longbowpilot

appreciate the tips guys, staying positive and patient with the glassing. After about 2 hours behind glass I feel like my eyes are going to fall out but gotta stick with it.

That's what I am starting to find out about desert mule deer I guess, it is a tough hunt. Yeah figured rattlesnakes might still be out this time of year. Is there a time of year in southern AZ when you don't really need to worry about them? Do they shut down like Dec.-Feb at least?

In your opinion, which of these units hold more deer (if you hunt/scout these areas), not necessarily bigger bucks, just numbers. I've read that 33 has been in decline for quite a few years. Already trying to plan my OTC bowhunt next this year and next (can't wait for August). Hunted 37A this Jan., saw some deer and a few bucks but couldn't put it all together.

Yeah I guess I meant to say can't wait till December/January. I thought about that. Thing is, I've never seen a deer driving on Tangerine rd. ever. Never see any by my house either in Marana. Just doesn't seem like they are out there in the suburban areas like whitetails back east would be. I would figure I'd see some crossing the roads at night but have yet to see any. Plus I'd rather not deal with all the yuppies/cyclists if I don't have to.

Yeah, our new rates are totally fair. I did the math. On the application fee increase alone only counting the "main" draws they are gaining 6.5 million dollars. I suppose those of you who happily support this are just hoping the poor, less dedicated, and non-residents stop applying for your tags and increase your odds. what i find amazing is the amount of people on here who are justifying what g&f is charging. Yeah I also was looking at the other western states' tag prices. AZ charges way more than the others on average. I like how they brag about "we haven't raised fees since 2007" So? Why does the fee have to raise in the first place? Why can't it go down? Don't we pay enough in income tax, property tax, sales tax, car tax, etc.? Big game hunting in AZ is really a rich man's hobby now. As a resident you are spending almost over $200 for permits/license just to go elk hunting. And $58 bucks for a dang deer tag? On top of your $37 hunting license, so nearly $100 dollars to go deer hunting right off the bat. I totally understand making non-residents pay boku bucks but residents should not have to pay that much to hunt in their own state that they already pay a ton of taxes in. Just my opinion though.

Found a nice spot in 37A that is at least a mile from the nearest 4WD trail. I hear you though, I can't hunt where there are roads nearby, I hate being surrounded by other hunters, even if it means they may push a deer towards me. Between the quail hunters and OHV/dirtbikers/cyclists, its hard to get away from all the noise and yuppies. Don't they know its bow season for mule deer? haha, year right.

What happened to the first amendment in this country? I don't think he should've been suspended for his anti-gay comments, people are free to speak their mind, everyone is so sensitive these days its exhausting. I agree he could've been a little more tactful about communicating his views but still, come on people. The bloodsuckers on msnbc have said far worse things about conservatives throughout the years and nothing happens to them.

Anyone else hitting 37A on Jan. 1? Have been doing some scouting in the area, was thinking my odds might be better if I sit on a water hole that I've found some decent sign around. Maybe better to glass this unit instead of hunt water though, always a battle to decide how to hunt.

I'm pretty sure its open Jan. 1-31, 2014 like the book says, unless they changed the regulations after they published it.

Yeah I'm banking on deer coming over to 37A due to hunting pressure from the earlier season start in 33 and 37B. Plus they give out a lot less rifle tags in 37A so overall less hunting pressure year round. When you say awesome glasses are you talking 15x our greater? I use 10x now on a tripod but I'm thinking maybe I need more power for an open desert unit like this.

Congrats man that's awesome!

Update on the hunt: Unfortunately no bucks were killed. Saw tons of other hunters and tons of does but not one buck in the Gardner Canyon/Sawmill Canyon area. Hunted pretty high (6500-7500 ft) to try to get away from all the madness down lower. Tons of quads/trucks/ road hunters riding around all day. Only had 2.5 days to hunt due to work/family, wish I could have stayed out a few more days, awesome country out there. Now gotta start planning for next year!

Hi everybody, Drew coues tag for 34A with my friend who is a new hunter and hasn't taken a deer yet. Hunted 34A last year on the north end of the Santa Ritas on Mt. Fagan, didn't see anything but a bunch of does, not one buck. Was going to check out temporal canyon this year, not looking for any sweet spots just somewhere that we'd have a better chance at seeing bucks (really want to help my buddy get his first deer). Going to scout temporal canyon rd in a few weeks. Wanted to see if anyone knew the road conditions there and how high I could get with a stock F-150 4x4. Thanks for any help or info anyone can provide.

