Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Arizona outfitter for 2019

My pp are adding up. I've saved up the $$ for a guided hunt. Know comes the tough part, finding an outfitter that can give me a decent chance at a 350+ class bull. I'd rather find an outfitter that I can feel like I'm out with a friend, than just a number, if that's possible. Muzzle loader or rifle. Any personal recommendation would be appreciated.

What unit(s) are you thinking of?

I'll be hunting with Steve Chappell when I draw, super friendly and well respected, another that I have talked to and would have no issues using would be Kevin Call with HPO outfitters, there are others that would also put you on a good bull, call them and make sure you talk to them about the lack of rain there experiencing while it is early it is something to be concerned about!

What unit?

greg.....off topic. you are an outfitter..yes....?.....want to start a topic about coues deer with you......bob

I'm open to the unit, looking for a good hunt with decent success odds.

Still no context. How many points?

Points gives an idea of unit based on draw odds. What unit would change my recommendation. Lots of outfits specialize in certain units.

Don't do much of it these days and don't advertise. I get to pick and choose. Grin. But yes I am.

What are you thinking about and I can possibly help you narrow down...

Yup.
Points will make a big difference.
I’m sitting on 14 I think.

pm you.....bob

Go to Jay Scott outdoors and listen to Lance Crowther's podcast he's with Timberland Outfitters and he talks about almost every elk unit. I've hunted with him and his family before and they are top-notch people. Tlohunting.com if you want to get your feet wet with an over-the-counter tag in AZ there's no one better than this guy for that hunt.

You are gona need a bunch of points to go early 1,9 or 10. Probably atleast 16ish. I have heard good things about Mr Chappel, but dont know him personally.

Unless your really lucky your going need "a lot" more than 16 for an early rifle or muzzy hunt......

Mullins outfitters.

I have guided for Steve Chappell and he is a first class guy. They were late rifle tags and yes we killed 350 bulls but we had to work our butts off. You are going to need a lot of points as a Non-resident to draw a decent early tag- probably at least 17 points. Late rifle hunts are much easier to draw but you have a lot of busted antlers and they can be tough to dig out of the rough stuff. I found a lot of bulls last December on my hunt that were pretty much unkillable. They lived in very thick stuff and I could only see them from a mile away and then they were usually moving. They watered at night. I waited on one bull 4 days and he never showed himself again. Late hunts can be very tough.

Crap I only have 6 points for elk, I didn't realize I had so few and in good shape at 57 my years are a bit number. The information shared has been priceless though as it narrows it down and gives me some real life references to check out and follow.

BUT, I have 14 pp for deer in AZ so I'll need to figure that our sooner than later I guess as I'm hoping to do that in the next few years.

If you want a good chance at a 350" bull with 6 points, I'd suggest waiting 2-3 more years for a mid-tier early archery tag and then hire. You'll have a decent chance with the right folks. Course you might get lucky.

If you are insistent on now you can still draw an early archery tag if lucky but more likely get a late rifle with your points...

Late rifle, as Dennis said, is risky let alone for a 350" bull. You'd have to fork over some serious bucks for guides to get you on a bull at 350"+ with the best chances. And it's still be a big time "hunt"....

You are in a bit of no man's land with deer....

About any hunt in the state you could get other than Kaibab or Strip. Few years from Kaibab and 5+ years from the Strip based on last year's results. And creep in both is bad....

I highly recommend this Outfitter/Guide.

https://www.guidefitter.com/mcclendonsguideservice

Call him up.