AZ High Desert in Dec?

[Poser]

Headed to the Santa Teresa Wilderness area (unit 31) for Coues Deer dec 10-24th. It gets up to an elevation of around 7,000 feet, but will probably hunting lower. My only previous experience with High desert in the Winter is Joshua Tree which, If I recall accurately, got pretty cold at night. It is a pretty rugged area (looks awesome) and we'll be backpack hunting (looking to get pretty remote). I'm a spotter, so not having to carry a hunting weapon (am carrying a sidearm), I'll probably bring a luxury item or two.

questions:

1. Floorless + quilt an ok idea for the desert? I know the creepy crawlers are fairly inactive that time of year, though not necessarily dormant. I should I be concerned about a millipede finding my crotch to be warm and comfortable?

2. I'll be running a 20 degree quilt. Worth the weight and trouble of bringing a TiGoat stove?

3. Any general tips for winter hunting in the desert?

 

[AZ Ron]

Check the weather as much as possible before coming out. December is usually the coldest month in the desert sw. I've been on some very cold hunts down in southern AZ in December. Be ready for big temp swings. Teens and 20's at night and 60-70 during the day. Or it could be 40's at night and 80 during the day... Good luck!

 

[AZ Ron]

Realized I didn't answer any of your questions.

1. Creepy crawlers will be dependent on temps. Not to worried about it that time of year, unless it is above normal temps. Especially if moving camp every day. I'd run a floorless no problem, but I use a sleeping bag, not a quilt.

2. Nights are long, and a stove may make things more comfortable, but obviously at a weight cost. I'd say if 25-30 degrees or less, bring the stove.

3. Shake your boots out... Enjoy the desert. Nice time of year to be in it.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I hunted in Dec with a floorless shelter and a stove a few years back and we killed a scorpion on my buddies sleeping pad!! I would do it again but only if I had a cot where I could get off of the ground or a nest....

Like Ron said it can get cold at night so id just ask yourself how well the 20 rates as a true 20 to you? I know my 20 is more like a 35 to me.

I'll be back in AZ hunting Couse come the 18th-29th myself but I'm going with my hilleberg this time. Good luck!

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Headed to the Santa Teresa Wilderness area (unit 31) for Coues Deer dec 10-24th. It gets up to an elevation of around 7,000 feet, but will probably hunting lower. My only previous experience with High desert in the Winter is Joshua Tree which, If I recall accurately, got pretty cold at night. It is a pretty rugged area (looks awesome) and we'll be backpack hunting (looking to get pretty remote). I'm a spotter, so not having to carry a hunting weapon (am carrying a sidearm), I'll probably bring a luxury item or two.

questions:

1. Floorless + quilt an ok idea for the desert? I know the creepy crawlers are fairly inactive that time of year, though not necessarily dormant. I should I be concerned about a millipede finding my crotch to be warm and comfortable?

2. I'll be running a 20 degree quilt. Worth the weight and trouble of bringing a TiGoat stove?

3. Any general tips for winter hunting in the desert?

It'll maybe drop into the teens and you'll shiver all night. I'd take a pad with an R rating of 6 and a 0* quilt, merino base layer and a nest in my tent. A flask too. Pack for wind, rain, hail and snow. This unprecedented monster El Nino is gonna be a game-changer. I would not trust the forecasts.

 

[Poser]

Cool. Thank for the tips, guys. I just ordered a nest for my shelter. I needed one for Spring turkey season anyway. I will have my R5 pad with me and usually sleep in my base layers anyway when it is cold. I may throw in some extra head insulation as another luxury item (seriously, not having to carry around a weapon that weighs several pounds opens up all kinds of luxury potential).

Now, the interesting question will be can I run my stove without melting my nest?

 

[husky390]

Now, the interesting question will be can I run my stove without melting my nest?

What kind of shelter are you using? I've used a nest and stove in my Go-Lite SL-5 without issue.

Your 20 degree quilt should be fine as long as you have a good insulated pad. I was toasty warm at 9k when the temps dipped to the upper teens/low 20's here in CO using my 20deg quilt and Q-core pad. I wasn't using my stove but it would be nice to have if you run into adverse weather.

I'd also recommend a good thick leather boot. It sucks brushing against cactus with the "fabric" style boots.

Just remember the phrase "kick it before you pick it". Lot's of creepy crawlies live under wood and rocks.

 

[n2horns]

I have done several December hunts from above normal temps to raining for 7 days straight to having it snow. As others said, check and recheck the weather, this year is not normal with el Nino. I have a Feathered Friends 20* Puffin Nano and was fine, but wear medium weight woolies. I just ordered another EE quilt for just this type of hunting (mostly out of state) and bought the 0 degree EE quilt.

check your sleeping quarters for any of the crawlers as well as shake out shoes and also your pack so nothing is hiding in a nice warm crease.

