Arizona offers some of the best hunting in the nation and if you have hunted in Arizona before, you know of the variety of wildlife and habitat that provide extraordinary hunting opportunities. If it is your 1st time hunting in Arizona, you will get a memorable experience. Whether you bag a (6×6) bull elk, a spike deer, or go back home empty-handed, the times spent in the field with your friends and family are some of the best times you will ever have in that place.
However, we think that the future of hunting, as well as the maintenance of natural resources, is irrevocably tied to the recruitment of our youth to learn these time-honored traditions. And if you are lucky enough to go on a hunt with your family, and sleep out under the stars together, the experience will provide long-lasting memories.
Elk Hunting Season in Arizona
Some of these below seasons offer nearly year-round hunts with very long seasons and the unique opportunity to hunt any elk and bull elk.
Here are following the general and Archery-only Elk Over-the-Counter (OTC) Tags / License
| Units | Elk | Season Dates |
| Portions of 16A & 44A | Elk -Any | Jan 1 – Mar 31 Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| Portions of 4A & 4B | Bull Elk | Apr 1 – Jul 31 |
| Portions of 4A & 4B | Elk -Any | Jan 1 – Mar 31 Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| Portions of 6A, 19A, 21 | Bull Elk | Apr 1 – Jul 31 |
| Portions of 6A, 19A, 21 | Elk -Any | Jan 1 – Mar 31 Aug 1 – Sep 15 Dec 1 – Dec 31 |
| 2A, 3A, 4A, 4B Portions | Bull Elk | Apr 1 – Jul 31 |
| 2A, 3A, 4A, 4B Portions | Elk – Any | Jan 1 – Mar 31 Aug 1 – Dec 31 |
| All of unit 28 (not Gila R), 31 and 32 | Elk – Any | Nov 21 – Dec31 |
Elk License in Arizona
Above all are the seasons but we had to know about how to get the license in Arizona. Here, all we need is a valid hunting license and an elk OTC non-permit-tag ($37 + $135 = $172) for the residents and ($160 + $650 = $810) for the non-residents. The non-permit tag is the best option for all areas, seasons and all types of legal weapons or archery hunts.
Where to Hunt Elk in Arizona
Elk population estimates in some of these areas may be very low like a dozen elk. But if you lived near one of these areas or know someone that does, these might make for some interesting hunts. But I have found, five (5) of the best hunting spots in Arizona and all are easily accessible from the Phoenix metro area. Find below list:
- Woolsey Park Wilderness
- Santa Teresa Wilderness
- Coconino National Forest
- McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Saguaro Lake
Gear List for Hunting in Arizona
Here is the gear list below, which are necessary to carry with you once you are ready to go for hunting in Arizona.
- Hunting License & Other Id’s
- Arizona Guide if Non-Resident
- Spotting Scope
- Binoculars
- Backpack Rain Cover
- Trekking poles
- Rifle or Bow
- Sleeping bag
- Cooking Stove
- Water Cooler
- Camera with Batteries
- Belt
- Gloves
- Hat or Beanie
- Pants and Underwear
- Rain jacket
- Vest
- Boots
- Socks
- Hunting Knife
Arizona Elk Hunting Legal Firearms
If you would like to know about legal firearms’ of any legal Weapon detail in Arizona for elk hunting than check the list below.
- Any Center Fire Rifle
- Muzzleloading rifles
- Can be used all other rifles black powder or synthetic black powder
- Can be used Center fire handguns
- Handguns that using black powder or synthetic black powder
- Shotguns — slugs only
- For archery, minimum draw weight like 40 lbs, broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges
- Crossbows; minimum draw weight 125 lbs, bolts minimum length 16 inches, broadheads no less than 7/8 inch in width with metal cutting edges