AZ Elk- Late season area 9

[fullcurl0]

Area 9 December tag
Well I'm a bit surprised, as I drew my second choice for an area 9 late rifle hunt.
I have been second guessing my decision now... Any advice sure would be appreciated, I have Point Guard, so could turn it in... But, I'm not getting any younger and may never see one of the real premier tags. I'm honestly a bit concerned if a one week hunt is enough to get it done on a really good bull?
I know these late hunts are tougher, but is that because guys just aren't serious enough or are the bulls that hard to find?
Any help sure would be welcome.

 

[fullcurl0]

No one chased late bulls in Az area 9?

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Tough unit in late season, flat and thick with junipers. I had a 9 tag years ago, but it was for archery and I hunted with an outfitter. Have you considered getting guide?

 

[fullcurl0]

I have considered it, but if outfitted its still a 10% success rate, it just doesn't make sense for me. I think returning the tag and waiting for the archery season may make sense.
I just really need to know a few 360 bulls have been taken in the late season then that may lock me in.
It's been tough finding anyone who's hunted the late season to get their "take" on things.

 

[JEandAsGuide]

I had the same tag last year and had the same concerns. I decided to go guided since it does hold some huge bulls and yes they do kill some studs in the late hunt but there are 325 hunters. We ran into or had other hunters affect our hunt everyday. I wouldn't get caught up in killing a giant. That's what I did and ended up eating my tag. Passed on a few bulls(290-300) early I would have been happy with by the end of the hunt. It's a tough hunt. Extremely difficult to glass making it hard to find bulls. When/If you do find some bulls pray they don't get pushed around or weather move them. That happened to us and we spent the last 4 days of the hunt trying to relocate them but never did.


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[fullcurl0]

This is the same concern I've got. I could return the tag and instead hold out for an archery permit.
Which was my real goal.
I'm surprised there are 300+ tags for this zone!

 

[Catahoula12]

I agree with UH... I have not hunted unit 9 but have hunted unit 10 four times. I've scouted some of unit 9 in summer months and it is thick with juniper n pinion. Not much in the way of thru the looking glass. If it were me I would turn in the tag and try next season for an earlier hunt. Not to be discouraging because I've seen some giants in late summer in 9 but the weather can be strange there in late season. Think about it some before you decide.

 

[fullcurl0]

I appreciate that Catahoula, this is the kind of advice I'm looking for.

 

[bowhunterjae]

How many points do you have?
I talked to one of the men that work in the local Safeway two years ago. His son drew the tag and being a local they knew the area. He said the opener is very important on the late hunt. According to him spend a few days or more scouting prior to season and you odds go way up.
good luck with your decision.

 

[fullcurl0]

Drew with 8 points.