White Mountain Apache- be aware

[MBNAZ]

I may have missed what year this hunt took place but elk size/quality in AZ has dropped off significantly over the last couple of years as a whole. Mainly due to lack of moisture in that area.
If an individual was to base expectations on a decent moisture year and you book a hunt for the fall of 25 you’re going to be sorely disappointed in both rut activity and rack size. Still a lot of elk all over the white mtns but even 350+ might be a bit of a stretch.
Having spent a lot of time in my 20s guiding hunts outside the White Mtn Rez but in the same area I learned quality and overall success of a hunt depends largely on both the guide and hunter doing their part.

 

[RdRdrFan]

I may have missed what year this hunt took place but elk size/quality in AZ has dropped off significantly over the last couple of years as a whole. Mainly due to lack of moisture in that area.
If an individual was to base expectations on a decent moisture year and you book a hunt for the fall of 25 you’re going to be sorely disappointed in both rut activity and rack size. Still a lot of elk all over the white mtns but even 350+ might be a bit of a stretch.
Having spent a lot of time in my 20s guiding hunts outside the White Mtn Rez but in the same area I learned quality and overall success of a hunt depends largely on both the guide and hunter doing their part.

My experience at White Mountain was on a good moisture year (2023).

They definitely have some genetics there. I saw some great young bulls. I liked my guide as a person a lot but his decision making was terrible to say the least. Truly a nice man. But he doesn’t need to be guiding elk hunters.