34B

[coueswthunter]

? I am hunting alone. I really do not want to have a run in with the bad folks. Maybe an area to avoid. Also any good bukcs in the area?

[elkhunter]

many great bucks in the area, rarely see illegal traffic, walk a mile from the roads and you'll find bucks, you'll never see em under half mile from roads

[GameHauler]

No Deer left in there,

The drug runners and growers have killed them all

for food and because the Deer got way goofy at night

and would keep the growers up after dining on the crop.

[coueswthunter]

Thank You elk hunter. I will be up sunday and havent scouted or know where to camp but I have cheap binos. and a comfy chair so I have nothin but time to glass up a decent 2x2. To me those mature 2x2s can be darn pretty as they mature. Wish me luck. 150 tags in a small area.

[azcoues33]

I have a friend near there that says there is quite a bit of illegal traffic but no violence, atleast in his experience.....so far anyways.

[COUESAZ]

Alot of traffic on the post ranch. They break into the ranch house all the time. I have never seen violance with any of them and have never come across the drug runners but that does not mean they are not there.

[Snapshot]

The following information is from the Arizona Game & Fish Departments Unit hunt information section. It is a great place to obtain information about specific unit information for various species and habitat.

 

White-tailed Deer 34B

Overview: The whitetail population in the unit is fair this year. Most of the bucks will be in the one to two year old age classes. The majority of the whitetail population is in the Whetstone Mountain range with dispersed groups in outlying areas.

 

Area: One of the main problems hunters encounter in this hunt unit is access. The Cottonwood and Wakefield Canyon areas are locked off at this time. This means that the north side of the Whetstones does not have legal vehicular public access. Hunters need to plan their hunt accordingly and look at alternative areas. Access may be granted by contacting the local ranchers and obtaining permission. Be aware that you must abide by their rules while on their land so be respectful of their wishes.

 

The area known as Ricketts Mine has also been locked off. This will prevent vehicular access to McGrew Springs, Middle Canyon, and Guindani Canyon.

 

French Joe and Middle Canyon can both be accessed from F.S. road 369 at milepost 300 on Hwy. 90.

 

For those hunters wanting a little more seclusion and fewer hunters I would suggest the west side of the Whetstones. You can access those areas either through the Las Cienegas National Consevation Arera off Hwy 83 or from F.S. road 779 off Hwy. 82 east of Sonoita. The area from Bear Springs north to Apache Canyon has some nice whitetail. Be prepared for some dense brushy areas in some spots and also some steep canyons.

 

Hunters may also want to try the south end of the Whetstones in Mine and Dry canyons. To get to Mine Canyon take the Sand Ranch Road from Highway 82 and follow the road west to Forest Service property. The road turns north just east of the ranch and onto Forest Service property. Remember that any land not on forest is private in this area and obey all postings unless you obtain permission from the rancher. Approximately one (1) mile past the Forest boundary there is a primitive cut across road that will take you east around the base of the mountain over to Dry Canyon. Dry Canyon can also be accessed off of State Highway 90.

 

Along the Cienega Creek can also be a good area for whitetail. In general the whitetail densities are low and the vegetation is thick, which makes it a challenging hunt. Archery hunters frequent this area in the winter.

 

Summary: As you can see, if you are not familiar with unit 34B you need to obtain a Forest Service map to help you identify the roads and canyons.

 

It is also a must for the serious whitetail hunter to have a pair of binoculars. They will help you find those hard-to-spot bucks.

 

The first hunt will probably be pretty warm so plan to leave camp very early to catch the bucks before they bed down. Bedding will start soon after light if it is warm weather. The second hunt will be cooler but still plan on hitting it early. Those big bucks still bed early.

 

The late hunt will have the highest hunt success because the bucks will be out starting to chase the does for the rut. The weather can be unpredictable at that time of the year so come prepared.

 

Access is still a problem at the north end of the Whetstones so a pre-hunt scouting trip will help you find your way in.