20c EARLY RIFLE INFO

[coues4u]

My dad trusted me to put him in for a different unit that he knows but I accidentally put him in for 20c and he got drawn for 20c early rifle oct26-nov 1. With a baby on the way and working two jobs I don't have enough time to go scout much. Any ideas would be appreciated just general areas would be great. I like to setup my tripod and use my swarovski 15's to glass, any suggested areas to glass would be greatly appreciated. My lips are sealed, thanks in advance and god bless. Feel free to pm me

 

P.S. Good luck to everybody on their hunts this fall

[JLW]

I don't know the area well but I know there are access issues in some places.

if no one helps you out I always look at the g&f starting points and that usually gets me going.

they give a ton of starting points for this unit.

I've copied and pasted it for you... hope it helps.

 

James

Mule Deer Overview:

Mule deer can be found in most areas throughout the unit, although densities vary significantly. The highest deer densities are associated with the Weaver, Date Creek and McCloud Mountains. The mountainous areas in unit 20C are covered with dense stands of shrub live oak and wait-a-minute bush with intermixed areas of more open desert grassland. Deer utilize both areas but hunters should focus their attention on the more open areas to increase their chances of glassing and successfully stalking deer. The unit also contains lower Mohave and Sonoran Desert. Hunters familiar with these areas are sometimes rewarded with taking larger more mature bucks than most anywhere else in the unit. While larger more mature bucks may be located in the desert areas deer densities here are the lowest in the unit. Quality deer habitat is also found in the more open areas around Hillside and Kirkland. Here, deer tend to remain near hiding cover associated with drainages leading off large rolling hills or mesas. Access can be a problem and frustrating to hunters unfamiliar with the unit. Much of the area around the Hassayampa River and Kirkland is private property. Hunters are reminded to honor landowner requests where posted and to secure verbal or written permission to access private property. Arizona Game and Fish Department personnel have worked with many of the ranches to obtain access for hunters on private land. Problems such as vandalism, littering, harassment of livestock, and cross-country travel may cause these landowners to revoke this privilege and lock their gates. Hunters who observe these types of actions and report them to an officer help ensure private lands remain open in the future. A land status map is recommended and can by found at most map stores. Generally the western half of the unit has fewer access problems than the eastern half.

Areas:

Eastern Weaver Mountains (those areas east of HW 89) are accessed via the Wagoner/Crown King Road (HW 89 MP 289) then by taking the Zonia Mine Rd at the intersection where the pavement begins. Unless hunters have secured permission from private landowners there is no more access to 20C off the Wagoner/Crown King Road (paved road). Hunter using the Zonia Mine Rd need to turn right on the Whitehead Ranch Rd (unmarked) approximately ½ mile before reaching a locked gate accessing the mine. The Whitehead Ranch Rd twists its way to Sourgrass Flats where the thick chaparral vegetation opens up to grassland. Further past Sourgrass Flat, the terrain become steeper and the vegetation become thick again. The road continues for several miles before ending at another locked gate at private property. The Whitehead Ranch Road has few side roads and hunters will have to walk and glass from hilltops to locate wildlife. Hunters may also access the Weaver Mountain via the Stanton-Octave Road (HW 89 MP 269). This road runs along the base of the mountain and accesses BLM and State Trust Land. Hunters can take the Mina Rd north from Stanton and loop back to Yarnell and HW 89. Hunters will want to keep an eye out for a few illusive whitetail deer reported to inhabit the area. Past Stanton, there are numerous roads that allow access to most of the desert flats and ridges all the way to Wickenburg to the south and the Hassayampa River to the east. Hunters are reminded the Hassayampa River Wilderness Area is closed to motor vehicles and to respect private property restrictions.