If you are tenting with a floor, when packing up, you may find the critters under the tent. For weight savings, I use a sheet of tyvek. Also, a hair comb helps to pick out the desert stickers, cacti and seeds out of boots, pants and clothes.

My sidearm of choice is a G20 10mm 220 grain hardcast by Underwood Ammo. I mostly hunt near the border so serves dual use, Unit 31 should be okay from the normal border mess. Plus I use my G20 for hunting, Javelina, Coyotes, Mt. Lion, and even bear if needed.

Have fun, lots of fun and take pictures, AZ is awesome in the winter time.

 

[Poser]

Im using a mountainsmith mountain shelter with a after market stove jack.

I think I'll be fine in my 20 degree quilt. I used it during some low teens last fall with a R2 rated pad. It was chilly, but tolerable so I got an R5 pad. I sleep reasonably warm.

 

[justin davis]

I hunted down in Arizona last Januray. I camped in a kifaru tipi with stove. Loved having the stove for hanging out at night. No creepy crawlers

 

[Poser]

Good tips and info. Keep 'em coming.

I was thinking back to winter desert trips over the years and this is what I have experience wise:

Spent some time climbing in Hueco Tanks (El Paso area) in Dec.
Spent some time climbing in Moab UT in Dec.
and spent some time climbing in Joshua Tree in Dec and Jan.

The more I think about it, the more I recall some wicked cold nights. This will be my first time hunting in the desert so I'm expecting a steep learning curve with regards to being off trail etc.

I was planning on leaving the gaiters at home unless you guys suggest them as a extra line of prickly defense?

Planning to bring 2 merino tops -a super light weight long sleeve and a heavier 210. Should I consider a merino T shirt instead of the long sleeve?

Water -not entirely sure what to expect. The El Nino year may indeed help with that. I was planning to come prepared to store up to 200 oz of water. 100 oz bladder + 2 extra bags (64 and 32 oz). I tend to use a lot of water. I like to brew up additional coffee while glassing, tea before bed, cooking, + I am used to being well hydrated. Seems like I use about 100oz a day on backpacking trips, but if water is readily available or the physical output is very high, I'll tend to use more than that, maybe mixing up sports drinks or just sucking down water on hard climbs. That's probably a really large amount of water use by SW standards. Anything to add there?

Pretty much everything else is the same load out I've used hunting the San Juans in Oct (standard Rockslide approved load out). I'll probably toss in a merino balaclava to sleep in and maybe a pair of mountaineering socks, too.

Oh yeah, we actually have a Mtn Lion tag, too. I reckon there is a .0001% chance of success, but at least I can say that I went lion hunting.

 

[DaveC]

1ersonally I'd not worry about the crawlies. But whatever it takes to make you sleep easy.

2: Long nights. I'd say so. Pinon and juniper burn nice and hot.

3: Bring a fat down jacket for AM and PM glassing. Some low, breathable trail gaiters would be nice to keep sand out of your shoes.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I personally don't bother with gaiters much in AZ however, there are months and places where these Snake Guards are a good idea.
http://snakeguards.com

[video=youtube;hCo1bW9yNsc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCo1bW9yNsc[/video]

Might take a call so if you fill your tag and/or cross a fresh track, you can try calling in little kitty for the smackdown lion loins.

 

[Violent Hippie]

The desert can be deceiving with the frequent warmer day temps in the winter compared to other geographic regions. The desert gets COLD at night and I recommend a 20 degree bag at the least . I have "cowboy camped" dozens of nights in Northern AZ and southern CA deserts in winter and summer with no bivy or tent just laying under the stars and never gotten snake bite or had any significant insect bites BUT there are plenty of spiders, scorpions, and no named creepy crawlies out there that could bring you some pain. I now always use a bivy if not a tent for piece of mind. Not worth the risk IMO.

 

[Poser]

Here's another question:

I know there are black bears in this area. Do you guys hang your food up?

 

[justin davis]

Here's another question:

I know there are black bears in this area. Do you guys hang your food up?

I didn't when I was down there. But I never do when I'm in Colorado. Never have had issues with bears.

In grizzly country I might do it different, but black bears have never been a bother to me.

 

[AZ Vince]

Just got back from southern Arizona, unit 32, and it was cold enough to freeze the dogs water bowl in to a solid block of ice the last three nights. In my opinion a 20 degree bag won't cut it if it stays that cold.

 

[BruinPoint]

I've hunted near there between November and January for the last 6 years. I like a floor because of the sharp rocks and thorns/spines lying everywhere. Just keeps things cleaner and more comfortable for me and spares my sleeping pad. I use a zero degree bag in January and haven't been at all uncomfortable - most nighttime temps have been low teens to high 20's. I don't worry much about bears down there but maybe I'm naive.

 

[Poser]

So the consensus is: Prepare for an El Niño smackdown and long, cold nights.

 

[striker3]

My dad lives in 36B at about 3200 ft. When I talked to him yesterday he said it was 19* at 8am. If the sky is clear, it will average a 5.5* drop per 1000ft elevation change.