Az Unit 4a/4b

[tradman]

Anyone ever hunt these units for deer? Did some scouting on Saturday seen plenty of elk a few turkeys and 2 deer.

 

[canyonhunter47]

I've camped in the area a lot. Hard to escape the roads. Fishing can be good, fair amount of elk, a few turkeys and deer but not that many.

 

[tradman]

I spotted the 2 does on the western part of 4a. I plan on getting some more scouting in prior to the season. I also was lucky enough to draw a pronghorn tag and a bull elk tag.

 

[TheCougar]

I’ve spent a lot of time in that unit elk and turkey hunting. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but I rarely see deer, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a nice buck in there. I would focus on the north end of the unit. It is more glassing friendly and better deer habitat.

 

[tradman]

Thanks for the info. I still have a few months to go to do some scouting.

 

[canyonhunter47]

I spotted the 2 does on the western part of 4a. I plan on getting some more scouting in prior to the season. I also was lucky enough to draw a pronghorn tag and a bull elk tag.

Are all of those tags in 4A?

 

[tradman]

Are all of those tags in 4A?

Pronghorn in 5a and Elk in 5b.

 

[Big Browns]

Gonna be a hard hunt! The unit does have some big deer, but they are VERY hard to find!!

 

[Full time hunts]

Pronghorn in 5a and Elk in 5b.

We’ve been lucky enough to harvest some bruisers over the years. Elk 5b late tag I’m assuming?

 

[tradman]

We’ve been lucky enough to harvest some bruisers over the years. Elk 5b late tag I’m assuming?

You are correct late 5b. Pulled the same tag last year. Got a small 4x4 bull out of there.

 

[tradman]

Ive seen more deer on the western part of the unit after 2 more days of scouting.

 

[BearBow77]

Hello all,

Got drawn Spring turkey 2020 unit 4A/4B, but was going to hunt 4a mostly since Ive been in that area. My hunt is for most of the month of May ( 1-21st) . I had hoped for Early hunt late April but didnt get it. Ive hunted the area before, late this year ( 2019 ) for OTC bow spring. Heard one gobbler, but no visual sighting nor did I see any poults or hens. At the time, it was late in the hunt, and I figured the Hens were on the nest and the gobblers were finding their bachelor groups again.
I did see see quite a bit of Elk sign in that area ( Rim Road 300 to the power lines ) but no deer sign at all.
With that all said, Ive researched the internet for best areas to approach. But info is very limited. I also called the AZFGD and tried to speak to one of their biologists but to no avail. My question is, since Im new to turkey hunting, is there something Im missing as in gathering intel?
My current plan is this, during the month of April I intend to scout as much as I can. Sadly I only have weekends available for this endeavor. My goal is to find open meadows with surrounding tree lines and hopefully watering holes. I intended to remain quiet and do a lot of sitting and glassing as I would for elk or deer. I wasnt going to shock call, as im only guessing that would be too early for a response?
Ive read every turkey " how to book " from amazon available. Ive studied "how to's " from you tube and been practicing all of my calls, from diaphragm, box and slate. I have even gotten pretty good with the Primos snuff tube. I also plan on using a shotgun. I was going to use Winchester SXP 12 gauge with #6 shot high base turkey load. My plan includes rim road 300 to the powerlines were I saw the most turkey sign.
Is there anything else I might be missing from anyone who may be more experienced in the turkey world?

Any and all suggestions are welcomed!

Thanks!

 

[BearBow77]

Pronghorn in 5a and Elk in 5b.

Last fall, I saw quite a bit of elk sign on the east side of Turkey Mountain. On the high roads. Many tracks leading down the side of the mountain between the saddles.