hunt alone

[redskin]

I was wondering how many of you hunt alone in units 29, 30a, or 30b. I have been doing this for over 15 years but have found this a little more dangerous year after year. I have been running into a lot of illegal activity and wonder if me being alone will come back to haunt me. A few years ago at sun down I found two adidas bags with at least 25 pounds of coke in each of them. I left the area immediately. I returned the next day with friends who didn't believe me and when we left the area we were followed into town by a car with Mexican plates. I stayed away from my honey hole for a while. My honey hole has turned into an illegal traffic crossing, both by foot and trucks. I now hunt a little further from the border, but still in 30a, and I'm still running into a lot of activity. I refuse to give up my hunting but must admit it's getting a little nerve wracking having to look over my shoulder. Hunting out of these areas is really not an option. Just would like to know what others think.

[Benbrown]

I hunt across the state line in New Mexico and the situation is much the same. I was out by myself three days last weekend and yesterday. Lots of sign in an area where the BP finally apprehended three guys just before the bow season who had been camped up there several months. They were armed with AR-15s and were living off the land (they had poached 4 deer, 2 bears and a desert bighorn sheep). They were robbing the drug mules and selling their contraband. I am getting up in years and don't much care about those guys, but it's rough country and my wife worries about me--both from the standpoint of encounters with illegals and just plain accidents.

 

I should probably get a SPOT or something like that, but my legs will probably give out before that happens--it was really tough this year. I like hunting with my kids, but they were all too busy with family and work to make it this year, and I like to move at my own pace. I glass a lot, look at birds and take photos, and am looking for something so big that I just can't pass it up, regardless of how far it has to be packed out. There are just too few areas where a hunter can be by him or her self every day and not have to dodge other parties. I'll probably put in for another tag next year, because by April all I can think about is getting back out there with a rifle and a daypack.

 

Good hunting to all of you and remember, "Illegitimus non carborundum"!

[natureboyfloyd]

I hunted 30B, camping in the backcountry; spent a morning in the the Pedro. Killed my first coues deer there, and I like the lay of the land there as well. Met a rancher family, who said, of all things, that illegals do come across in great number.

I am hoping I stay out of the main routes, save for the Pedro valley.

 

This year, I plan to really scout that unit, because the coues tags are a sure thing. These scum Mexican trafickers, well, I will cross that road when I get there. Still, I am leary of the whole south part. I will stick to the north part of 30B.

[Coach]

I can really appreciate the dilemma you are faced with. I did a solo bivy hunt this year in an area that I was very concerned about being able to safely hunt and come home to my family - based on drug runners and all of the associated risks. It turned out OK, but being out there totally alone was not exactly the relaxing break from routine I might have liked.

 

Maybe the best solution is to use this forum to "recruit" a couple of helpers. A small bivy camp made up of two or three people is a lot less vulnerable than an individual going solo. There are still no guarantees, but it definate ups the ante for anyone who might mess with you if the target is larger and less predictable. It's simple schooling or herding mentality - numbers mean strength where an isolated individual makes an easy target.

 

On the other hand, I really believe that the smugglers are hoping to avoid ANY confrontation that might complicate their jobs. They *surely* have been taught that any armed confrontation will only fuel the efforts against them. They have to know that any incident that results in hunters or hikers getting killed down there will force more and more enforcement efforts against them - and let's be honest - that's bad for business.

 

Let's keep hunting these areas, but be smart and informed. And I for one will volunteer to go along with anyone looking for some back-up - taking into account work and family commitments, of course . If we all band together we can help eachother to not become targets.

[joeybari]

I can really appreciate the dilemma you are faced with. I did a solo bivy hunt this year in an area that I was very concerned about being able to safely hunt and come home to my family - based on drug runners and all of the associated risks. It turned out OK, but being out there totally alone was not exactly the relaxing break from routine I might have liked.

 

Maybe the best solution is to use this forum to "recruit" a couple of helpers. A small bivy camp made up of two or three people is a lot less vulnerable than an individual going solo. There are still no guarantees, but it definate ups the ante for anyone who might mess with you if the target is larger and less predictable. It's simple schooling or herding mentality - numbers mean strength where an isolated individual makes an easy target.

 

On the other hand, I really believe that the smugglers are hoping to avoid ANY confrontation that might complicate their jobs. They *surely* have been taught that any armed confrontation will only fuel the efforts against them. They have to know that any incident that results in hunters or hikers getting killed down there will force more and more enforcement efforts against them - and let's be honest - that's bad for business.

 

Let's keep hunting these areas, but be smart and informed. And I for one will volunteer to go along with anyone looking for some back-up - taking into account work and family commitments, of course . If we all band together we can help eachother to not become targets.

+1

 

[Snapshot]

I have hunted 30B, 4 times in the last 7 years and have not had any problems, except with the overcrowding of hunters

 

Old sign is all I have found, hot sauce bottles, mexican grocery bags etc. But have never seen any on the move.

[rclouse79]

I was scouting in 36c with my wife today and we came along 12 of them hiking down a trail. When they saw us they all crouched down. I decided it would be better to just keep going since they already saw us. The guy in the lead asked for some food when we passed. When I told him we didn't have any we both went on our way. I agree that most of them are not looking for confrontation or trouble, but it is still a little nerve racking. I called BP when I got cell service but it was probably to late. If the border patrol does catch someone do they just ship them back to Mexico?

[Coach]

I've called in several, and at that time, BP's first question was whether they were carrying large packs. From what I can tell, they'll pick up the illegals when they can, but their first priority is the smugglers - which is understandable. The next question is whether they were carrying any visible arms.

 

This year the BP agent I spoke to said the number carrying long arms (rifles) was on the increase - although many were so rusted they probably don't even work - for what it's worth. That's not to say that the threat is low - we all know that the big mule trains are guarded with serious cats with serious weapons - lots of AR15's and FN Five-Sevens. Those are the one I worry about.

[redskin]

When I've run into crossers they to have crouched down making no eye contact and I just moved on my way. What has changed are the armed coyotes guarding their pack and the armed gangs trying to rip off these people. I have seen armed non hunters from a safe distance. That is what I'm a little worried about. Especially when bow hunting and only packing a 357. Feel a little better when hunting with my 270. I have hunted 30a long and hard and haven't had a confrontation but the people I' actually run into haven't been visibly armed. Don't know what I'd do if I crossed paths with some that were. You have a great idea AZONECAM and I appreciate your offer. By the way what exactly is a bivy camp. It does seem it would be safer in numbers where the focus could strictly be put on the hunt

[Coach]

By "bivy camp" I just mean a small backpacking camp where you carry *everything* in your backpack to your hunting destination. Small tent, small sleeping bag, mountain house and other dehydrated meals, tiny cookstoves... The idea is to camp further in than the guys with comfortable setups like campers, wall tents, 5th wheels etc. will ever get because they'd have to start hiking at midnight or 2:00 AM to get to the same glassing areas you can roll out of your bag and hike a couple hundred yards to hunt. It's a GREAT way to hunt, but a little scary solo - especially in any of the Southern-most areas of AZ or NM.