34A Goulds Tag

[yotebuster]

I burned a bunch of points and drew the first season.  I’m trying to put together a plan for my wife and I to come down in late April for a few days.  I’m sure we can find some turkeys so I’m not too worried about that, but was more interested in ideas on access and places to stay.  Was thinking of staying in Sonoita at a VRBO or something so we could do some winery stuff and make more out of it then just blasting a turkey.  Curious if the access in on the east side is decent?  Looks like Gardner Canyon road goes in and is a public maintained road?  I’m gonna assume there’s probably turkeys in most of those drainages.  I haven’t spent any time in 34a though.  Seem like a reasonable plan or would we be better staying on south end of Tucson and driving down and hunting Madera Canyon?  My wife is tough and can backpack etc, but for turkeys, I figured staying in a nice hotel or VRBO and eating some nice dinners would make it fun for her.  The weather and food sucks in ND so when we get away we try to maximize both.  Thanks in advance for any of your 2 cents. 

[Lucafu1]

I wish I knew more about that unit to help. You can definitely access it from the east through Gardner Canyone road. Possibly some other roads too. I go shooting out that way but never explored much. I have taken my rzr pretty far back but that was a long time ago and I was following a buddy. You can't get pretty far. I haven't been to Madera since I was a kid unfortunately. I should learn the unit more. Maybe that will be a goal for next year. Good luck!

[Mike26]

Sonoita is nice, thats where I would stay. Patagonia perhaps too. 

[Lucafu1]

If there is hunting on both ends (not sure if there is or isnt) you can stay anywhere near Vail. I think there is a newerish hotel off of the Rita exit. I am sure there are other options too.

[jdown]

Not sure if you our wife are into birding at all - but that country is completely full of color - take 20-30min and stand by a water source and take it in- It's pretty cool. 

[muledeerarea33?]

1 hour ago, Mike26 said:

Sonoita is nice, thats where I would stay. Patagonia perhaps too. 

Totally agree with this.

[Roofer Billy]

Patagonia, take the dirt road that runs next to the high school. Follow it back to where it splits. Go left for about 2 miles , the road will get very rocky and you will end up going threw a wash for about a half mile. Any where around that wash area you see Turkey. We saw 4 big toms together on a horse ride last month.

[Big Tub]

You will want to call the Region V office and ask for the wildlife Manager for 34A.  I know 35A&B is Britt Olsen and she conducts annual surveys with the help of hunters.  She is a wealth of information.  Perhaps, 34A has the same type things going on.  Also, the Gould's Chapter of the NSTF in Sierra Vista is full of turkey fanatics and I am sure has great info.  

34A has lots of public access.  You will want a USFS map of the area.  You are going to have an awesome hunt.  

[Bucks N Bulls]

3 hours ago, Roofer Billy said:

Patagonia, take the dirt road that runs next to the high school. Follow it back to where it splits. Go left for about 2 miles , the road will get very rocky and you will end up going threw a wash for about a half mile. Any where around that wash area you see Turkey. We saw 4 big toms together on a horse ride last month.

This

[AZLance]

There are birds everywhere in 34a, and there is access everywhere in that unit!

Madera Canyon Area is closed to hunting due to campgrounds and 1000s of people there every day. It's a huge birding and hiking destination for locals and tourists

PM me if your interested in specific areas, this was my bird from 2 years ago in 34A. The turkeys in 34a gobble year round because there is little to no pressure on these birds. Its one of the best areas you could draw for Goulds in the US.

[IA Born]

21 hours ago, Roofer Billy said:

Patagonia, take the dirt road that runs next to the high school. Follow it back to where it splits. Go left for about 2 miles , the road will get very rocky and you will end up going threw a wash for about a half mile. Any where around that wash area you see Turkey. We saw 4 big toms together on a horse ride last month.

This x3.  We saw a bunch of turkeys north of Patagonia off the Temporal Gulch Road during my early Nov Coues hunt.  And don't be afraid to head way up to the Wilderness Boundary and get farther away from people.