DIYFamilyMan Report post Posted December 18, 2016 I grew up in Tonopah, always hunting the Harquahala valley ag fields in december for archery deer. Hunting used to be fantastic out there, always yielding sightings and opportunities at great bucks, however, Last time I made a trip out there was about 4 years ago, and only to find out that a specific group of people had been doin some serious damage to the deer populations around the ag fields at night. On that 4 day trip, not a single buck had been glassed up or seen in the ag fields at low light. I'm trying to decide if it's worth a trip out there to my old stomping grounds for a day this month, and was curious if anyone knows the condition of the deer herd out there in the Harquahala area. just not wanting to waste a day in the desert rather than heading north to cold country. Thanks for reading. -Justin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuma Outdoorsman Report post Posted December 18, 2016 All the farm land from Wellton to Dateland has had so many people hunting it that you would've thought it was dove season. I heard there have been guys chasing deer in jeeps and people surrounding certain fields, pushing the deer all over the place. Farm land is the easiest to hunt as there is always deer around it so it tends to get a ton of pressure. I am not sure how the hunting is in the area you are talking about but if it's farmland I'd guess there will be other hunters there to deal with as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DIYFamilyMan Report post Posted December 18, 2016 Yeah I hear ya, I've always tried to get up high where I can glass and watch the deer leave the fields and try to keep eyes on them til they either bed down or go out of sight, then relocate. More hunting takes place in washes/foothills/flats than the actual fields. I remember the days huntin with dad out there we would never see another hunter. Now days it's rare to see less than 5 trucks with lawn chairs in the bed in a day 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TOBY Report post Posted December 18, 2016 Is 41 closed like 42 because of the muzzle loader hunt? Or just 42. They are combined right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DIYFamilyMan Report post Posted December 18, 2016 41 is open this month, 42 is open next month Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed Report post Posted December 19, 2016 I know what group of people you are talking about. It is still going on. They sell the meat commercially. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed Report post Posted December 19, 2016 Is 41 closed like 42 because of the muzzle loader hunt? Or just 42. They are combined right? 42 was closed in Dec because they claimed archers were taking too many deer. IMO that was not the case. In any event according to the way their guidelines are drawn up it should be opened again. It's not going to happen though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DIYFamilyMan Report post Posted December 19, 2016 It's a pity. There were some real nice mature bucks runnin that area. Can't believe nobody has been able to put a stop to it yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturebob Report post Posted December 19, 2016 I drive by ther at 2-3 in the morn on My way back from Cal in My Semi and see pickups with lights in the fields. Thought they were hunting Coons or something. Its prob. the Deer poacher. Lets go after them if You know who the are. Where is G&F on this matter.. I knew it was getting hunted heavy but didn't know bout the poachers............BOB! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DIYFamilyMan Report post Posted December 19, 2016 G&F knows about it, I've witnessed it with my own eyes, as I was sittin atop a big hill behind binos at 530am and state rigs were out in force. Simply just a bigger problem than I think they know. Spotlights and .22 mags are mighty popular out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturebob Report post Posted December 20, 2016 Sad Chit. Lets go Get em...................BOB! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
206 Report post Posted December 20, 2016 Same thing is happening in Yuma area as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturebob Report post Posted December 20, 2016 If it goes on G & F knows about it there's a tie in some where. The more We talk about it the better,. Maybee the Sheriff will help or He is in on it too. Keep it up . I might go out there on My nites off. I'm crazy but at 60 have never poached anything and don't beleive in it. Any tips let Me know...........................BOB! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed Report post Posted December 20, 2016 If it goes on G & F knows about it there's a tie in some where. The more We talk about it the better,. Maybee the Sheriff will help or He is in on it too. Keep it up . I might go out there on My nites off. I'm crazy but at 60 have never poached anything and don't beleive in it. Any tips let Me know...........................BOB! This has been going on for years by various groups. G&F bust them and another takes over. There was one bust several years ago where they had some kind of evidence of over 30 deer poached. A local farmer had set out trail cameras and has pictures of the trucks. These guys get busted and another takes their place. In a dry year like this where the deer are stacked up in the ag areas poachers take a heavy toll. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted December 20, 2016 It's not limited to unit 41- just about any agriculture field next to deserts will have some poaching activity . If it draws any number of deer - lots of poachers out there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
