Interesting question... I'm going to answer it in the format you presented it as well as answer the broader question that AZ has been dealing with the last 5-6 years regarding opportunity vs quality.
For me, so far I've only hunted AZ for elk. That will change next year if I don't get drawn (would be 3x in 3 years if I draw again). I plan on doing an OTC hunt in CO if I don't draw here in AZ.
Here in AZ you have to choose weapon, unit, and time of year for your hunt in the draw process. You are allowed one elk a year (if drawn). For the last 2 years, I've been blessed enough to be drawn for archery elk in September and have been able to take off 3 weeks for a 2 week long archery elk hunt.
In 2010 I had seen some pretty decent bulls in my preseason scouting, so I was holding out for a decent bull (for me that was 300+). I knew the unit very well and was pretty confident as the rut was rev'ing up early and I had some good bulls picked out in my week long preseason scouting. I ended up achieving my goal, shooting a bull I was very happy with the 4th day of the season. I'd passed on 2-3 smaller bulls before shooting this one. A disclaimer to this being I wanted to be successful, so my standards would have started dropping the later into the hunt I went. I would have rather shot a raghorn than go home empty handed (and thus an empty freezer).
For my 2011 hunt, I drew a decent unit with lower success and one I wasn't as familiar with. I had the same time allotment (3 weeks; 1 week preseason and 2 weeks during the season). However, this year I really wanted to help my dad out on his elk hunt and deer hunt in October, so I needed to finish up early in order to do this in order to save some vacation. During my pre-season scouting I didn't really see any big bulls. While my goal was still a bull over 300", I was mainly wanting a branch antlered bull. I missed a small 5x6 the second morning of the season and tagged out on a small 6 point (slightly less than 300) on the 6th day of the season.
I considered both hunts extremely successful and I accomplished both goals I had.
For next year, I imagine I'll end up in CO for an OTC hunt, not sure yet whether rifle or archery. My goal there will be to just be successful and come home with some meat, probably just allocating 7-9 days for scouting and hunting. My goals for each hunt depend on the quality of animals in the unit I'll be hunting, what my scouting shows me, and how much time I have allocated to a hunt. In the past I've usually wanted to go home with something before going home empty handed, but probably my next mule deer tag I'll be going home big, or empty handed.
Now, here in AZ back in 2005 or 2006, the AZGFD ran a survey asking whether people wanted quality (drawing less often but having higher bull/cow ratios and better trophy potential) or more quantity (opportunity in the form of getting a tag). The public responded that they wanted to get a tag more often. While this increased the draw odds, I think it has made the hunts suffer greatly in quality, and I'm not just meaning the size of the animals harvested, but more from the quality of hunt (how many people are afield and how many animals are seen). I've been helping out on the archery and Nov rifle hunts as well as a few of the cow hunts and limited opportunity hunts the last 5-6 years here in AZ and can honestly say that the quality of the hunt has decreased over the years. The hunts are getting a little tougher (imo) and having 400+ guys with 2-3 of their closest buddies in several units gets old. I think the November rifle hunts have suffered the worst. I think (and hope) the AZ public is realizing they aren't liking the opportunity they asked for and are slowly wanting it turned back around. But, I've also talked to a few guys who have their honey holes and are willing to do the work to be successful and have the chance to get drawn more often. I still think the 20% of the hunters harvest 80% of the animals still applies in AZ and the average hunter is starting to get frustrated at now finally having a tag but not seeing any elk to put it on.
I guess I'm the opposite and would rather wait 3-5 years (in a non 'trophy' unit) for a quality hunt (bigger class animals and less people). This probably isn't what you were referring to in your question, but has been on my mind for a while, especially after helping out on this year's November elk hunt here in AZ.
Ron
Usually if it's legal I'm shooting both archery and rifle. If I draw a good tag I will hold out to the end.
