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Hi guys- I've been lucky enough as a NR to draw a archery tag for non trophy area, 5BS, in the past. Since I got a taste of this great state I've been racking up bonus points for 8 years for a chance at at trophy Unit Elk Archery tag only to have my heart broken last year. I am debating whether to keep putting in for a trophy area or cash in for a easier to draw tag for 2017. What are the rest of you thinking? What is the educated opinion on trophy unit for NR with 10 bonus points? Best, Tony
You are about half way there. In another 5 or 6 years you should be able to get into an Arizona low tier trophy unit. AZ low tier trophy unit is better than most states best units in my opinion though.
I think you should look on past threads from wards outfitters with the bulls they take out of 5bs every year and rethink the "trophy" units.
5BS is a good unit and hard to draw. count yourself lucky.
@ Hunting Dad. I drew my first year 10 years ago. I've called for two hunters since then in the same unit. I found it was a easy unit to hunt if you are in shape and there is ton of Elk. Maybe I'll reapply for it this year, not sure. I do have a itch to return to the great state of AZ!
@ Hunting Dad. I drew my first year 10 years ago. I've called for two hunters since then in the same unit. I found it was a easy unit to hunt if you are in shape and there is ton of Elk. Maybe I'll reapply for it this year, not sure. I do have a itch to return to the great state of AZ!
You will draw 5BS again with 10.
Agree with WapatiBob. It'll be a long long wait to get to 23's or 9. You might consider 1 and 3c as in betweens but your still looking at 3-4 more years likely unless you get really lucky.
in my opinion there are big bulls in every unit in az and you have a chance to draw a good unit with 8 points. 4B is a 100% draw and last year Darr Colburn's son shot a 390 or 400 bull there.
Someone will be disappointed if they apply to 4B with 8 points thinking it's 100% odds.
83% of applicants in 2016 with 8 points drew 4B early archery tag. My goal is to not settle on a unit that will be drawn in the bonus round pass as to still give myself a chance at the random draw in a trophy area. I've drawn with 0 points previously and might still have the luck! But for my 2nd choice I want to give myself a good opportunity. I just bought the latest version of goHunt software....there is some awesome data in this system.
The Colburn bull was 365 BTW, but I don't disagree that there are big bulls in every unit. 6a, 6b, 4a, 4b, 5a and 11M are all easier draws.
So if I'm only interested in drawing one particular unit, can I enter that unit as my first choice to be eligible for the first pass drawing and then enter the same unit again as my third choice so that I'm eligible for the bonus round?
"83% of applicants in 2016 with 8 points drew 4B early archery tag."
6 of 8 applicants drew in the 8 point pool, in 2016
The ops pool, 7 points, had 21 apps. There are 60 residents in that 7 point pool. For 2017 there will be two with 9 points (left from 2016) and 21 with 8 points, going for 6 tags. It's a ways from 100%
"So if I'm only interested in drawing one particular unit, can I enter that unit as my first choice to be eligible for the first pass drawing and then enter the same unit again as my third choice so that I'm eligible for the bonus round? "
You're a bit twisted up there.
The draw starts with the Bonus Pass. The computer sorts by points, then by lowest random number, then goes thru all the apps, looking at 1st then 2nd choices, except those with zero points, who are not included in this draw. It fills the hunts until 20% of the hunt code is reached, with a NR max of 5%, but the computer looks at every app (minus the 0 point apps).
The computer then goes into the 1-2 Pass and the apps are sorted by their 1-2 Pass random number, and the process is repeated but with all apps, irregardless of points as they aren't used. The computer fills the hunts until all tags are gone or they reach the bottom of the app pile, with a 10% max going to NR, per hunt (Sheep is different).
If you only want one hunt code to be drawn, use it as your 1st choice and leave the rest blank. If you have points you'll get looked at in the Bonus Pass but the 5% may have been reached when they get to you. You will then go to the 1-2 Pass and if you hit the lotto and get a low number you could draw there. If you put a 2nd choice the computer will look at it in both the Bonus Pass and the 1-2 Pass, which can have unintended consequences if you don't understand the details of the draw.