Muzzleloader Deer in Unit 2B

[UB-AZ]

Not going to go into a story about first time hunting or wifes first tag or anything like that..... just going to be straight.

The wife and I got drawn for unit 2B Muzzleloader. The hunt is from Sept 27th till Oct 3rd, 175 tags were given out. Which isn't too bad for a unit this size. From what I have found most posts are for the Nov hunts where snow is a factor. Since this is earlier I am thinking lower and water sources. Reviewing GE the terrain is not that bad. We hunt in AZ so we are use to extremes. It also seems to be mostly scrub oak/juniper type trees? Holy roads though..... there are a lot. But how many of those roads are accessible? Read something on one post where roads were gated?

Some background. We have excellent optics to glass, our muzzleloaders will reach out to 400+ yards (ultimate muzzleloader), we are not afraid to walk, but a backpack hunt is out. I would like to pull our travel trailer out for the hunt so any information on where to park it is also appreciated. We have 4x4 vehicles as well as a UTV. I have harvested nice Muleys and Coues Whitetails, the wife...out scored me on her biggest Coues. She has yet to get a Muley so that is our goal with this hunt.

I plan on minimum one scouting trip possibly two depending on other hunts. We got skunked so far in AZ for Elk and Antelope so unless the AZ Draw Gods shine upon us for a strip deer tag this could be it for us. Will be contacting the game warden for this area as well.

Any information is greatly appreciated. I would prefer communication through PM or via email. I can provide my email address through PM. I can help with any AZ information as exchange....

Thanks,
Robert

 

[ore hunter]

I drew that a few years back,,drove 1500 miles out from Oregon,spent a week lookin,,seen 5 does,,tag soup,a bit disappointing,though I learned a lot.you can p m me w questions if ya want.

 

[chsdaddy]

That hunt unit is great when the deer migrate out of the high country when the snow flies. There are resident deer there but not that many. I have hunted it in January, saw between 150-200 deer a day, November, similar but not as many and dad hunted the muzzle season you have and saw 2-3 deer a day. All those roads are oil field roads and see constant traffic. So deer aren't too afraid of vehicles that keep moving.

Your best bet is to get on a high vantage and glass and try to put some deer to bed morning and evening. That country is very broken canyon country and can hide a lot of deer. The access is easy so most will just drive around. Navajo Lake will bring a lot of deer to the shoreline if it's a dry summer.

There are deer there that time of year, you're just going to have to work for it. Good luck!

 

[UB-AZ]

I want to thank everyone for the replies. I have gotten some good information. Which mostly seems it will be a difficult hunt finding a really good buck. We will try though....