Mhayez Report post Posted November 19, 2015 Hi everyone, First of all I would like to start by stating that is is a great site to learn about hunting in Arizona. All your forum topics have been very helpful. This is my first time rifle hunting and I'll be hunting in 36A thanksgiving weekend. My question is do you guys have any additional pointers for hunting this unit? I read the info that AZGF has but I was wondering if other hunters have tips they would like to share as well. I'm just trying to have a successful first time hunt. I would grately appreciate it. Thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
208muley Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Black hills including the flats that surround them and hike as far into the cerro colorados as you can. Look hard as these deer have been pounded already by two hunts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Antlerdog Report post Posted November 20, 2015 The last deer was shot out of the Cerro Colorados in 1953 :-) each range is good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted November 20, 2015 With how many get killed I can't believe there's any bucks left by the late season Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mhayez Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Sounds like I'm gonna have to put in some work to get my buck.....looking forward to the adventure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John O Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Get as high as you can as early as you can at lest 1/4 mile off of any road in any mountain range in the unit, and glass with good optics off of a steady tripod (often windy down there). My son shot one in there last week, so there are still some left Good luck, and have fun. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lazy-H98 Report post Posted November 21, 2015 Find a high point and glass early and late. What kind of standards are you looking for? There is also a youth hunt going on right now that began yesterday. Good Luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mhayez Report post Posted November 21, 2015 Since this is my first hunt I'm just looking for at least a medium size buck, but I would settle for anything that has antlers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLW Report post Posted November 22, 2015 Don't just glass early and late.... Mid day can be productive. As the sun moves the shade moves and often times they will get up and move with the shade. James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crowbait Report post Posted November 23, 2015 Was there this weekend. Still plenty of deer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mhayez Report post Posted November 23, 2015 Those are good news Thanks. What part of the unit where you hunting? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mhayez Report post Posted November 29, 2015 Thanks everyone on the helpful pointers. So far I have been getting good results an been able to spot a lot of does. First thing I spot Saturday morning from atop of a mountain a 3x3 Buck @ 1888 yards. I took my eyes off of him to wipe the fog off my binoculars and just like that he was gone. Bitter sweet feeling it gives me. I got frustrated but In hindsight it was for the best. I wouldn't want my adventure to finish this early and so easy. It actually gives me releaf that there's still grey ghost left out there for me to pursue a challenging quest. On a side note I have heard to many gun shot noise from an overpopulated hunting unit. it seems to me hunters are randomly shooting due to the excitement. Is their some type of hunting etiquette retarding this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sixgunner455 Report post Posted November 30, 2015 Mhayez: If the hunters are following the four rules of gun safety, the they shouldn't be shooting randomly just because they are excited. Good luck on your hunt! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mhayez Report post Posted November 30, 2015 I talked to a local hunter that said all that firing is what they call "bush firing" and just like you said it's illegal and unsafe. The reason behind it is to agitate the deer to get them to move around. Sounds to me like a technique a weekend hunter would use cause he's desperate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mhayez Report post Posted December 2, 2015 Well my hunting time is up. I wasn't able to bring down a buck. I saw a 3x3 and a 4x4 but they were to far away. I'll take my first hunt as a success because of the experience and start getting ready for the next year 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
