Arizona Guided Elk Hunts: Elk Hunting Outfitters & Guides in Arizona New Mexico

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ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO ELK GUIDES & OUTFITTERS

ELK HUNTING

Arizona and New Mexico have some of the best elk hunting in the world! These two states can be considered the top producers for record-class bulls. We offer a few great hunting packages for all elk enthusiasts from late rifle bull elk hunts to early rut hunts, archery hunts and even cow elk hunts. Most of these elk hunts are conducted on infamous trophy areas of Arizona State Trust Land, the Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest of Arizona. We also hunt the Gila National Forest of New Mexico.

ARCHERY AND EARLY BULL RUT HUNTS IN ARIZONA & NEW MEXICO

Arizona archery elk non-typical The most popular elk hunting timeframe is during the rutting season when bulls and cows are vocal. We offer an archery rut hunt and an early firearms rut hunt in both Arizona and New Mexico. These hunts are on a limited draw basis in some of the best elk areas in the Nation! Hunting elk during the rut usually means getting into love-crazed bulls that bugle their heads off! Mid-September through the beginning of October hits the main part of the rut, so there is usually nonstop action on these hunts. The early firearms/muzzleloader hunt follows the archery hunt and, again, there is usually a lot of action! Bulls fall victim to a call during this timeframe. Nothing gets the blood pumping more than hearing a monster bull elk answer your calls and come crashing in straight for you! Your guide can often bugle-in a bull elk to within shooting distance or use a cow call to do the coaxing. Our archery and early muzzleloader or early rifle elk hunts are conducted mostly in higher timber elevations of 7500 to 9500 ft. Even though hunting is done in September and October, the weather during these hunts are very enjoyable. It can range from 75 degrees in the day to 40 degrees at night. Complimentary accommodations are in tent camps. Hunting is done on foot, so hunters should be in good physical condition. These three early hunts are placed during the rut to post-rut (when elk are vocal), so the tags tend to be high demand and harder to draw than the late hunts. If you draw this tag, it is usually worth a few years wait. The archery hunt is averaging 4 tries before the hunter draws. Some are drawn their first try, while others take longer. The key is to keep applying. We will help in the lottery drawing process which takes place in January-February for Arizona and February-April for New Mexico.

Arizona Early Seasons: Sept. 11-24, 2009 for archery bull elk, Sept. 25-Oct. 2, 2009 for early muzzleloader or early rifle.

New Mexico Early Seasons: Sept. 1-10, Sept. 11-18, Sept. 19-24 (archery)

October 11-15 and 18-22, 2008 (muzzleloader)

LATE FIREARMS BULL HUNTS IN ARIZONA

Arizona late rifle bull elk Many of our elk hunters prefer the late firearms bull season. Our Arizona late rifle and late muzzleloader elk hunt allows hunters to take advantage of the lower migratory winter ranges. Since elk are migratory animals, cold weather combined with frost or snow drives the herds off the high mountaintops so they can access the more palatable foods. This brings them into fairly open terrain with sparse trees and junipers. Mature bulls segregate themselves from the cows during this time of the year. Sometimes bulls can be seen in bachelor groups of 4 to 10 males on our late hunts. Glassing vast distances from a high vantage point is our main technique for this late rifle season. Once a good bull is spotted, we get within rifle range. Expect long shots in this fairly open terrain. If it snows a week prior to season and the weather cooperates, we can see more than 50 bulls on our 5-day late hunt in Arizona. Therefore, this hunt usually has very high opportunity of obtaining a trophy.

The weather during the late elk hunt can range from 50 degrees in the day to 10 degrees at night. Snow is possible, but not likely. Complimentary accommodations are in heated wall tents on fully outfitted hunts. For those that own a camping trailer/pop-up and would like to bring it to camp to sleep in are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot discount the hunt any. It must be small and high enough to take on rough dirt roads.