Do you know what kind of helicopters they were by chance blackhawks, apaches? I know some guys the were flying down that way a few weeks ago on a saturday.

Back from the scouting trip yesterday. Didn't get to go for a full day like I wanted due to work. Went up Gardner Canyon rd, then to Cave creek rd. till it ends. Lots of people camped all the way up to the end, mostly ATV/dirtbiker types I think. Also saw some bicycle riders going up the trail (Don't these people know its hunting season? Can't seem to get away from the yuppies no matter where you go these days, haha). Was able to glass up 5 deer, all does, they looked pretty good size though, healthy. Found a tank with tons of water in it, lots of tracks and droppings, heavily used deer trails in the area. Probably hiked up to about 6,000 feet. Starts to get really thick on the northern slopes there. Went into some thick pinyon juniper areas and found a few areas of standing water in small puddles which was cool to see this time of year. Does anyone ever try to hunt in that thick stuff up high? Pretty much impossible to glass into it. I figure that's where a lot of bucks go to hide out during hunting season. Anyway, was good trip, awesome country/views out there, looks like plenty of water this year. Looking forward to the hunt in two weeks.

Question, When mule deer hunting trying to glass the flats there is so much brush/palo verdes and thick cover to try to look through. What are people's opinions on glassing desert flats? Is it better to keep walking slowly through the cover and hope you sneak up on a bedded deer? Or better to glass all day and try to find one in all the cover?

I have tried this a few times when I have spotted big deer in the flats from a higher glassing point. Even with a guide and radio it is tough. I more often then not get in on the deer before I realize it. Classic case of moving too fast. I try to creep about 20 yards at a time, stop and glass through the limbs looking for leg movement for 10 minutes and repeat. In the brushy flats they can walk by you at 100 yards and you wont even see them. I have learned to use a orange hat when I do have someone guiding me in. You are being so sneaky and the guide often looses your position. I do believe that is where the big ones live though. Little hunting pressure and they can run there a$$ off when spooked. At the end of the day sitting at trails into water is the best bet if you have the patience. I will most likely be hunting on my own most the time. Its looking like sitting in a blind on some water will be my best chance like you said. Especially with a bow. Thanks for all the input everybody. I've done plenty of stand hunting growing up in Virginia, still trying to learn western style hunting.

Good enough for me! just bought a tripod for the binos, trying to employ Dwight Schuh's (editor of bowhunter magazine) methods.

Jeff Flake and John McCain are big government RINOs. We all know John McCain is terrible, but Jeff Flake? I thought he was advertised as a Tea Party guy. I didn't see him standing by Ted Cruz and Rand Paul during their filibusters. Where was Flake at when the petition to stop Brewercare in AZ was going around? He is what his name says, a flake. I will be voting Libertarian from here on out, the Republicans no longer speak for me.

So I'm guessing this jaguar sighting in the Santa Ritas was this summer. I wonder what impact just one of these guys has on the deer herd in that area. http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/06/28/rare-jaguar-sighting-in-arizonas-santa-rita-mountains/

Just seeing what people thought about hunting near a golf course (like say the Ritz Carlton in Tucson up against the Tortolita mtns). Do mule deer hang around those areas because of water source/safety? Or is it too close to development and people for mule deer?

Thanks for the info on Temporal, going to check out there and gardner canyon on the scouting trip. Yeah last year Fagan was packed with hunters/hikers/dirtbikers etc. I also heard there is a lot of lions in there, plus that jaguar is running around in that area somewhere prob. eating a lot of deer.

I wouldn't plan on hunting right on top of a golf course but if there was a good trail, sign, etc. leading into the course and its on state trust land then why not set up in a position to glass down into that area? I totally understand the "total hunt experience" but for people that can't take a whole week or 10 days off of work for a big hunting expedition, this might be the only option (hunting in the morning and then head in to work). Just my thoughts, I figure if the golfers are going to tear up the desert and use up all the water to irrigate their greens, why wouldn't a hunter use it to his/her advantage?

Appreciate everyone pointing me in the right direction. Will post some pics from the scouting trip if I glass up some good bucks. Can't wait to get out there, I know that is some awesome country down there.

Cool, thanks for the help. Will check out that area for sure. I wanted to get as high up as possible, don't mind hiking 5+ miles a day if I have too. Always thought about that near the road thing. everyone probably just blows past a lot of deer trying to get away from the roads so quickly.