Arizona Unit 22 Elk Hunting Guide

Arizona Unit 22 sits in the Mogollon Rim country and is one of the state's better-known elk destinations, drawing thousands of applicants every year for a mix of limited-entry hunts across multiple hunt types. With 1,011,948 total acres and a remarkable 99% public land base, Unit 22 offers hunters about as much unrestricted access as exists anywhere in Arizona's elk country — a major draw for do-it-yourself hunters who don't want to negotiate private land leases or deal with locked gates.

The unit is split functionally into 22 North and 22 South, with the northern portion (the area generally north of Payson) holding the bulk of the elk population, while 22 South carries lower elk densities across a larger, more spread-out landscape. Elevations in the unit range from 1,328 feet up to 7,814 feet, producing a wide variety of habitat types from lower desert transition zones to timbered rim country, and 30% of the unit falls within designated wilderness. For hunters weighing whether to spend points or apply cold on Unit 22, understanding the current data on herd health, tag trends, and access is essential before committing to an application.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is Unit 22 Worth Applying For?

Unit 22 is a mixed bag, and hunters need to go in with realistic expectations. On the positive side, the harvest numbers show a unit that produces results. In 2025, 1,202 hunters combined for 523 harvested elk, a 44% unit-wide success rate — up notably from 2024, when 855 hunters harvested 319 elk for a 37% success rate. Both years reflect a unit where hunters who draw a tag have a legitimate chance of putting an elk on the ground, which is not something every Arizona elk unit can claim.

The tradeoff is herd density and bull quality relative to some of Arizona's premier units. Wildlife survey data collected across four seasons (2022–2025) shows an average bull-to-cow ratio of 27:100, with an average of 267 total animals observed per survey. A 27:100 ratio is on the lower end for a healthy bull segment and suggests hunters should expect more pressure on mature bulls and a herd structure skewed toward cows relative to top-tier trophy units elsewhere in the state. This is consistent with grazing, habitat, and hunting pressure dynamics typical of a large, heavily accessible unit.

Trophy potential is a genuine strength here, however. The counties overlapping Unit 22 carry a strong history of trophy-caliber record-book entries, giving the unit real trophy credibility on paper. Hunters should keep in mind that record-book entries are logged at the county level and are shared with neighboring units, so this trophy history reflects the broader region rather than being unit-exclusive — but it does confirm that mature, well-scored bulls have consistently come out of this part of Arizona over time.

Tag quotas across Unit 22's various hunt types tell an important story for anyone deciding whether to apply this cycle. Several hunt types have seen meaningful cuts heading into 2026: hunt type 3058 was cut in half, from 150 tags in 2025 down to 75 in 2026. Hunt type 3186 was also cut 50%, dropping from 50 tags to 25. Hunt type 3071 lost 20% of its tags (125 down to 100), hunt type 3164 was trimmed 11% (225 down to 200), and hunt type 3147 saw a smaller 10% reduction (50 down to 45). Meanwhile, hunt types 3027, 3028, 3029, 3059, 3103, and 3165 have held steady with no year-over-year change. These reductions matter — fewer tags issued generally means more competition in the draw and, over time, potentially less hunting pressure in the field for those who do draw.

Bottom line: Unit 22 is worth applying for if a hunter values high public land access, decent overall success rates, and a shot at a trophy-class bull from a historically productive region — but it should not be mistaken for a slam-dunk trophy unit. The modest bull:cow ratio suggests this is a unit where hunting hard and knowing the terrain matters more than simply having a tag in hand. Hunters should also check HuntPilot's Unit 22 page for current draw odds by hunt type and residency, since those numbers move year to year and are not included in this analysis.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 22's harvest numbers have trended in a positive direction recently. The 2025 season produced a 44% overall success rate (523 harvested out of 1,202 hunters), a solid improvement over 2024's 37% success rate (319 harvested out of 855 hunters). This upward trend in both hunter numbers and success is worth noting — more hunters were afield in 2025, and a higher percentage of them connected. For a unit this large and accessible, a success rate in the high-30s to mid-40s percent range is respectable and indicates that elk are both present and vulnerable to hunters who put in the effort.

Trophy Quality

Trophy data for the counties overlapping Unit 22 shows a strong history of record-book production. This doesn't mean every hunter should expect a record-class bull — the unit's own bull:cow ratio data points to a herd that isn't overloaded with mature bulls relative to cows — but it does mean the genetic and habitat potential for a truly big bull exists in this region. Hunters chasing trophy potential in Unit 22 should treat this as a unit where patience, scouting, and pressure avoidance can pay off, given that the county-level record history confirms exceptional bulls have come from this broader area over the decades. Because these records are attributed by county rather than by unit boundary, that trophy pedigree is shared with neighboring units, so it should be read as a regional indicator of what's possible rather than a guarantee tied to Unit 22 specifically.

