ARIZONA EARLY RIFLE HUNT
The Arizona Elk Outfitters Team of professional Arizona elk guides feels that one of the best times to focus on harvesting a giant bull elk is during the early season rifle elk hunt in the rut. Early rifle rut hunts for bull elk take place right after the Arizona archery bull elk hunts. Early season Arizona rifle elk tags in the rut are extremely difficult to draw; therefore, they offer the rifle elk hunter the finest opportunity to tag a giant Arizona bull elk. Most of the elk are still rutting during this hunt. Some of the bulls will still be very visible to hunters as they rut and chase their cows in the hunting friendly rutting country. Arizona elk hunts are number 2 on our list because of rut timing, big bulls sometimes have some antler breakage.
Arizona elk have been hunted and chased hard for 14 days prior by Arizona archery elk hunters. You can count on a good number of the big bulls already being harvested by archers. Prior tag numbers for early rifle Arizona bull elk hunts are very low. Because hunter pressure is lower, you have a tremendous harvest advantage while the elk are still bugling and visible. Early season rifle elk hunts in the rut are by far the best rifle elk hunts to harvest a trophy bull in the state of Arizona….if you don’t mind waiting many years or even decades to draw an Arizona elk tag.
2025 EARLY RIFLE UNIT DETAILS
UNIT 1,2A,2C
The best elk units in Arizona typically share a border with a reservation or National Park. This hunt has very light hunting pressure. A very fun hunt with lots of elk. One of the better early muzzle-loader hunts in the state. Elevations from 6,800 to 10,800. Expect to see 330 – 360″ with the possibility of 380+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 28:100 with a
- 93% successful harvest in 2024
- 35 total tags for this year.
UNIT 3A/3C
This is consistently one of the top early rifle hunts in the state. High Pines and low cedars along with a huge burn area give this unit many advantages. The entire southern border is the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountain Apache Reservations. Bulls come and go from the reservations every day. Would be a 5-star hunt if not for the movement of the elk on and off the res, but still a great hunt! Expect to see 340 – 360” with a possibility of 370+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 21:100
- 91% harvest rate in 2024
- 20 total tags for this year.
UNIT 9
This season is every other year. There is not much more that can be said about unit 9. It is Indian reservations on each side and the Grand Canyon National Park on the north. It is flat and thick which lends itself to chasing screaming bulls. It has been managed for the last 40 years for quality and it shows with the sheer number of big bulls killed here. Elevation is from 5,800 – 7,500 feet. Expect to see 340 – 360” with a possibility of 380+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 23:100
- 60% harvest rate in 2024
- 25 total tags for this year.
UNIT 10
This hunt has been one of the best hunts in the west for years. There were too many tags for this hunt the past few years but have recently been scaled back from 100-40 total tags. This will no doubt help with the hunting pressure and overall hunt quality. This unit always has a few 400+ bulls getting killed and this year should be no different. Elevations are from 4,500 to 5,900. Expect to see 340 to 360″ with a possibility of 380+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 14:100
- 79% successful harvest rate for 2024
- 40 total tags for this year.
UNIT 15A/15B/18A
There are some huge bulls here and every year a few bruisers get killed. There are some access issues with private property but can be worked around with the right outfitter. The X Bar One ranch is located in the middle of the unit, the Fort Rock on the southwest side. The Hualapai reservation on the north. Can be great with the right information before applying. Elevations are from 3,500 to 5,500 feet. Expect to see 300 – 350” with a possibility of 350+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 59:100
- 42% harvest rate in 2024
- 35 total tags for this year.
UNIT 17A/17B/18B/19B
Another limited opportunity hunt. There are tons of places to hunt but the elk are scattered. There are annually some huge bulls here but again access issues must be dealt with. The famous ORO ranch is in the middle of the area and always has some great bulls. Can be good but again know the risks when applying. Elevations are from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. Expect to see 300 – 330” with a possibility of 350+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 60:100
- 58% harvest rate in 2024
- 35 total tags for this year.
UNIT 22
Great time of year to hunt with a rifle. Hunting pressure will be low on this hunt. Lots of medium size bulls with good rut activity. Expect to hunt a 330+ with a possibility of bigger.
- Bull to cow ratio is 26:100
- 62% successful harvest for 2022
- 30 tags for this year.
UNIT 23 NORTH
22his unit was split in 2015 and created this hunt. This can be a phenomenal hunt with low hunting pressure and the chance at a 380+ bull. Borders the Ft. Apache Indian Reservation on the east. Elevations are from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. Realistically expect to see 350-370″ with a possibility of 380+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 55:100
- 95% successful harvest rate for 2024
- 15 total tags for this year.
UNIT 23 SOUTH
This hunt was created in 2015 when the unit was split. Lower Elk densities but still a great hunt for a big bull. No hunting pressure makes this hunt feel like a private ranch hunt. Plan to hunt hard. Lots of glassing and takes some time to find the elk. Expect to see 330 – 350″ with a good possibility of 370+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 35:100
- 100% successful harvest rate in 2022
- 10 total tags for this year.
