How was AZ unit 1 elk archery this year?

[Bughalli]

How was the archery hunting in AZ unit 1 for elk this year? It was a late rut in SW Colorado (tag soup) and I was wondering what the action was like in Unit 1. I'm hunting Unit 1 for the second archery season in a couple weeks. Looking for someone who had feet on the ground since I won't be able to scout. What was your experience like? How's the moisture level this year? How much has the wallow fire grown up and can you still archery hunt it or too thick? Feel free to PM me with any info you're willing to share.

Thanks!

 

[1Heath]

I had a tag in unit 7W this year and it was a rough year for good horn growth all across Arizona. Many of the mature bulls didn't grow good tops. My bull on a good year would have been over 350 but because of the lack of moisture he has short mains and fifths. You might have a really hard time finding a big bull thats not all broken. I'm sure thats not what you wanted to hear but the quality of bull in Arizona has gone down hill.

 

[Bughalli]

I had a tag in unit 7W this year and it was a rough year for good horn growth all across Arizona. Many of the mature bulls didn't grow good tops. My bull on a good year would have been over 350 but because of the lack of moisture he has short mains and fifths. You might have a really hard time finding a big bull thats not all broken. I'm sure thats not what you wanted to hear but the quality of bull in Arizona has gone down hill.

All good info. when it come to shooting time. Glad you connected and sorry to hear he could have been bigger. I was watching the weather and thought it was a pretty good moisture year or at least average. How was it during the actual hunt, worth sitting on water or has enough rain come to fill most tanks up?

 

[Zor]

I did alright in 1. This was my first western big game archery tag and my first elk tag. I don't have enough experience to say what a good year vs a bad year is, but I feel more than fortunate with my hunt in Unit 1. The regrowth post wallow fire is different in different places depending on the extent of the burn, it sort of checkerboarded a lot of 1. I fish up there multiple times every summer and the regrowth is pretty amazing in most spots. There is a lot of healthy young aspen in concentrated areas and the late summer was pretty wet up there compared to the last two years. Like I said, I'm not heavy on experience, but an aquaintenance of mine shot a 391" bull in the early season (not Unit 1) and I saw a lot of big antlers on game cams accross the state. I'm not a game cam user nor a serious trophy seeker, but I didn't see any issues with lack of growth.

I spent a lot of time up there over the summer and watched A LOT of elk. During the early season the rut was not in full effect, in fact I shot my elk out of a bachelor heard on opening day, they hadn't begun to split off from eachother or even think about gathering a harem. I don't know what that means for the late season though. I have a buddy with a 7E cow tag starting last Friday and the bulls are back to being solo from the cows. I heard bugling but the only bulls I saw were solo. I hope this info helps.

The scenery in 1 is some of my favorite in the state, even post Walllow Fire. I had a rad experience by myself up there. I wouldn't trade the experience or the bull for any other elk hunt. Have fun and good luck.

 

[1Heath]

They did get good moisture early but it was really dry later when the bulls needed the water to produce exceptional horn growth. Unit one might have been better off but thats what I seen and many other seen the same thing. Sitting water during that late hunt might not be all that productive. I would focus on transitional areas. The Hunting was awesome great rutting action lots of bulls just not many really big bulls. When I say big I mean 360+. I had cameras out for 4 months and only had one bull around that 360 mark. I was not impressed with the quality of bulls in Arizona. What really pisses me off is when I think about all the time and money I spent to hunt bull in a unit where the upper end for quality was a 330 bull. I shot a bull bigger then that in Idaho and didn't have to spent 160$ every year for 8+ years applying for points.

 

[Bigbull]

I am headed to AZ Unit 27 Late Rifle for elk this year. Hopefully I don't have my expectations set too high?

 

[Beendare]

I am headed to AZ Unit 27 Late Rifle for elk this year. Hopefully I don't have my expectations set too high?

You going DIY? If so, give me a shout.....