Herd Health & Population Trends

The wildlife survey data available for Unit 22 spans four survey years from 2022 to 2025, with an average of 267 animals observed per survey and an average bull:cow ratio of 27:100. A ratio in this range is on the lower side for elk herds generally, and it suggests a cow-heavy population structure — common in units that see consistent hunting pressure on bulls year after year, particularly in a unit with this much public access and hunter volume. Hunters should treat this 27:100 average as the more reliable long-term indicator of herd composition rather than focusing on any single survey year, since bull ratios in individual years can swing based on sample size and survey conditions. The average of 267 animals per survey gives a sense of scale for encounter rates, though it should not be read as a total population estimate for the unit.

Access & Terrain

Access is one of Unit 22's clearest strengths. With 99% of the unit classified as public land, DIY hunters have about as much room to roam as Arizona elk hunting offers, without the headaches of navigating private parcels or seeking landowner permission. Combined with 30% wilderness designation, hunters have both easily reached areas and more remote, foot-and-horseback-only country to choose from depending on their fitness level and hunting style.

The elevation range of 1,328 to 7,814 feet spans a huge diversity of habitat, from lower desert-transition terrain up through timbered rim country. This elevational spread means elk distribution can vary significantly by season and by sub-area — historically, the northern portion of the unit (22 North, generally the area north of Payson) has held the majority of the unit's elk, while 22 South carries lower elk densities spread across a larger footprint. Hunters focusing on 22 North should expect more company and more established elk sign, while those willing to work 22 South's lower-density country may find less competition but need to cover more ground to locate animals.

Terrain in the unit's southern reaches, including areas near larger reservoirs, tends toward rolling, brushier country that transitions into rim-country timber as elevation increases. Given the wide elevation band and the mix of open and timbered terrain, hunters should be prepared for warm daytime temperatures during early hunts at lower elevations, which makes quick meat care a priority after a successful harvest. Hunters planning a scouting trip should lean on HuntPilot's mapping tools — including public land overlays and terrain layers — to identify drainages, water sources, and elevation bands worth glassing before ever stepping into the field.

How to Apply

Note that both residents and nonresidents must hold a qualifying license before submitting an elk draw application — this is a cost separate from the application fee itself and is easy to overlook when budgeting for the draw. Hunters should visit HuntPilot's Arizona state page (/states/az) for tools to track application windows and compare hunt types before submitting.

Application dates and fees change every draw cycle. For the current deadlines, fees, and draw odds, see HuntPilot's Arizona page at /states/az.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Arizona Unit 22? Unit 22 spans a huge elevation range, from 1,328 feet up to 7,814 feet, producing everything from lower desert-transition brush country to timbered Mogollon Rim terrain at higher elevations. The unit is split into 22 North, which holds the majority of the elk population and sits generally north of Payson, and 22 South, a larger area with lower elk densities. With 99% public land and 30% wilderness, hunters have extensive room to explore both easily accessed areas and more remote backcountry.

What is harvest success in Arizona Unit 22? Recent harvest data shows a unit-wide success rate of 44% in 2025 (523 harvested out of 1,202 hunters) and 37% in 2024 (319 harvested out of 855 hunters). These figures reflect all hunt types combined and show a unit where drawn hunters have a reasonably strong chance of tagging out.

How big are the elk in Arizona Unit 22? Trophy records from the counties overlapping Unit 22 show a strong history of trophy-class bulls coming from this region, giving the area real credibility for producing mature, well-scored animals over time. That said, current survey data shows an average bull-to-cow ratio of 27:100, which is on the lower end and suggests bulls face consistent pressure. Hunters chasing a true trophy bull should expect to work hard and cover ground rather than assume the unit is loaded with mature bulls.

Is Arizona Unit 22 worth applying for? Yes, with realistic expectations. The unit combines nearly unmatched public land access (99%), solid and improving harvest success rates, and a strong regional trophy history. The tradeoff is a modest bull:cow ratio and recent tag cuts on several hunt types heading into 2026, meaning competition for tags may increase even as hunting pressure per tag could ease slightly. It's a strong option for hunters who prioritize access and are willing to hunt hard, rather than those looking for a guaranteed easy trophy.

Are elk tag quotas increasing or decreasing in Unit 22? Recent trends lean toward reductions. Hunt type 3058 was cut 50% (150 to 75 tags) and hunt type 3186 was also cut 50% (50 to 25 tags) heading into 2026. Hunt types 3071, 3164, and 3147 saw smaller cuts of 20%, 11%, and 10% respectively, while hunt types 3027, 3028, 3029, 3059, 3103, and 3165 remained stable. Hunters should check HuntPilot's Unit 22 page for the most current quota and draw odds information by hunt type before applying.