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Arizona Elk

Unit 2A/2B (Chuska / Defiance Plateau)

Arizona Hunting Guide — Elk

Units 2A and 2B sit in far northeast Arizona along the New Mexico border, covering portions of the Defiance Plateau and adjacent timbered country. Per AZGFD's GMU 2A page and the 2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations, the combined 2A/2B elk hunt offers reasonable draw odds for a quality elk opportunity. We tallied about 455 applicants against roughly 280 permits over three draw cycles, confirming it as a drawable elk hunt with strong bull potential.

View Draw Odds Arizona Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 2A/2B

Units 2A and 2B sit in far northeast Arizona along the New Mexico border, covering portions of the Defiance Plateau and adjacent timbered country. Per AZGFD's GMU 2A page and the 2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations, the combined 2A/2B elk hunt offers reasonable draw odds for a quality elk opportunity. We tallied about 455 applicants against roughly 280 permits over three draw cycles, confirming it as a drawable elk hunt with strong bull potential.

Where to Find Elk in Units 2A/2B

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How to Hunt Elk in Units 2A/2B

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 2A/2B combined elk hunts run in the 30–50% success band for rifle per AZGFD harvest summaries, with respectable bull quality. Archery success trends 15–25%. The unit complex produces mature bulls most years but does not match the premier Mogollon Rim opportunity.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Early Rifle603096.7% 0
Rifle— General Rifle Oct408100.0% 0
Rifle— Early Rifle3519910.1% 0
Rifle— General Rifle Oct257313.7% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Under Arizona's weighted bonus-point draw with 20% pass-through and hunter-education bonus, the 2A/2B combined elk hunt typically draws with mid-single-digit bonus points for rifle. Archery tags draw with fewer points. Keep the hunt on your application list as a mid-tier choice and play the 20% pass-through in low-point years.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt Navajo Nation land on a 2A/2B tag?
No. The AZGFD elk tag is valid only on public and state lands within the hunt area boundary. Navajo Nation trust land is not included and requires separate tribal permission where permitted.
Is the 2A/2B combined hunt good for a first elk hunt?
Yes, for a hunter comfortable with navigation and boundary discipline. Draw odds are reasonable and bull quality is respectable; the access complexity is the main hurdle.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

  1. GMU 2A — Unit Landing Page — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Unit 2A boundary, Navajo Nation trust land considerations, Public access routes · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. 2026 Arizona Pronghorn and Elk Regulations — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Combined 2A/2B hunt structure, Season dates, Tag allocations and hunt numbers · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. AZGFD Draw Portal — Hunt Drawing — Arizona Game and Fish Department · supports: Draw odds history, Application portal, Bonus-point rules · accessed 2026-04-17