Late muley unit 21

[Born2hunt]

After crunching all the numbers for 14 BPs, I put in for late kaibab and late 21 muley. The hunting websites said I didn’t have better than a 5% chance of drawing either. Evidently they were wrong because I drew tag #1 for the late 21 tag (12/13-12/31) so I must have been max bonus points.  I would have loved to finally hunt the Kaibab, but 21 is closer to scout and hunt and should be fun to meet up with friends and family. 

I’ve been chasing muleys and coues for over a decade with my bow in various units, but I haven’t hunted 21 a whole lot. As I’ve been out scouting I’m seeing more elk, coues and coati than mule deer. Yesterday I went to what used to be a sure bet and didn’t see a single deer. 

Is this everyone else’s experience this year?  I’ve been avoiding the crowded areas which could be my problem, but l I may change that come December. 

For the deer you have seen, do they seem healthy and how was antler growth this year?  I’ve seen very few bucks so far, curious what everyone else is seeing.  Seems like good grass on the ground, especially further north so I’m still optimistic. 

[trphyhntr]

Idk anything about it, but that should be fun 

[catclaw]

A few years ago I had a flat tire by Table Mesa.  It was my second of the trip and no spare left. While I waited for  my son to bring me a spare I hiked around the edge of table Mesa close to I-17.

I found muley tracks that were bigger than my 300 Wby cases.  Fresh pellets and all. There was a big bodied bruiser in there somewhere

[PRDATR]

40 minutes ago, catclaw said:

A few years ago I had a flat tire by Table Mesa.  It was my second of the trip and no spare left. While I waited for  my son to bring me a spare I hiked around the edge of table Mesa close to I-17.

I found muley tracks that were bigger than my 300 Wby cases.  Fresh pellets and all. There was a big bodied bruiser in there somewhere

Back in about 92 me and a couple of buddies drove in through New River and camped in the desert below the Mesa. Hunted it for three day and didn't see too much so they left on Sunday. Monday I hiked about half a mile in and was on a flat below the Mesa when I saw two sets of antlers hauling bouncing north. I hauled butt and knowing Mulies usually go up when spooked I soon found them running west about 75' below the rim. I shot the bigger 4x4 and it took an hour to climb up to him. I boned him out and the pack back to camp was brutal. My buddy pulled a 5x6 out of there a few years before.

[Tannert]

Each year 21 has more Coues and less Mule deer. Its getting harder to find big mature MD's. Im not sure if you have point guard but that sure is a lot of points to burn on a hunt that can be pretty tough especially if we get the colder weather later they might not rut hard (or at all) until the new year. 

[bigj23]

It is a good hunt and there will be some good bucks running around but not like Kaibab.  I will be up there at the end of December for a week.  Hopefully the OTC hunts are still open.  

[trphyhntr]

Big desert buck > kaibab buck 

[Couesnut]

look along the Verde n. of Horseshoe

[Born2hunt]

Thanks guys I appreciate the support. Found a really nice white tail yesterday, that’s always fun when scouting for muleys. I’m sure it’ll get better as we get later into the season. Good luck to anyone still hunting this year!