Who's Not Afraid to Hunt Down South?

[backwoodsjeeper]

^{I hunt the 36s every winter and a lot of the time by myself. I glass up and and see illegals all the time and smugglers once in a while. It's no big deal just keep your distance and be aware. That being said its all awesome area to hunt and none of that could even come close to bothering me enough to keep me from hunting down there. I think Most people that are scared to hunt down there have never hunted down there...}

^{Its funny I always have guys telling me to stay away from that unit but its a blast down there and all honestly those guys crossing arent going to bother you so the nothing to worry about what so ever!}

[backwoodsjeeper]

I go down to unit 36b every year and tell you what, theres always some kind of excitement!

we normally set up camp down off of rubi road in california gulch or warsaw canyon depending on the amount of people but last years hunt was a real eye opener! on our 3rd day of the hunt we had a group of id say maybe 10+ near our camp site you can clearly here them giving signals back and fourth to each other around 2 am a few of them went into our camp and actually ram sacked the place took water food you name it! I set the alarm off on my pick up and turned on the spot lights on they all scattered shortly after there were two helicopters flying pretty low, and to top that off the following morning we got our a** chewed off by border patrol!! turns out we ended up about a mile south of the border. who knew a piece of barb wire on the floor was the border lol

Wow, wild story. So you were really South of the border?? Suppose we all need to pay attention to what land we are actually hunting on!

 

I've never had a problem in the 36's....... Hunted solo, with friends, and with my children. Never a problem.

 

S.

 

according to BP they claim i was a little under a mile into mex, all I remember is driving my ranger over a cattle guard parked and hiked up a hill next thing you know i glass a few guys waving at me with flares lol

[trphyhntr]

Oh ya I know what you mean. Last year, sat a nice water hole. Deer (does) coming in like crazy, coatimundi, but there was so much illegal activity on the top of the hill, could hear them talking the whole time. Checked google earth when I got home, ya I was about 3/4 of a mile into Mexico. There wasn't even a fence.

[Scooter]

I ain't scared. I solo hunt 35A because I have no hunting buddies. I've run across several groups and no confrontations or stolen property yet. The REAL issue with hunting these southern border units is the complete lack of deer...

[bojangles]

i haven't hunted down south since 06. shot a tiny muley in 30b. saw 1 illegal and he was nervous as a chicken in a foxfarm, me with 12 guage in tow chasing a few quail over lunch.

 

i wouldn't be scared. i think the coyote might mess his pants if he saw me in his general vicinity.

[wildwoody]

+1

[Pine Donkey]

I hunt boarder units year around. I would not say I am scared to hunt them, but you have to be cautious and aware. There are some really scary people out there, but you don't often run into them. There are some signs you need to watch for...everybody carrying the same type back pack, the group being shadowed by guys with AR's or AK'. Most of your outings you will not see anything...maybe some trash, but occasionally you will see enough to get you pretty worried.

 

Last year, a couple weeks before the season, I stayed on a hillside until it was almost, dark glassing for coues. As I packed up and got ready to walk the mile or so back to the truck, a group walked out onto the flats I had to cross. It was pretty dark, and they were a long ways away, but they looked to be armed and had heavy packs. Not wanting to have any issues, I bailed off the backside of the hill, in the opposite direction of the truck and took the looonnnggggg way around. I called my wife and told her what was going on, so she was pretty upset. Everything turned out OK, but I had a long walk in the dark.

 

One of my friends was still hunting his way through some thick oaks one January when he came across a camp in a roadless area. The fire was burning strong, but there was nobody around. As he looked around he noticed several bundles that he was sure were marijauna bales. At this point he was terrified and sure someone was watching him from close by. He and his buddy turned and left as calmly as possible. As they walked out he marked the spot on his GPS and when they were back to the truck he called BP. As it turned out this bundles were drugs and the group was also well armed. Some were caught, but not all of them.

 

I would not avoid the boarder units just because of illegals, but you must always be aware of your surroundings. Heck, I have heard people say they won't hunt the lower areas because they are afraid of rattlesnakes. There is a possibility of a snake encounter, but vigilance will reduce the likelihood of any real problems, snakes or illegals.

[muledeerarea33?]

