macknnc Report post Posted May 9, 2014 One thought I had...considering we are talking about a backpacking hunt in Unit 33,which would sorta of extend my range so to speak is this.. (Oh and note:I 'developed' this plan 20 odd years ago when I was planning a bighorn hunt in Montana's unlimited area...) So the key to any 'away' hunt is scouting...so assuming AZ reg's allow it...get there a week or so early, establish a base camp...toss on my pack, but a 'special load...my binocs, a GPS, and at least a weeks worth of water...lots and lots of water...and extra food..I go to point "A' ...drop half the extra water and food...scout around.. scout my way back to the base camp...the next day, do same thing..but in a different direction... The basic point here is, as I scout, also establish 'caches' of water, and some food...(mostly concentrating on water, since water weighs the most and is basically the most important...AZ being so dry and lets face it...hot as the dickens...hot even by southern standards...) This would increase my range, and since, if need be, water can be poured out, also leave me with a lighter pack to bring out the deer assuming I get lucky... So start poking holes in the plan folks..that's why I have posted it.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jcubed Report post Posted May 9, 2014 I would start with finding where there already is water in 33. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SNEEKEE1 Report post Posted May 9, 2014 Not a bad idea but are you basically making a spike camp that what you meant? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jcubed Report post Posted May 9, 2014 OP have you been in 33 before? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Lots of water in 33 if your backpacking in. Almost anywhere you go a few miles from the road you'll hit water, and maybe another road. Unless you walk straight up the mountain (s) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Lots of water in 33 if your backpacking in. Almost anywhere you go a few miles from the road you'll hit water, and maybe another road. Unless you walk straight up the mountain (s)really? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Yes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted May 10, 2014 My non-professional opinion..... You better pack some H2O.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrRx09 Report post Posted May 10, 2014 If you are planning on doing this in Unit 33 I would hope that you are is some serious shape! I've tried to do this for some areas there, and I know a few people that have done it as well. Its pretty involved and if going out to remote areas you'll need multiple eyes and help getting all your gear and deer back out. Its just too hard to cover that much ground alone. I would suggest having one or 2 ppl join you on this. Good luck with the endeavor! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muledeerarea33? Report post Posted May 10, 2014 My non-professional opinion..... You better pack some H2O.... packing water is a good idea since you never know (especially since he's from out of state and doesn't know the area) I'm just saying there's plenty to be had. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnie blaze Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Like I've posted before in another thread that the OP started....everyone sure is making it sound easy. I'm not trying to knock the guy from achieving a dream(well maybe a lil, since it's my unit), but I was weened in 33. If dude is even lucky enough to draw a 33 tag, which if it's a Oct. tag, it's going to be dryer than a popcorn fart. Water will be #1. Scouting prior to that.....tougher yet. Whattaya have bout a 3hr window for glassing? Then best laid plans are made. And find out that you really ain't as far back as you think you are and now your dealing with the resident hunters. On top of all that....You want a reputable buck? It's not impossible, and I don't blame the guy for wanting to DIY, but after 30+ years of hunting in AZ, especially 33, he's really biting off alot to chew. I'm just trying to be real with the OP. Hope no offense is taken. And I will throw the OP a big bone, if he doesnt take me helping him as "guiding", but he seems serious and trying to do his homework. But IMHO, for him to achieve his goal....he's gonna need some help. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camoremi Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Like I've posted before in another thread that the OP started....everyone sure is making it sound easy. I'm not trying to knock the guy from achieving a dream(well maybe a lil, since it's my unit), but I was weened in 33. If dude is even lucky enough to draw a 33 tag, which if it's a Oct. tag, it's going to be dryer than a popcorn fart. Water will be #1. Scouting prior to that.....tougher yet. Whattaya have bout a 3hr window for glassing? Then best laid plans are made. And find out that you really ain't as far back as you think you are and now your dealing with the resident hunters. On top of all that....You want a reputable buck? It's not impossible, and I don't blame the guy for wanting to DIY, but after 30+ years of hunting in AZ, especially 33, he's really biting off alot to chew. I'm just trying to be real with the OP. Hope no offense is taken. And I will throw the OP a big bone, if he doesnt take me helping him as "guiding", but he seems serious and trying to do his homework. But IMHO, for him to achieve his goal....he's gonna need some help. I completely agree with you I've only been hunting a year in a half. But I've yet to scout enough. AZ is rugged, treacherous, and unforgiving. That is why I'm starting my scouting next week. Our populations are just not what they are back east y Pu can't throw a rock and hit a deer. I do wish him the best of luck though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
macknnc Report post Posted May 10, 2014 All right fellows, this is exactly what I want. At the end of my very first post in this thread, I said I wanted you guys to poke holes in it... No, I've never laid eyes on 33. My one Coues hunt was well south of there in the Chirchaua Mountains... But I am basically speaking of setting up a base camp...scouting out from there to make the caches I am talking about.. And no matter how 'well-watered' 33 is, I'm gonna feel a lot better if I have some extra water stashed here and there....I think it is important to keep in mind I live in North Carolina...NC is hot yes..but not Arizona hot...but NC ain't in the least bit dry...Years ago, i had a girlfriend in Colorado, who came out here to visit me..and about all she would talk about for days was how green the state was..We get a lot of rain..NC'ers probably waste more water in a year than Arizona gets! I remember Arizona, (again 40 plus years ago) as hot,dry and for me, very thirsty. So 'lots of water in 33' by Arizona standards is probably not a lot of water by NC standards... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jcubed Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Personally, I think multiple locations with a cache is a bad idea. Seems like more of a cross country hiking expedition than a hunt. Focus on the hunt, coues hunting is more about glassing imho. I will spend lots of time sitting in the same place just glassing and waiting for the moment a buck appears...can't do this if you are hiking all over God's creation from cache to cache. Find a good area and glass until you find your buck. 33 can be a very rugged unit depending on where you decide to hunt. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkaddict Report post Posted May 10, 2014 Personally, I think multiple locations with a cache is a bad idea. Seems like more of a cross country hiking expedition than a hunt. Focus on the hunt, coues hunting is more about glassing imho. I will spend lots of time sitting in the same place just glassing and waiting for the moment a buck appears...can't do this if you are hiking all over God's creation from cache to cache. Find a good area and glass until you find your buck. 33 can be a very rugged unit depending on where you decide to hunt. Exactly! And like I said in the first post, get some 15's (binoculars) on a tripod, you can rent them, I believe from Ross Outdoors in Phoenix. You can cover a lot of country sitting on your butt and picking apart the mountain. Then when you see something you want to take a closer look at you can hike into that area and have an entirely different view. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
