Over The Counter Archery Tucson AZ

[trphyhntr]

Stay home 

[Dlo2150]

whats up with all the bitterness in this forum? I came here just looking for friendly advice from other hunters, not be ridiculed. I do not shoot a crossbow and not trolling either, I do shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards with an old Mathews monster ,I was an excellent target shooter that got into hunting why is that so hard to hear/believe? I didn't come on here to make myself sound good I just wanted a little help that's all . I guess there just aren't to many friendly people anymore. Thank you to those with the help I appreciate it .

[trphyhntr]

2” groups at a 100 with a compound? I believe that when my shoot turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet 

[wish2hunt]

31 minutes ago, Dlo2150 said:

whats up with all the bitterness in this forum? I came here just looking for friendly advice from other hunters, not be ridiculed. I do not shoot a crossbow and not trolling either, I do shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards with an old Mathews monster ,I was an excellent target shooter that got into hunting why is that so hard to hear/believe? I didn't come on here to make myself sound good I just wanted a little help that's all . I guess there just aren't to many friendly people anymore. Thank you to those with the help I appreciate it .

You join and 12 min later you are asking for info. That is what’s wrong with people on here

[Flatlander]

2 hours ago, Dlo2150 said:

whats up with all the bitterness in this forum? I came here just looking for friendly advice from other hunters, not be ridiculed.

As a new hunter you probably don’t have any idea the hornets nest you just stepped into.

1. People spend their entire lives hunting and learning country and finding out the logistics of the when and where and why certain areas are productive. That information is hard earned with sweat, blood, fuel and time. So people aren’t likely to give that information away easily.

2. Unlike other outdoor recreation, an increase in the popularity of hunting has a direct negative impact on those already participating. This is especially true of hunts that have no limit on participation, like otc hunts. Every person that joins the sport is one more I have to compete with for a limited resource.

3. OTC archery deer is a particularly sore subject in this state. The number of otc tags sold has skyrocketed since 2020. Which also overlapped with a game and fish sponsored media campaign where they paid influencers to come to AZ and film hunts and talk about them on their podcasts. That increase in tag sales, and subsequent harvests has lead to a decline in opportunity with several units being moved from otc to a draw and the implementation of mandatory harvest reporting and harvest limits. 

Simply put, hunting opportunity is declining and interest is increasing. OTC archery is at the center of this debate in AZ right now. None of this is your fault, but you also have to understand where these dudes on here are coming from. They’ve seen one opportunity after another drift away into the sunset and it’s left scar tissue.

In terms of your original question, you are in a good spot for what you want. Get some bino’s on a tripod, start looking for deer. When you find one you like, sneak until you are close enough to make the shot, then do it.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

[dsotm]

Two inch groups 

Post up a video

[oz31p]

20 hours ago, Flatlander said:

As a new hunter you probably don’t have any idea the hornets nest you just stepped into.

1. People spend their entire lives hunting and learning country and finding out the logistics of the when and where and why certain areas are productive. That information is hard earned with sweat, blood, fuel and time. So people aren’t likely to give that information away easily.

2. Unlike other outdoor recreation, an increase in the popularity of hunting has a direct negative impact on those already participating. This is especially true of hunts that have no limit on participation, like otc hunts. Every person that joins the sport is one more I have to compete with for a limited resource.

3. OTC archery deer is a particularly sore subject in this state. The number of otc tags sold has skyrocketed since 2020. Which also overlapped with a game and fish sponsored media campaign where they paid influencers to come to AZ and film hunts and talk about them on their podcasts. That increase in tag sales, and subsequent harvests has lead to a decline in opportunity with several units being moved from otc to a draw and the implementation of mandatory harvest reporting and harvest limits. 

Simply put, hunting opportunity is declining and interest is increasing. OTC archery is at the center of this debate in AZ right now. None of this is your fault, but you also have to understand where these dudes on here are coming from. They’ve seen one opportunity after another drift away into the sunset and it’s left scar tissue.

In terms of your original question, you are in a good spot for what you want. Get some bino’s on a tripod, start looking for deer. When you find one you like, sneak until you are close enough to make the shot, then do it.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

I’ll just add the new hunter / I can kill at 180yards with a bow because I can “group” broadheads at Xxxyards . And the numerous people who become the crippled each year .  

[bigorange]

On 12/8/2024 at 5:46 PM, Lucafu1 said:

I always wanted to hunt in the Tucson mountains. I did once and just felt weird. I was too worried about all the people in the area and didn't want any issues. I would like to try it again one day. Its a beautiful place.

Agree...hunted there once. Watching my buddy stalking a buck and seeing hikers and bikers in the same frame in my binos was an odd feeling. Haven't been back.

[trphyhntr]

1 hour ago, dsotm said:

Two inch groups 

Post up a video

Shoot 10 arrows and pull out the worst ones i call it the Joe Rogan 

[bigorange]

As others have said you're in a great area for OTC archery...lots of unit 33 areas close to Vail, 34a and 34b to the southeast or head west to the 36s. I'm not sure if it's still 33 or another unit, but there are some areas a few miles east of Vail north of I-10 that are pretty accessible and huntable. Just about any public land in those units will have mule deer chasing does and ready to be stalked with a bow. Find some public land with good terrain and glass some up...I tend to have the best luck glassing the rollers for muleys.

[dsotm]

38 minutes ago, trphyhntr said:

Shoot 10 arrows and pull out the worst ones i call it the Joe Rogan 

I only do one shot groups 

[bigorange]

2 hours ago, dsotm said:

I only do one shot groups 

Tight