30B

[W.O.T]

hello everyone... just been lurking onto this site via MM for sometime... I know I am new here and already asking for help, but got "drawn" for 30B the late Oct hunt... yes, I already know I coulda just waited for a leftover tag, not sure what, how or where the mistake was made, but were gonna make the best of it. SO..... can someone help me with at least a starting place here? I have never been in that country other than maybe on the highway to Obregon for bass. I figure it'll be me, the minutemen and the illegals!

[COUESAZ]

Yes put your gun back in the closet and hope you get it right next year.

Not a joke this time either. I grew up in that area and it used to rock, but it is shot out now if you ask me.

[kphunter]

If you can get yourself into the Mule Mountains w/o hassles from the locals and ranchers, you have a better chance of locating a buck.

 

KP

[hunt4horns]

I spend a lot of time in that area. Sleep late and save your gas money. NO JOKE.................... even very few skinheads are seen there.

[W.O.T]

dang... sounds like I might as well be hunting the sanddunes.... theres gotta be a spike in there somewhere my 10 y.o. and I can find.

[kphunter]

I'd still give it a try. The deer populations have actually improved slightly since I hunted 30B several years ago. Go scouting, and then make a determination whether it's worth hunting or not.

 

KP

[Outdoor Writer]

hello everyone... just been lurking onto this site via MM for sometime... I know I am new here and already asking for help, but got "drawn" for 30B the late Oct hunt... yes, I already know I coulda just waited for a leftover tag, not sure what, how or where the mistake was made, but were gonna make the best of it. SO..... can someone help me with at least a starting place here? I have never been in that country other than maybe on the highway to Obregon for bass. I figure it'll be me, the minutemen and the illegals!

 

It's been about 10 years since my son and I picked up leftover permits for this unit. We managed to find some good country in the Dragoon Mts. It was Coronado NF land just south of the Cochise Stronghold. We drove south from I-10 on SR 191, then cut west to the forest boundary. BUT..be prepared to camp and traispe around the area with about every other hunter who has a Coues permit in that unit.

 

Yes, we did see some deer, including a few smaller bucks, but nothing worth shooting. And one morning while I was glassing one hillside, I noted what appeared to be the back of a black heifer wandering through the tall grass. BUT...five minutes later it crossed an open patch. It was a VERY nice and large black bear. -TONY

[grizzly]

I have hunted in 30A for the last 2 years and have seen a few good bucks in there, I havent shot one out of there yet but my buddy has. One thing for sure is keep your camp locked up and keep a sidearm with you as you will not be alone.

[Snapshot]

I apply for 30B as my third thru 5th choice every year and have been drawn 3rd - 5th choice there the last 4 years in a row. I have taken a buck 2 out of the last 3 years. I did not get a buck last year as I only had 2 days to hunt and the two bucks I saw gave me the slip in thick cover. The foothills on all sides of the Dragoons get alot of pressure, not only are there other whitetail hunters, but mule deer hunters as well, be prepared for alot of competition in the accesible areas. I have not hunted the mule mountains, however the access is limited and the competition at the accesible areas will be just as bad, I imagine? You may find a dink running with does or by himself in the lower elevations after opening day, but if you want a chance at a good buck you have to go high up in the canyons away from the roads, look for the secluded little spots that get overlooked by the average Joe. Most of the steepest areas will be pretty tough on a 10 year old.

 

On the North end you have Jordan and wood canyon which are steep on both sides but you can glass the mountain here. On the Northeast side you have forest road 795 which will take you through some spots to check out, and will run into FR84 Cochise stronghold east. Middlemarch pass will give you access to the top of the mountain if you don't mind a vigourous, sweaty hike, glass the side canyons at the crack of dawn and last light. The southern half of the Dragoons also requires some legwork but Black Diamond area used to be o.k but the ranch access is closed off. Cochise Stronhold west is a small camping area and the deer don't hang around long after opening day, they head up and over and there is a good trail to follow over to the east side. The soutwest side of the Dragoons off of Middlemarch road gets alot of recreationists, hikers and rock climbers who come out in the nicer weather, and people who don't like Bambi killers, as I had a run in with them before.

 

The San Pedro has both whitetail and mule deer but it is thick,thick,thick. You have to hunt like an eastern hunter and still hunt slow,slow,slow and hope you can shoot something in 2 seconds, or sit up on the hillside of the wash and glass the cover and hope to find something moving, I have been in there and there is good sign, but it is not my style of hunting. some of the major washes in the unit will hold scattered whitetail in the thick cover.

 

As far as the rest of the unit,I don't know, I only hunt the Dragoons. The only way to success in this unit is alot of scouting, hiking and glassing, or extreme luck.

 

Unit 30B October 2005

 

Unit 30B November 2006

 

[crotalus]

Gotta remind everyonoe that there are no deer in 30B . In truth there is some very valuable postings here by everyone who's hunted 30B. It's rough, thick and has some very nice deer if you're willing to scout, glass and have the deer luck on your side. Best of luck to you WOT and never write this unit off, it's a sleeper but worth all the hard work.

[bmf1321]

I spent alot of time last year scouting and didnt find too much out there. I told myself I would shoot the 1st deer with calcium on its head and did on the 2nd day of the hunt. There are deer there. I'd rather hunt 30b than sit at home so get out there and find a deer for your kid.