Ok Guys- Its time again to apply for Elk and Antelope. So for elk, do you hunt an area that you know well but the elk get to hiding on first day, or do you put in for an area you have tagged in but dont know it as well but is loaded with elk ? Or put in because of number of permits or draw percentage or success rate? Alot to think about. Now speed Goat, last year a buddy put in for a hard to draw unit, took 16 points to get drawn, Im not waiting that long, so I guess Im only going to put in for 2 choices and pray I get lucky, who knows maybe I will. Last time I got drawn it was a choice area and it took 12 points to be drawn, again to long to wait. So what does everyone else think, Late hunts are easier to draw but I hate the cold and weather, so Im doing early hunts.
I will stick to the same old spot until it lets me down. You know the area. Maybe we might end up with the same draw some year. I’ve got enough Cows in the past, so it would be nice to get a respectable Bull someday 😀
We employ a couple different strategies that have allowed my son and I to draw 15 tags between us in the last 9 years, with both limited-ops and general hunts and approximately 75% success rate.
I put in for the same units every year. I only hunt archery for elk and antelope. I am very familiar with the units and have been successful for both species in these units. No reason to change now.
Throw darts at the board and apply for what hits. Not holding out much hope for either, but will be trying. If not drawn, willing to help anyone interested in the offer.
CMoor, Good strategy, but tell that to the thousands that think the same way for 1 of say 350, bad odds. Sometimes the best odds are for small tag numbers, colder, later draws.
You have to check the numbers on say last 5 years to see if it's a Good choice. There are numerous hunts that are close to 90-100% draw still.
And these are not bad units. Is there a bad unit, maybe a metro unit wouldn't be Ideal.
Good thread, Im really debating what to do this year. For elk, the last 5 years Ive done limited opp and have seen elk each year until this year. This year I didnt see any elk, and saw very little fresh sign. I ran into a guide in the area and he said this year was bad, the elk were scattered and hard to find. Too much feed and water this year. So I'm debating if I want to put in for it again. Im thinking about getting a sxs to get me deeper into some areas I want to explore. Otherwise, I figure I'll throw a hail mary for a good unit, knowing that I'll get a bonus point. I might just focus on the kids youth hunt, hoping they get drawn.
For antelope, I'll put in for a unit where I've seen antelope in 4 or 5 different areas. I only have 3 or 4 points, so I figure I'll just get another point this year.
Late Archery Elk for me. I would rather Elk hunt every year than wait for 10 years to draw a tag. I have plenty of buddies each year that draw early so I can chase bugles then
For 20 years I’ve hunted elk in the same unit but looks like I’m ganna try a new unit this year. Mostly has to do with no longer having a camper and having access to a cabin in a different unit. That’s the plan unless something changes from now till Feb 1st.
Our group truly feels the animals have or are migrating. The unit we hunt has gone dry, I’m no expert of course but we’re just not seeing them in numbers like in the past. Switching units I’m ok with, always happy to see new country. Good luck everyone.
Sooooooo I think AZGFD forgot to publish the regs LOL. They sent an email to update your portal account and blah blah to prep for the draw. BRO, i cant prepare for a draw that i dont know what the rules are!
They figured out how to reduce both harvest numbers and hunter numbers I think. Put the late bull hunts when it’s cold and or chance of access being closed when it snows
From what I was told by a pleasant lady I talked to on the phone at AZGFD, regs will be out soon. I ask what does soon mean, typical response she said regs will be out before Feb 7. I think they enjoy the chaos they create because it make us hunters get a little crazy.
My buddy told me that they moved most hunts by 1-2 weeks because of the late start to the rut. Many hunters who were drawn for the first "rut" hunts heard no bugling last year, and few could get responses. Harvest was low for those hunters. That in turn has pushed everything else back 1-2 weeks.
I've heard the same about the late rut from hunters in Washington, Idaho, and Colorado.
Interesting. People can now enjoy their turkey not frozen in the woods hahah
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