New Guy looking for Insight

[sundance]

Posted this to the introductions page, but thought it would also get some traction here.

 

Hello everyone, Matt here from Washington state and I wanted to take the time to introduce myself. Figured I’d post this in the coues and mulie section since that’s why I’m here. I’m an avid bowhunter for deer and elk in the Pacific Northwest and now looking at starting to apply for permits in AZ in 2018. Specifically, I’m interested in archery-only permit hunts for the 12A and 13A/13B units and archery-only non-permit hunts for coues deer. Not looking for spots or secrets, just people willing to help me navigate the regulations, permit application process and general area information. I know from past experiences that a conversation over a cup of coffee can cut years off the learning curve while not divulging spots that takes a guy 10+ years to aquire. Thanks in advance for any insight that is offered, even if it’s poking fun at the guy with moss behind his ears. About me, I cut my teeth hunting Columbian Blacktails and Roosevelt Elk on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. We can hunt OTC every year for bulls and bucks with some regulations. Over the past few years I have started hunting Oregon and Alaska as well, and Sitka Blacktails is another passion of mine. I’m hunting in Washington, Alaska and possibly Oregon this year for black bear, elk and deer. If you are interested in hunting the PNW let me know, I like to share general intel to folks interested in getting after Blacktails and Roosevelts since they are not a common animal for most hunters to pursue. Best of luck to everyone this year, I am starting to do research and develop a plan for 2018-2020 hunting a new area. I like antler as much as the next guy, but an awesome experience in a new area is more valuable to me then a P&Y entry. I do have experience back county hunting, I have a lot of gear and am pretty self-sufficient. Thanks again and I look forward to following along here and learning from the members.

[bonecollector777]

Call me if you want some help 928-240-3567

[sundance]

Thanks for the response, much appreciated!

[Outdoorlife602]

Be glad to help as well. PM me.

[sundance]

Thanks for the offer Outdoorlife, its greatly appreciated!

 

I have to say I'm blown away by all the responses and PM's I received from people offering help and advice. Truly an awesome community of people here willing to help out. My offer stands to anyone wanting information on hunting blacktail deer and roosevelt elk in Washington State, also roosevelt elk in Oregon. I hunt a fair amount in Alaska for deer and bear in SE, and deer on Kodiak island. I also have a pretty killer moose spot on the peninsula I've been eyeing for 10 years right were I grew up commercial salmon fishing. Always willing to help out.

[StickFlicker]

Welcome Matt. If you aren't as interested in antlers as much as the experience, why consider places that take 10-15 years to draw, like the ones you've listed? Most of the rest of the state is OTC all the time. Not being critical, just seemed odd based on your statement. Are you looking for a long-term plan?

[sundance]

Stickflicker-

It looks like my odds of drawing a non resident 12A tag are not that bad, probably 3-4 years. From learning about the Arizona draw system I can put in for 13A and 13B as a hail mary choice and still possibly get drawn for the 12A where my chances are higher. I'd love to hunt OTC coues or mulies every other year and have the chance to draw a tag for a quality hunt. Basically if I can draw a quality hunt in mid August to early September I can hunt in AZ before my seasons start up here. If I don't draw I can hunt OTC in Dec. or Jan. when all my seasons are closed up here- just extending my hunting season and getting to experience some cool new areas and chase a better quality of mule deer or coues deer (a species I have never hunted).

[sundance]

I should clarify a few things. We have good populations of mule deer in Washington, but the quality of deer is debatable. There are guys that take 180"+ mulies OTC every year in the Wilderness Units on the high buck hunts (rifle Sept. 15-25) and general season archery (Sept. 1st-25th) before the migration kicks in. Those are far and few between and these are the dedicated mountain hunters who focus on this subspecies. We have some good draw units but our point system is horrible and it may take 10-20 years to draw a hunt that can be so-so. I spend my energy and time focused on blacktails, that's where my passion is. I also don't want to burn my WA points on mule deer hunts when I feel there are better opportunities to be had with other choices. Overall the quality of deer for mulies in AZ appears to be better than Washington, so I'd rather take an opportunity to hunt in a new area where I have a chance at higher caliber deer and still can hunt the timber ghosts back home. Plus these coues deer have my attention, I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about them and take a swing at an archery hunt in Dec/January.