Best unit in AZ

[High Point Outfitters]

Our opinion is Unit 10 has the best bulls in the state and you can actually see them! Unit 9 is so thick it is difficult to glass. We have hunted units 9 and 10 for the past 10+ years. My money goes to unit 10 every year. With that being said we love to hunt unit 9 as well so give me that tag any day!

 

Here are two videos from last year’s rifle hunt in unit 10, let me know what you think.

 

 

[couesmagnet]

Nice video guys, and real nice bulls for sure. Great job, especially on staying calm in the heat of the moment with your hunters. That's always been my biggest problem, is the heat of the moment.

[hornhunter10]

How many 400+ bulls came out of 9 or 10 this last year compared to 1 and 27?

[wildwoody]

well 22n used to be the s""t but since they have 2 masacures ayear its average

[idgaf]

honestly, I think the answer is yes all of the above to a point. The unit with the biggest bulls is a moving target, unit 10 one year and unit 1 the next, unit 9 the following. I think there is no one answer to the question. It is based on a couple of constants: genetics and pressure and a couple of evolving variables climatic conditions and food sources. In 2010 I saw pics of 420 bulls coming out of unit 10 in 2011 and 2012 I saw pics of 420-460 bulls out of unit one and 27. Last year I saw pics of giant bulls from everywhere, lots of rain, especially in 23n. Pick a unit and hope weather conditions and the draw favor you.

[wildwoody]

+1

[Lance]

Yes, it varies year to year for lots of different reasons. And time of year and what hunt you have makes a huge difference also. There is never an absolute in elk hunting. Other than Arizona has big bulls in all units.

 

Lance

[Pine Donkey]

Unit 1 is worthless. The fire destroyed the herds. 27 is not much better. Stay on the other side of the state, 9 and 10 are awesome.

[Coues79]

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Unit 1 is worthless. The fire destroyed the herds. 27 is not much better. Stay on the other side of the state, 9 and 10 are awesome.

100% in agreement

[Alpinebullwinkle]

As a year round resident of Alpine (over many decades) I can share that the elk herd peaked in unit #27 about 1999. My guess is the current elk population of #27 is about half of what it was at it's peak. IMHO the root cause of this 50% reduction in elk herd size is due to two key factors: reintroduction of the wolves, and also excessive cow hunting permits. Some AGF officials will also say a key root cause is drought, but if you are familiar with unit #27 you are aware there is no shortage of available water for these animals. It is amazing how many cow hunters the last few years have struck out and vented on seeing very few cows to hunt. Never heard those complaints 10 or so years ago out of unit #27. And yes we are experiencing a greater amount of larger bulls being harvested the last two years since the fire and its consequences. Not sure how much longer that trend will prevail due to the above. JMHO but since I am out in the woods more frequently than most, it should be considered more factual than speculation.

 

Also one would expect the elk reduction trend might reverse due to the devastating Wallow Fire and increased nutrients as a positive consequence of the fire. Unfortunately we have not viewed an increase in calf crop post-fire when compared to what we viewed in the summers of the 1990's and early 2000. I wonder if the fertility rate is up post-fire but predators might be impacting the survival rate with significantly less cows now to reproduce? It is sometimes difficult to quantify what offspring numbers we start with and calf survival rates, probably even more so difficult to quantify now with 50% of the forest being burned in #27.

 

I have a very good friend that owns 50 acres with a large pond and a nice home at Beaverhead. About 6-7 years ago he shared a story with me that every nite that early June a large herd of cows and calves would enjoy his pond. He initially counted 46 calves in the herd. Every day he noticed a decline in the herd until his last count in August was 6 remaining calves. Yes he said a pack of at least 4 wolves escorted the herd almost daily and he would often view the herd take refuge out into the center of his pond for safety. It seemed to him almost daily the herd size was reduced. These testimonials from credible residents like my friend (who incidentally passed away 3 years ago) do not get enough media attention that they deserve when considering some of the questionable literature that is shared with the public from our daily news media considering wolves.

