The high country of Arizona is considered home to some of the biggest Elk in the state, if not the biggest in the country. Arizona produces more 400+ bull Elk than any other state. I really recommend hunting the rut, which has to be the most exciting hunt you will ever encounter. There is an opportunity for all hunters to be able to hunt the rut, the Archery hunt comes first followed by the Muzzleloader and early Rifle hunts. These hunts are by far the best of the best<br><br>Elk evolved as distance runners. Elk can approach 40 mph for short periods and nearly 30 mph for longer periods. They are strong swimmers, even calves can swim over a mile. Elk can jump vertically 8 to 10 feet.<br><br>Elk have distinct summer and winter coats, which they shed in late summer and spring, respectively. In winter; the head, belly, neck and legs are dark brown; the sides and back are grayish brown; and the rump patch is yellowish bordered by a dark brownish stripe. While the female is usually somewhat lighter, both sexes have heavy dark manes. In summer, the coat becomes a deep reddish brown. There is little to no undercoat, giving the animals a sleek, muscular appearance
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Antler development is a function of age. The antler cast occurs in January to March for adult bulls and from March through May for sub-adults. New growth occurs shortly after the cast. The growing period ranges from 90 days for yearlings to 150 days for adult bulls. Therefore it's possible to see yearlings with old spikes at the same time as bulls with a foot of velvet.<br><br>
By early August, antler growth is complete. The velvet dries up and the antlers harden. The velvet is stripped off in a matter of hours and the elk polishes its antlers against trees. By early September, the bull is ready for the rut. Bugling and harem formation occurs. Harems may number up to 30, depending on the vigor of the bull, but usually average 15 to 20.
History:
Elk were at one time the most widely distributed member of the deer family in North America - found everywhere except the Great Basin desert and the Southern coastal plains. Their population was estimated to total 10 million before European man arrived. Elk withstood the impacts of the western settlement better than the buffalo because they inhabited rougher terrain. The great reduction in elk numbers is attributable to market hunting and agriculture. The population low of 90,000 occurred in 1922, of these, 40,000 were in Yellowstone Park. The Park's herds became a reservoir for stocking breeding elk. Between 1912 and 1967 more than 13,500 elk were transplanted from the Park. In February 1913, 83 elk were released in Cabin Draw near Chevelon Creek. From these transplants the Arizona elk population has grown to nearly 35,000 animals.
Life Span:
Size:
Weight:
M-900lbs.; F-500lbs.
Food:
Weeds, grasses, sedges, shrubs, willow and trees in season
Habitat:
6K-10K ft, Northern Arizona<br>Fir-aspen & pine-juniper forests<br>Summer elk range is typically within a 1/2 mile of water. Winter range is often the limiting factor for elk herds as only about 10 percent of their total habitat is winter range. Elk prefer the summer range, moving to high elevations early and staying until absolutely forced down by snow depth. Summer range varies from 7,000 feet in the mixed conifers to 10,000+ in the spruce fir-sub-alpine belt. Winter range varies from 5,500 to 6,500 feet in Arizona, the pinyon-juniper zone.
Range:
20-30 sq. miles
Reproduction:
1
Population:
the Arizona elk population has grown to nearly 35,000 animals. There are about 1 million elk living in the United States.
Hunting Information:
Rifle: <br>
October, November, December 2005<br>
<br>
Muzzleloader:<br>
October, November 2005
<br><br>
Juniors Only:<br>
October 2005<br><br>
Archery: <br>
September 2005, some in November, December<br><br>
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