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Unit 10 elk

7.3K views 31 replies 14 participants last post by  mspeter  
#1 ·
I was luckily enough to draw an early rifle elk tag for unit 10 (9/27 to 10/3). I'm a newbie who has never been elk hunting but I live in Phoenix so i should be able to do a fair amount of scouting before the hunt. May be a long shot but if there's anyone else with a tag in that unit or from the area and needs a hunting buddy hit me up.
 
#3 ·
Damn, that's the trophy rifle bull hunt! Bulls in the rut! Not sure how high you want to set your bar, but the scale runs well over 400". If your bar is set that high though, I'd probably hire a guide.

I live in Unit 10 and know the potential on that hunt. You do not need to hunt the Boquillas to kill a really big bull, although if I had that tag I would purchase the pass, just to broaden my options.

Here's a pair of sheds a friend found last year in Unit 10. Unfortunately, a young girl killed him on the early rifle hunt, same tag you have. Roughly 406".

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#8 ·
Congrats on the tag! Like others said the Big Bo pass is a nice resource to have access to the entire unit, but is not necessary to find big bulls. So don't feel like that's where you have to be. That unit is huge and will require multiple trips to scout, in my opinion. If you don't mind me asking, how many points did you have and what made you go for unit 10?
 
#9 ·
Thanks! I almost don't want to say how many points I had because I know so many people are waiting so long. This was my second year applying for elk but i had the hunter ed point so 3 points in total. I put in for 10 because I read it was a good unit and not too far from Phoenix where i live but was thinking id just get a bonus point
 
#16 ·
The Big Bo is not the only place in unit 10 to find big bulls, that is very true. But the real reason I love going there is the restriction of side by sides. Between this and the fee the number of hunters is greatly reduced and makes for a more enjoyable experience. My 2 pesos. Good luck.
 
#19 ·
I really enjoyed hunting at Big Bo, it was a great experience. There are a few places where the pressure is limited to those that work the ranch. Took me three hours in a jeep to get back there but it was worth the effort.

I'd highly recommend camping back there, I stayed in Seligman and that traveling chewed up way too much of my time - and I was the driver and gate B*itch...
 
#23 ·
JJ - Congratulations on drawing the best tag in the state!
I would check out Hillcrest if you're going the guide route. Hillcrest website
You are welcome to use my elk camp that is in the middle of unit 10. It is on 40 acres and is 3.2 miles off pavement about halfway between Ash Fork and Seligman. It would be a great spring /summer scouting base, while you figure out what your strategy and plans are.
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Let me know if you are interested. Otherwise, good luck with the hunt and enjoy the whole process.
-Patrick
 
#25 ·
Depends on the price tag you’re looking for. Just from what I’ve seen online there is the main “group” of guides that always get the biggest bulls (average around 370-380). But they’ll charge accordingly unless you want to do a scouting package only. And it seems like their prices aren’t going down, especially for elk. I’d say if you aren’t worried about money, some to check out are Arizona Custom Hunts, A3 outfitters, Drop Tyne outfitters, Shadow Valley, or Big Chino even (big chino is EXPENSIVE). All of them shot close to 400” bulls from what I saw this year. There is also plenty of others out there that exist as well, some probably better than the ones I’ve mentioned, but at least now you can do your own research which I HIGHLY recommend doing if you’re serious about getting a guide, usually they’ll work something out with you personally.
 
#30 ·
Just read up on not one but TWO allegations from A3, moving on to Big Chino! I can’t believe they’re still guiding as a service! And how easy he got off for that, yet if some random shmuck did the same thing that guy did and shot a bull on the rez, he would go to prison. Thats insane to me they let stuff like that go. I guess maybe then reach out to the game warden of unit 10 and ask him for outfitter recommendations, if these are the things being put online, imagine what they did that didn’t get found out