Like all elk hunting in Arizona, Late Bull Elk tags are by draw in January-February. It is a much easier draw than the early firearms bull season, but hunters are averaging 5 tries before they draw. Some are drawn their first try, while others take longer. The key is to keep applying. We will assist with the drawing process so you are drawn in the correct areas. The Arizona draw period is January-February. Our late firearms hunts consist of a late rifle season and a late muzzleloader season. Of course, the muzzleloader season has a higher odds of drawing a tag.

Arizona Late Rifle Dates: Nov. 27-Dec. 2, 2009 with hunters meeting us the day prior. Additional days available.

Arizona Late Muzzleloader Dates: Nov. 13-17, 2009 with hunters meeting us the day prior.

COW ELK HUNTS IN ARIZONA

Arizona cow elk Even though they have no antlers, cow elk are a blast to hunt! A big cow can weigh as much as 500 pounds on the hoof and produce excellent table fare. The spot and stalk method is mainly used on our cow hunts, so hunting is done mostly on foot. Expect long shots, since we hunt fairly open country. Recommended rifle calibers for cow elk are the .30-06 to .300 magnums with a good variable power scope. Accommodations are in tent camps or camping trailer, depending upon the number of hunters in camp.

We offer an October cow hunt and a winter hunt during the December migration period. Our October hunt is conducted in high timber areas of Arizona. Our 3-day winter cow elk hunt is conducted in the fairly open terrain of Central to Eastern Arizona. We have some awesome rifle season spots where winter herds of 50 or more elk can be seen at a time. We have a 100% success rate on rifle cow elk hunts. Cow Elk Photos

Like all Arizona elk hunting, Cow elk tags are also by draw in January. It is a much easier draw than bull elk tags, but it is averaging two tries to draw a cow tag. Some are drawn their first try, while others take longer. We will assist interested hunters with the application process. Tag fee (Non-Res): $595.00 and hunting license fee: $151.25.

Arizona Cow Elk Seasons: October 16-20 and Dec. 11-18, 2009.

Accommodations for our elk hunts are usually in deluxe wall tents with heat during the colder months. The size of our tents are a spacious 9 feet high and either 16x28, 14x16, or 12x12, depending upon the number of hunters in camp. Hunters sleep on cots. Arrival to and from camp is done in 4x4 trucks and s.u.v.'s. For those that own a camping trailer/pop-up and would like to bring it to camp to sleep in are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot discount the hunt any. Hunting is done mostly on foot. We do not use horses or pack animals since most of the time it is not feasible to do so. This is a fairly physically demanding hunt and hunters should be in good shape. Hunters are encouraged to condition themselves before arrival. Expect long shots, since we hunt fairly open country. Archery hunters should be comfortable shooting out to 50 yards. A bipod is a must on rifle hunts, as well as a high-powered riflescope. Recommended rifle calibers are the 7mm Magnums, .300 Magnums and .338 Magnums.

ARIZONA License and Tag Info

ALL ARIZONA ELK HUNTING IS BY DRAW. The State of Arizona does not participate in the landowner tag program. There is no way around the drawing process. The drawing starts in early January and the deadline is in Mid-February. The applications for Arizona are accepted by U.S. Mail only. As of 2007, the online process has been terminated. Interested elk hunters should contact us as soon as possible. We will assist any hunters interested in booking with us. You will be placed on a list to receive instructions for applying with our recommended hunt numbers in January.

Arizona has a bonus point system which increases your odds of drawing a tag. Each time you are not drawn for a particular species, you receive a bonus point. If you are not drawn, you will be refunded the tag fee but the Arizona Game and Fish will keep the hunting license fee and give you a bonus point. It will give you a better chance of obtaining a tag for the next year's draw. Bonus points are becoming an essential part in successfully drawing Arizona elk tags.

Arizona Elk Permit-Tag fee (Non-Res): $595.00 and license fee: $151.25 ($746.25 Total).

