AZ 6B Late Rifle conditions

[canyonhunter47]

My wife drew 6B bull from 11/29-12/5. I’ve already been scouting and plan to go several more times before season so I’m not looking for areas or honey holes (G&F basically has them all on their site).

What I would like to know is what to expect for road and camping conditions that time of year. Should I anticipate deep snow? Is a 4x4 alone good enough or should I get chains? Do highs around 50 and lows around 20 sound about right (Avg weather in Flagstaff)?

 

[Anozira]

Honestly it depends on the year. Last year I feel we had more snow and colder temps than normal. Thus the ground was muddy and the trails were slick in some spots. Sometimes we don't get any precipitation and the ground is hard pack and dusty. You almost never know until the week before but I feel its better to come prepared for the worst.

 

[Big Browns]

Every year is different, but 99% of the time a normal 4x4 is fine. Last year was a visit from the past conditions. The last 10 years have been pretty dry hunts. Still cold, but fairly dry.

 

[RoamingBison]

My wife drew 6B bull from 11/29-12/5. I’ve already been scouting and plan to go several more times before season so I’m not looking for areas or honey holes (G&F basically has them all on their site).

What I would like to know is what to expect for road and camping conditions that time of year. Should I anticipate deep snow? Is a 4x4 alone good enough or should I get chains? Do highs around 50 and lows around 20 sound about right (Avg weather in Flagstaff)?

How did your hunt end up turning out for you? I drew a 6B late rifle this year.

 

[cjl2010]

Late hunts got shit on last year with moisture

 

[RoamingBison]

Late hunts got shit on last year with moisture

Yeah was hearing that. Hopefully there will be a lot of holdover bulls and with all the moisture last fall, this spring, and now in July I am hoping for decent antler growth.

 

[cjl2010]

Central AZ has been getting some good monsoons. Not sure if it’s too late since we have been really dry.

 

[canyonhunter47]

How did your hunt end up turning out for you? I drew a 6B late rifle this year.

Tons of snow opening morning. I needed chains to get around at all with a regular 4x4 but mainly use an ATV to get around in the forest roads.

My wife shot a pretty cool looking raghorn

 

[RoamingBison]

I am going to get some chains for sure and possibly bring an atv. What type of terrain did you hunt after all that snow? What advice would you give to someone going to that unit for the first time for the late rifle hunt?

 

[canyonhunter47]

I am going to get some chains for sure and possibly bring an atv. What type of terrain did you hunt after all that snow? What advice would you give to someone going to that unit for the first time for the late rifle hunt?

The advice from AZGFD is pretty spot on, with more snow they move to the canyon ridge and into the canyon. It’s not a light switch though, there were some elk up top after the snow and bulls in the canyon well before

There’s no real “gotchas” specific to the unit. The elk density is not the highest so you gotta put in the work. I’d recommend showing up a couple days early to locate some bulls (although snow-mageddon on opening day can throw a wrench in that )

 

[RoamingBison]

Thanks for the info. My plan is to get there with a couple days to scout before the season and drive and glass and drive and glass. Would you recommend covering as much ground as possible by driving and glassing those couple days or hiking in a bit further and more thoroughly glassing specific areas or more remote areas?

 

[canyonhunter47]

Thanks for the info. My plan is to get there with a couple days to scout before the season and drive and glass and drive and glass. Would you recommend covering as much ground as possible by driving and glassing those couple days or hiking in a bit further and more thoroughly glassing specific areas or more remote areas?

Cover ground and drop waypoints on promising areas