AZ with 6 points - Go Now or Wait?
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
My buddy and I are sitting in the 5-6 point range right now, was looking at applying for 11m, 6a or 6b since it looks like those are within striking distance in a couple years. Looking for some general thoughts on those units. Are they worth going after or should we wait a few years to try for something better?
We're not looking for a 380" bull or anything like that, just want a really fun hunt where we can regularly get into elk and have a shot at a bull over 300".
PMs are fine if you don't want to share anything publicly.
Any of those hunts would be fine for what you are looking to accomplish. 6A has the highest population of elk of any unit in the state. 11M is an urban area, so you will run into people walking dogs, bike riding, etc. It won't be the "elk hunting experience" that some are looking for.
Of the three units you mention, 6A is by far the best. I agree with StickFlicker about the 11M unit. I will add that I live in the 11M unit and have done so for 37 years. P.S. GO NOW.
Thanks for the input, I'm going to cross 11m off the list. I was sort of leaning towards 6a anyways, based on some reading last night.
Yes go now and go more often. A lot of points won't gain enough to sit it out. IMO
How’s your health, etc.?
All I know about preferences points is that it’d be a shame to never get to cash ‘em in! And there are no guarantees on this rock....
If you have the ability to go, apply every year. You’re a ways out from a bonus pass tag but by sitting out all you’re doing is making sure you don’t go.
GO! you may never draw again.This is my home territory. Go now or maybe never.
I’d go - a mediocre unit in AZ is still unbelievable! You never know - I drew in 2016 with 3 points! Total luck, but hey I’ll take it!
Lee
Sounds good. And yes, I've been applying for units but in the past I've been shooting for the stars with 23, 9, etc while knowing that was unrealistic if not impossible to pull off. I figure it's time to dial in a unit that I want to try and not wait forever.
Go now, have fun. Start building points again. Wash repeat. From my experience better to go hunting and build points again.
With 6 points you have no chance at 6 b. 6A will be your only chance days of drawing with 3 to 6 points are over in the max draw pool
I say Go For It!!
It seems to many want the Glory/Hyped Units instead of going hunting.
Good luck, Robb
Bigdan has it wrong. AZ changed the draw last year so at most 50% of the tags are drawn in the bonus point round then it’s random after that. Theoretically you’ve got a chance in every unit with zero points. Realistically your chance is slim in many units without max points for that unit.
Tilzbow read my post no chance in max draw pool when you talking of 10% nr draw limit when you split that it 5% in Max pool and 5% random
Odds are better to draw 6b than 6a for nonresidents. Hunt as often as you can while you can. Tomorrow is not promised.
6b is easier to draw than 6a for a NR. But, you won’t draw anything with 6 points in the bonus pass and probably won’t for a few years. Concentrate on units with the best random odds for now and then draw something ASAP. You are well over a decade away from drawing anything the next tier up unless you get very lucky.
And don't EVER apply for just a bonus point! Truthfully, you'll only get a tag if your application gets picked in the supplemental random draw (up to 5% for non-residents). It could happen ANY year! You can check the draw odds by researching through goHunt (probably the best) or something similar. Note: you only have 1 week left before this year's draw deadline!
It should be a great year to get drawn --- LOTS of moisture on the ground so far this winter (should get over a foot of snow near Flagstaff just in the next 2-3 days). All those mediocre bulls from last year could put on some serious inches for next season ...
If it were me, I would look at 5BS or 5BN.