I had a group two years ago. I pulled of I-10 on my way home. (Less than 1/2 mile from I-10) cracked a beer and started dove hunting. 10 min later people came out of the bushes and say down on the bank of the pond. Confused, I called the BP. They came and all were detained. My blood was pumping but I wouldn't really call it a "southern unit issue" BP didn't care bout my beer on the hood of the truck, the pistol on my hip, or the shotgun in my hand.

[Seldom Drawn]

You tough guys sleeping in trailers or hotels? that aren't scared?I took my son and Grandson back down there three years ago

and had a drug deal with the coyote's going down in my camp at 3 am I am no pussy, chased them with my .357 and a spotlight,guess you tough guys haven't met the guys with the ak's yet don't be so naive you are not in danger what about the solo bowhunter in 34a that had his head cut off with a machete.you want to tell his family there was no need to worry about hunting down there by himself.you must not hunt the really rough steep mountains cause that's where most of them are no buck is worth the risk of putting my family in harms way it's really sad not to want to hunt there anymore I have gone done there for over 35 years with a chance at a buck every year.

good luck to you that have no fear.May God be with you.

 

Seldom Drawn

[trphyhntr]

You tough guys sleeping in trailers or hotels? that aren't scared?I took my son and Grandson back down there three years ago

and had a drug deal with the coyote's going down in my camp at 3 am I am no pussy, chased them with my .357 and a spotlight,guess you tough guys haven't met the guys with the ak's yet don't be so naive you are not in danger what about the solo bowhunter in 34a that had his head cut off with a machete.you want to tell his family there was no need to worry about hunting down there by himself.you must not hunt the really rough steep mountains cause that's where most of them are no buck is worth the risk of putting my family in harms way it's really sad not to want to hunt there anymore I have gone done there for over 35 years with a chance at a buck every year.

good luck to you that have no fear.May God be with you.

 

Seldom Drawn

no i didnt, do you have a link to the story?

 

edit: i found some old forum talk about it from other sites. well, i guess it just piss's me off to think i cant hunt down there due to illegal aliens and drug smugglers? i think you could could easily get in trouble down there. but i still go, its exciting. if i get killed maybe ill the one dead guy that makes them do something about how jacked up the border area is. also, if i was archery hunting down there id pack a side arm, i dont care if its not legal. i dont think law down there would either.

[Elkhunter1]

You tough guys sleeping in trailers or hotels? that aren't scared?I took my son and Grandson back down there three years ago

and had a drug deal with the coyote's going down in my camp at 3 am I am no pussy, chased them with my .357 and a spotlight,guess you tough guys haven't met the guys with the ak's yet don't be so naive you are not in danger what about the solo bowhunter in 34a that had his head cut off with a machete.you want to tell his family there was no need to worry about hunting down there by himself.you must not hunt the really rough steep mountains cause that's where most of them are no buck is worth the risk of putting my family in harms way it's really sad not to want to hunt there anymore I have gone done there for over 35 years with a chance at a buck every year.

good luck to you that have no fear.May God be with you.

 

Seldom Drawn

no i didnt, do you have a link to the story?

 

edit: i found some old forum talk about it from other sites. well, i guess it just piss's me off to think i cant hunt down there due to illegal aliens and drug smugglers? i think you could could easily get in trouble down there. but i still go, its exciting. if i get killed maybe ill the one dead guy that makes them do something about how jacked up the border area is. also, if i was archery hunting down there id pack a side arm, i dont care if its not legal. i dont think law down there would either.

 

You tough guys sleeping in trailers or hotels? that aren't scared?I took my son and Grandson back down there three years ago

and had a drug deal with the coyote's going down in my camp at 3 am I am no pussy, chased them with my .357 and a spotlight,guess you tough guys haven't met the guys with the ak's yet don't be so naive you are not in danger what about the solo bowhunter in 34a that had his head cut off with a machete.you want to tell his family there was no need to worry about hunting down there by himself.you must not hunt the really rough steep mountains cause that's where most of them are no buck is worth the risk of putting my family in harms way it's really sad not to want to hunt there anymore I have gone done there for over 35 years with a chance at a buck every year.

good luck to you that have no fear.May God be with you.

 

Seldom Drawn

no i didnt, do you have a link to the story?

 

edit: i found some old forum talk about it from other sites. well, i guess it just piss's me off to think i cant hunt down there due to illegal aliens and drug smugglers? i think you could could easily get in trouble down there. but i still go, its exciting. if i get killed maybe ill the one dead guy that makes them do something about how jacked up the border area is. also, if i was archery hunting down there id pack a side arm, i dont care if its not legal. i dont think law down there would either.