NEW MEXICO License and Tag Info

Our New Mexico elk hunts are also on a draw. New Mexico hunters applying with me can be put into a separate 12% drawing pool of guided hunters using my Outfitter Registration Number. This number can only be used if hiring me as your outfitter. The 12% “outfitter pool” has a much higher chance for obtaining a tag than the general public. In some cases it could be as high as 1 in 3 odds, depending upon which season or weapon type. We hunt NM Units 15 and 16 of the Gila National Forest. Fifteen has no rifle season, so you must choose either archery or muzzleloader. Sixteen offers all weapon types.

If you are interested in applying with me in the New Mexico 12% pool and booking a hunt, it is a New Mexico State Requirement that you sign and complete a “hunt contract” BEFORE applying for the draw. I require a one-time, nonrefundable $150.00 service fee at the time of signing. Upon receipt of the signed “hunt contract” and service fee, I will furnish you with my Outfitter Registration Number to use in the 12% pool and instructions on how/where to apply. A 50% deposit will be required within 10 days after a tag is drawn. Even though the "outfitter pool" has good odds, hunters must realize it might take more than one try to draw a tag. Therefore, the hunter will pay the current rate for the year he draws a tag.

The drawing period for New Mexico is February through early April. The elk license tag fee is $766.00. Our current 2009 New Mexico rate is $3,800.00 for a one-on-one archery or muzzleloader elk hunt.

2010 RATES for our ARIZONA and New Mexico Elk Hunts

Trophy Elk Package	# Days	RATE
Bull Elk: Fully-Guided (1 on 1)	5*	$4,000.00/person
Bull Elk: Fully-Guided (2 on 1)	5*	$3,200.00/person
Bull Elk: Guide-Only (1 on 1)	5*	$3,200.00/person
Bull Elk: Guide-Only (2 on 1)	5*	$2,500.00/person
Cow Elk: Fully-Guided (1 on 1)	3*	$1,500.00/person

Description of Our Elk Hunting Packages:

Fully-Guided Elk Hunts: Includes accommodations (tent camps), meals, airport transfer from Tucson International Airport, camp transportation, a guide, trophy prep, packing out, and many extras. Choose from 1 on 1 or 2 on 1 packages. 1 on 1 means one hunter per guide and 2 on 1 means two hunters per guide. If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.

Guide-Only Elk Hunts: Popular with AZ resident hunters. Allows the hunter to provide his own accommodations (typically in a hotel or his own camp), his own meals, his own transportation to camp, etc., while being assisted in the field by an experienced elk guide who has scouted the area thoroughly. Help with packout of the animal is also provided. Choose from 1 on 1 or 2 on 1 packages. 1 on 1 means one hunter per guide and 2 on 1 means two hunters per guide. If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.

Additional Information

Arizona hunters will complete a hunt contract only after a tag is drawn. Guided New Mexico draw hunters will complete and return a hunt contract BEFORE the outfitter furnishes his registration number to use in the pool of guided hunters.

A minimum 50% nonrefundable deposit is required to book an elk hunt only after tags are drawn. The remaining balance is due at least 21 days prior to the hunt. We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests. Visit our general info page for more details.

Non-Hunter Fee: Some hunters like to bring along a buddy or family member to video their hunt or share the experience while they hunt. Invite your partner as a non-hunter while on your guided elk hunt for a fee of $750.00.

If the hunter has not tagged by the scheduled end of hunt, there is an option of paying at a daily rate thereafter.

Licenses and tags, taxidermy, butcher, or the possible hotel stay before/after the hunt are not included in price.

For those that own a camping trailer/pop-up and would like to bring it to camp to sleep in are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot discount the fully-guided hunt any. It must be small and high enough to be pulled on rough dirt roads.

* Hunters must arrive in camp one day prior to hunting. Your hunting ends around noon on the last day of the hunt. We pack up camp and head 4 hours back to the airport hotels. So, flying hunters should get a flight into Tucson the evening prior to meeting us (two days before hunting), get a hotel room and we will pickup early the next morning for a ride to camp. Flights should depart the morning after the hunt.

LATEST ELK PHOTOS

Michael with an Arizona bull elk