Arizona 2017 Elk & Pronghorn

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https://portal.azgfd.stagingaz.gov/PortalImages/files/regs/elkregs.pdf

• Awesome dates for the archery rut hunt: 15-28 September.
• No more courtesy phone calls if your credit card payment fails. I'm going to consider paying by check and waiting a few more days to find out. With their new website it shouldn't be that much longer.

[lhrbull]

I assume you will be applying and how many points do you have build up.

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I had a tag just a few years ago so not many. Its a long shot even as a resident and my hope is in other states right now. I'm done with mediocre hunts and will grab my camera + telephoto lens and help someone else if I don't draw. 

[cem3434]

I've never applied for Arizona before, but it's very intriguing to me. How many years of applying does it typically take to get a deer, antelope or elk tag for a unit that has good opportunity, but isnt a well known trophy unit? I'd like to hunt there one day, but I dont want to apply for 15 years to draw a tag. I'm more of an opportunity hunter and not really a trophy hunter, so I'd like to put meat in the freezer first and foremost. Any feedback would be appreciated.

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..I dont want to apply for 15 years to draw a tag. I'm more of an opportunity hunter and not really a trophy hunter..

There's your answer. Stick to Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, etc. There's a cap of 10% on all non-resident tags. So if there's 30 tags in a unit only 3 will go to non residents. 

 It can take residents upwards of 20 years to get a pronghorn tag. 

I drew my archery bull elk rut hunt with 5 years of points but it has taken other (residents) 10-12 years to draw the same tag 

I put out trail cameras with no friggin clue what I was doing and got mature bulls on almost every single one of them.

One cool opportunity if you bow hunt is to come OTC archery deer hunt the last few days in December and the first few days in January. The rut is just kicking up right now down here. You could possibly kill two bucks on the same trip as you need a new tag starting January 1st. Many units are open for both coues deer and mule deer. coues are  a challengin hunt and live in some beautiful country.  Of the four species of deer I've killed they're definitely the most challenging. It was pretty chilly today--65*! 

[Bigshooter]

I've never applied for Arizona before, but it's very intriguing to me. How many years of applying does it typically take to get a deer, antelope or elk tag for a unit that has good opportunity, but isnt a well known trophy unit? I'd like to hunt there one day, but I dont want to apply for 15 years to draw a tag. I'm more of an opportunity hunter and not really a trophy hunter, so I'd like to put meat in the freezer first and foremost. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Don't waste your time or money.  If you are only after opportunity there are much better states to apply in.