Newish to hunting, drew 36C

[AndrewJ]

Hello,

 

I went hunting a few times as a kid, but it never really stuck with me. I wanted to get back into it and drew a whitetail tag for the November hunt in 36C!! Now that the excitement has subsided I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed/ full of questions.

 

I am going to try and scout the unit in September just to see what the area looks like. I also bought a State Land permit just in case.

 

Camping- is it pretty easy? What is it like? Does it fill up or is there plenty of space? Is it worth camping at Buenos Aires NWR?

 

Gear- right now I have nothing. My grandpa had a .243 WInchester, I am working on getting it sent down. Should I get a canopy for my truck? Any other gear that is a must?

 

If anyone local (Phoenix/Tempe) has hunted this unit and knows about the area, I'd love to meeup to talk about the area, where to camp, and general hunting preparation.

[Antmo23]

Binoculars and a tripod are a must. And good boots. Coues country gets vertical quick, fast, and in a hurry.

[Jcubed]

Welcome to cwt and congratulations on your tag!

 

First off, I am pretty sure that your hunting license serves as your state land permit for future reference.

 

You have drawn a border unit and will have to deal with the issues associated with the border. Camping is generally dispersed in the unit and there is lots of space available on the state trust land. Most people who camp down there camp in groups. The thought on this is the more people around the safer it is to camp. Check out any of the large ranch roads (like the Kings Anvil) that pass through state land for dispersed camping. Though I personally haven't camped at the Buenos Aires NWR I know of many that have camped there as well (though I think there is a fee associated with the NWR).

 

As to gear. Personally, I would get a good pair of binoculars and a tripod. To hunt the coues you will need to glass, glass, glass and then glass some more. If you scout the unit in September practice your glassing as well.

 

Which Nov hunt do you have?

 

Also, I would peruse most of the content on this site regarding the border units especially 36c. Read and learn from the experiences, failures, and successes of others! Be sure to pay attention to the terrain and growth in the pictures as this will give you a starting point on where to look for these elusive deer when looking over the unit while scouting and glassing.

 

Make sure you know how to take care of the animal if you are lucky enough to get one down. The meat is delicious so having a plan and the ability to get one off the mountain is imperative!

[Jcubed]

Almost forgot, start practicing with that rifle! Coues country usually doesn't lend itself to close shots. Cross canyon, up canyon, and every other kind of canyon shot you can think of at distance are the norm so be proficient and confident.

 

Hunting these deer becomes addicting due to all the different skills required to chase them (glassing, shooting, hiking, scouting, determining the best route to get closer, etc etc).

[My Rights As An American]

Jcubed has plenty of good information. Grew up hunting that unit. Check out the Game and Fish site first for that unit and read up on the access areas and common places. Then go between those places and walk in. Cannot access the unit from the west side, so everything is pretty much off the Altar Valley road heading east. Lots of deer, lots of illegal immigrants and drug runners. Camping around others is heavily encouraged. Get up high very early and glass, glass, glass and glass. Glass until your eyes hurt, then glass more and more.

[My Rights As An American]

I live near BassPro, so feel free to catch up with me at some point and I will help you with more specific information face to face.

[scoutm]

If you're not fit get fit. Most of the good areas are land locked by private poperty and only foot access is allowed. Be prepared to hike in across the private land to get to the hunting areas.

[Week'nd WaRRior]

Like scout m said getting into areas that have no vehicle access is the key to this unit. Our favoriate unit to hunt. Last year we tried a different unit and I kicked myself in the rear every day just knowing I was wasting my time with the Zoo of hunters in that unit. We hunt this unit by parking and getting a minimum of 4 miles from any road and that's when the Glasses get taken out. you must learn to glass, and glass, And when your eyes are burning glass some more. Get that Rifle as soon as possible and start practicing now, Nov will be here sooner than you think. Also, Not all the bucks are up in the mountains. We've seen bruisers down in the flats were you think it's typical muley country. As far as camping we've never had any issues regarding Crossers, But you must always be aware of your surrondings. Coolest thing we did 2 years ago was spotlighting a Drone that hovered us at night for a Half hour. The Bucks are there, Not so many hunters like other units, and If you choose you'll never see another hunter. Last 5 yrs in the unit we've seen a total of 2 other hunters. Get out and scout and stay positive. Staying positive during any deer hunt is the key. Good Luck!

[AndrewJ]

First off, I am pretty sure that your hunting license serves as your state land permit for future reference.

 

Which Nov hunt do you have?

 

I wasn't sure if you were allowed to scout outside of hunting season, so wanted to be safe. Do you have to have your hunting rifle on you at all times to use your hunting permit for state land? I have hunt 1146, Nov 8-14.

 

I live near BassPro, so feel free to catch up with me at some point and I will help you with more specific information face to face.

 

Great, sounds good!

 

Like scout m said getting into areas that have no vehicle access is the key to this unit. Our favoriate unit to hunt. Last year we tried a different unit and I kicked myself in the rear every day just knowing I was wasting my time with the Zoo of hunters in that unit. We hunt this unit by parking and getting a minimum of 4 miles from any road and that's when the Glasses get taken out. you must learn to glass, and glass, And when your eyes are burning glass some more. Get that Rifle as soon as possible and start practicing now, Nov will be here sooner than you think. Also, Not all the bucks are up in the mountains. We've seen bruisers down in the flats were you think it's typical muley country. As far as camping we've never had any issues regarding Crossers, But you must always be aware of your surrondings. Coolest thing we did 2 years ago was spotlighting a Drone that hovered us at night for a Half hour. The Bucks are there, Not so many hunters like other units, and If you choose you'll never see another hunter. Last 5 yrs in the unit we've seen a total of 2 other hunters. Get out and scout and stay positive. Staying positive during any deer hunt is the key. Good Luck!

 

I don't mind getting off the road and walking around, actually prefere it. Have you been successful these last years? Do you bring a bunch if ice with you to preserve the meat?

[Jcubed]

I have the same hunt with some friends. I live in Tucson and if you come down to scout maybe we could meet up.

[maximus]

look the backside of mildred peak, lots of walking but nice bucks in there.

[Jcubed]

Pm replied to

[roninflag]

Andrew- they are small deer and long shots usually. a very good rifle and scope help. they are hard to spot . by going scouting it will give you some experience spotting them. Like others have said - get up high and glass. the mountains are rugged and steep so getting in shape is a good idea. mostly you have to walk through the private to get to the elevation where the deer are. i would camp with others but have never had a problem. BP are every where down there.