Arizona Big Game Hunting: The Top 3 Animals You Need to Hunt Before You Die
Arizona is a state with a rich hunting tradition and a diverse wildlife population. Whether you’re looking for a new outdoor adventure, a quality source of fresh meat, or a way to contribute to wildlife conservation, hunting in Arizona can offer you all that and more.
But what are the best big game animals to hunt in Arizona? How do you rank them based on their popularity, difficulty, and trophy quality? How many are killed annually by instate and out of state hunters? In this blog post, we’ll answer some of these questions and give you some tips on how to enjoy hunting in Arizona.
#1: Elk
Elk are the most popular big game animal to hunt in Arizona, and for good reasons. They are large, majestic, and challenging animals that can provide an unforgettable hunting experience. They are also highly sought-after for their delicious meat and impressive antlers.
Arizona is home to some of the largest and finest elk in the world. The state holds the world-record typical elk, which scored 442 5/8 B&C points1. The state also has several trophy units that produce bulls over 400 inches every year. However, these units are very hard to draw, as they have very low odds of success. Most hunters have to apply for many years before they get a chance to hunt these units.
According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), there were 34,539 elk hunters in Arizona in 2020, who harvested 12,540 elk2. Of these hunters, 29,942 were residents and 4,597 were non-residents. The overall success rate was 36%, which is relatively high for elk hunting.
If you want to hunt elk in Arizona, you need to apply for a hunt permit-tag through the AZGFD online portal or by paper application. The application deadline is usually in February for the fall hunts and in October for the spring hunts. You also need a valid hunting license and an elk stamp. You can find more information about elk hunting in Arizona on the AZGFD website or download the free Hunt Arizona app for your smartphone.
#2: Mule Deer
Mule deer are another popular big game animal to hunt in Arizona. They are widely distributed throughout the state, and offer a challenging hunt for experienced hunters. They are also valued for their meat and antlers.
Arizona has some of the best mule deer genetics in the country, producing bucks with massive racks and heavy mass. Some of the best units for mule deer hunting are located in northern and western Arizona, where the habitat is more open and arid. However, these units also have low densities of deer and require a lot of scouting and glassing to locate them.
According to the AZGFD, there were 97,906 mule deer hunters in Arizona in 2020, who harvested 23,484 mule deer2. Of these hunters, 87,927 were residents and 9,979 were non-residents. The overall success rate was 24%, which is relatively low for deer hunting.
If you want to hunt mule deer in Arizona, you need to apply for a hunt permit-tag through the AZGFD online portal or by paper application. The application deadline is usually in June for the fall hunts and in October for the spring hunts. You also need a valid hunting license and a deer stamp. You can find more information about mule deer hunting in Arizona on the AZGFD website or download the free Hunt Arizona app for your smartphone.
#3: Javelina (Yes we included this little guy into the mix!)
Javelina are a unique and fun big game animal to hunt in Arizona. They are not pigs, but rather members of the peccary family, which are native to North America. They are small, hairy, and social animals that live in groups called bands. They feed on cacti, roots, fruits, seeds, and insects.
Javelina are found throughout Arizona, but are more common in the southern and central parts of the state. They prefer arid and semi-arid habitats with dense vegetation and rocky terrain. They are active mostly during dawn and dusk, but may also be seen during the day or night depending on the weather and hunting pressure.
Javelina hunting is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and test your hunting skills. Javelina are wary and elusive animals that can be hard to spot and stalk. They also have a keen sense of smell and hearing, which they use to detect predators and hunters. Javelina hunting can be done with a variety of weapons, such as rifles, handguns, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows, or dogs.
According to the AZGFD, there were 23,640 javelina hunters in Arizona in 2020, who harvested 9,304 javelina1. Of these hunters, 21,683 were residents and 1,957 were non-residents. The overall success rate was 39%, which is relatively high for big game hunting.
If you want to hunt javelina in Arizona, you need to apply for a hunt permit-tag through the AZGFD online portal or by paper application. The application deadline is usually in October for the spring hunts and in June for the fall hunts. You also need a valid hunting license. You can find more information about javelina hunting in Arizona on the AZGFD website or download the free Hunt Arizona app for your smartphone.
Arizona is an excellent state for big game hunting, with many huntable species, including elk, mule deer, and javelina. These animals are ranked as the top 3 big game animals to hunt in Arizona based on their popularity, difficulty, and trophy quality. They also provide a lot of benefits for the state’s economy and wildlife conservation.
If you are interested in hunting these animals in Arizona, you need to apply for a hunt permit-tag through the AZGFD online portal or by paper application. You also need a valid hunting license and any additional stamps or permits required for your weapon type. You should also do your research on the best units, methods, and strategies for hunting these animals.
Hunting in Arizona can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience that can challenge any hunter’s skills and abilities. Whether you’re looking for a new outdoor adventure, a quality source of fresh meat, or a way to contribute to wildlife conservation, hunting in Arizona can offer you all that and more.
