Was looking at trying a different area for deer and was interested in this unit. I notice that most of the unit is zuni rez but has a little natl forest as well. I see that the buck doe ratio is good and was wondering if anyone has experience with this area.
Unit 10 deer
- Thread starter swampokie
- Start date
I hunted 10 for mule deer quite a while ago. It was a November season. At that time we saw more elk than deer, usually in the piñon pines walking to a glassing spot. The deer population was low. They were in very small scattered groups. We accessed the unit through Thoreau, went past the Bluewater Lake and hunted generally a bit south, SW and West towards McGaffey. Back in the forest, to the west, we found a spur road through a flat the gave us a view of a fairly open hill side, that and any spot like it seemed to hold a few deer you could glass at dawn and dark.
There were 3 hunters, second to last day we found two big bucks together, the guy that found them dropped a 28" 4x4, right at 192". I found the other later that day and got him in the Piñon pines at 25 feet, very heavy 31" 4x4 right at 175". We felt very lucky. 5 long days hunting and saw these two, one other 22-24" buck and three small ones together just SW of Bluewater Lake. If the deer density is similar, steel yourself for lots of looking, if the population has increased, it could be a great hunt, the genetics are there.
Hopefully you can find someone with more recent experience.
There were 3 hunters, second to last day we found two big bucks together, the guy that found them dropped a 28" 4x4, right at 192". I found the other later that day and got him in the Piñon pines at 25 feet, very heavy 31" 4x4 right at 175". We felt very lucky. 5 long days hunting and saw these two, one other 22-24" buck and three small ones together just SW of Bluewater Lake. If the deer density is similar, steel yourself for lots of looking, if the population has increased, it could be a great hunt, the genetics are there.
Hopefully you can find someone with more recent experience.
16-17 years ago. I'd expect things to have changed, but who knows. As I recall, Nov there is not a rut hunt, not sure what the seasons are now. Unless you just really want to be in that area, there are likely better hunts, unless the population has recovered. But there are some great genes in the area. A local there showed us a few pictures of 200-250" bucks from 10, winter time I'd guess. But that type of country can and does hold whoppers, plenty of cover to hide in, but tough to find em in.
Im locked into oct 29-nov 2. Only dates that I can make work and the area has a hunt then. It will be a third choice but the dates and genetics fit into my plans. Did you camp?