AT Hiker Report post Posted December 2, 2015 My wife, daughter and I head out Friday for AZ! We are taking the long route to Tuscon from TN (Nashville-Memphis-San Antonio-El Paso-AZ) Checking out some sights and doing the touristy thing, they then fly out of Tuscon the day before my hunt and my spotting buddy flies in that day as well. We are backpacking in, hopefully the Santa Teressa Wilderness but access looks like a major issue so who knows at this point. Here are some bullet points I have and PLEASE feel free to add to them. -Shake out my boots every morning for creepy crawlers -This El Nino can make the weather interesting -Expect cold nights and warm days after the sun does its thing -Utilize my new investment (swaro binocs) until my eyes bleed Any tactics for hunting in the higher thicker country? Maybe glassing side drainages that feed into major ones? Im pretty stocked about this adventure and plan on filling up my cameras memory card! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted December 2, 2015 I for one do not prefer to glass the thick stuff, it can produce a monster, but also zaps your will to stay behind the glass. If I do glass it, it's for short periods of time and not for days on end. Take your pack with you wherever you go, what starts as a quick peak over a ridge often turns into an all day and half the night affair. Keep spare batteries for your head lamp. Hopefully you have a tripod for those new Swaro's. North facing slopes. Always have someone keep their eyes on the buck if you decide to sneak into range. Even if they move just a few yards they can ridiculously difficult to find again and you will start to question yourself. Shoot straight. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StraightTequilaNight Report post Posted December 2, 2015 Creepy crawlers are pretty dormant. Good luck! Can't wait for the pics. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ready2hunt Report post Posted December 2, 2015 my advice is don't pee uphill. Trust me. On a serious note- +1 to flatlanders advice. I have found a more mobile glassing technique to be more effective in the thicker areas. Plus it give you the opportunity to see those small shady places we all seem to come across when glassing. Good luck, hope you tag out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted December 2, 2015 Also piggybacking on what Flatlandwr said, NEVER leave your rifle more then an arms reach away. Murphys law states, if you poop with no rifle, you'll see a 130" buck at 50 yards. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturebob Report post Posted December 2, 2015 Every thing said plus east facing slopes in am. if it is cold. Hunt all day also. They will be out. Good luck....................BOB! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted December 2, 2015 Every thing said plus east facing slopes in am. if it is cold. Hunt all day also. They will be out. Good luck....................BOB! +1 on all day Especially in cold coues are active at all times Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted December 2, 2015 I for one do not prefer to glass the thick stuff, it can produce a monster, but also zaps your will to stay behind the glass. If I do glass it, it's for short periods of time and not for days on end. i thought i was the only one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AT Hiker Report post Posted December 2, 2015 Creepy crawlers are pretty dormant. I sure hope so. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildwoody Report post Posted December 3, 2015 Ya shot something. Goodluck 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StraightTequilaNight Report post Posted December 7, 2015 Well.........? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AT Hiker Report post Posted December 10, 2015 Im in Tuscon! Wife and daughter fly out tomorrow and my buddy flies in. The trip out here was nice, swung by the Alamo and was headed to Carls Bad, NM until my daughter got sick. We had to bee line it to Tuscon to get her into a clinic. A few doses of antibiotics later and she now feels a lot better. We visted the Desert Museum and the NP today. We have also managed to sample a few microbreweries in TX, NM and AZ. Headed to the unit tomorrow afternoon. Right now Im planning to go in for one night in the SE portion of the unit and if it does t rain and mess the roads up I will head North to the Wilderness and find a access spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AT Hiker Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Im back home with a bloody pack, cactus needles in my legs and a few less bullets. Had an absolute blast and I cannot wait to get back to AZ. Thanks to everyone that gave me advice, it really made the trip a success. After the busy holidays I will get a write up posted but for now Im going to enjoy the delicious taste of hard earned coues deer steak. Merry Christmas! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adicted Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Come on. Post a pic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Didn't happen without pics Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
