Unit 01/02B/02C (White Mountains Combined)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk

The 01/02B/02C combined hunt area is Arizona's highest-demand elk draw, pulling over 42,000 cumulative applicants and spanning the White Mountains from the Springerville/Alpine corridor south into the Salt River drainage. This multi-unit hunt merges GMUs 1, 2B, and 2C — a mosaic of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, high-elevation meadow systems, and the White Mountain Apache Tribal boundary. With the broadest elk habitat in the state, it is the benchmark unit for serious Arizona elk hunters.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 01/02B/02C

Where to Find Elk in the 01/02B/02C Combined Unit

The combined 01/02B/02C area spans the heart of Arizona's White Mountains elk range — from the Springerville/Alpine forest corridor to the Blue River drainage and Salt River canyon rims.

High Meadow Parks (8,500–9,500 ft)

The upper meadow systems on the Springerville and Alpine ranger districts hold large bull concentrations in September. Open parks surrounded by aspen and mixed conifer are the core rut habitat. Key drainages include Nutrioso Creek, Luna Lake area, and the forest parks south of Alpine.

Post-Wallow Fire Habitat

The 2011 Wallow Fire burned over 530,000 acres across units 1 and 2B/2C. Fifteen-year post-fire recovery has created exceptional elk browse habitat in burn mosaics. Early elk use of regenerating aspen sprouts and new forb growth is consistent in these areas.

2B/2C Lower Country (6,500–8,000 ft)

Unit 2B and 2C extend south into the ponderosa and pinyon-juniper transition along Hwy 73 and the Fort Apache Indian Reservation boundary. Elk in this zone winter low and provide rifle-season opportunity with less pressure than the northern high country.

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How to Hunt Elk in the 01/02B/02C Combined Unit

A tag in the 01/02B/02C combined unit is a once-in-many-lifetimes draw. Plan accordingly.

September Archery — Peak Rut

The archery season opening week in early September targets bulls still in bachelor groups. By September 15-25, rut peaks across the unit. Cow calls and locator bugles work well in the mixed conifer parks. Focus on water sources at dawn, then transition to bugling in heavy timber by mid-morning.

Rifle Season Glass-and-Stalk

Rifle seasons in October–November are spot-and-stalk operations in the high meadows and forest openings. Park on high ridges above the park systems, glass from tripod-mounted optics, and commit to stalks on identified bulls. Snow pushes elk out of the high country; track fresh tracks to locate herds after the first storm.

Access and Scouting

The MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) for Apache-Sitgreaves NF is essential. Many productive drainages require high-clearance 4WD. Pre-season scouting trips in August are standard for serious hunters — locate wallows and water sources before the hunt opens.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle25%

Archery18%

Muzzleloader22%

The 01/02B/02C combined elk hunt produces some of Arizona's highest success rates — typically 50–70% for rifle hunters and 20–35% for archery. The broad combined-unit geography gives hunters flexibility to locate animals across a huge landscape. Bull quality is exceptional; 340–380+ class bulls are taken annually.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts (n/p)
Rifle — Early Rifle bull/buck only (combined pool)	35	11,739	0.3%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec bull/buck only (combined pool)	250	4,150	3.7%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Dec antlerless (combined pool)	350	1,065	19.5%	—
Rifle — Late Rifle Nov bull/buck only (combined pool)	225	4,715	2.4%	—
Early Archery — bull/buck only (combined pool)	225	5,909	2.9%	—
Late Archery Nov — bull/buck only (combined pool)	30	106	11.3%	—
Early Archery — antlerless (combined pool)	75	160	24.4%	—
Muzzleloader — Early Muzzleloader bull/buck only (combined pool)	35	2,309	1.1%	—

Data from 2025 draw results. Each row is one residency pool — read the label before the number. This agency publishes no point thresholds, so the Pts column stays blank and these are pool odds, not what a point total draws.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

With over 42,000 cumulative applicants, this is Arizona's most competed elk draw. Expect to accumulate 20–30+ bonus points before drawing — patience is the strategy. Apply every year without fail. The loyalty bonus (consecutive application streak) provides a meaningful edge in the random component of Arizona's draw.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Strong for Arizona — the White Mountains receive more precipitation than other Arizona units. Springs, stock tanks, and headwater streams throughout.

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Road Conditions

Highways 191 and 260 are paved main arteries. Forest roads range from graded gravel to rough two-track. 4WD recommended for most backcountry access.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to difficult. Rolling high-mountain terrain at 7,000–9,500 ft elevation. The vast size of the combined unit demands physical fitness.

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Weather

September highs 50–70°F with afternoon thunderstorm risk. October brings frost and potential early snow above 8,000 ft.

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Cell Service

Limited — coverage near Springerville and Alpine only. Satellite communicator essential for backcountry access.

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Nearest Town

Springerville/Eagar (fuel, groceries, lodging) and Alpine (limited services). Show Low 45 min west for additional services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many bonus points do I need to draw the 01/02B/02C elk tag in Arizona?

Most successful applicants hold 20–30+ bonus points. Arizona's draw uses a random component with bonus point weighting — maximum points improve odds significantly but do not guarantee a tag. Apply every year and never miss an application cycle.

What makes the 01/02B/02C combined unit different from Unit 1 alone?

The combined hunt area merges GMUs 1, 2B, and 2C, giving the tag holder access to a much broader hunting landscape — from the high meadow parks near Alpine south to the lower ponderosa country bordering the Fort Apache Reservation. More habitat diversity means more flexibility in locating animals.

Free Hunt Planning Tools

🎰 Arizona Draw Odds Unit-level tag success rates 📅 Application Timeline Deadlines for all 9 states 🦌 Rut Forecast Peak rut timing by species 💰 Hunt Cost Calculator Budget your entire hunt

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

AZGFD Big Game Draw — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Applicant counts, Draw odds, Season structure · accessed 2026-04-18