AZ Unit 3c Elk

[nakneker]

It's one of the better units for bigger bulls in Arizona, it's my backyard. The unit borders the Ft. Apache Reservation which holds some of the best free range elk hunting in the world. 3C is a hard tag to draw during the rut hunts, not easy to draw the late hunts for that matter. You'll find a lot of the bigger bulls along the reservation border along the rim road, between Heber and Show Low. You can drive that road and look for elk sign where bulls may be crossing off the Rez. If you're lucky enough to draw a bull tag during the rut I'd encourage you to take the whole hunt off, it's a great opportunity at a good bull. Great numbers and great genes. If you have an archery tag and have limited time, the rut heats up as the hunt goes on, I'd take the last half of the hunt off and not the first.

 

[Scammie77]

That's good advise to drive rim road between Heber and show low. Thought they closed rim road where it turned into the dirt road? Will check that area out next time I am up that way.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I would be using this time of year to learn the unit and roads,and where they go and don't go.

Now is not the best time to be scouting. But there is never a BAD time to be scouting.

Where elk are right now might not be where they will be during the fall.

 

[Scammie77]

Had not thought about using this time to learn the roads and trails. That's a great idea that way as we get closer to hunting time we can be more effective with our scouting. Helping a friend with unit 27 late elk hunt any ideas where the elk may be that late in the season?

 

[lancetkenyon]

Had not thought about using this time to learn the roads and trails. That's a great idea that way as we get closer to hunting time we can be more effective with our scouting. Helping a friend with unit 27 late elk hunt any ideas where the elk may be that late in the season?

Depends on weather. Lots of snow will start to move them lower. But heavy pressure for the 3-4 months before the late rifle hunt will have the big bulls pushed into the steep, nasty thick canyons far from roads. Be prepared for some brutal hikes.

 

[Scammie77]

Thanks for the info and advice.

 

[azoutdoors17]

Helped my uncle last year who drew the early (rut) rifle tag and have some good intel if you drew a tag this year......shoot me a PM.

I know it's been a few years since you helped your uncle, but seeing if you have any insight on the area for my 13 year old who drew a bull tag.

 

[azoutdoors17]

It's one of the better units for bigger bulls in Arizona, it's my backyard. The unit borders the Ft. Apache Reservation which holds some of the best free range elk hunting in the world. 3C is a hard tag to draw during the rut hunts, not easy to draw the late hunts for that matter. You'll find a lot of the bigger bulls along the reservation border along the rim road, between Heber and Show Low. You can drive that road and look for elk sign where bulls may be crossing off the Rez. If you're lucky enough to draw a bull tag during the rut I'd encourage you to take the whole hunt off, it's a great opportunity at a good bull. Great numbers and great genes. If you have an archery tag and have limited time, the rut heats up as the hunt goes on, I'd take the last half of the hunt off and not the first.

Been driving the rim road hit it last weekend from west of Pinedale to the 60…. getting out and glassing when it's not too thick, but not seeing them or much /rubs for that matter. Are they tucked into the reservation pretty deeply by now, or are you still seeing them between Show Low and Heber, or more between Heber and Forest Lakes?

 

[nakneker]

Try the area around Capps ranch, there's always a few resident bulls hanging out in that area. You can get on the knobs in that area, which are south of the ranch and east of the Show Low Heber highway. You can cover a lot of ground of those knobs with binos.

The old hay farm down around Zeniff always has a few bulls, so does the pine and fir country on the west side of the unit, we've shot a lot of bulls just glassing off the Heber Payson highway at the break of dawn. Shones dam has a couple of nice bulls hanging around too but they are tough to hunt in that flat cedar country..


I'm in Hawaii on work but I'm happy to help but that info right there should get you started. I know of four bulls taken this year in 3C that grossed over 400. Most of those really big bulls are safely back on the Rez hiding out now, those 350+ bulls are hard to connect with on the late hunt but it happens. These late hunts are tough though, we typically see them as meat hunts and shoot the first bull we find but big bulls get taken every year on the late bull tags.

My daughter and son in law have 4B tags at the same time and I'll be helping them in that unit during the same dates.

 

[azoutdoors17]

Try the area around Capps ranch, there's always a few resident bulls hanging out in that area. You can get on the knobs in that area, which are south of the ranch and east of the Show Low Heber highway. You can cover a lot of ground of those knobs with binos.

The old hay farm down around Zeniff always has a few bulls, so does the pine and fir country on the west side of the unit, we've shot a lot of bulls just glassing off the Heber Payson highway at the break of dawn. Shones dam has a couple of nice bulls hanging around too but they are tough to hunt in that flat cedar country..


I'm in Hawaii on work but I'm happy to help but that info right there should get you started. I know of four bulls taken this year in 3C that grossed over 400. Most of those really big bulls are safely back on the Rez hiding out now, those 350+ bulls are hard to connect with on the late hunt but it happens. These late hunts are tough though, we typically see them as meat hunts and shoot the first bull we find but big bulls get taken every year on the late bull tags.

My daughter and son in law have 4B tags at the same time and I'll be helping them in that unit during the same dates.

I think I know where you're talking with Capps Ranch and will check it out. Never been up in 3A unless you count Lone Pine Dam Road. But I have an idea of the places and the terrain you're speaking to in both those spots. I know there are some really big boys back there…..especially down on the Rez. Saw plenty when they used to have that raghorn hunt.
Appreciate any and all help/insight. Good luck to your family on their hunt, and thank you!

 

[nakneker]

I think I know where you're talking with Capps Ranch and will check it out. Never been up in 3A unless you count Lone Pine Dam Road. But I have an idea of the places and the terrain you're speaking to in both those spots. I know there are some really big boys back there…..especially down on the Rez. Saw plenty when they used to have that raghorn hunt.
Appreciate any and all help/insight. Good luck to your family on their hunt, and thank you!

If you get stumped feel free to reach out, I'll help if I can.
Sean

 

[azoutdoors17]

Afternoon!
Hope your hunt is going well! Do you have any other insight? Or seen any moving on your way out this am? Capps is filled with cattle right now, and the one by Shumway is gated with LDS land. Black Canyon area including Baca meadows is packed. Thank you for any help.

 

[nakneker]

Afternoon!
Hope your hunt is going well! Do you have any other insight? Or seen any moving on your way out this am? Capps is filled with cattle right now, and the one by Shumway is gated with LDS land. Black Canyon area including Baca meadows is packed. Thank you for any help.

I've been in the canyons of 4B helping my daughter and her husband, she shot a small six point last night that had a good bull with it but she wasn't fast enough, that was her last day and she got it done. Now I'm gonna be helping her husband.


I've seen some bulls in 3c early in the morning between Heber and forest lakes on the 3C side. Nothing real big but I did see a couple smaller six points and I don't think anybody is really hunting the area I'm seeing the elk at. I'll get you a mile marker tomorrow when I go out. I need to get some fence built today but I'll be out helping my SiL and brother until Thursday or until they get fill their tags. I'll ask a couple friends what they've been seeing too. I know they've seen some smaller bulls in 3c looking for a particular bull they've been watching. I'll reach out tomorrow evening.

 

[azoutdoors17]

Congratulations! Hopefully you go 2/2!
Thank you very much for your help. Hope the fence building goes well!