Among the Alternative units, Unit 1 continues to lag behind the big three: 9, 10, and 23. Those units remain strong producers and can kick out exceptional bulls, especially in wet years. Outside the late rifle seasons, all three offer excellent choices for anyone lucky enough to pull a tag. Of the late rifle options, Unit 23 stands apart thanks to its glassing-friendly terrain and overall huntability. It’s worth noting that high bull-to-cow ratios often lead to more busted antlers later in the year. This fluctuation is normal. For example, a slower rut in 2025 meant less breakage, but broken bulls remain a recurring theme.

Archery hunters looking for opportunity hunts can consider the late archery seasons in November, which precede the late rifle hunts. These hunts are tough because they fall after the rut, and bulls tend to hole up in thick cover. Tag numbers are limited, so if you find elk, you can enjoy a quieter, more solitary hunt with minimal interference. Units 22 and 23 allocate more late archery tags than most and generally take fewer points to draw—roughly three to four for Unit 22 and six to seven for Unit 23. When applying for these hunts, pay attention to terrain. Units with broken country and glassing angles tend to offer better opportunities. Flat, brushy units make it much harder to locate bulls, even when they’re around.

Hunters focused on filling the freezer can look at antlerless hunts. Just remember that elk points in Arizona apply to all hunts, so applying for a cow tag will burn your accumulated points. The state offers a wide range of antlerless hunts across weapon types, from early September through late December. Archery seasons typically fall in September, with rifle and muzzleloader options in October and December. These cow tags generally require four to five points to draw a bonus permit and often have higher success rates than early archery or late rifle bull hunts. If you’re willing to use your points, they’re a fun, effective way to put elk meat in the freezer.

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