Arizona elk hunting is in a class of its own. The state consistently produces some of the largest bulls in North America, the public land access is excellent, and the scenery across every region is breathtaking. Whether you’re chasing bugles in the ponderosa pines of the White Mountains, glassing open meadows in the north, or hunting the rugged drainages of central Arizona, there is an elk hunt here for every style and every level of hunter. Here is a breakdown of what to expect across the different regions of the state.
Northern Arizona: The Kaibab Plateau and Units 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B
The Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon is one of the most iconic elk hunting destinations in the entire West. The deer up here get all the fame but the elk hunting is outstanding and often overlooked by hunters focused on the famous Kaibab mule deer. Dense ponderosa pine forest broken up by open meadows and grassy parks creates ideal elk habitat and excellent glassing opportunities.
Hunting here is largely a spot and stalk game mixed with calling during the rut. The rut in northern Arizona typically fires up in mid to late September and bulls can be aggressive callers during the peak. If you draw a tag in this part of the state, plan to be there during the first two weeks of September for archery or target the early rifle seasons when bulls are still vocal.
Access is primarily through the Kaibab National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land. The terrain is relatively forgiving compared to other parts of the state, making it a good fit for hunters who are not accustomed to extreme vertical gain.
East Central Arizona: The White Mountains and Units 1, 27, 36, 27
The White Mountains region is the heart of Arizona elk country and where the state’s reputation for trophy bulls was truly built. Units like 9, 10, and 27 in this part of the state are among the most coveted elk tags in North America. Bulls in these units regularly push the 380 to 400 inch mark and beyond, and the terrain, a mix of high elevation meadows, spruce and fir timber, and deep canyon drainages, is as beautiful as it gets anywhere.
The tradeoff is draw difficulty. Premium units in the White Mountains can take fifteen or more years of bonus points to draw for residents, and non-residents face additional competition from the 10 percent tag cap. If you pull one of these tags consider it a once in a lifetime achievement and prepare accordingly.
Elk in this region are vocal during the rut and respond well to calling. The higher elevations keep temperatures cooler which extends bugling activity later into September compared to lower elevation units. Mornings in the meadows during peak rut are an experience that is hard to put into words.
Access is through the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Roads can be rough and some areas require a quality high clearance vehicle. Scout your unit thoroughly before the season opens.
Central Arizona: The Mogollon Rim and Units 6A, 6B, 23, 22
The Mogollon Rim runs for nearly 200 miles across central Arizona and creates a dramatic ecological transition from the desert floor to the high country above. Elk populations along the Rim and in the surrounding units are healthy and hunting pressure, while not light, is manageable compared to the White Mountains units.
This is mixed terrain hunting. Below the Rim you are dealing with pinyon juniper, manzanita, and scrub oak that requires careful glassing and slow still hunting. Above the Rim the ponderosa pine opens up and elk movement becomes more predictable along meadow edges and water sources. Learning the Rim country takes time but hunters who put in the scouting hours consistently find elk.
The Rim also makes central Arizona accessible for hunters who want a good experience without waiting twenty years for a tag. Draw odds in some central Arizona units are more favorable than the premium White Mountains units, making this a smart choice for hunters who want to actually hunt while building points for a future dream tag.
Western Arizona: Units 10, 20A, 21
Western Arizona elk hunting is for the serious backcountry hunter. Lower elk densities, extreme heat during early seasons, and remote terrain make this the most demanding elk hunting in the state. The payoff is solitude and the kind of primitive hunting experience that is increasingly hard to find anywhere.
Water is the key to success in western Arizona. Elk in this part of the state pattern heavily around reliable water sources, especially during early seasons when temperatures can still push into the 90s. Scout water in the off-season and your hunt will come together much more efficiently.
This region does not get the attention of the White Mountains or the Rim, but hunters who invest the time to learn it find good bulls and often go days without seeing another hunter.
Hunting Styles and Seasons
Arizona offers elk hunting across multiple weapon types and seasons. Archery hunters get access to the most coveted rut activity in September. Early rifle seasons overlap with the tail end of the rut and give hunters a chance at vocal bulls. Late rifle seasons in October and November hunt more like traditional post-rut elk hunting with less calling and more focus on feeding patterns and terrain.
Calling is a critical skill for Arizona elk hunting, particularly during archery and early rifle seasons. Bulls in Arizona are aggressive callers and a well-executed bugle or cow sequence can bring a bull in from a long distance. I use the Enchantress Slayer bugle because it covers everything you need in one package. The tone is realistic, it is durable enough for backcountry use, and it comes with a replacement reed so you are not stuck if something goes wrong mid-hunt.
Check out the Enchantress Slayer Elk Bugle on Amazon
Gear That Makes the Difference
Optics
Arizona elk hunting demands quality glass. You are covering huge country and the difference between finding a bull and driving home empty handed often comes down to your ability to pick apart a hillside at distance. I run the Vortex Viper HS-T 2.5-10×32 on my rifle. The first focal plane reticle means my holdovers are accurate at any magnification, which matters when a bull steps out at 300 yards in fading evening light.
