Out of stater with a few questions

[Gabuckthief]

Hey guys just 2 Georgia boys here looking to come to AZ and chase some OTC desert deer with the bows. We are new to the desert but not  bowhunting whitetails. I'm wanting to experience peak rut in the desert because I know thats our best bet at an archery kill, and I think it would be neat to get to chase them during peak rut twice in a season somewhere we've never been. Any ways, after listening to dozens of Jay Scott and other podcast iv decided I want to try the border units directly South of Tucson maybe 60 miles. I was thinking the 30's, 34's 35, 36. I plan to just ride around until we start seeing animals or places that look good to glass from and then spot and stalk into kill range. I also know that the whitetails start rutting earlier in the northern part or state vs the Southern and that higher elevations start rutting earlier than lower in the south. I also know rain and "green ups" play a big role. So I have 2 important questions. From what Iv gathered peak rut where the bucks are actually locked down with does "doing the dirty" and the easiest to sneak up close to is January 19-26th. I think these dates line up with peak fawning periods which would indicate peak rut. But can the guys in the southern border units confirm this? I'm wanting to come the absolute nuttiest week of the rut. Last question is can y'all rate the whetstone mountains, sonoita creek, San Rafael, brick wood canyon, Buenos Aires, coyote mountains, and saguaro national park in terms of quality bowhunting. As in the terrain is good for glassing, spot and stalk, decent deer #s, and lastly Im extremely interested in archery only areas with limited to no rifle pressure.  Does southern AZ have any large areas like this? Also we will camp on roadside or a campsite and don't mind burning the road up the chase the rut. Sorry for so much info guys, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can so we can form a plan.  Thanks all!!!! 

[oz31p]

Lol

[CWpredator]

As you listed in your areas of interest “Saguaro National Park”  I’d definitely focus on that. Best opportunity for hitting the rut in the time frame you’re working with. Just make sure to stay within the boundaries of the Saguaro National Park not outside of them. AZGFD watch that outside area surrounding pretty hard.

[Flatlander]

I’d suggest maybe going just a little further south, maybe 70-75 miles from Tucson. A lot less pressure.

[PRDATR]

I think you have the dates dialed in. You can pretty much camp just about anywhere you want. Good Luck and enjoy it, AZ is addicting.

[bigbuckclub]

Truthfully, your best bet on info is the unit breakdown on the azgfd website. 
 

Also - out of staters coming to hunt OTC archery is kind of a sensitive subject on here. Many residents blame nonresidents for tag reductions, overcrowding, and less opportunity as more OTC hunts are going to a draw. Just a heads up if you have a hard time getting info.

I’ll be nice and tell you - you can’t hunt the Saguaro National Park.

Be aware of the illegal activity. Anywhere south of I10 and you are in an area that has border traffic. Be safe out there. 

[idgaf]

Just out of curiosity, do you have a YouTube channel?  I'd like to watch this adventure. 

[AZBIG10]

Any details on deer hunt in your neck of

19 hours ago, Gabuckthief said:

Hey guys just 2 Georgia boys here looking to come to AZ and chase some OTC desert deer with the bows. We are new to the desert but not  bowhunting whitetails. I'm wanting to experience peak rut in the desert because I know thats our best bet at an archery kill, and I think it would be neat to get to chase them during peak rut twice in a season somewhere we've never been. Any ways, after listening to dozens of Jay Scott and other podcast iv decided I want to try the border units directly South of Tucson maybe 60 miles. I was thinking the 30's, 34's 35, 36. I plan to just ride around until we start seeing animals or places that look good to glass from and then spot and stalk into kill range. I also know that the whitetails start rutting earlier in the northern part or state vs the Southern and that higher elevations start rutting earlier than lower in the south. I also know rain and "green ups" play a big role. So I have 2 important questions. From what Iv gathered peak rut where the bucks are actually locked down with does "doing the dirty" and the easiest to sneak up close to is January 19-26th. I think these dates line up with peak fawning periods which would indicate peak rut. But can the guys in the southern border units confirm this? I'm wanting to come the absolute nuttiest week of the rut. Last question is can y'all rate the whetstone mountains, sonoita creek, San Rafael, brick wood canyon, Buenos Aires, coyote mountains, and saguaro national park in terms of quality bowhunting. As in the terrain is good for glassing, spot and stalk, decent deer #s, and lastly Im extremely interested in archery only areas with limited to no rifle pressure.  Does southern AZ have any large areas like this? Also we will camp on roadside or a campsite and don't mind burning the road up the chase the rut. Sorry for so much info guys, I'm just trying to learn as much as I can so we can form a plan.  Thanks all!!!! 

Spill the beans on the GA deer hunts. Then… I’ll post some generic snipet cut from the AZGFd site here.

[wildwoody]

LMFAO

[oz31p]

Pushing 24hrs and no responds🤦‍♂️

[bigorange]

1 hour ago, AZBIG10 said:

Any details on deer hunt in your neck of

Spill the beans on the GA deer hunts. Then… I’ll post some generic snipet cut from the AZGFd site here.

Lots of big bucks in food plots…just have to have access to the private property. 

[wish2hunt]

Anywhere you can find green grass in southeastern Arizona will work great for you.

[Gabuckthief]

Hey guys thanks for all the replies lol okay I'll make sure I focus on saguaro park 😂  and as far as the you tube channel goes... I need to make one. We'd be famous if some of our past adventures had been filmed. And also for anyone interested in coming to Georgia or meeting up on some out of state hunts I'm your guy. We have more deer than you guys but also a lot more hunters prowling the woods with rifles for 3 months with 12 deer tags to burn... The pressure/competition is steep and the rewards are mediocre at best. Not many deer make it to old age and the ones that do turn into nocturnal ghost. There is dense, jungle-like cover across the entire state and plenty of bedding areas they don't have to leave. so you don't see these deer if they do not want to be seen I promise. I do lawncare during summer and hunt my tail off as soon as the growing season slows. Im not married so my life revolves around my business and chasing the whitetails every fall till they make me stop! I understand y'all not wanting to give away your secret spot, heck I used to be that way too until I started bouncing around hunting public all over south east/mid west. I discovered that pressure or no pressure, being a better hunter/woodsman and putting in more effort than those around me always got me the buck. Also Georgia sells more out of state license than any other state in country so I'm used to competing for deer. To those of you who feel "threatened" by out of state bowhunters, step your game up lol. You really think I'm gonna drive 1900 miles, get out my car, and just "shwack" one? I was thinking it was gonna be a little harder than that 😂. Anyways thanks for all the good info/insults, keep them coming!!

[yotebuster]

4 hours ago, AZBIG10 said:

Any details on deer hunt in your neck of

Spill the beans on the GA deer hunts. Then… I’ll post some generic snipet cut from the AZGFd site here.

You don’t wanna hunt deer in GA.  

[AZBIG10]

Make sure the subject title is AZ OTC and #g&f  for payments