Question for December OTC archery mule deer

[az41mag]

For those of you that have hunted the OTC archery deer hunts in December, I have a couple questions. I'm mainly interested with the desert muleys in south/ central AZ around 2500-3500 ft level. I normally hunt this area in mid January when the rut gets going, but am unfamiliar with hunting them in December. I have some extra time this year (and an unfilled tag), so I'm toying with the idea of making a December trip. So my questions are, what kind of success have you had in December? Any advice for that time of year? (as I'm almost certain that the rut won't be occurring at this time)  Thanks in advance.

 

 

[jim]

Pre rut and rut can be happening at that elevation. The last week of December will be your best bet. 

[azslim]

just go spend some time in the desert checking out water, then go from there, sometimes catch them drinking sometimes do spot and stalk, usually by themselves or in a small group of bucks getting ready for Prom.  The big ones are still there, you just have to spend time behind the glass to find them.