Deer OTC archery
- Thread starter Calbuck
- Start date
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Thanks that's what I figured..didn't draw elk, so may as well use the license!
Thought about going down there for deer and maybe try to call some totes too.
Thought about going down there for deer and maybe try to call some totes too.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Not Arizona bad! There's a difference. I'm goin to go down there every year now, great people, awesome opportunity for bow hunters. Come on 2014!
I was considering a late bow hunt OTC...I can't decide between December or January hunts. Any advantage to one month over the other? Do those deer down there rut in both months? Are these spot and stalk deals or sitting waterholes? I'm looking for as big a buck as I can find, but not necessarily trophy hunting. I've read where the better bucks come out of the desert areas, but more deer in the mid elevation zones. I may be starting an annual tradition here too, if my first hunt down there is a fun one!
BOHNTR
Very Active Member
Depends on what area you're hunting in.....most of your mule deer will be in the low elevation on the desert floors in the mesquite flats. Coues deer prefer the higher elevations.
Thanks Bohntr. I'm thinking those January hunts would be a good way to break up my winters. I haven't settled on a specific area yet. It'll be tough the first year or two as I've never hunted AZ, so I'm planning on doing my research, picking an area and returning to that area every year. Should know it well in a couple years.
cali_hornhunter
Active Member
Not to cherry pick..do you guys think more highly of certain units over others? All I have to go by is AZ Fish and Game website and forum reads..I'd be interested in areas you could glass or maybe pinyon/juniper..
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
January is a better hunt because of the rut. Some Arizona guys can probably give you more info. I grew up near Tuscon and if I remember correctly the first 2 weeks in January are the best in the southern desert areas. I know some of the areas along the border are great hunts and most people won't hunt them because of the illegal alien problem. If you do decide to hunt along the border make sure you carry a firearm as well.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
Cal buck, it will mostly be spot and stalk and if you are after mule deer, I would lower your standards as they are not like the deer we have up here, quality or quantity however there are those bruisers that get killed there every year. Coues hang out in higher elevations or thicker river bottoms while mule deer generally stay below 7k feet. It is a very tough hunt and start practicing shooting longer shots than you are used to.
As far as unit, you just need to do your homework and commit to a specific unit, area or group of units, the longer you spend down there the higher chances you have of filling your tag, also buy a javelina tag if you can!
tommyp
Active Member
Anybody do the August hunt? I was thinking about giving it a go, if I don't pull my Nevada archery deer tag.
Drhorsepower
Veteran member
tommyp
Active Member
sjsmallfield
Veteran member
One thing that was pointed out to me by a guy that hunts AZ every year he can was to go in January the first year. Reason being, you can go back the same year in August or December if you don't fill your tag in January.
tommyp
Active Member
That is correct, that is one reason I am considering it as a back , if I do not pull any other tags, I could got for a couple of weeks in late August and a couplet of weeks at the end of the year, if I did not stick one in August.
Just an fyi be sure the unit your hunting in august is open in december. Not all units are open in december so do your homework. The january hunt is fun & if you put in for javelina you can hunt them with otc deer tag. Its pretty easy to draw archery javelina & there is always left over tags. Also bring a shotgun in january as quail season is open unitil february.