15 year plan
Contributors to this thread:Arizona
From: olebuck
09-Feb-16
So I am a flat lander from MS.
I have never applied for AZ point or hunt.
been out west 5 times and taken some elk - all with archery equipment.
watched one of my hunting mentors fulfill a life long dream of hunting AZ this past year. they set out for a unit 9 tag, and settled for a unit 1 - both had great hunts and took trophy bulls on a DIY hunt.
My question is - for a guy like me - 32 years old.
Whats your opinion on the best unit to apply for? I know it really doesn't matter until you get points in the double digits.
What are some other experiences from you guys that have waited 10 years plus for a tag ?
From: Ed
09-Feb-16
The draw system in AZ has changed so NRs have a chance to draw any unit without needing max points. Your chances are still extremely low, but you have a chance. I know of 2 NRs who drew with 2 and 3 points last year and had fantastic hunts. They were not hunting in 9, 10, 1 or any of the hype units. If you want to hunt AZ you need to apply. You get two choices on your application. Use your 1st choice to apply for the tag you really want, and your second for a unit you'd be happy with. The deadline to apply is today, get your app in ASAP before the AGFD site crashes.
From: olebuck
10-Feb-16
me and my two brother applied yesterday for the point.
From: Arrow1
10-Feb-16
I hunt Az as a non-resident for both deer and elk. Draw about every 4-5 years. Usually do a rifle hunt for deer on the Kaibab (12a), and an elk tag (muzzy or rifle) somewhere around Flag. Could never pull a late season tag on the Kaibab so I just do the regular hunt which is plenty good for me. Have hunted all the units around Flag for elk and been successful every time. There are some big bulls around in each. Never shot a bruiser (seen a few), but I am more into hunting than anything else. I do have a loyalty point and the Az hunter ed. point so that helps. Seem to draw a bull tag every time I hit 6 points. 6 has been the magic number to get me into the pass round for my favorite units.
From: AZBUGLER
10-Feb-16
Arrow has had much much better luck than this resident! But, what he's saying is true in that there are many great choices for a hunt besides the hype units. I average an early archery bull tag about every 7 years or so these days. This is without applying for top tier units mostly. If you look at the odds on drawing an "easy draw" archery bull hunt, it's about a 20% chance or once every 5 years. If you hold out for a little harder unit your looking at about what I'm averaging. With the new non-res change, you'll always have a chance! I believe it is reasonable to think that your 15 year plan could easily be a 7-10 year plan in a very good unit. This would put you at 9-12 points with a hunter Ed point and loyalty point. Good luck!
From: Arrow1
11-Feb-16
Most of my success probably owes to the fact I grew up in Flag and spent a lot of years in those woods. I still spend a lot of time with family there so am pretty familiar with a lot of areas that consistently hold elk. Every time I'm down there I try to get out and check out a few spots. Hoping this next time I draw I will have the whole season to hunt and have time to look for something big. Last few times family stuff has limited my hunts to only a few days, so if it had antlers it was down.
From: trperk1
11-Feb-16
I was drawn for 5b South on my first year applying, but have been waiting 8 years since. (I am applying for trophy units though)
From: AZBUGLER
11-Feb-16
Arrow, I was referring to your draw luck. You have been drawn more often as a non-resident than I have as a resident! Even not applying for "premium" tags.