a location where everyone else is parked. If you don't have a high clearance vehicle of some sort, you are going to be limited by access points/locations and at a disadvantage.
• There is a road use map. People will violate the road closure areas. (No, you don't have to like it, and not everyone is a violator, just sharing to set realistic expectations. "I'm going to be 2 miles away from the nearest open road" flies out the window when some jackhole goes flying by on an ATV. It does happen.)
• If it rains, the roads can change into a clay-like mud-slop. Think Montana Gumbo. Just stay put and wait for the roads to dry out, no sense in making ruts deeper or getting stuck.
• You can get a Coconino map/app for your iphone, which will show you your exact location. Very helpful when driving or in the field hunting.
• If you shoot something, off road retrieval is not allowed. This is different than other, nearby units. Reference this map.
• Don't overlook the open terrain. When pressured, the elk will gather together, with herds up to 200+ moving through the pines and open terrain.
• Little to no water throughout the unit, other than the well-known water tanks. Bring gallons of water with you, don't rely on the thought that you'll be able to use a water filter or pump.
• Without a water source, one can go for a swim in Lake Mary, or so I've heard. Not so in Mormon Lake.
• You can bring gear with to go on an overnight tent/tarp camping adventure, but you are going to not really find that to be much of an advantage, since there are roads pretty close to one another throughout the unit. (That, and you'd have to haul water along with you if doing so for more than an evening/morning. YMMV, obviously. ) Most hunters setup a basecamp or move the vehicle from day to day
• With the relatively flat terrain, it is somewhat easy hiking in spots. If you locate a herd, there is definitely a possibility of putting on a lot of miles in one day. Your feet will become hot and fatigued. The lava rock on top of the mesa can also really tear the crap out of your boots. Bring several pairs of boots. Prior to the hunt, it would be a great idea to hike frequently over rocky, flat terrain to build up arch/ankle strength and stability.
• With the relatively flat, open terrain, it is easy to bump into other hunters or hunter posse members regularly. Keep hunting, the elk are out there.

This is great info! I pulled the tag (5B South- archery) this year (2023). Pretty pumped

 

[Whip]

Where are you from Moose? I pulled the same tag and like you, can hardly contain myself!

 

[Plaid Moose]

Oh nice! Coming from Minnesota (have a bit of a drive). Obviously just started looking in to things. Seems like a great unit. How about you?

 

[Whip]

Oh nice! Coming from Minnesota (have a bit of a drive). Obviously just started looking in to things. Seems like a great unit. How about you?

I'm from Wisconsin, so long drive here too.
I've got a few friends in AZ that also have tags (1 bull & 2 cow) and will be sharing a camp with them.
Flatline map is ordered and I've been studying OnX. This is going to be great!

 

[lowpressure]

I'm no help, but I can tell you that you drew my 2nd choice tag!

Literally my second also!

 

[Cnoll]

Helpful info! I drew the unit this year (5B South) for archery

How many points did you have? I drew a 5B south tag this year as well.

 

[Cnoll]

Thanks for the information and advice. I'm definitely pumped for this hunt!

Shoot me a PM. I tried sending you one but Courbet it to go. Just wondering how your hunt went. I drew 5B south this year.

 

[Plaid Moose]

How many points did you have? I drew a 5B south tag this year as well.

Oh nice! I think I had 17 points so was basically cashing in. Where are you from?

 

[Whip]

I had 16. It took that last year so I really didn't know if I would get it or not with the way point creep usually bites me.