The Western Weaver Mountains (those areas west of HW 89) are accessed via the Sorrells Ranch Rd (HW 89 MP 283). This is a popular area and during some hunts becomes congested with hunters. Hunters can also access the Weaver Mountains via the Date Creek Rd (HW 89 MP 269). The Date Creek Rd runs 20 miles from HW 89 to Hillside. There are several side roads leading off the Date Creek Road accessing State Trust Land closer to Hillside. At mile post 13 a two track road will cross the railroad tracks and eventually take hunters along the base of Ritter Peak towards Kirkland. At mile post 15 a two track road will take hunters to the west towards Waterman Creek. At mile post 18 another two track road to the west will take hunters to Carter Flat and beyond. It is recommended to use quads/side-by-sides or modified 4WD vehicles to access the further reaches of these side roads as they eventually become narrow, rocky and overgrown with brush. The Date Creek Rd is another popular area for hunters and may become congested during some hunts.

The mesa and rolling hills area east of Hillside can be accessed via the rail road track (ATSF) right of way. This road eventually dead ends just past Grandview. Do not attempt to exit through Kirkland as the access is blocked by private property. Do not use the road after heavy rains as the road becomes impassable. Hunters may also enter off HW 96 a few miles northeast (towards Kirkland) of Hillside. Arizona Game and Fish has a sign-in box and metal gate on a two track road.

The Mohave/Sonoran Desert interface associated with the lower elevations around the Santa Maria River can be accessed via the Santa Maria River Rd (HW 96 MP 11 & HW 93 MP 161). This road runs parallel to the river from HW 96 to HW 93. There are several roads that lead to the south into mountainous topography. Hunter can also access the DG Ranch off HW 93 (MP 165). Arizona Game and Fish has a sign-in box and several route designation signs. Hunters are reminded to respect private property restrictions. The route is a two track road that has several side roads accessing the western side of the mountains near the headwaters of Waterman Creek and the South Fork Santa Maria River. No roads continue through to the Date Creek Rd. Hunters can also access State Trust Lands to the south via a two track road (HW 93 MP 171). This road allows hunters to access Date Creek (no vehicle access, foot only). Again this road dead ends at the creek and does not continue through to the Date Creek Rd. The Date Creek Mountains can be access via a two track road (HW 93 MP 179). This road passes by private property before heading towards Hog Ranch Well and over the top of the mountains before ending on the north bank of Date Creek. Access across Date Creek is prohibited due to private property, respect and obey all regulatory signs to maintain current access. Closer to Wickenburg, hunters can access the Hassayampa River and desert ridges and flats south of Stanton via the Scenic Loop Road (HW 93 MP 195). This road passes through a residential neighborhood before dropping to the Hassayampa River bottom at Box Canyon. There are numerous roads that travel north towards the Stanton-Octave Rd.

[Jbird]

Hasn't anybody ever just gotten a G&F map and gone hunting? Doesn't anyone just know the animal and how/where to find them? Anybody here can get into their truck and drive to a new area and start looking for deer - if they want to. I've helped e-scouters before but . . .

[coues4u]

sorry i thought this website was fellow hunters helping fellow hunters, guess i was mistaken...god bless

[stanley]

Absolutely NOTHING wrong with asking for some advice/help on an area you're not familiar with. Haters will hate, and some will throw out a negative comment or two but that is their problem if they want to spend their energy on negative comments, IMO..... Those that want to chip-in if they have information can. Those that don't want to (or don't have the information) don't have to. A few folks, if they are going to direct to specific areas will prefer to do it via private message as opposed to on the public thread.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have any information that I can personally share. I just don't know 20C that well. I hope you get some helpful information!

 

Good luck on your hunt and thanks for using this site!

 

S.

 

[ready2hunt]

sorry i thought this website was fellow hunters helping fellow hunters, guess i was mistaken...god bless

 

Feel free to ask questions. Its negative comments like those above that could give newer members a bad impression of the website. Don't judge it based upon his words.

 

 

20C can produce some good animals. I like the northeast section of the unit but as mentioned previously there are some access issues. Depending on the time of year water sources can prove more critical than others. I'd stay east of the of the 89 and north of the hassayampa river if possible but there is a lot of private land right there so be sure you know where you stand.

 

Good luck to you!

