Snapshot Report post Posted August 19, 2007 Great explanation Tony. It is very true that whitetail now inhabit areas that they were not seen in 20-30 years ago. I have a favorite unit here in AZ that I have hunted since the late 70's, and there are whitetail there that are now in areas inhabited by elk, which I never saw back in the day, some of these whitetail were up in the spruce and acted just like eastern whitetails in the thick stuff. I have also noted more whitetail in the desert regions starting to inhabit the riparian areas that you would only find mule deer in years ago. I remember back in the late 70's were a hunter got in trouble for shooting a crossbreed "muletail", during a mule deer only season, seems G&F were trying to determine how to clasiffy that deer? I have even seen whitetails running with mule deer in lower elelvations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted August 19, 2007 I have also noted more whitetail in the desert regions starting to inhabit the riparian areas that you would only find mule deer in years ago. I remember back in the late 70's were a hunter got in trouble for shooting a crossbreed "muletail", during a mule deer only season, seems G&F were trying to determine how to clasiffy that deer? I have even seen whitetails running with mule deer in lower elelvations. The photo at the end is Duwane Adams and I with the buck I killed in Sonora. It's also on the back of our HOW TO HUNT COUES DEER book. I killed it literally at sea level in the cholla flats because we were hunting an area west of Caborca known more for its mule deer than for Coues. One of Duwane's clients was after a big mulie first and a Coues 2nd. When we climbed a hill to glass, we could actually view the Sea of Cortez on the horizon without using binocs. When it comes to typical whitetail behavior, an incident on that hunt showed it. One day, to avoid getting lost on the maze of dirt roads, I went afield kinda self-guided with a Mexican cowboy from the ranch while Duwane was guiding his client. The cowboy spoke a bit of English and I spoke a bit of Spanish. Nonetheless we got along fine. About mid-morning we were walking along and came to a spot where two washes, perhaps each about 6 to 10 feet deep formed a Y. So we sat on the point of land where they intersected and had something to eat. We spent about 1/2 hr. there conversing in a normal tone. As we got ready to leave, I stood up and walked a few yards to the side of one wash to pee. Just as I was pulling down my zipper, a dandy buck jumped up not 5 yards below me and bounded across the wash, then headed for the next zip code. My gun was sitting next to the cowboy. The buck had been bedded in a bunch of salt cedars next to the steep side of the wash and had stayed put there the whole time, even though he was less than 10 yards from our conversation. I guess he wasn't excited about getting peed on, though. -TONY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted August 20, 2007 I bought an autographed copy of you and Duwane's book, someday I hope I can get you to sign it as well? Someday I hope I can try a hunt in old Sonora and see what the hunting is like down there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Outdoor Writer Report post Posted August 20, 2007 I bought an autographed copy of you and Duwane's book, someday I hope I can get you to sign it as well? Someday I hope I can try a hunt in old Sonora and see what the hunting is like down there. Anytime you'll be in the Phx area, let me know. Or if you come to the party on Sept. 29 at my place, just bring the book along. Same goes for anyone else who has one and would like it signed. -TONY Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
