AZ OTC mulies

[RoJo]

Yep, all of the desert areas hold deer. As HuntHarder says, densities are relatively low but decent bucks can be found...it may take some homework and legwork to find them. Don't stray onto an Indian reservation by accident.

 

[bbrown]

Any updates? How's the hunting?

 

[Live Montana]

I'm heading down January 5th for week to 10 days maybe more. I'm looking forward to trying Arizona and will be nice break from the Montana winter. I've been researching both units 27 and 20. I'm bringing my FoxPro Shockwave along too. A little deer hunting in the rut and predator calling sounds like the perfect trip. I have been looking at the weather, it seems to be pretty cool at night. I have been trying to figure out what elevation that the mule deer prefer this time of year.

 

[bowuntr]

Lots of deer and javalina... crunchy snow on the ground. Full blown rut today, saw the best buck fight I've ever seen.... Not having a tag is killing me. Ed F

 

[bohntr]

Lots of deer and javalina... crunchy snow on the ground. Full blown rut today, saw the best buck fight I've ever seen.... Not having a tag is killing me. Ed F

Send them my way!

 

[RoJo]

I'm not going out until the 2nd week of January to make sure the rut is on. In the low desert unit I'll be hunting I have seen bucks enthusiastically chasing does in late January.

 

[bowuntr]

Last year In this same area I saw them rutting at the end of January. The bucks are definitely rutting... just don't think the does are ready. I'm farther north than I used to hunt... that may be a factor. They were up all day today... I stayed on one hill for 9 hours. Ed F

 

[Muley Buck]

Last year In this same area I saw them rutting at the end of January. The bucks are definitely rutting... just don't think the does are ready. I'm farther north than I used to hunt... that may be a factor. They were up all day today... I stayed on one hill for 9 hours. Ed F

Very cool!

 

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Y'all definitely got me interested in this thread and hunt. Good luck out there!

 

[TurkeyBowMaster]

Just curious? Is this a good stand alone hunt or is it just a way to recoup some funds from applying for elk tags. I do want to kill a mule deer someday with a bow. I don't expect I will be good at this type hunt but love new challenges and keeping me in the mountains only helps for September elk.

 

[R_burg]

I'm heading down January 5th for week to 10 days maybe more. I'm looking forward to trying Arizona and will be nice break from the Montana winter. I've been researching both units 27 and 20. I'm bringing my FoxPro Shockwave along too. A little deer hunting in the rut and predator calling sounds like the perfect trip. I have been looking at the weather, it seems to be pretty cool at night. I have been trying to figure out what elevation that the mule deer prefer this time of year.

Please report back with how you fair in 27, if you end up there. I hear thats a pretty hard hunt if you dont know the land fairly well.

 

[bohntr]

Wife has had two shots......one low and high.....small bucks but she was shaking. .

I've seen only two shooter muleys and one real good Coues (105-110"). Best muley was about 160"......seen him only once and he was on the move looking for does. The next one was about a 145-150" type buck.....tried getting my wife in on him but he was just out of range.

 

[El Gavilan]

I'm heading out tomorrow for unit 20C for javelina and I have an over the counter deer tag for the new year. Supposed to rain for the next 3 days but we're going to give it a go to see if we can find some pigs and deer out and about between rain showers.

Sent from the Arizona desert

 

[VelvetBlacktail]

I've never been to Arizona me and a couple buddies are headed down January 4th. We'll see how it goes!

 

[Slim Jim]

I'm heading out tomorrow for unit 20C for javelina and I have an over the counter deer tag for the new year. Supposed to rain for the next 3 days but we're going to give it a go to see if we can find some pigs and deer out and about between rain showers.

Sent from the Arizona desert

I'm gonna check out the southern end of 18b not to far from you. Never been there but I want to check some new areas. Good luck brother

 

[El Gavilan]

I'm gonna check out the southern end of 18b not to far from you. Never been there but I want to check some new areas. Good luck brother

You might see some snow up there, there is a weather advisory for snow above 6000'. Stay safe and good luck.


Sent from the Arizona desert

 

[marktole]

A buddy and I are out here in 16A in the McCracken Mountians south of Kingman. We've got 2017 tags and can't hunt til the first obviously, but showed up a day early to scout around. We've glassed all morning and into this afternoon and haven't turned up any deer. I understand deer densities are low out here and we're going to have to put in the time on glass and walking to turn them up, but we could use some advice on where to focus our glassing efforts. Are they going to be out cruising the desert floor during the day with the rut starting up? Bedding in canyons and crevices? Feeding on slopes? Etc. Any guidance from you guys would greatly be appreciated!

 

[RoJo]

Somebody did OK with an AZ OTC tag today:

Once in a lifetime last day buck - Mule Deer Hunting - CouesWhitetail.com Discussion forum

 

[R_burg]

Somebody did OK with an AZ OTC tag today:

Once in a lifetime last day buck - Mule Deer Hunting - CouesWhitetail.com Discussion forum

Holy shit! Someone ask what unit. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[RoJo]

Well, um...most guys consider it bad form to ask what unit. If any of y'all are members on CWT feel free, I'll pass. If I had to guess I would say 6A based on the terrain, vegetation, and powerline, but that is strictly a wild guess on my part. His "a buck like this in this area" comment kind of backs up my hypothesis since 6A is not known for holding many big muley bucks, but it could be some other unit altogether. This just proves big bucks can turn up pretty much anywhere.