Westy

FYI in case you have not seen this: Rem Win. .270 ammo recall

Hasn't AZ G&F increased the number of tags during the prime time to spot bachelor herds? More bucks seen = more bucks killed. Just based on photo evidence alone, you see a lot more photos these days of doubles on bucks when that was very rare during the rut hunts. My prediction is that after a few more years with this hunt structure we will see a decline in hunt success and a drop in numbers of bucks.

Nah, it's the fault of the AZ G&FD for giving out too many tags and scheduling too many hunts, especially all those early seasons where no one ever kills a decent buck. How many total hunt days with the recent restructuring of the seasons compared to past years? I have not done the math, but more opportunity = more bucks killed. Also, hasn't much of the restructuring created seasons where bachelor herds are more likely to be seen?

Saw a lot of sign on top this week, up there for only a day, no "live" deer seen. Wow that timber hunting is whole new thing for me, even in the burn it is much different than the "open" country hunting I've done all my life. We have early east side tags.

Interesting info, I guess I was focusing on the fact that some of us have observed more bachelor groups in the earlier hunts, and therefore a greater buck/doe ratio has been observed since the hunt structure was changed. This doesn't mean that a greater buck/doe ratio exists, of course, just that the timing of the hunt(s) might coincide with a greater degree of buck grouping. Will this lead to more 2 and 3 buck simultaneous harvests? That makes all the difference!

Recall the uproar when the early hunts were created/modified and increased early permits were created and late permits decreased? Most of this was justified by the department as providing "more hunting opportunities". With all the bucks seemingly going down in the early hunts, has their position been validated? How many of you would go back to the "old" hunt regime? Is the harvest too great? Just pondering some questions and would like to stir some discussion.

Hey guy, nice buck...............hope I get a 6A tag next year! LUD

Amanda, thanks for the info and the link to previous discussion!

Any advice?

My Dad and I have tags in 24A this December, I've always wanted to hunt the unit but never have. Nearly of our whitetail hunting has been in 6A for years. I don't want anybody's secret spot, just answers to a couple of simple questions. The unit is basically two halves, north of or south of Globe. I want to concentrate scouting/hunting on one side or the other of Globe. Without giving specifics, which would you guys do if you had never hunted the unit before? We're looking for good bucks, but not necessarily records. Any input would be appreciated.