I have 20+ years of serious hunting experience but not for elk. I have never killed an elk. Last year was my first year to try. Hi hunted with a friend from Idaho on a general tag. My plan was to hunt OTC units in Colorado so I could gain some experience while collecting points in Arizona. Well I drew this year with two points. While I'm happy I'm also intimidated. I live in Oklahoma so scouting is probably not an option. I can either go with a friend who has some elk hunting experience or go guided. I'm really a diy hunter but don't want to waste a good tag. Also money IS an object concerning hiring a guide. I'd rather put 5k toward moose or caribou. Any advice?
Arizona unit 6a opinions/advice please
- Thread starter okie archer
- Start date
Which tag did you draw? My girlfriend drew the early archery tag and scouting will definitely not be an option from ND. My 02¢ would be save your money and talk your friend into going. For me personally I would have a hard time paying for a guide to take me into a unit that has 700 tags unless it was once-in-lifetime tag, I wanted to hunt private land, it was going to be the only hunt for that species, or (in the case of Wyoming) I wanted to hunt the wilderness as a NR. Talk your buddy with some experience into going and have fun.
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Predatore
Member
I have spent a fair amount of time hunting elk and whitetail in 6A and believe it holds some respectable elk. However, it's not a true trophy unit by AZ standards, so I'd be hard-pressed to use a guide there. I have come across 350"+ sheds, my friend shot a 380" there, and occasionally a 400" bull will be taken. With enough time and hard work I bet you can find a 300"+ bull on your own. If you really want a 350" bull a guide may be worth considering, but any larger and maybe you should hold out for a better unit.
There are some great rugged areas in that unit removed from the roads, so give those topo maps a good look.
There are some great rugged areas in that unit removed from the roads, so give those topo maps a good look.