setarcher

Thx. Not sure why, but my search engine doesn't seem to work. I'll type in wording that I know exists in the forum and it comes back as nothing found...?? Regardless, I believe I recognize your pic and you likely assisted me back in 13 when I first went out. If I have to go off of anything other than the map recon, and based on my experience in the unit, agree there are great glassing spots all along the trail without having to go to RR. I've just come across a few forum inputs/articles that rave about it. Maybe I can look up some of my old original posts and see your response then as well. Thx again.

Last hunted AZ in 2014 within the SW/24B. While observing a saddle, had an encounter with four lion cubs not 25 yards from me. As they played around, the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I had no idea where momma was. Within 30 seconds, I look across the saddle and there stood momma, 72 yards away broadside and one, me without a tag, and two she had cubs so nothing I could do but admire the near once in a lifetime opportunity to see one of these creatures in their environment and feel good about knowing (?thinking?) she never knew I was there. She gracefully slipped away into the tall grass never to be seen again. Less than 30 min later, I watched four does come in and feed across the same hillside as the cat. Nearly walked in some of the same spots without ever spooking or getting nervous. Great morning that day.

Hi all. Been several years since posting as I PCS'd from AZ in 2015. I've packed-in archery hunted in the SW/24B solo and with a couple of buddies betw/2013-2015. We decided our pack hunt for 2018 would be the rut hunt in Jan 2019 and looking to return to this unit or maybe 22 for a 7 day pack in hunt. In previous hunts, I had always planned to check out Reavis Ranch, but we were in deer without having to hike 7-10 miles. Have read articles and posts in other forums that say it's covered up in deer but difficult terrain and less spotting opportunities due to relatively thicker vegetation. We're avid hunters, have packed in to places like AZ, CO, and ID and given the deer we were on in December hunts, very confident that we should have even more success during the January hunt. At least sightings anyway. Closing the deal on one of these Grey Ghosts is another story. That said, based on my current research and personal experience, I'm soliciting feedback from folks experienced with 24B as well as 22. More specifically, Is Reavis Ranch worth the hike to use as a base camp and hunt in and around? Given a rut hunt in Jan, does the Ranch area get pressured pretty hard and will we be competing with other hunters? Anyone that may have experience with both 22 and 24B, do you have a preference or feeling of what you believe is a better deer hunt opportunity? I've never been in 22 so we would be starting from scratch rather than being able to start in areas from past experience. As a side note, I found it odd in all past hunts combined, I only ran into one other hunter walking the trail during Thanksgiving weekend. Several hikers, but no more than one hunter. This included rifle hunters drawn for the Dec hunt time frame. Not sure if that's an indication of one, folks not wanting to put in the work to get into remote area; two, us being in an area that albeit we were in deer, was not an area that held larger numbers and quality... Thanks in advance for anyone that can provide some insights.

I'll be in Unit 10 during Veteran's Day weekend scouting for archery elk hunt 14-27 Nov. Got one small bull down from Colorado. Time to get one of those AZ monsters.

First bull was taken with a 100g Thunderhead. No pass through at 44 yards and he didn't go 44 yards before falling over. Second bull was taken with a Rage three blade at 51 yards. No pass through and he piled up less than 60 yards from where he was standing. x2 on the comment re: any modern day razor sharp broadhead will get the job done. Pass throughs are over rated. Yeah, they help in creating a better blood trail, but if you're hitting them in the boiler room where you're supposed to, the animal is not going to go more than 100 yards.

No disrespect taken. I'm not doing it to gain access. I'm doing it on behalf of all hunters now and into the future. If they've been considering reducing or stopping hunter access due to less than respectful hunters, which is perfectly within their right to do, the least we respectful and honorable hunters can do is go the extra mile. I disagree about it being all about money. A ranch that big could easily charge more. Assuming every tag holder in Nov pays the fee, they only get $1800. That's nothing. As the saying goes, you catch more bees with honey than vinegar. I've gained plenty of access to private areas simply by being a sincere, cordial advocate for the outdoors. Yeah, in this case $60 gains the access, but there's not shortage of what else you can gain by being a decent human being. Heck, I may even get a good tip or two to increase my odds.

