I drew a Arizona bull tag but it's the wrong tag! Need advice

[twitchstick]

 When my wife came in from the mail box saying that I had a letter from Arizona Game and Fish I was pretty excited! I only had one point so I didn't expect to draw anything and hadn't even checked. I drew a Arizona bull tag for 5B south for the late archery hunt in November. I was shocked because I didn't remember applying for that hunt. I thought I had applied for 5B south early archery as my second choice. I do remeber that I had mistakenly applied for late achery hunt at first but I cought it before the payment page. I thought I had adjusted it to the correct second choice but apparently not! Working at a ski resort this hunt starts about the time we normally open. I should be able to get some time off but it will be a little tougher. Luckly my boss loves to hunt so maybe he'll understand.
      Now with that said I need to decide to keep the tag or not. I just don't know if this was a blessing in disguise or not? I'm only burning 1 point and I will problably not draw a good tag in Arizona for several years. Also living it Utah it's hard to hunt anything other than spikes and cows unless you draw a limited entry tag. That could take me a long time before I draw a tag like that. I see big bulls all the time but just can't hunt them. I know that there are still some good bulls killed on these late Arizona hunts but are a tougher hunt. The question is how hard of a hunt will it be and is it worth doing?  I have done a lot of elk hunting and I have even hunted elk in the late fall/winter so I know the challenges. It is close enough I can do some pre scouting this summer and fall. If anyone has experienced this hunt or one like it in Arizona I would love some feed back. Thanks Jim

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

I don't know anything about  your tag, and I'm guessing most of the guys here won't either. You might be best off calling and emailing a couple game wardens in that area and getting their opinion. Be sure to explain your equipment choices,and get a sense of your chances. They probably won't be high, but then, no archery elk tag has a high chance of success  .

Then just go with your gut! The real question is whether you want to deal with the challenges of that particular hunt, or not. If you have a "go get 'em" feeling about it, your hunt ought to be a blast, whether you kill or not.

[Jim Wright]

Very much endorse Malachi's advice and in addition suggest you contact Arizona DNR and get the regional office that your unit is in and call them, requesting to be put in touch with a wildlife biologist over the area. I suspect he will know as much about and perhaps even more than the Enforcement Officer.

[Tim Finley]

If you applied on line did you make a paper copy . My nephew got the wrong tag once and had it copied proved it to them and they gave him the right one . Not in Arizona though.
  You might find some good hunting in November .

[goldentrout_one]

Don't think: just GO.

[durp]

cant say about arizona but in most elk country the rut is long over and the bulls are spending there time
feeding before the snow hits em in the butt...spot and stock is the name of the game in november

[jhinaz]

I've hunted 5B South during the early season but not during the late hunt. My guess is what you see during summer scouting trips won't be of use to you during late season hunt. It all depends on the weather. Good luck. - John

[Tucker]

I’ve hunted 5Bsouth and Neighboring 6A in November before. Usually (but not always) by November the snow has hit and the elk move down to their winter range in the pinion and juniper with grassy areas.
For 6A that was down on the southern end as well as west toward Verde Valley, Oak Creek, and Stoneman Lake Road.
For 5B South it is south as well, but just as likely and probably more movement east and southeast moving off the higher ground down into the flatter country. I can’t remember the boundaries but SE of Kinikinik Lake and pints farther south.
Access may need to be made from the north around Winslow if roads off of Lake Mary Road and Hwy 87 are blocked by snow.

[twitchstick]

Thanks eveyone for the imput. I'm sure I will end up going as long as work dosen't get in the way.