AZ unit 8 late rifle elk/Sycamore canyon questions

[Timvz26]

Hello everyone, drew a unit 8 late rifle tag in AZ this year, after doing some research is seems like the best bet for this unit is Sycamore canyon, which looks like a beast of a canyon. I have help going with me to pack one out if we are so fortunate. My brother and I are young and dumb enough to still do something like this.

A question I have is how is the pressure hunting the canyon? I am assuming there will be lots of glassing pressure but will there be hunters down in it hunting? Glassing it from every point, etc.

Another question is there water flowing in the bottom of it year round or should I look for small springs or tanks? I have never hunted this dry country before so trying to learn in advance.

Please feel free to PM me if you would like, I also did a DIY Alaska caribou hunt this past fall I would be willing to share info about as well.

TIA, Tim

 

[Sarcastick]

Pressure on the edge of the canyon will be intense to say the least, especially if you haven't experienced the late rifle hunt in that unit yet. Down in the canyon there will be less pressure but also significantly fewer bulls than along the edges. The water in the canyon is typically seasonal and can get pretty dry other than towards lower end near the springs. Tanks can be good depending on rainfall.