bojangles Report post Posted May 12, 2015 I'm looking at holding out for a trophy mule deer tag. I figure i can hunt archery every year until i get a trophy tag, and possibly shoot a monster on one of those hunts, too. But if you were holding out for a trophy tag, what unit would you choose, and why? I'm looking at 13a and 13b, but should i be shopping other units too? what about 12a eas/west? 12b 3c 23 late? Mind you, i want to come home with a b&c on this hunt, and i'm willing to wait for the tag. thx!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted May 12, 2015 Most will say the 13A/13B units, and I cannot disagree with them. I also think there are some great deer in 12AE/W too, but the late hunts are the way to go for those units. There are some dandies taken off the Bab every year. Of course, the biggest deer I have seen pictures of from last year (besides the pending P&Y world record typical from the Strip and pending SCI world record typical from the Strip) came from a desert unit. It crushes the P&Y deer in score, but it is a MONSTER non-typical. I mean MONSTER. And there were quite a few monsters taken out of the desert last year. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector777 Report post Posted May 12, 2015 If you're willing to wait 13b is a no brainer. if you don't want to wait 15 years possibly then try those other units. But know in any of the hunts without a guide could be real difficult for a 180" buck and even with a guide you're not guaranteed to kill a b and c buck. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted May 12, 2015 If you're willing to wait 13b is a no brainer. if you don't want to wait 15 years possibly then try those other units. But know in any of the hunts without a guide could be real difficult for a 180" buck and even with a guide you're not guaranteed to kill a b and c buck. I didn't know a guide was that important up there. I've never hunted there so I really don't know anything about the area. I know you could spend thousands in gas just for scouting. I would also love a huge Muley hanging on the wall. That's why I've started building points in other states. I'm not looking for a Giant. I would be REALLY happy with a 170-180 Buck. With a few points and private land access you can get something that size in a surrounding state. It should only take half the points it takes to draw an Az tag. Yes you may not have a legit chance at a 200, but a 170-180 looks just as nice on the wall to me! Adam 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Explorer Report post Posted May 12, 2015 December rifle all the way. During the rut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bojangles Report post Posted May 12, 2015 thanks for the input. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yotebuster Report post Posted May 12, 2015 When you say B&C, you're asking a lot. I would be willing to be that a B&C buck has never come out of 3c in recent times or the late 23 hunt (for the short amount of time it's been going on), that's a 195" net deer. I would also bet that even out of the strip there are only a handful a year and maybe one or two out of the 12's. I could be wrong but that is an absolute giant of a buck and if that's your goal then you better stick to the strip units, and you better hire an outfitter. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
murfys69law Report post Posted May 12, 2015 If you're willing to wait 13b is a no brainer. if you don't want to wait 15 years possibly then try those other units. But know in any of the hunts without a guide could be real difficult for a 180" buck and even with a guide you're not guaranteed to kill a b and c buck. I didn't know a guide was that important up there. I've never hunted there so I really don't know anything about the area. I know you could spend thousands in gas just for scouting. I would also love a huge Muley hanging on the wall. That's why I've started building points in other states. I'm not looking for a Giant. I would be REALLY happy with a 170-180 Buck. With a few points and private land access you can get something that size in a surrounding state. It should only take half the points it takes to draw an Az tag. Yes you may not have a legit chance at a 200, but a 170-180 looks just as nice on the wall to me! Adam This is a 170+ buck shot just north of Phoenix. Don't need to go all the way to the strip for a buck like this. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted May 12, 2015 I would probably be applying every year for NM unit 2. No point game to play. And buying points in Colorado, Wyoming and UT. Spend my AZ points on a late Coues. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HUNTnTAT2 Report post Posted May 12, 2015 A lot of great info from guys that guide those prime tags year in and year out on Jay Scotts podcast. Worth a listen. there are a few podcast talking Bab and Strip hunts http://jayscottoutdoors.podbean.com 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted May 12, 2015 murfy, you need to dust that poor old mount! i see bucks every January that would break 180". i honestly think OTC archery hunts can be some of your best bets to kill a true giant. you get to hunt great units in the absolute best times of the year 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HUNTnTAT2 Report post Posted May 12, 2015 There are trophy bucks all over our great state. Just have to put in the time.....and not miss em. Lol archery desert buck from January...lost a lot of sleep on this one. good luck in the draw gentlemen! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Sparky Report post Posted May 12, 2015 I would probably be applying every year for NM unit 2. No point game to play. And buying points in Colorado, Wyoming and UT. Spend my AZ points on a late Coues. Unit 2 use to be a good unit long ago. Yes there are still some big ones in there. When I hunted it ML about 12 years ago there were hunters everywhere. Go over to Bowsite and read under the mule deer forum for some recent experiences to see what I am talking about. Those were Jan. bow hunts but I have also talked to friends that rifle hunted it 2 out of the last 4 years in November. They told me a 140"-150" deer was a good deer from that unit nowadays. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw87 Report post Posted May 12, 2015 I took this 186 buck in the December 23 hunt so it's definitely possible without a guide but you have to do some serious scouting 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