All archery hunters are able to legally carry a sidearm for protection in all units south of I10. I have for the past several years and will continue to do so. As for my not being scarred, I am every day I walk in those mountains. Scarred doesn't equal naive or complacent. Also I have some tactical training from prior employment opportunities. So having said that I will continue exercise my right to hunt where I want during what ever season I can.

[Scooter]

You tough guys sleeping in trailers or hotels? that aren't scared?I took my son and Grandson back down there three years ago

and had a drug deal with the coyote's going down in my camp at 3 am I am no pussy, chased them with my .357 and a spotlight,guess you tough guys haven't met the guys with the ak's yet don't be so naive you are not in danger what about the solo bowhunter in 34a that had his head cut off with a machete.you want to tell his family there was no need to worry about hunting down there by himself.you must not hunt the really rough steep mountains cause that's where most of them are no buck is worth the risk of putting my family in harms way it's really sad not to want to hunt there anymore I have gone done there for over 35 years with a chance at a buck every year.

good luck to you that have no fear.May God be with you.

 

Seldom Drawn

no i didnt, do you have a link to the story?

 

edit: i found some old forum talk about it from other sites. well, i guess it just piss's me off to think i cant hunt down there due to illegal aliens and drug smugglers? i think you could could easily get in trouble down there. but i still go, its exciting. if i get killed maybe ill the one dead guy that makes them do something about how jacked up the border area is. also, if i was archery hunting down there id pack a side arm, i dont care if its not legal. i dont think law down there would either.

 

 

Bowhunters can carry any handgun with a barrel length 4" or less. Seldom Drawn, my opinion is that if you see a bunch of guys doing a drug deal with AK's at 3am, you probably should not chase them down wielding only a .357 and a spotlight. I don't care how tough you think you are (or what colorful words you use to describe how tough you are) it's an incredibly stupid reason to get shot at and possibly killed.

 

I camp in a tent if I stay out overnight and I go where the deer are- meaning if they are up high in the Huachuca's- that's where I go. I'm not scared, I'm vigilant.

 

Do you actually know why those smugglers carry weapons? It ain't because they want to start shooting at hunters or BP... It's to keep their drug trains safe from rival smugglers. The cartels know very well that no news is good news. They aren't about to enter a gun battle or harass and murder hunters, hikers, birders, and campers because of the negative attention that will certainly bring to their area of operations. If they mess up a route by bringing too much heat and attention to it- then they have to chart a new course and that takes too much time and effort.

[porman]

I hunted down there once a couple Januaries ago & had 3 of them pass by me at about 25 yards. They kept moving & that was the end of it, but still made me feel on edge. Migrant workers are one thing, but I wouldn't want to bump into a coyote moving cargo through the mountains.

My biggest concern is the nights . some of these folks move in the dark and I have actualy seen and heard them. Never have had a problem however. I love it down there. Remember this though. If the F&G come into your camp at night or the Border patrol they will announce themselves or light you up..Anyone else might be trouble

[PRDATR]

Most of them move in the night and hole up during the day either under low hanging branches of Oaks up on hillsides so they can see who is moving around below them or in the bottom of canyons where it is nice and shady.

That is where I have seen their encampments and their foot trails are most everywhere once you get south of the lake whether you are up high or down low. You can rarely walk more than 200 yards north to south without crossing one. Telltale signs are they are wider than a game trail and water bottles strewn about with the occasional shoe, backpack or other article of clothing. Hunting alone as I do you shouldn't have any problems but take a radio and camp near others.

[Seldom Drawn]

Most of them move in the night and hole up during the day either under low hanging branches of Oaks up on hillsides so they can see who is moving around below them or in the bottom of canyons where it is nice and shady.

That is where I have seen their encampments and their foot trails are most everywhere once you get south of the lake whether you are up high or down low. You can rarely walk more than 200 yards north to south without crossing one. Telltale signs are they are wider than a game trail and water bottles strewn about with the occasional shoe, backpack or other article of clothing. Hunting alone as I do you shouldn't have any problems but take a radio and camp near others.

Pred, who the heck would be scared in the day when you can see and have a gun.Have you ever been down there and had someone sneeze at 20 yards from your tent at 2 am would that bother you? and what the heck would a radio do when your by yourself.