 

Enough of my frustrating rant for today. Congratulations to all that were lucky enough to draw an elk tag this year! Enjoy every bit of this special privilege.......... while it lasts.

[couesbowhunter1]

36a definitely takes the ribbon! Tahah I'd say 10

[Snapshot]

As a year round resident of Alpine (over many decades) I can share that the elk herd peaked in unit #27 about 1999. My guess is the current elk population of #27 is about half of what it was at it's peak. IMHO the root cause of this 50% reduction in elk herd size is due to two key factors: reintroduction of the wolves, and also excessive cow hunting permits. Some AGF officials will also say a key root cause is drought, but if you are familiar with unit #27 you are aware there is no shortage of available water for these animals. It is amazing how many cow hunters the last few years have struck out and vented on seeing very few cows to hunt. Never heard those complaints 10 or so years ago out of unit #27. And yes we are experiencing a greater amount of larger bulls being harvested the last two years since the fire and its consequences. Not sure how much longer that trend will prevail due to the above. JMHO but since I am out in the woods more frequently than most, it should be considered more factual than speculation.

 

Also one would expect the elk reduction trend might reverse due to the devastating Wallow Fire and increased nutrients as a positive consequence of the fire. Unfortunately we have not viewed an increase in calf crop post-fire when compared to what we viewed in the summers of the 1990's and early 2000. I wonder if the fertility rate is up post-fire but predators might be impacting the survival rate with significantly less cows now to reproduce? It is sometimes difficult to quantify what offspring numbers we start with and calf survival rates, probably even more so difficult to quantify now with 50% of the forest being burned in #27.

 

I have a very good friend that owns 50 acres with a large pond and a nice home at Beaverhead. About 6-7 years ago he shared a story with me that every nite that early June a large herd of cows and calves would enjoy his pond. He initially counted 46 calves in the herd. Every day he noticed a decline in the herd until his last count in August was 6 remaining calves. Yes he said a pack of at least 4 wolves escorted the herd almost daily and he would often view the herd take refuge out into the center of his pond for safety. It seemed to him almost daily the herd size was reduced. These testimonials from credible residents like my friend (who incidentally passed away 3 years ago) do not get enough media attention that they deserve when considering some of the questionable literature that is shared with the public from our daily news media considering wolves.

 

Enough of my frustrating rant for today. Congratulations to all that were lucky enough to draw an elk tag this year! Enjoy every bit of this special privilege.......... while it lasts.

Very true. But G$F, keeps increasing the available bull tags, which I don't like. Get rid of the wolves, and decrease the permits for awhile, and that herd would be awesome once again,

[ruthunter]

23n, 9, and 21. Did I say 21?

[Alpinebullwinkle]

The scary thing to me Snapshot is this negative trend of declining elk herd has been happening before our eyes for about 15 straight years now. It takes many years to turn a trend like this around. Maybe worse AGFD has admitted their desire to lower the elk herd size ......I presume responding to pressures mostly voiced from the ranching community. Add to this issue an expanding wolf population and within a few years the elk decline will with parallel the mule deer decline we experienced in #27 from about 1985. Once again that mule deer decline resulted from increased predation and hunting pressure IMHO. Sound familiar??

[1shot]

23n, 9, and 21. Did I say 21? Lol..sleeper unit!

i sure agree with unit 21

I had the opportunity to help a buddy on his hunt there. Didnt see great numbers but the smallest bull we saw was in the 380 class. My buddy killed a 387 and i saw 2 others killed that were pushing 400

They usually stagger the hunts there with rifle one year, archery the next and then muzzy the 3rd year and then back to a rifle hunt. Usually only 5 tags and every bull we saw only had 1 or 2 cows with him. Great hunt if you can get lucky enough to draw the tag.

Elevations are pretty low so expect extremely hot weather but well worth waiting for the tag.

I don't mind sharing this info since i don't put in there.