Overview: Approximately 20 % of Arizona's elk hunting opportunity is found in Unit 6A. Older age "mature" bulls are taken on a regular basis. The secret to harvesting an elk is spending time scouting just prior to the hunts opening. Scouting months in advance does little good, as elk move around quite a bit. Elk are found throughout the Unit, with the exception of the southernmost areas. Elk are even observed in the Camp Verde area. Although there are many access roads in the Unit, the key is getting out on foot or horseback away from those roads. Keep in mind it is unlawful to operate motor vehicles cross country during a hunt, with the exception of doing so to recover an animal that is down and tagged. ATV's have become very popular with hunters over the past few years, but recognize that animals key into the noise of motor vehicles and avoid areas where they hear them. It is estimated that an elk can hear a quad from up to a half mile away.

Look for areas that afford a decent view of the surrounding country and glass for them at sunrise. Of course, this means you need to be at that location prior to the sun coming up! Even the cheapest pair of binoculars allows you to see much better than the naked eye. It often surprises me how many hunters I encounter in the field that do not have binoculars with them. Maybe it is because they feel elk are big and therefore easy to see, but I can assure you quality optics will greatly enhance your chances of harvesting an elk.

Areas: The Unit has been divided into three sub-units for some of the hunts. Make sure to consult the regulations and your permit so you don't find yourself in the wrong area. These sub-units were created to help better manage the elk and distribute the harvest pressure.

Archery Seasons: This hunt has 3 sub-units, so check your permit and consult the regulations. During the archery season, the Ponderosa Pines are where you will find the majority of the elk, especially if it is still hot out. Many hunters sit tree stands and trails, and success depends on scouting. But don't get the wrong impression, big bulls are also in the pinon-juniper all year long.

Bear in mind that nobody "owns" the stock tanks, or the hunting rights to those tanks. Remember that we are all part of a group that enjoys the outdoors, and we must stick together to enjoy these activities in the future. In the past, hunters have been charged with crimes as serious as aggravated assault as a result of conflicts over "who's hunting where". Erecting permanent tree stands and damaging trees by putting spikes in them is illegal.

Muzzleloader Seasons: These hunts are getting quite popular, as hunters explore what it was like in the old days. Keep in mind that although these modern muzzleloaders are capable of shooting a good group at amazing distances, they simply do not have the energy to effectively kill an animal consistently at distances over 75 to 100 yards. That, added to the fact that you do not have a quick follow-up shot, can lead to animals getting away and later dying. During the muzzleloader season, I recommend glassing to locate animals with quality optics, determine your wind patterns, and make the stalk on them. It is not difficult to get quite close to elk, especially bedded ones. Bear in mind that you may have to repeat this procedure many times before getting close enough to harvest an elk, but doing so increases your hunting abilities and makes for an enjoyable hunt.

General Seasons: There are more antlerless elk out in the woods than there are antlered elk, by a ratio of about 3 to 1. Elk are found throughout the Unit during the general season hunts. For the late hunt, weather can be a factor. In this part of the State, elk don't normally migrate due to snowfall. When temperatures get below freezing at night for extended periods, the grasses go dormant, and elk work their way down to lower elevations in search of more palatable foods.

Find a high point and get situated before the sun comes up to glass for elk with good binoculars. This is generally easier in the pinon-juniper areas because you can see farther. Often in the ponderosa pines, the trees will obstruct your view. The elk are also more likely to be in the pinon-juniper areas during the later hunts, where it is warmer. It is wise to find areas where few roads exist and you can hike to the high points and glass in the mornings.  While scouting prior to your hunt, record these locations on you GPS. That way when hunting season starts a week or two later, you can walk right to them in the dark and be ready to start glassing when the sun comes up.  During the later hunts, the elk have already had a lot of pressure and will be more difficult to stalk.  

Elk like to feed up on the flats at nighttime, and work their way to the drainages when the sun comes up. Then they tend to bed down during the day. Look for the larger canyons, then concentrate of the smaller drainages that feed into the big canyons.

Verde Valley Over The Counter Non-Permit Tag:  Elk densities are low in this area and hunt success may be very low. Elk are concentrated throughout the year in the riparian areas of the Verde River, Beaver Creek, and Clear Creek. Much of this area is privately owned, so hunters should be aware of property boundaries and respect land-owners’ rights.  Much of this area is also within the town limits of Camp Verde (see attached map), where the discharge of a firearm is prohibited. Hunting within town boundaries is limited to archery-only. At night, some elk use
agricultural fields adjacent to the Verde River during the growing season, then retreat to the shady riparian areas during the day. Outside of town limits, hunters may use firearms on the public lands north and northeast of Camp Verde on the Coconino National Forest in the vicinities of White Hills and Wickiup Mesa. A Coconino National Forest (US Forest Service) map is helpful in locating area boundaries, access, and roadways. Elk may be found in these locations year-round in low numbers. Throughout much of the year, elk use here is tied closely to available water on these mesas. In the summer months, stock tanks and water troughs may dry up, so these elk will live in the canyons and ravines adjacent to the mesas, above the Verde River, Beaver Creek, and Clear Creek.
Hunting is not allowed on the Yavapai-Apache Reservation or within Montezuma Castle & Montezuma Well National Monuments; hunters should be aware of these boundaries.

Temperatures in the summer months will exceed 100 degrees. Especially if hunting from April through September, hunters should have a plan to remove elk from the field quickly and get the meat to cold storage without delay, to avoid meat spoilage.

Please note that this hunt area does not follow Game Management Unit boundaries.  More information about Verde Valley Hunt Area boundaries, season dates, and legal weapon types can be found at:  http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/documents/OTC_ELK_2010_Handout.pdf

Notice: The fall hunting season is now a limited weapon-shotgun shooting shot season only. There is still a fall archery-only, over-the-counter permit hunt available in the fall.

Overview: From 2005-2007 approximately 80 Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep were transplanted into Unit 6A in the area of West Clear Creek. Since that time, the population has been doing very well. Lamb recruitment and mature rams have been observed during survey flights. As the population grew, the first bighorn hunt in 6A was offered in 2010.
As bighorns are usually highly visible and not as elusive as other big game, the most difficult aspect of hunting bighorn is locating the rams and then negotiating the rugged terrain they inhabit. Essential equipment for a successful bighorn hunt would include: good, quality hiking boots; spotting scope and binoculars; a flat-shooting rifle with telescopic sight; and plenty of help to pack out your trophy. Pack-out weights for bighorn rams (boned out meat, plus head and cape) commonly exceed 200 pounds.
Areas: The 6A bighorn sheep are located primarily in West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek, and the East Verde River. Some animals have been observed along highway 260 and near Camp Verde.

Special Regulations: All successful bighorn hunters must personally submit the intact horns and skull of their bighorn for inspection at a Department office within three days of the close of the season. Even if unsuccessful, hunters are still required to check out through a Department office within three days of the close of the season.