Arizona Elk

[Ultracarry]

I basically am in that unit 1 week a month camping and looking at animals … had the tag in the family 2x in the last 5 years and deer hunt it for 2 weeks a year -
First two days of the hunt are great, then it dies until the last three days of the hunt . It’s like someone flipped the switch and they will be very quiet - they will not respond to calls… after the second weekend all the camps are pulled up , elk return back to normal habits…
I have an 07 FJ and there’s not too many places I wouldn’t drive it . And if I had a E-bike I would have used it on both hunts as some roads you are just better to be quiet on . These elk hate SXS. The unit is a zoo - there will be thousands of people on that elk hunt also. Seems like everyone has 5-10 helpers lol .
Feel free to DM me if you need some help . I will not put in for that hunt again .

 

[GambolingQuail]

I was lucky enough to draw an early archery tag with zero points (unit that gives the most tags, not going put the number and make it searchable). I had a few general questions, as ill be coming from Virginia and have only been on two OTC CO elk hunts (shot a cow this last year). Overall I'd still call myself a relatively experienced hunter, have been shooting public land whitetail for over a decade from mountains to coastal swamps. While I'm a new guy here, id really appreciate some input on some general questions. For context, i'll likely be going solo (and was solo on my OTC hunts):

1. Hunt dates: With season from the 12th-25th, I was planning to head out on the evening of the 11th, be hunting by the 14th, be starting the drive back by the 24th/25th. If you were to take two weeks off plus a day would these be the dates you chose? Theorectially i could leave the week prior, scout 4 days, and hunt the 7/8 days up to the 18th, but being around for the potential rut activity at the end of the season is very inticing.
2. Access/Roads: I've read that roads can be rough here. I'll be coming out in an 06 tacoma with a 2 inch lift and 33 inch AT tires, should i be fine on at least the main roads (don't have an ATV)? I also have a compressor so can air down as needed to try to prevent punctures.
3. Bike/ebike: Would bringing an ebike or normal mountain bike be useful? Seems like it might be helpful for night/pre light bugling or making it down the last bit of rough road before i get to an area where ill hunt. I used an ebike in CO last year and it was nice to save a few miles on the legs where i could. I'm almost leaning toward mountain bike since it should be ok to take down non-motorized trails?
4. How selective should i be? Having not killed a bull before, I'd be shooting the first legal one i saw if hunting in CO, but a part of me would be a bit disappointed to go out and shoot a rag on the first day or two of this season, given how long it should have taken to pull this tag and the fact that i think i could kill a bull in the place i've been hunting in CO. If I'm hunting hard and away from roads should I have a decent chance of an opportunity at a somewhat mature bull? Just don't want to cut my experience short! But of course if i run into an opportunity at a mature bull in my first few days I'm shooting no doubt.

If you have any other advice im all years! I'm incredibly lucky to have this tag and plan to put a ton of effort into prep and e-scouting to give myself the best chance i can. I likely won't be able to hunt this unit again for a very long time, so i'll be happy to report back on my experience and share some knowledge after the hunt in PMs.

2. You'll be fine with a Tacoma on 99% of roads out here. I don't know the unit you're hunting, but should be fine. If the roads are terrible you can generally get a decent vibe from on x.

3. I would not bring the e-bike as I don't think it would bring that much benefit vs just using a car.

4. I personally would shoot the first one you see, especially if you're bow hunting, but that's just my personal philosophy. Arizona has the chance of large bulls, but they're not going to be as easy to find as an out of stater always expects it to be.

Good luck out there!