South of the Line

[deserthunter23]

Now that the draw is done and I say "way to go" to all who drew,Ive been looking at the leftover tags.Seems like the majority are either in hard to access units or south of the line where Homeland Security issues may exist.I have hunted in the past in 29 and 34A buts its been over 10 yrs or more.I hunt alone alot I want to try for some of the leftover tags in the 34,35 ,and 36 units but am concerned about safety in those units.Would appreciate any input on the subject,Thanks,Steve

[Sundevils79]

I wouldn't hunt anything south of I-40 But seriously you always run the risks of the encounters of human smuggling and drug related activities in these units. I guess it really comes down to your comfort level and how much risk you will take for a deer tag. Me personally I have been hunting these units for years and never had anything more than a random border jumper encounter.

[deserthunter23]

Thanks Im usually pretty careful when in the woods.i never thought about it till they put the boundary line across the game unit maps.

[desertdog]

I have been hunting 36c, 36a, and 29 exclusively for the last 20 years. I have never had more than an occasional encounter. I have heard all the horror stories but I have never come across a situation that has made me uncomfortable.

 

With that being said the traffic can really mess up a hunt in world class time. Not to mention if BP has to get involved and bring in a helicopter or two, forget it. I have another 36 hunt this year so I guess I have not been scared off yet.

 

Its all just personal preference. If you can handle a little extra activity and occasional close encounter, you can get into some real pretty and interesting country that you cant find any were else. On the other hand if you don't want to deal with that then don't even bother going down there.

[Snapshot]

All of the Southern units that extend to the mexico border can be dangerous or disruptive, some units more than others. It usally comes down to just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

I don't hunt the southern units as much, but I have heard alot of stories, and most of these are people that have had there camps ransacked and food, water and personal gear stolen.

 

I helped some relatives in 35b a few years back and Harshaw canyon was like a BP super highway, along with a dead immigrant found by a hunter that brought in sherriff's ,search and rescue and the county coroner. Alot of traffic.

 

I have hunted unit 30B five times in the last 10 years as it is my 3rd through 5th choice, as I hunted there alot as a kid and I know the country, I have never seen an illegal or had any problems other than overcrowding in some spots. I have harvested 4 deer and 1 Javelina in that unit over the years, and even though it is not a very good whitetail unit, some decent ones can be found with hard work.

[azhuntergirl]

I grew up literally a mile from the 30A/B boundary, and hunted in those two units as well as 29.

 

There is always activity down there, but I've never encountered more than a few farm-worker illegals. They've always been nice, and usually just kept going. I know a rancher/lion guide just North of Douglas that says they encounter illegals all the time, but I can't recall them saying anything about being directly subjected to violence. Keep your wits about you and your gun on you. You'll be fine. As a white female, I was never bothered. So as a man in camo with a gun, they'll steer clear. Have a great hunt down there. Beautiful area.

[Oak]

I'm not very concerned about personal encounters, but I am a bit worried about the safety of my vehicle while I am away. We intend to do some backpacking, so the vehicle may be left for several days. I've got a Club for anti-theft, but should I worry about someone breaking in to the cab or shell of my truck?

[Snapshot]

I'm not very concerned about personal encounters, but I am a bit worried about the safety of my vehicle while I am away. We intend to do some backpacking, so the vehicle may be left for several days. I've got a Club for anti-theft, but should I worry about someone breaking in to the cab or shell of my truck?

 

It is certainly a possibility. Best thing is not to leave any visible items in your truck that would tempt even a casual thief.

Maybe park your truck close to another camp ?

[azhuntergirl]

I've had 3 vehicles stolen or broken into, ALL of them in Tucson or Phoenix. Having lived/hunted in a border unit for most of my life, we've NEVER had a vehicle stolen/broken into down there. I know of no one I grew up with/hunted with down there that has EVER had their vehicle stolen/broken into. I'd be more worried about your truck in phoenix than I would down south.

 

I'd recommend you keep all your valuables on your person or hidden. The chances of you having an issue down there is pretty slim.

[desertdog]

I'm not very concerned about personal encounters, but I am a bit worried about the safety of my vehicle while I am away. We intend to do some backpacking, so the vehicle may be left for several days. I've got a Club for anti-theft, but should I worry about someone breaking in to the cab or shell of my truck?

 

It is certainly a possibility. Best thing is not to leave any visible items in your truck that would tempt even a casual thief.

Maybe park your truck close to another camp ?

 

+1

[desertdog]

I've had 3 vehicles stolen or broken into, ALL of them in Tucson or Phoenix. Having lived/hunted in a border unit for most of my life, we've NEVER had a vehicle stolen/broken into down there. I know of no one I grew up with/hunted with down there that has EVER had their vehicle stolen/broken into. I'd be more worried about your truck in phoenix than I would down south.

 

I'd recommend you keep all your valuables on your person or hidden. The chances of you having an issue down there is pretty slim.

 

Wow that really sucks!!!!! 3 vehicles stolen or broken into. I have lived in Tucson all my life and have never had a car stolen or broken into. Sorry to hear of your bad luck.

[azhuntergirl]

I've had 3 vehicles stolen or broken into, ALL of them in Tucson or Phoenix. Having lived/hunted in a border unit for most of my life, we've NEVER had a vehicle stolen/broken into down there. I know of no one I grew up with/hunted with down there that has EVER had their vehicle stolen/broken into. I'd be more worried about your truck in phoenix than I would down south.

 

I'd recommend you keep all your valuables on your person or hidden. The chances of you having an issue down there is pretty slim.

 

Wow that really sucks!!!!! 3 vehicles stolen or broken into. I have lived in Tucson all my life and have never had a car stolen or broken into. Sorry to hear of your bad luck.

 

Make it four. I forgot about my dad's '86 Jimmy in McCormick Ranch Scottsdale. One was my tried and true Intn'l Scout in the old Home Depot parking lot on Kolb. The others were the white ford I grew up driving across from the home depot, and my mom's truck in Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale.

 

Price you pay for living in a border state, eh?

[Snapshot]

I am always more worried about the weekend warrior crowd, rather than the dark haired people heading north. Its the ones heading south that you want to stay away from.

[deserthunter23]

Thanks for the responces ,especially from you lucky enough to have grown up and hunted down south.Ive always been taken with the beauty of the grassands and oak down there and am definately trying to go for a left over tag.As you say just keep your wits about you and should be fine.You are probably right ,should be more concerned with the amount of people huntind(tag #s) then the illegals.Good luck to all in your upcoming hunts.

[AZLance]

only some "farm-worker illegals" in 36B

 

I'm not worried...