mattobertin Report post Posted August 27, 2008 I usually hunt archery in unit 7 but they changed it to a draw so now I am at a loss of where to hunt this weekend. I would love to arrow a WT but love to chase muleys too. I have been researching all of the units and have been to most of them except for 27 and am pretty sure I want to explore this place. Can anyone tell me what the terrain is like and any experiences good or bad you have had there? I have good glass and plan on spot and stalk style hunting as I would have no pre scouted spot for a stand. I am not asking for a spot just would like to know some of your experiences like are there a lot of hunters, road conditions, public access etc. I have studied a map & the G&F reports but would like to hear from some unit 27 regulars. Thanks in advance and I will post my adventure story when I get back! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sundevils79 Report post Posted August 27, 2008 I usually hunt archery in unit 7 but they changed it to a draw so now I am at a loss of where to hunt this weekend. I would love to arrow a WT but love to chase muleys too. I have been researching all of the units and have been to most of them except for 27 and am pretty sure I want to explore this place. Can anyone tell me what the terrain is like and any experiences good or bad you have had there? I have good glass and plan on spot and stalk style hunting as I would have no pre scouted spot for a stand. I am not asking for a spot just would like to know some of your experiences like are there a lot of hunters, road conditions, public access etc. I have studied a map & the G&F reports but would like to hear from some unit 27 regulars. Thanks in advance and I will post my adventure story when I get back! I have hunted 27 my entire life and steadily watched the quality of deer hunting decline. I spent the past weekend up there bear hunting and I can honestly saw I spotted more bears than I did deer. Don't get me wrong there are quality deer in this unit but nothing like the past. The whitetail herd has also declined over the past couple of years. Here is a pic of the terrain i was in this past weekend.....awesome coues country. The southern half of the unit is very remote (wilderness) and very rough country. The northern half is mountain...but honestly the deer population is crap up there. Too many roads and therefore road hunters. I am mountain guy converted to a desert rat and I love hunting the lower elevations now. Take lots of water (it was a hot mother last weekend )and lots of patience because where the coues live in this unit is thicker than thick. Hope this helps.....Good Luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattobertin Report post Posted August 27, 2008 Looks awesome! Did you see any bears? What about glassing or is it that thick most everywhere? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sundevils79 Report post Posted August 27, 2008 Looks awesome! Did you see any bears? What about glassing or is it that thick most everywhere? I glass two in the pears and I got screwed up on one coming into the spring I had my stand on. One of those nice AZ thuderstorms rolled in about 3pm...the same time I wanted to get in my stand...so it delayed me till 4:30 and as I was walking into my stand I kicked up a bear about 150 yards from my set-up. Problem was he saw me about he same time I saw him and with a bow I was screwed. I'm going to give it a whirl again this weekend. I just hope it cools down between the dang flies and heat its a miserable sucker out there. As for glassing this will put you patience to the test. This unit give meaning to the "grey ghost" name of coues. They love the thick stuff and there is lots of it. Its tough right now because you have such a small window to find them in the opening with the heat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted August 27, 2008 I am with Sundevils on what he said. I have hunted unit 27 for 30 years and have seen the decline in deer numbers. Permits used to be easy to get but for the last 10-12 years they have been tough to draw for me. I got drawn this year for the October whitetail hunt and am looking forward to that hunt. There are still quality deer to be found if you put in the legwork. You may consider checking out the recent burn areas north of Rose peak. With the rains I bet that new shoots are growing and the deer and elk are in there for some of that gourmet feed. I was going to go up this weekend, but I have to get my truck repaired, so I will be going up the following weekend instead. This bear is from last year Unit 27. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KB-AZ Report post Posted August 27, 2008 If you want a chance at both WT and mulies, try 6A, 6B or 8. I decided to concentrate in 8 this year, as they have a late hunt in January that I am real interested in. I have liked what I have seen so far. Good luck wherever you end up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattobertin Report post Posted August 27, 2008 If you want a chance at both WT and mulies, try 6A, 6B or 8. I decided to concentrate in 8 this year, as they have a late hunt in January that I am real interested in. I have liked what I have seen so far. Good luck wherever you end up. Hunted 6A last weekend and there were a boat load of people and only saw a few deer. Unit eight was one of the areas I have been researching also how were the crowds? Can you get away from them by hiking away from roads? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KB-AZ Report post Posted August 27, 2008 I didn't see 1 hunter in the hills. My brother saw 1 guy Saturday afternoon. We did see 2 guys in a truck driving down the road we were on Sunday while we were at the truck for lunch. Compared to other places I have been, I was happy. Who knows with this weekend though? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattobertin Report post Posted August 27, 2008 Thanks for all the help guys I really appreciate it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
