If you only have 7 days to hunt, I would choose the last 7 days of the season without a doubt. The peak of the rut is right around the first week of October near my place so the closer to then the better.
In the area next to 1 you won't see much glassing (ponderosa)....especially the actual areas where the elk rut. Water can be hit or miss, as this part of AZ is the wettest in the state so they are not as dependent on water as other units.....like near Flagstaff or Payson.
That Ziegler Mountain area will have a few good ones as well.
If you have the time, be here the entire season.
We’ve had some decent snow so with a bit of spring rains, antler growth should be good.
The Woolhouse wildlife area (walk-in only) will hold some decent bulls and less people due to vehicle restrictions. The Lake Mountain area can also be good…..especially near the unit 1/reservation border.
Last year there was a good herd bull next to my place that nobody was hunting. A solid...