UNIT 27
High-timbered mountains with big canyons comprise most of this unit, which is tucked between New Mexico’s famous Gila area and the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The higher elevations are composed of mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forests with alpine meadows. Elevations range from 3,500 to 9,300. Expect to see 330 to 350″ bulls with a possibility of 370+.
- Bull to cow ration is 26:100
- 67% harvest rate in 2024
- 40 total tags for this year.
ARIZONA LATE SEASON HUNT
The last elk season that the state of Arizona offers to interested hunters is the general late season Arizona rifle bull elk hunts that take place in late November and early December. These are very difficult late season winter elk hunts and are not for everybody but, you still have the slim chance of tagging a giant Arizona bull elk on this hunt. A lot of the big bulls are going to have some antler breakage. They are mainly going to be holed up in thick forested, rough, and very steep winter country and will be hiding out to recover from the extreme physical toll that the rut has taken on their bodies.
Arizona late season rifle bull elk tags are much easier to draw than the early season elk tags but hunter pressure is much higher due to the very high amount of tags given out for this elk hunt and the winter conditions can be very tough to deal with. You can hunt trophy bull elk more frequently by applying for these tags but you are definitely going to be sacrificing some trophy quality.
2025 LATE RIFLE UNIT DETAILS
UNIT 1,2A,2C
One of the better late hunts in Arizona. Can be tough with no bugling but the area is glassable. Mostly public land with good access. Hunting pressure is much higher than in the early season. Expect to see 300-320″ with a possibility of 340+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 28:100
- 72% successful harvest rate for 2024
- 225 total tags for this year.
UNIT 3A/3C
There are lots of elk and can be fun but they are tough to find. Lots of hunting pressure with a dense canopy of trees that limits glassing opportunities. Elevations range from 5,500 to 9,500 feet. Expect to hunt a 280-300″ with a possibility of 320+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 21:100
- 36% successful rate in 2024
- 250 total tags for this year.
UNIT 7 WEST
22There are lots of elk and can be fun but they are tough to find. Lots of hunting pressure with a dense canopy of trees that limits glassing opportunities. Elevations range from 5,500 to 9,500 feet. Expect to hunt a 280-300″ with a possibility of 320+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 42:100
- 37% successful rate in 2024
- 450 total tags for this year.
UNIT 8
Glassing from edges of large canyons. The pack out will be the toughest part of the hunt. Hunting pressure will be high. Expect to see 300 – 320+. Lots of ponderosa pine which can make the late hunt very difficult. Elevation is from 4,000 to 7,500 feet.
- Bull to cow ratio is 32:100
- 25% successful harvest rate for 2024
- 500 total tags for this year.
UNIT 9
This is flat thick country with little areas to glass. Late season dates make this hunt very difficult compared to the early rifle rut hunt. Lots of walking and getting lucky is what you will need on this hunt. Expect to see 280-310″ with a possibility of 320+. Low success with medium hunting pressure.
- Bull to cow ratio is 23:100
- 23% successful harvest rate for 2024
- 225 total tags for this year.
UNIT 10
One of the better late rifle units but tough to find bigger bulls. Elk are scattered, however many spots to glass from. Be concerned for antler breakage due to the high bull to cow ratio. Elevations range from 4,000 to 5,500 feet. Expect to see 270 – 320″ with the possibility of 340+. Hunting pressure is very heavy.
- Bull to cow ratio is 14:100
- 27% successful rate for 2022
- 325 total tags for this year
UNIT 15A/15B/18A
here are some huge bulls here and every year a few bruisers get killed. There are some access issues with private property but can be worked around with the right outfitter. The X Bar One ranch is located in the middle of the unit, the Fort Rock on the southwest side. The Hualapai reservation on the north. Can be great with the right information before applying. Elevations are from 3,500 to 5,500 feet. Expect to see 300 – 320” with a possibility of 330+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 59:100
- 23% harvest rate in 2024
- 100 total tags for this year.
UNIT 17A/17B/18B/19B
33Another limited opportunity hunt. There are a ton places to hunt but the elk are scattered. There are annually some huge bulls here but again access issues must be dealt with. The famous ORO ranch is in the middle of the area and always has some great bulls. Can be good but again know the risks when applying. Elevations are from 3,500 to 7,000 feet. Expect to see 300 – 330” with a possibility of 340+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 60:100
- 34% harvest rate in 2024
- 150 total tags for this year.
UNIT 23
Good late hunt with decent glassing. Large canyons make for tough pack out. Can be a physically demanding hunt. Expect to see 300- 320″ with a possibility of 340+. Medium hunting pressure but one of the more difficult late hunts to draw.
- Bull to cow ratio is 30:100
- 62% successful rate for 2022
- 150 total tags for this year.
UNIT 27
26At this time probably the best late elk hunt. Rough country and packing but lots of elk. There are some great bulls in this unit and the Willow fire of 2011 left some open country. Elevations range from 5,500 to 8,000 feet. Expect 300-320″ with a possibility of 330+.
- Bull to cow ratio is 26:100
- 69% successful rate for 2022
- 250 total tags for this year.