New and not sure where to start.

[John Silent H]

So last year I got to go archery hunting with a friend a couple times and even though we got skunked it was was way more fun than rifle hunting. Now my friend has moved and I'm in a different area (GLENDALE) and I want to try my hand at archery.

 

I'm looking to get OTC deer tag and put in for a spring javelina in 21. I'm so new I hardly know what to ask. I know glassing is key and scouting. I've already started going out and hiking around 21 getting a feel for the land (even found a shed yesterday from a w/t). 3 times a week is shooting targets getting confident to double my hunting range.

 

One question I should ask is should I focus on muleys or see what comes by? Maybe when I get my tag some of this will be clarified but the OTC is good for any deer in any of the units OTC is listed in right?

 

In terms of stalking, what clothes do you wear that mitigate the rubbing? I have some cammo but it's noisy stuff. Are the slate gray carhart pants good? I know I saw a couple guys wearing those in some videos.

 

What other questions should I be asking?

Maybe where are the best deer? 😬😂 don't answer that I'll find my own.

 

Thanks for any suggestions or pointers!

[Swivelhead]

Archery only hunts are any antlered deer. Go ahead and target muleys but take a coues buck if an opportunity presents itself. Doing so will boost your confidence in your equipment and woodsmanship. Coues deer are especially tasty too. Any quiet camo will work, personally I think Natural Gear is a great pattern. Carhardt are noisy until well broken in. Welcome to the site and good luck.

[lancetkenyon]

Any antlers deer is an archery trophy. Take what you can for your first buck. You have years ahead to start refining your quest and pursuing bigger, older bucks.

 

Welcome to the club.

[idgaf]

If I may offer some advice. Do not over think a stock, clothing, etc. Get the wind right, use the terrain move carefully and stocking becomes easier. I have taken P&Y caliber coues/muleys stocking in work clothes to shorts and a tshirts. good luck

[goinhuntn]

Welcome to the site!! I must tell you have entered an addiction with archery that will haunt you!! I hunt with rifle & archery gear & I love both,

but archery is an absolute addiction!! Like stated above don't over think it & enjoy yourself. Any camo is fine I wear stuff from Cabelas &

Bass pro that was on the clearance rack. Sure there is better camo out there, but $200 & up for pants is ridiculous. if your going to be hunting

early archery focus around water sources, late archery in January focus on the does & you will find the bucks. Good luck & most of all have

fun don't put pressure on yourself!!!!

[John Silent H]

Boy thanks to all! I love hiking and I really enjoy seeing new country so I'll enjoy myself whatever happens. Thanks for the tips on just not worrying about it and getting out there!

 

If I find more questions I'll come back and ask. Thanks!

[John Silent H]

I thought of another question.

 

How impacted does 21 get during early archery? I'm probably going to focus my hunting off of Table Mesa and backpack in maybe 5 miles. Is that far enough to get away from other hunters? I'd like to get up by pine mountain as well but we'll see about that.

[MT_Sourdough]

in 21, look for water. It's a good unit for glassing. In some units, they'll tell you to climb and then glass. In unit 21 it's good to stay low and glass the slopes around you.

I've seen Coues as far south as New River Mesa (Heck, Daisy Mtn even) and just north of Cave Creek, so the whole unit has muleys and coues from top to bottom.

Careful wearing fleece in unit 21. Fleece is quiet and comfy, but it has a habit of picking up stickers, needles and similar pokey things.

[PRDATR]

The stuff from Kings Camo is pretty quiet and if you get on their mailing list they have some pretty good sales during the year.

[Delw]

My best advice to you is just go out and start driving the roads. deer will find you. look at the canyons just below the rim rock basically anything that is different from the terrain thats normal in that particular area.

Dont worry about water desert deer can go 5-7 days with out visiting a water hole (some seminar by big named some hunter back in the early 90's).

before the season just drive the roads till about 9am then start back up an hour before dark in the desert areas in the north cooler country driving roads all day to get familiar with the area as deer are generally moving through out the day usually till 11am then slow up until about 5pm.

 

to me glassing is over rated as well as water holes and camo. since 1982 I have never sat on a water hole an seen deer unless elk hunting but I am not a sitter either, I like to move around. one exception would be a buddy and I wanted to see if that seminar was true so we staked out a few water holes in 12b and 12a west for a few days. yups its true. deer know if someone is in the area and they find another water hole.

 

as far as units grand ave all the way up to kingman on both sides is loaded with deer an very few people . unit 21 22 have lots of deer but a ton of people so week days are usually best I like to hit them on Wednesdays and Thursdays as it gives the deer time to settle down. always try to find a high spot when desert deer hunting and sit there and watch the desert you will be amazed what you see when the sun comes out and just before the sun goes away. sometimes you will crap yourself when your sitting on the only hill scouting for yotes and a extreamly nice buck just gets tired of looking at you stands up and walks away and you never knew it was there for the 20 mins you were blowing the call.

if your scouting after sitting for a while like an hour dont hesitate to make some noise with a varmit call to see if anything moves. Called in many deer with a varmit call and well as got them to move and never knew they were there.

 

most importantly bring water and watch for those stupid butt snakes

[idgaf]

I thought of another question.

How impacted does 21 get during early archery? I'm probably going to focus my hunting off of Table Mesa and backpack in maybe 5 miles. Is that far enough to get away from other hunters? I'd like to get up by pine mountain as well but we'll see about that.

If your are hunting in august off of table mesa red, don't worry about over crowding a half mile in any direction off of a road. You and I may be the only ones crazy enough to be hunting there that time of year.

 

There is always a lot of atv use there.

[John Silent H]

Thanks idgaf. I figured that was the case. Gonna be hotter than anything out there. I don't know if there's enough country out there for just the two of us though. 😂

 

The game plan is to glass early morning and evening and find a shady spot near water the rest of the day and nap... err I mean watch for deer.

[John Silent H]

Thanks to all the others too. Lots of good advice. I've been spending time out in the unit learning the lay of the land. Haven't bothered looking too much for actual deer just finding sign and a couple sheds. It's stinking hot out there. I'm not much for water sitting so prob won't do much of that. The exception is when it's stupid hot and I'm gonna sit in some shade. Then might as well as wait near water. Sure looking forward to getting out and getting sunstroke to make that forky look like a 6x6. 😂

[BOHNTR]

Some great advice so far.......but I would also encourage you to join your local archery club. It's a great way to support our sport, and also gain additional insight from those who've been pulling bowstrings a while who may be willing to share their knowledge. Who knows, you may even get an invite somewhere. Either way, it's a win-win.