New Elk Hunting Opportunity

Hey guys I'm 62 years old and have been hunting Idaho bitterroot wilderness for the last nine years.
These are do it yourself hunts in a wilderness area either backpacking in for two days or horsepacking for several more.
Hunting this rough country is what got me into long range shooting!

i'm excited about this trip coming up in October but I am also aware this may be the last time I am physically able to hunt in a rugged wilderness area like this.

So my question is: can anyone recommend a good area for elk in New Mexico or Arizona?
Thanks!

I have hunted the Thorofare region until of recent years and for the same reason as you I looked somewhere else. I now hunt New Mexico. The outfitter I hunt with is Keith Williams and have been with him for the past half dozen or so hunts. Great Outfitter and company as far as I am concerned, which is why I will hunt with him every year until I can no longer get around. My hunts are land owner tags, which are considerably more expensive than a draw tag, but at least I get to hunt. And, at my age I can't wait rely or wait on preference points to draw.

I'm looking more for DIY - though I could do a guided hunt in right circumstances.

I'm kind of a loner when I'm hunting, which is why I hunt the Bitterroots. 250 miles of wilderness will be hard to trade in! LOL!

thanks!

If you want a fun hunt and see some beautiful country put in for the Valle Vidal in N.M.
I put me a 3 others in and we drew in 2005. Not real big bulls but alot of them.
If you can hunt the wilderness no problem in the valle vidal, you can make it as hard or easy ss you want just a fun hunt see slot of bulls and elk.

That sounds like me! Thanks I will check it out!

Gila mountains. Don't kid yourself though, NM has some rough land depending where your at. The draw can be tough as well. Barbary OTC tags though, it's a tough hunt in the no draw units. I've been at it 5-6 times now and I'm just starting to get on sheep, havnt pulled the trigger yet to my dismay.

AZ elk is a draw, and not really easy to get a tag for Non-residents. But a lot of the less popular units can be drawn. Most of AZ has good bulls, but will make you work for it.
Some of the more popular units known for big bulls are 1, 3A/3C, 9, 10, 22N, 23N, 27.