[trophyhnter]

Look on google earth and find the road to hillside. find high spots to glass from with year round water close by. There is alot of private property so be on the look out as most are posted. I would not recommend hunting north of the Greyback mountians. I have spent time glassing the flats leading to the mountain but did not see much. The mountians and their foothills on either side of the road to hillside have deer in them (again provided that there is year round water). Look at the major creeks/washes as they will hold water all year! You have the better of the two hunts as the deer are still in their normal areas and patterns (IMO). It should be hot so they will bed down by 8ish so you dont have alot of time to find them feeding (the bigger ones I've seen are bedded within a hour of first light)! Walk the water sources looking for big tracks (I found one that looked like an elk track but never found the owner of the track). Oh yeah, the hunt is tough (understatement)! Everytime G&F checked us, he generally had only checked 5 to 10 deer by sunday. The last time I hunted the unit, a four year 3x3 was the biggest that was taken by sunday! I have seen one big 4x4 taken during the hunt so its possible to get a good one but you have to be patient and get lucky or hunt the entire hunt or both! There are other areas with more private property issues so pick your poison. I really enjoyed these hunts so have fun not matter what happens! Good luck and post up those pics of the bigg'n you tag!

[trophyhnter]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that the game manager for the unit is an extemely nice young man that took over the unit three or so years ago. He is extremely helpful and is welcome in my camp any day to share some lunch/dinner! Put in a quick scouting trip and give him a call and Im sure he will confirm you are in the right area and point you to one! Forgot his name!

[DCS]

His name is Curtis Herbert.Don't know if the spelling is correct,but as was stated he is a nice guy.

[Sneaker]

I like to hunt the lower desert in the rocky hills and flats on the west side of the unit. The deer are fewer there, but some of the bucks actually mature out there too. You have to be a skilled glasser to find them though.

[coues4u]

thank you very much for all who replied. I have no problem at all studying maps and going out and glassing. I was merely trying to see if anybody could suggest a decent general area that is known to hold some nice bucks. Like I said I'm not familiar with the unit and put my dad in for it by accident. I'm getting excited for this hunt and I think we can kill a decent buck. Most of all I'm looking forward to spending time with my father in the outdoors. I will post pics and a story after the hunt. Thanks again guys, really appreciate it :-) John

[sjvcon]

thank you very much for all who replied. I have no problem at all studying maps and going out and glassing. I was merely trying to see if anybody could suggest a decent general area that is known to hold some nice bucks. Like I said I'm not familiar with the unit and put my dad in for it by accident. I'm getting excited for this hunt and I think we can kill a decent buck. Most of all I'm looking forward to spending time with my father in the outdoors. I will post pics and a story after the hunt. Thanks again guys, really appreciate it :-) John

Not a thing wrong with what you've done here. Units are pretty large in this state, and sometimes it is daunting to know where to start. I've helped guys before, asked for help before, and been glad to receive help when it was offered.

 

I know nothing about 20C or I'd gladly give you some pointers. Some guys have forgotten that hunting is also about sharing experiences and knowledge. I don't expect guys to give up their honeyholes ... but sharing pointers is a part of the brotherhood (and sisterhood).

[coues4u]

ya i'm on the same page, good words sjvcon

[TOBY]

I have 5 tags for each hunt in my family. There are lots of locked gates and no hunting signs. Where there is not is where you find everyone else crammed in the same area. Do your scouting and be first to your spot. After the first 2 days try and think outside of the box, which is hard when you don't know the unit. Find a spot with no road and hike in and your odds will be best. Good luck to you.

[trophyhnter]

I have 5 tags for each hunt in my family. There are lots of locked gates and no hunting signs. Where there is not is where you find everyone else crammed in the same area. Do your scouting and be first to your spot. After the first 2 days try and think outside of the box, which is hard when you don't know the unit. Find a spot with no road and hike in and your odds will be best. Good luck to you.

 

While it may seem like common sense advice........he knows what his is talking about!

 

Good to hear from you and see you on this site. Just replied to your PM! Good luck on your hunt!