Unit 23S
Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk
Unit 23S is an Arizona elk unit managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). Permits are allocated through AZGFD's weighted-random bonus-point draw, where bonus points function as additional chances in the random selection rather than as guaranteed preference. Hunters applying for this unit should consult AZGFD's Hunt Guidelines, current regulations, and historical draw results to build a realistic point-building plan.
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Elk Hunting in Unit 23S
Unit 23S is an Arizona elk unit managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). Permits are allocated through AZGFD's weighted-random bonus-point draw, where bonus points function as additional chances in the random selection rather than as guaranteed preference. Hunters applying for this unit should consult AZGFD's Hunt Guidelines, current regulations, and historical draw results to build a realistic point-building plan.
Where to Find Elk in 23S: Sierra Ancha Country and the High Points Around It
AZGFD's guide covers all of Unit 23, not 23S alone. It splits the early bull hunt by permit, though, and that split tells you where to start. South permit holders are sent to the Sierra Ancha Mountains. We'd put our first scouting days there.
Sierra Ancha: Workman Creek, Reynolds Creek, Sawmill Flat
The agency names four areas for the south early bull hunt: Workman Creek, Reynolds Creek, Armer Mountain and Sawmill Flat. Start with those and don't wander. The guide doesn't rank them, and it doesn't give road numbers, so you'll need a current forest map and the unit's travel management information to work out how to reach each one.
The Sierra Ancha range tops out around 7,621 feet on our landform data, with Carr Mountain (7,618), Baker Mountain (7,602), Carr Peak (7,592) and Center Mountain (7,584) all sitting in the same band. Valentine Ridge runs 7,634 feet. These are public-land summits, and we'd treat them as glassing stations over the drainages below.
Armer Mountain and Aztec Peak
Armer Mountain (7,311 feet) is the one name that shows up in nearly every season the guide describes. It's a south-hunt early-bull area, a general antlerless area, an archery area and a late-bull refuge. If you can only learn one piece of ground, learn it.
Aztec Peak (7,734 feet) is the highest glassing point we have on the unit. AZGFD lists it for the late-October antlerless hunt, along with Bottle Springs. Both are good places to check for cows once the bugling tapers off.
Springs on the map
Our data lists Workman Creek Falls, Hale Spring, Tin House Spring, Rock Spring, Tewksbury Spring, Coon Creek Spring, Armor Corral Spring, Cienega Spring, DeVore Spring and Brewer Spring, among others. The packet doesn't say which are reliable in a dry fall. Treat them as places to check on the map, then confirm on the ground.
Later seasons and the 23S boundary
For the late bull hunt, AZGFD says bulls get pushed into remote, rugged ground: Armer Mountain, the south slopes of Naegelin Rim, Christopher Mountain, Horse Mountain and the Mogollon Rim. Christopher Mountain tops out at 6,953 feet in our data. Some of these names are in the north half of the unit, which the guide steers north permit holders toward. Check the 23S boundary before you commit a week to any of them.
The guide also warns that elk common in September can be gone by December. Scout late hunts after the weather turns, not before.
Unit 23S terrain and land status
Measured from the unit boundary, not from the agency write-up
Named features inside the unit
Glass from: Promontory Butte (7,915 ft), Aztec Peak (7,734 ft), Valentine Ridge (7,634 ft), Sierra Ancha (7,621 ft)
Holding ground: Valentine Canyon (6,263 ft), Juniper Flat (6,085 ft), Lost Salt Canyon (6,027 ft), Hale Spring, Tin House Spring
Every one of these was tested against the unit polygon before it went on the map. They are starting points, not agency recommendations.
How to Hunt 23S Elk: Call Early, Glass Cool Hours, Go Rough Late
Elk Success Rates
Elk Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts (n/p) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle — Early Rifle bull/buck only (combined pool) | 10 | 1,422 | 0.6% | — |
| Early Archery — bull/buck only (combined pool) | 15 | 488 | 2.3% | — |
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 EngineUnit Logistics & Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for an Arizona Unit 23S elk tag?
Is Unit 23S worth burning points on?
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Upgrade to Pro — $49/yrSources & Verification
Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.
- AZGFD Hunt Guidelines — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Hunt structure, Permit allocation framework · accessed 2026-04-17
- AZGFD Hunt Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Season dates, Unit boundaries, Legal methods · accessed 2026-04-17
- AZGFD Draw Results & Bonus Points — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Bonus-point draw mechanics, Historical draw results · accessed 2026-04-17