Good lord, after 5 years Arizona continues to send me back my elk license funds...... However, I do have 6 points :D:D:D:D.....
I have a buddy that has been trying Az. for 11 years. He thinks in another 4-5 he might get drawn! good luck next year.
You either wait for the best units or hunt the average ones much sooner. I'm going your route and just going for the top few areas, but I am 4 years behind you as well, I have a whopping 2 points.
If I was going for a not-so-quality unit by Arizona standards, it would be good....but waiting for units like 9, 10, and the 23's...I am half way there. Good news is that when you obtain you loyality point (applying 5 years in a row) you never loose that point:D
You can go on ebay this Fall and buy landowner tags. Some are good for the entire unit. You might spend $3000 or so, but you will be hunting this year. I applied for a lesser known unit a couple of years ago right next to one of the premium units and drew the first time. 5 of us killed 2 bulls in terrible conditions. It rained 11 of the 13 days and we were there early season to hunt water holes. I was on a huge herd bull for three days and got VERY close on two occasions. Then some other hunters got onto him and buggered him out of the area. Three grand might sound like a lot, but think about how much you will have invested in buying a license just to enter the draw for 12 to 16 years. Or try for a low priority unit, there is still some good hunting in some of them.
