ARIZONA OTC ELK

[Capt. JTHPots]

Hey gang, long story short I had to cancel my OTC Colorado trip this past week due to work emergencies and besides the tears and late nights staying up from utter disappointment, I think i'm finally getting over it.

Quick question because I'm a bit flustered and don't have time to read diligently as I should, is it correct that Arizona also has OTC Elk tags for nonresidents available, and the season runs into December unlike end of September like CO ?

Thinking about a trip over thanksgiving week now to scratch this elk itch I've been training and planning all year.

Is it even worth it late season OTC Arizona ?

thanks for the input in advance !

 

[VegasMike]

Yes and no. You’ll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt as I’ve never actually hunted it but i have hunted the otc deer tag and contemplated the otc elk.

What I saw was the otc elk tags are more to eradicate the elk from the area than to provide hunter opportunity. Therefore there is a very very very low elk population in the units. Oh and the otc units are not the standard Az hunt units. The AZFG web site has maps of the actual hunt units. Tag is a bit pricey considering the externally low success rate and elk pop.

With that said I wish I had that tag last year as the New Years snow storm pushed all the elk down into the verde valley otc unit. Other than that one occurrence I’ve never seen an elk in that otc area lol (but I’m not a resident who’s spent years scouting the area either)

Depending on your budget I’d say pick up a deer and elk tag or save the $$$ for next season in Co.

If you do decide to pull the trigger and end up hunting the verde valley unit hit me up and I’ll help you out best I can. If I’m in the area I’d even be willing to help with the pack out. I’m weird and enjoy heavy packs lol.

Best of luck with your decision and your hunt.

 

[Capt. JTHPots]

Yes and no. You’ll have to take my opinion with a grain of salt as I’ve never actually hunted it but i have hunted the otc deer tag and contemplated the otc elk.

What I saw was the otc elk tags are more to eradicate the elk from the area than to provide hunter opportunity. Therefore there is a very very very low elk population in the units. Oh and the otc units are not the standard Az hunt units. The AZFG web site has maps of the actual hunt units. Tag is a bit pricey considering the externally low success rate and elk pop.

With that said I wish I had that tag last year as the New Years snow storm pushed all the elk down into the verde valley otc unit. Other than that one occurrence I’ve never seen an elk in that otc area lol (but I’m not a resident who’s spent years scouting the area either)

Depending on your budget I’d say pick up a deer and elk tag or save the $$$ for next season in Co.

If you do decide to pull the trigger and end up hunting the verde valley unit hit me up and I’ll help you out best I can. If I’m in the area I’d even be willing to help with the pack out. I’m weird and enjoy heavy packs lol.

Best of luck with your decision and your hunt.

Thanks For the heads up, I suppose I need to make some time and start studying goHunt. Any other cliff's notes shortcuts to my questions still welcomed.

 

[Bigjay73]

I've hunted otc elk in Az. I wouldn't make a special trip for it, lots of the elk habitat is private land.

 

[Capt. JTHPots]

Sounds like I need to calm myself down and just wait for next year from the little bit I've read. It doesn't look like there are any other/better options with any of the other states either for late November OTC to make a trip worth while. Bummer.

 

[DavePwns]

Sounds like I need to calm myself down and just wait for next year from the little bit I've read. It doesn't look like there are any other/better options with any of the other states either for late November OTC to make a trip worth while. Bummer.

What's wrong with hunting private land? Obviously money could be a barrier but I'm sure you could find a way to pay to play and scratch the elk itch

 

[Life_Feeds_On_Life]

The otc elk hunts are in areas where elk have not been traditionally found and g&f don't want them expanding. Numbers are generally low and likewise so are success rates. Most guys that are successful are locals and know the areas the elk hang out in. I personally wouldn't bother but who knows you could get lucky.