SmoothOperator Report post Posted October 25, 2022 With rifle seasons starting, I wanted to ask how deer populations are looking in 33. With the fire and drought in 2020, I know there was a die off in the unit but rain fall has looked spectacular for the past two years so I wanted to see what other people's thoughts were. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted October 25, 2022 What did they die of? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmoothOperator Report post Posted October 25, 2022 My understanding was it was just severe drought combined with the fire that went through in 2020 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Quagmire Report post Posted October 26, 2022 Yeah man no more deer in 33 so gotta look elsewhere....🤐 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SmoothOperator Report post Posted October 26, 2022 1 hour ago, Quagmire said: Yeah man no more deer in 33 so gotta look elsewhere....🤐 Ah great… now I’m sure this late December 33 tag is gonna suck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Titanium700 Report post Posted October 26, 2022 Hope you like does. there’s no bucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
L Cazador Report post Posted October 26, 2022 10 hours ago, trphyhntr said: What did they die of? With nothing to eat but charred leftovers and the only water in little shallow pools with moss covered sludge, starvation and thirst? Pretty much statewide. And what you harvest becomes questionable. Hence, Game & Fish wants to know details of game that you harvest. Many questions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
couesdeerhntr Report post Posted October 26, 2022 Deer there get hammered but you will see a lot of deer. they did drop the tag numbers this year to like 1300 total tags between jr and general hunts. The numbers were much higher before at like 2500 total tags or close to that i think. I spent a few days there during the summer this year and saw plenty of deer. Lots of does and a few bucks.you will see so many does you will start trying to put antlers on them lol. Unit is managed for success and opportunities. First hunt is always amazing in my eyes and then it gets harder after that. The fire didnt hurt much from what i see.And there was plenty of water thru these droughts years. The deer know were its at and mt lemon all the drainages leak water out of springs all over the place. The fawn crop was great and lots of grass for them to hide so i am betting next year will be even better. Lots of hunters during every hunt but most hunt from all the roads all over the place. Put in work and it will happen. I know you got the late december tag so not many hunters but there will be archery guys. Rut will be slim to none existing. That hunt to me is a waste of points. Would rather have first hunt. Just my two cents. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
