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

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Arizona Elk Guides & Outfitters

ELK HUNTING

Arizona has some of the best elk hunting in the world! This state can be considered the top producer 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 our elk hunts are conducted on infamous trophy areas like the Coconino National Forest and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest of Arizona.

Archery and Early Bull Rut Hunts in Arizona

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 Arizona. 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 will often use a bugle or cow call for trying to coax a bull elk to within shooting distance. 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 65-75 degrees in the day to 30-40 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. Typically, we apply for Arizona unit 1 or 6a. Early rut elk hunts have a 100% rate of opportunity (getting shots). If you are in good physical condition and can shoot well, you should have opportunity on this rut elk hunt.

Arizona Early Seasons: Sept. 13-26 for archery bull elk, Sept. 27-Oct. 6 for early muzzleloader or early rifle.

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 often brings them into fairly open terrain with sparse trees and junipers. Mature bulls segregate themselves from the cows during this time of the year and can often be seen in bachelor groups. Glassing vast distances from a high vantage point is our main technique for this late rifle/muzzleloader season. Once a good bull is spotted, we get within rifle/muzzleloader range. Expect long shots in this fairly open terrain. If it snows in the high country a week prior to season and the weather cooperates, we can see more than 50 bulls on our 6-day late hunt in Arizona. Therefore, this hunt usually has very high opportunity of obtaining a trophy. If it doesn't snow in the high country or it is dry with higher temps than normal, there is still the chance for a good bull. It only means we must be persistent and hunt harder. As with our other elk seasons, firearms elk hunting is done on foot. Therefore, hunters should be in good physical condition.

The weather during the late elk hunt can range from 40-50 degrees in the day to 5-20 degrees at night. Snow is possible. 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 fully-guided hunt for doing so. 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. Typically, we apply for Arizona unit 6a or unit 1 during the late seasons. 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. Late bull elk hunts have a high rate of opportunity (getting shots). If you are in good physical condition and can shoot straight, you should have a high chance of opportunity on the late firearms elk hunt.

Arizona Late Rifle Dates: Nov. 29-Dec. 6 with hunters meeting us the day prior.

Arizona Late Muzzleloader Dates: Nov. 15-21 with hunters meeting us the day prior.

Cow Elk Hunts in Arizona

Arizona cow elk We also offer antlerless elk hunts. 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 and feasibility. Cow elk hunting is also done on foot, so hunters should be in good physical condition.

We offer an Arizona October rifle cow hunt which is typically conducted in higher timber areas of Arizona. We also conduct a November muzzleloader cow elk hunt. Our cow hunts have a 100% rate of opportunity (getting shots). 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 three 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. Typically, we apply to Arizona unit 6a or unit 1 for cow elk hunts. Tag fee (Non-Res): $595.00 and hunting license fee: $151.25.

Arizona Cow Elk Seasons: For 2013 we will conduct a fall rifle cow elk hunt during October 18-24 and a muzzleloader cow elk hunt during Nov. 15-21, depending upon the lottery draw.

Accommodations for our elk hunts are usually in deluxe canvas wall tents or Alaknak tents with heat during the colder months. The size of our tents are spacious and either 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 for doing so. 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. Elk hunting is a physically demanding sport 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 60 yards. Rifle hunters could encounter shots ranging from 150 to 450 yards. So, knowing the bullet drop is very important on this hunt. A bipod is a "must have" on rifle hunts, as well as a high-powered riflescope. Recommended rifle calibers for bull elk are the 7mm Magnums, .300 Magnums and .338 Magnums. Muzzleloaders can be inline style and should have a good high-power riflescope. Muzzleloader shots are usually 150 yards to 300 yards.

ARIZONA - License and Tag Info

ALL OF OUR ARIZONA ELK HUNTING IS BY DRAW. The State of Arizona does not participate in the landowner tag program. The drawing starts in early January and the deadline is in early February. The applications for Arizona are accepted by U.S. Mail and Online. 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).

2013 RATES for our ARIZONA Elk Hunts

Elk Hunt Package	# Days	RATE
Bull Elk: Fully-Guided (1 on 1)	6*	$4,250.00/person
Bull Elk: Fully-Guided (2 on 1)	6*	$3,600.00/person
Cow Elk: Fully-Guided (1 on 1)	3*	$1,850.00/person
Cow Elk: Fully Guided (2 on 1)	3*	$1,450.00/person

Description of Our Elk Hunting Packages:

Fully-Guided Elk Hunts: Includes accommodations (tent camps), meals, complimentary ride to camp if flying (pick-up/drop-off point: Tucson Airport Hotels Only), 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.

Additional Information

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 policy 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 an observer while on your fully guided bull elk hunt for a fee of $800.00. The cow elk hunt observer fee is $400.00.

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

Cost for licenses and tags, butchering, shipping of meat, taxidermy, hotel stay before/after the hunt (if flying) are the hunter's responsibility.

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 Bull Elk Photos

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