Arizona with 10 Elk points

[jae]

Well, We are going to try to draw our Arizona Archery Elk tags this year. We have 10 points going into the draw. We have looked at all the publications recommendations and are still having a hard time choosing a Unit. Any recommendations?
Thank You all in advance,
John

[GotMyTag]

Pick a unit you know or someone you know will tell you where to go.
Get the tag.  Go on the hunt.  Life is too short and too many things happen to not go as soon as you can.
Lots of good hunts are possible with those points.
7W?

[Bean Counter]

I left WA for AZ several years ago and am very happy with my new life. I was fortunate to draw my first resident tag last year and it was definitely worth the wait. Saw more elk and had less pressure than you'd see in 5 years of hunting in Washington.

Coconino County puts out the best elk bar none. I would consider units 9, 10, or 8 in that area. I also like the White Mountains and units 3A/3C, 1/2b/2c, and 27 are my favorites in that hood just sayin' 

[TheHunt]

I need hunt 27 in the near future.  But not this year.

[jae]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I don't think I can draw any of those units. I do have to make a decision soon though, I'm running out of time. I have probably been way over thinking this.
thank you all again,
John

[AntlerHound]

heard good things of unit 9.. What's the reasoning for not being able to draw those units

[Bean Counter]

20% non resident cap. It's often filled in the bonus point pass so you can essentially gurantee that below a certain amount of points you won't draw as a non resident. I knew one hajj who drew Unit 10 two years in a row though. 

[Bean Counter]

Unit 9 is the best unit for trophy potential. Though 380-390" bulls come from all the units I mentioned every single year.

[WAcoueshunter]

Agreed, most of those Units you can't draw with 10 points.  Except Unit 8.

I have been on Unit 8 hunts.  There are some toads that come out of there.  An outfitter friend puts his camp in there every year.  Downside, there are more tags and felt pressure than some of the other units.  It can be tough.  Unit 8 is not a unit where you can glass up bulls if they're not rutting/bugling.  But if you don't mind sitting water every afternoon/evening, you will get opportunities over the course of a week.   

Google Kip Fatellah, Cabela's Out West, and a YouTube video should come up.  That was a Unit 8 hunt in a pretty tough year. 

[Bean Counter]

I have a bud who killed a 360" there a few years ago--that was the score WITH a broken antler tine 

[WAcoueshunter]

I have a bud who killed a 360" there a few years ago--that was the score WITH a broken antler tine 

Yes, definitely some big bulls in there.  My cousin shot one that went right at 350".  But then he also ate the tag a couple years later.  Strikes me harvest rate is usually in the 30-40% range.  Good, but certainly not great.  Just looked back at last year's regs, and Unit 8 was 29% and Unit 9 was 83%!

[jae]

Thank You! I will look at the video.
John

[jae]

I almost had a tear in my eye at the 6:00 minuet mark. He will relive that nightmare forever.
Thank You for the link,
John

[Spawnstar]

I put in for 3-b and 9 muzzleloader

[Bean Counter]

Final warning