If you had max AZ deer points, what would you do?

[Umpqua Hunter]

What would you do if you were in my shoes and had max points for deer in Arizona?

Option 1: Wait out Arizona Strip (13B late rifle).

Hunt for 200 to 230 class deer. Considered one of the top deer tags in the US.

Low deer numbers. The hunt is to dig out one giant deer.

Only 4% draw now with my max points. I should draw in the next 15 years by the time I am 70, IF THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THE POINT SYSTEM.

I will need a guide to optimize the tag. Currently $7000 to $8000 and going up.

OPTION 2: Hunt the Kaibab late rifle tag this year (12A West)

Hunt for 185 to 205 class bucks.

Large deer numbers. I should be able to sift through 50 to 100 bucks.

I am virtually guaranteed a tag this year.

I could go through Zero Guide Fees and get a guide for $350 for half the hunt.

Tag numbers are the lowest in decades.

Season dates are excellent (November 22 to December 1)

Moon phase is perfect (dark moon on November 26).

Moisture is the best in 25 years.

Then in following years, I have six kids with a lot of deer points. I could then party up with them and hunt late Coues rifle deer several times before I am 70.

Plus....I could use the guide $$ saved, enter the Nevada Outfitter Draw with my 27 points and draw a top tag in Nevada in the next few years.

 

[cking13]

I don?t know anything about hunting Arizona, so take what I say for what it?s worth. Based on the info you?ve given, I would take option 2 and save myself a boatload of money for maybe an extra 30-50? of bone.


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[Umpqua Hunter]

I don?t know anything about hunting Arizona, so take what I say for what it?s worth. Based on the info you?ve given, I would take option 2 and save myself a boatload of money for maybe an extra 30-50? of bone.


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That is a really good way to look at it. I've used that same reasoning in the past to jump on a tag I could draw.

It seems to boil down to several really fun hunts versus one hunt for a giant. The biggest unknown is AZGFD pulling a fast one on the draw system. There was talk of a Super Point (I think that is what they called it) earlier in the year that could be applied to only one specie. A change like that would hugely mess me up and everyone would be scrambling.

 

[cking13]

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That is a really good way to look at it. I've used that same reasoning in the past to jump on a tag I could draw.

It seems to boil down to several really fun hunts versus one hunt for a giant. The biggest unknown is AZGFD pulling a fast one on the draw system. There was talk of a Super Point (I think that is what they called it) earlier in the year that could be applied to only one specie. A change like that would hugely mess me up and everyone would be scrambling.

I would take several fun/good hunts over one potentially great hunt. I?m also the type that would prefer to see lots of game and take home a great buck versus seeing a handful and maybe having a giant show up. It sounds like you had your mind made up in the first post anyways. [emoji2]


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[Umpqua Hunter]

I would take several fun/good hunts over one potentially great hunt. I?m also the type that would prefer to see lots of game and take home a great buck versus seeing a handful and maybe having a giant show up. It sounds like you had your mind made up in the first post anyways. [emoji2]


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Honestly I am on the fence and going back and forth...ha ha. Today I am leaning to drawing the tag. Last week I was going to hold out.

 

[hunter25]

Option 2 for me.
But it's really a personal choice.
I'm just out to have a good time

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[JimP]

I have done both, spent points on lesser units and had a lot of fun along with spending points on the top units and had a lot of fun.

The problem with that 13b late rifle tag is that you never know what is going to show up in the time frame that you have to hunt. It may be one of the biggest mule deer bucks ever seen, or it may be a bunch of 140" ones that you pass up on. But the same can be said for your plan b.

A few years ago I looked at my points and decided that the Arizona Strip was a pipe dream. Now if I would of started buying deer points years ago then I would be sitting pretty and or had done my hunt there years ago. But that falls into the the "should of, could of" thread.

But knowing that you are planning on a hunt this year in Arizona with your wife I think that I would just pick up another point and concentrate on her hunt. Then at the start of next year really look into one of those strip hunts. You can talk to some outfitters and see what they have to say and go for it next year.