Thx again for all the input. I'll be taking 7-10 days of leave to conduct this hunt and agree, weekdays in the late season hunt will likely be pretty sparce of other hunters. There's only 29 other tags during this block and the it is a huge area. I'm gonna call the ranch and meet with someone in preparation for the hunt so they can get a feel for who I am, how I operate, and give them comfindence that I'm there to preserve their ranch as much as I am to harvest an elk. Goal is to get out and scout during Columbus and Veteran's Day weekends so I can learn the access points, validate what I think from map/google earth analysis, and then get after it. Happy hunting and good luck to you all this year.

x2 on Spot Hogg. Currently use a Cameron Hanes edition Hogg-It with 7 customized pins as well as the Hunter with a 5 pin and 3 pin head. They've always been great on the phone and in assisting with custom orders. When I was deployed, I got a 45% discount and bought a group of items but was told it was a once in a lifetime discount. I've since learned they dropped from 45 to 25% for military. I'm hoping with the drop, they'll extend the discount to more than the one time. I'd really like to get a Boss or Tommy Hogg base to put my 3 pin head on. Lock in the 20 and 30 and the 40 becomes the adjustment pin to as far as I can ethically see, aim, and hit...

With the results out, I drew unit 10. Understand half of this unit is with the Big Boquilla (sp?) Ranch. If I hunt the ranch property, sitting water holes is out given the rules for the ranch are you can't hunt within 100 yards of "any" water source. Guess that means natural run off in deep cuts/canyons. Not sure I understand that but it's there for a reason. Will be my second hunting season in AZ and first for elk. Based on experience, anyone have a preference on hunting the ranch property or national forest section?

Thx for the tip on Tucson office. I also live in Tucson. Just got off phone. Was drawn for GMU 10 second archery season. Just moved here last summer and got drawn on first try. Didn't go for the early archery because I'll be in Colorado during that hunt chasing elk there. Anyone else drawn for 10 in Nov archery? Anyone with experience in that unit? Understand half of it is tied up with a private ranch but can pay a fee to have access during your hunt days.

Early archery GMU 9 Congrats.

As another folllow up, in my research for unit 10, notice over half the unit is tied up with a cattle ranch. They allow access for a fee. I think it's $60 for the season access. However, in their rules. they don't allow hunting on water tanks or within a certain distance. Guess sitting tanks in 10 would have to be on the public land side, maybe in the National Forest... Thx for the feedback as I continue to patiently wait to know the unit. Glad to know it is very likely 10 or 7W.

Not sure what the big deal is. Agree it would be nice to have consistency but the reality is none of us reallly know why it's taking the time it is. I'm not familiar with previous result publishing dates so have no comparison to go off of. Last I checked, the season doesn't begin any earlier than 13 Sep so it's not like we're gonna get anything accomplished betw/now and July. My hunt won't begin until 15 November and I'll be able to spend Columbus Day and Veteran's Day weekend scouting before heading out for a 7 day hunt with an option to extend a day or two. Happy hunting to those drawn and good luck.

Sounds like you may have not been drawn this year...

Thx for the replies and info. Tracking the water hole, glassing, and still hunting options; all right up my alley. I'm flexible and not afraid of the tough stuff. If need be, I can extend my time in the woods up to potentially 8 or 9 days. After that, I'll need to get back to work. Really looking forward to it, and unlike the Colorado hunt we're prepping for, I should be able to dedicate a couple of scouting outings albeit I think there will be some other hunting in session at that time. Depending on research, may try to draw those same areas for the deer season too. Thx again, happy hunting to all and will certainly let you know how I do.