Check out the Vortex Viper HS-T Scope on Amazon
For glassing I use the Vortex Viper HD 10×42 binoculars. The clarity is exceptional and after years of hard use in the field they have held up without issue. Vortex’s VIP lifetime warranty means if anything ever goes wrong they fix or replace it no questions asked, which matters a lot when you are deep in the backcountry with no backup.
Check out the Vortex Viper HD Binoculars on Amazon
When I’m covering ground and don’t want to carry a tripod I switch to my Sig Sauer stabilized binoculars. The built-in image stabilization cuts out hand shake completely, letting you glass effectively while standing or moving. On a backcountry elk hunt where every pound matters, ditching the tripod and bino head is a real advantage.
Check out the Sig Sauer Stabilized Binoculars on Amazon
Rangefinder
Shot opportunities on elk can come at almost any distance. I use the Bushnell Prime 1300 with Bluetooth and angle compensation. In mountain terrain where shots are often steeply angled up or downhill, angle compensated distance is critical. A flat range of 300 yards on a steep downhill angle might only require a 250 yard holdover. Get this wrong on an elk and you will be tracking an animal you should have recovered cleanly.
Check out the Bushnell Prime Rangefinder on Amazon
Packs
Pack selection for an Arizona elk hunt depends on how deep you plan to go and how you hunt. For hunts where comfort over long days is the priority I use the Eberlestock Brooks 7000. The frame and suspension system on this pack are genuinely in a different class when it comes to all day comfort on rough terrain. If you are covering miles of steep ground day after day your back will thank you.
Check out the Eberlestock Brooks 7000 Pack on Amazon
For deep backcountry hunts where I need to haul out meat and gear I switch to the ALPS OutdoorZ Commander. At 86 liters it has the capacity to handle a serious meat haul out of the backcountry. Elk are big animals and getting one out of a remote canyon requires a pack that can actually carry the load.
Check out the ALPS OutdoorZ Commander Pack on Amazon
Game Bags
Once you have an elk on the ground you need to cool the meat fast, especially during early September archery and rifle seasons when temperatures can still be warm. I use breathable game bags that keep bugs off the meat while allowing airflow to cool it quickly. These have reflective strips which make locating your meat in the dark a lot easier than you would think when you are trying to find a hanging quarter at 3 AM before a long pack out.
Check out the Gociean Breathable Game Bags on Amazon
Knife
Breaking down an elk is a lot of work and a dull knife makes it exponentially harder. I use the Benchmade Taggedout for all my field processing. It holds an edge better than anything else I have used at this price point and the blade geometry is well suited for the skinning and deboning work that goes into processing a bull elk in the field. This is not a cheap knife but it is one I will own for the rest of my life.
Check out the Benchmade Taggedout Hunting Knife on Amazon
Boots
Arizona elk country will punish your feet if you are not in the right boots. Cactus is present at lower elevations and the rocky terrain is relentless on your ankles and soles. I wear Irish Setter VaprTrek boots for the puncture resistant protection and waterproofing. Early morning creek crossings and long days on sharp volcanic rock demand a boot that can handle everything the terrain throws at it.
Check out the Irish Setter VaprTrek Hunting Boots on Amazon
Tips for Hunting Arizona Elk
Scout before the season. Arizona elk have core areas they use year after year. Water sources, wallows, and mineral licks are consistent producers. Time spent scouting in July and August pays massive dividends once the season opens.
Learn to call. Arizona bulls are among the most responsive to calling of any elk population in the country. Even if you are a rifle hunter, learning to bugle and cow call will open up opportunities that pure spot and stalk hunting cannot match.
Hunt the rut hard. The Arizona elk rut typically peaks in the second and third weeks of September. Bulls are moving, vocal, and catchable during this window in a way they simply are not at any other time of year. If your tag covers this period be in the field every single day.
Be ready for warm weather. Early seasons in Arizona can still be hot, especially below 7,000 feet elevation. Bring a meat care plan, have your game bags ready, and know where the nearest ice is before the season starts.
Go deep when possible. The further you get from roads the less pressure elk have seen and the more natural their behavior will be. A mile of extra hiking separates most hunters from the backcountry bulls.
Plan your pack out before you shoot. An elk is roughly 700 pounds on the hoof. Before you pull the trigger know how you are getting that animal out. Map the terrain, identify your route, and if you are hunting solo have a plan that is realistic for one person.
Final Thoughts
An Arizona elk hunt is one of the great experiences available to any hunter in North America. The bulls are world class, the country is stunning, and the challenge is real. Whether you are hunting the famous White Mountains units after years of building points or cutting your teeth on a more accessible Rim country tag, put in the preparation, invest in quality gear, and give the hunt everything you have.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase through these links I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All gear mentioned is personally used and recommended by me.
The Rocky Outdoorsman 
4 thoughts on “Elk Hunting in Arizona: A Complete Guide to Hunting Different Areas of the State”