Arizona Elk Hunting 2025

Arizona elk is or should be at the top of every elk hunter's list of states. Being a southern state, elk in Arizona have a different set of issues that can affect their population growth/decline as well as antler growth. Northern Arizona has some of the best elk habitat in the U.S., and it shows with the vast herds of elk they have scattered across its desert chaparral canyons all the way up to yellow pine-timbered ridges. In fact, the most recent census has 35,000 elk living within the state's boundaries. One could argue that Arizona has always had one of the better balances of trophy/opportunity hunting than any other state for the amount of elk they have. This balance is starting to lean more towards opportunity. Looking at the permit increases this year in areas that are already struggling with quality paints that picture. They have the second fewest elk of any state in the West and still have late rifle hunts that can be drawn by non-residents for 7-8 points. This is good if you just want to harvest a 5 or 6-point bull, but if you are looking for a mature bull, these late rifle hunts are a huge role of the dice.

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2025 Arizona Elk Draw

Arizona employs two primary elk management strategies - Alternative Management units and Standard Management units. The Alternative Management units (1, 9, 10, and 23) are managed for a bull-to-cow ratio of less than 50 to 100, while the remaining units follow Standard Management with a ratio of 25-35 to 100. As a result, the Alternative Management units typically have superior age classes, but tags for these units are highly challenging to draw. It's important to note that while the Standard Management units may not offer as many trophy-quality bulls, hunters can still find a few good bulls there, though they are less common.

Unit 1 continues to struggle to produce the quality of bulls that the other units managed under the Alternative Management practice are currently producing. Unit 9 really put it on this year and looked to be the more dominant unit out of 9, 10, and 23, although this title often gets traded back and forth between these units depending on local moisture and tag fluctuation. Really, you can't go wrong with any of these units if you draw them outside of the late hunts that take place after the rut. With the high bull-to-cow ratio, bulls will often have broken and missing points later in the year, which can be better or worse from year to year. 2024 was one of those years that had a lot of broken bulls late in the year.
 

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Speaking of the different seasons in Arizona, they offer two separate archery and rifle seasons in most units, typically held in September and November/December. While the late-season hunts can be challenging due to factors like weather and the difficulty of locating isolated bulls, they provide significantly better draw odds, allowing hunters to hunt in units with decent quality animals. However, hunters targeting older age class bulls will face more obstacles. It's important to note that the number of late rifle tags is often much higher than expected, which can lead to more crowded conditions than hunters anticipate, especially considering the points required to draw. As a result, the late seasons can sometimes feel more like an over-the-counter hunt, similar to those in Colorado or Idaho, rather than the trophy bull hunts traditionally associated with Arizona. Additionally, some units, like 1, 9, and 27, have alternating early muzzleloader hunts, switching between rifle and muzzleloader every other year.

AZGFD is often criticized by local outfitters and hunters wanting more mature bulls on the landscape, which is becoming more warranted by the year. Constantly issuing more tags, ever-evolving technology, predation, etc. can all be looked at for the reason mature bulls are harder to come by. Nobody can argue that a great bull can come from any unit in the state during any hunt, but some of the luster has been lost when you look at the average bull harvested now vs 10 years ago. Arizona remains one of the top states for trophy elk hunters but is now shifting to becoming one of the top states for opportunity elk hunters. One last note to mention is the lack of moisture so far this fall. Elk thrive this far south with late storms and snow of which neither has happened, which should give any hunter looking to burn a substantial amount of points pause. If you're not concerned with quality this lack of moisture is a non-factor and 2025 should be fine.

2025 Arizona Elk Season & Dates

For specific seasons and dates check the regulations brochure.

Arizona has a very high elk population and runs a pretty good program for managing quality and quantity. Any early September hunt should be coveted and has potential for a mature bull regardless of the unit. It is not a state that you can realistically plan a short-term strategy for elk hunting options. Even the late archery and rifle hunts are taking 7-8+ points to guarantee a draw, but they are worth it if you can secure one. We try to give you the best, most reasonable expectations of what Arizona has to offer to allow you to make your own decision if Arizona fits your hunting goals.

Self Guided DIY Arizona Elk Hunts

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Private Land, Semi-Guided, and Guided Elk Hunts in Arizona

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Application Dates for Elk in Arizona

The Arizona Big Game Application Deadline for Elk is 11:59 P.M. (Arizona Time) Feb 4, 2025.

Our online/print magazine has everything in one location: Application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning and much more. If you would like access to all of our research join today!

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Arizona Non-Resident Elk Hunting Fees

2025 Arizona Non-Resident Elk Fees
Up-Front Fees
365-Day Hunting & Fishing License	$160
Youth Combo Hunting & Fishing License (ages 10-17)	$5
Application Fee	$15
Bonus Point Only Application	$15
PointGuard Option (per species)	$10
PointGuard+ Option (per year)	$25
Post Draw License Fees (if successful)
Elk Permit	$650
Elk Permit (youth cow-only hunts)	$50

 

Arizona Elk Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine

• Beginner's Luck by Michael Braegelmann
• The Greatest Hunt by Steve Danna
• Ringing in the New Year from San Carlos by Tanner Cherney
• The Hunt for 5K by Annalyse Brimhall
• There's A Reason... by Robin Miller