Arizona Unit 27 January Mule Deer

[22-250ai]

This is my first time posting here, looking to gain a little knowledge. I'm an avid bow hunter, and have hunted whitetail in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

 

I'm looking at doing an over the counter hunt in Arizona. I've been gathering information for the last month or so as well as aquiring gear for the hunt. Looking for some info on Unit 27, most of what I've been able to find is a few years old. I'm not afraid to put some miles on my boots.

 

I'm looking at starting at some canyons off Juan Miller Rd past Blue River. How is the hunting in this area? Any other general areas to check out? (Not looking for anyone's spot, just trying to do as much research and have a solid game plan before my wife and I head to Arizona from Texas in January)

 

Or any other units I should check out for OTC mule deer in January? Unit 27 is nice because it's on the eastern edge of Arizona and a straight shot across from home. But again, I'm not afraid to drive further or hike in further if it means a better shot at tagging out

[jim]

That is some good stuff you mentioned on both sides of the river.

[22-250ai]

That is some good stuff you mentioned on both sides of the river.

What kind of deer numbers are normal to see in a day of glassing?

[muledeerarea33?]

Depends on where in 27 you are. Lots of good pockets top to bottom and mulie thru out. Bottom and too are equally difficult in different ways. Just pick a spot that you like and glass and walk. If you do that for 3-4 days you'll pry cover the whole unit.

[jaymzth007]

PM sent

[GreyGhost85]

Depends on where in 27 you are. Lots of good pockets top to bottom and mulie thru out. Bottom and too are equally difficult in different ways. Just pick a spot that you like and glass and walk. If you do that for 3-4 days you'll pry cover the whole unit.

I'm thinking this is a joke? I think 27 is hands down the "biggest", wildest unit. Gotta be fewer roads than any other and a LOT of wilderness area. I spend 30+ days a year exploring 27 and have been for a lot of years and there is still a lot of country i haven't touched

[22-250ai]

 

Depends on where in 27 you are. Lots of good pockets top to bottom and mulie thru out. Bottom and too are equally difficult in different ways. Just pick a spot that you like and glass and walk. If you do that for 3-4 days you'll pry cover the whole unit.

I'm thinking this is a joke? I think 27 is hands down the "biggest", wildest unit. Gotta be fewer roads than any other and a LOT of wilderness area. I spend 30+ days a year exploring 27 and have been for a lot of years and there is still a lot of country i haven't touched

Kinda what I was thinking, though I've never been there. Only read about 27.

 

This forum is AWESOME btw! Even being a first time poster, so many people have offered up advice and even a few have offered to show me around. Can't beat that!

[muledeerarea33?]

 

Depends on where in 27 you are. Lots of good pockets top to bottom and mulie thru out. Bottom and too are equally difficult in different ways. Just pick a spot that you like and glass and walk. If you do that for 3-4 days you'll pry cover the whole unit.

I'm thinking this is a joke? I think 27 is hands down the "biggest", wildest unit. Gotta be fewer roads than any other and a LOT of wilderness area. I spend 30+ days a year exploring 27 and have been for a lot of years and there is still a lot of country i haven't touched

ok maybe not 3-4 days. But if you know where mulie are in the unit and where their numbers aren't very good it narrows it down. And I was referring to drive able roads, not walking it, you gotta drive around a bit to find where your gonna walk from right? I spent 365 days a year there for a long time (if we're comparing days lol)

[GreyGhost85]

I spend 300+ days a year in 26m. Beat that

[WHT_MTNMAN]

I spend 365 days a year avoiding 26m :)

[photofool]

You could not cover all of unit 27 in 3 or 4 months if you were horse back

[.270]

I've spent fitty years wanderin' around 27. Still a lotta places I ain't been. I don't think there is anywhere that doesn't have fair muley numbers in 27. 27 ain't roadless, but there ain't a bunch of em and there are gigantic canyons between em. Expect to be kinda overwhelmed at first. 27 ain't like any other unit. Good luck. Lark

[azbirdhunter88]

Juan miller road is a good starting point. Glass both sides on your way in there. There's deer in there just be patient.

[Toph79]

I've hunted in there multiple times for javalina and I've seen a bunch of deer just north of Clifton the place we went was honeymoon camp ground all over that spot is muleys be sure you check maps since the reservation border is tight there

[mattys281]

 

Depends on where in 27 you are. Lots of good pockets top to bottom and mulie thru out. Bottom and too are equally difficult in different ways. Just pick a spot that you like and glass and walk. If you do that for 3-4 days you'll pry cover the whole unit.

I'm thinking this is a joke? I think 27 is hands down the "biggest", wildest unit. Gotta be fewer roads than any other and a LOT of wilderness area. I spend 30+ days a year exploring 27 and have been for a lot of years and there is still a lot of country i haven't touched

 

^^^^^ This!^^^^^^

 

27 is my favorite summer time unit, I hunt up high north of the rim. Dont know much about the southern part but if someone knows it and offers to show you around they could save you a bunch of trouble. Id take that offer. Good luck!