The only thing that you are going to save by doing a bunch of lesser hunts is going to be the outfitters fee for only a couple of hunts. Most outfitters are charging around $3000 for a hunt in a non trophy unit so you won't be saving that much by going on 2 lesser hunts.

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[Umpqua Hunter]

I have done both, spent points on lesser units and had a lot of fun along with spending points on the top units and had a lot of fun.

The problem with that 13b late rifle tag is that you never know what is going to show up in the time frame that you have to hunt. It may be one of the biggest mule deer bucks ever seen, or it may be a bunch of 140" ones that you pass up on. But the same can be said for your plan b.

A few years ago I looked at my points and decided that the Arizona Strip was a pipe dream. Now if I would of started buying deer points years ago then I would be sitting pretty and or had done my hunt there years ago. But that falls into the the "should of, could of" thread.

But knowing that you are planning on a hunt this year in Arizona with your wife I think that I would just pick up another point and concentrate on her hunt. Then at the start of next year really look into one of those strip hunts. You can talk to some outfitters and see what they have to say and go for it next year.

The only thing that you are going to save by doing a bunch of lesser hunts is going to be the outfitters fee for only a couple of hunts. Most outfitters are charging around $3000 for a hunt in a non trophy unit so you won't be saving that much by going on 2 lesser hunts.

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It will be an "either or" as far as my mule deer hunt or my wife's Coues deer hunt. My wife is happy to do either one, just so she gets to hang out with me and go to Arizona. We could then even ride her points for a couple very nice Coues tags in a year or two.

You are right about 13B. Due to the low deer numbers, walking away from that hunt and never seeing the buck you are after is a very real possibility.

 

[boiler]

Definitely option 2 for me. I love the idea of seeing lots of deer with a bit less pressure to find a giant. Going diy for part of the hunt is also appealing...I would take a chance at 180-190 on my own over a chance at a 190-200 with a guide. Both would be awesome, so you cant go wrong.

 

[mcseal2]

I'd go option 2. To many things can go wrong before 70 and leave you wishing you had burned the points earlier. I hunted a lot with a friend who is now in his early 60's when I was in my teens and 20's. We hunted mostly around home but did one elk hunt together around 2006. Due to ankle troubles after it was his last. His advice was not to wait for hunts until I had more time, more money, whatever. Hunt while I had health and make the sacrifices otherwise to make it happen. I'll be 40 this summer and have been glad I've followed his advice thus far.

 

[Extrapale]

Deuce

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[dustin ray]

door #2 go have a fun hunt and get that monkey off you back with loyalty point and hunters edd point you can hunt coues deer often my strategy is to gain just enough points to hunt hard and hunt often

 

[Rich M]

I'll take door number 2.

Go enjoy yourself, look over a bunch of bucks and have a fun hunt.

 

[kentuckyhunter]

I recently listening to jay Scott?s podcasts about the outfitters on the strip. Seems like an interesting culture there and it might not be for everyone.
You might be hunting with a crew of spotters on the strip.


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[ScottR]

Option two!!!!

 

[DRUSS]

Option 2 with more hunts in the immediate future sound better IMO especially in Arizona where they might change again. Also with this years moisture I really believe a great buck could come out in any of the better units? I used to believe in hunting one great unit for a chance at a giant. Any species. But I am appreciating more hunting opportunities for mature animals lately. And I do believe a better chance in Nevada could surprise a lot of people. Nevada has bulls,rams bucks that surprise me every year!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Option 2? I think I am noticing a pattern! Ha ha.

I truly appreciate your thoughts. When you have 20 years invested in a tag I really appreciate the thoughts of others when contemplating a change of direction.

 

[RICMIC]

UH; I agree with option #2. It looked to me that you were strongly leaning that way already. Your life situation can change in an instant.

 

[Bonecollector]

Option 2 here as well.

 

[Steve O]

I would take several fun/good hunts over one potentially great hunt. I?m also the type that would prefer to see lots of game and take home a great buck versus seeing a handful and maybe having a giant show up.

This is what I would do and then hunt Coues with the kids for sure. Wouldn?t think twice about it.