broadhead

I moved to the northern edge of 34A about 6 months ago and started doing some research and asking around. I only very recently was granted access across some private property to access the land behind him so I haven't been able to confirm anything myself yet but the deer population throughout the unit in general is doing well and just like oz31p said, wherever there are deer there will be cats. We have no shortage of them here. Just be careful if you're calling if your setup is close to you because even in wide open terrain they can work their way in without you ever seeing them. One more thing, be sure to check the regulations regarding lions that are collared as part of a study by game and fish and U of A. I don't think it's illegal to kill one but I'm not 100% on that and if I'm wrong I can only imagine the fine would be a big one. Regardless I know game and fish does everything they can to encourage hunters to let those cats go. Anyway, good luck. Pack layers. It can still be pretty warm down here that time of year down here in case you're never hunted here before.

I'm really glad I started this thread. I started out just wondering about setting up too close and ended up getting a lot of helpful info. Deer are funny animals for sure. I think once the weather cools off a little bit I'm going to get up high and see what they're patterns look like once the velvet comes off. More importantly given I'll be bow hunting the rut I think I'll try to assess where the does are so come December and January I'll have an idea of where to start out. I'm also kicking around the idea of posting up high once the rifle seasons kick off to get an idea of how much that area is getting pressured this year. Anyone else do that or do you guys mostly stay clear of the areas if you don't have a tag?

GO BREW CREW

Well this got ridiculous in a hurry.

If I'm being honest I have to say I'm about a 5. There's nothing I love more than being out in the woods but work and other responsibilities keep me close to home more often than I like. The hot months really take a toll on me physically thanks to an old injury so I've learned to enjoy every minute I'm out there even if it means less time spent outdoors rather than forcing myself out in triple digits and being miserable. Each year when the cool weather starts to return I find myself making quick day trips even if it's just to glass for a few hours. The good news is even though there is a lot of public land within a couple miles of my house there is a big issue with access due to private ownership BUT I wrote a letter to one of the owners and he was kind enough to grant me permission to cut across his property to reach the vast public land on the other side. That will get me out MUCH more often, which I'm thrilled about. Aside from that my first kid is due mid-February (it's a boy, next generation!) so he will probably keep me well in that 5-6 range hahaha.

Wasn't quite sure which section to put this so since I was scouting for deer in Arizona I put it here. Finally got a chance to do a turn and burn on Friday to head up to the mountain and hang a different trail cam and check out a new vantage point to glass an area I spotted a few bucks last year. Finally got there with only about an hour of light remaining and started looking up travel routes as the shadows started to get longer. It was also the first time I've got my new Swaro 12s out for a good test in the area I hunt (as opposed to random mountains and valleys closer to home). Before long I caught the telltale rusty brown fur and horizontal back moving against the brush. I started to look for horns but instead saw a long thick curved tail. I know guys have seen plenty of cats before but it was the first time spotting a mountain lion and I was really excited to see it. I wasn't happy to see it in the canyon I'm hunting but at I had to remember it's HIS canyon, not mine. I got to watch him from about 500 yards broadside as he casually made his way along, stopping to survey his surroundings. Eventually he slinked up onto a boulder on the edge of some cover and sat his butt down for a minute just like a house cat on a window sill. Then he was gone. It was a really cool experience and I hope to see him again while I'm out there although I'll have a lion tag and rifle with me next time! Good luck out there, everyone. Archery season is just around the corner!

I am completely unable to hunt at all until at least next weekend so I have to live vicariously through all of you until then. I need stories. Success stories, misses, blown stalks, funny stuff, ups and downs. Story time.

I hadn’t checked this post in awhile. Really glad to see all you guys getting out and at least seeing deer. I tried to get in and hunt for a weekend but had to turn right back around same night and that was it for me. I’m pretty much decided blind hunting up higher is what I’m going to have to do in the early season from now on. Glass and spot and stalk in fall and winter.

How do you like those Danners? I have the Salomon GTD somethin or others and I really like them for their comfort and tread but I give up a little bit in the noise department. Eventually when they run out I'll be looking for something comfortable with ankle support.

Good then I'm okay camping right next to where I plan to glass. I don't know about you guys but my size 12s are not the definition of stealth going up a mountain in the dark...

First Lite's layering system has been good for me based almost entirely on comfort and functionality across a wide range of temperatures but if you're concerned with what pattern works best don't worry about it very much. Some recent studies on ungulate's vision show camo isn't all that important so long as you can break up your silhouette and remain still or move very slowly in deer country.

At least you got out there and got some great views. After the last couple years it's crazy to see all this rain down here. I'm south of Tucson and hunt primarily unit 33 and I live right on the northern edge of 34A which I'll be looking to get much more familiar with after moving here. Driving home the last week and just looking around at the scenery I realized I hadn't even noticed how green everything became all of a sudden. Even the plants in my yard took off in the day or two when it got hot again and didn't rain. If all works out with this week I'll be able to get on the mountain Friday after work and stay out until at least Sunday. If I don't get out then I might not even be able to hunt the early season at all.

Hey guys, So here's the deal. I recently moved to the very north end of unit 34a and I'm looking to get out and do some scouting. For now I exclusively bow hunt while I build up a few points and gain better knowledge of the area. While I'm only hunting the early and late archery seasons I still love to get out and scout as much as I can to pin down some good deer areas. Besides that I just spent the money on a very good set of optics and tripod and head and I want to put them to use as much as possible. So with that being said I am looking for anyone who is willing to team up to scout/hunt the north end/Mt Fagan area. If you are putting in for a rifle tag this year and are interested in the same area I am more than willing to get out and help you scout it since I will also benefit from it when the rut comes around. And if you want to bow hunt it together that's cool with me too. Plus it's cool to meet other hunters who are willing to put in the work to find some good deer away from the crowds. I'm looking to do mostly day trips since I don't think I'll have the camping gear by this season. So either way let me know if you're interested. Later.

Me too. Unfortunately I hate the hike out more than I love my bed hahaha!

Cool thanks guys.

Yeah I've seen a few places around town here in Tucson that did that. I wonder if it's just certain areas are able to do it and some aren't. I bet it would be great for the hot months here.

That's awesome. Is it just me or does that buck look like a hybrid? Face of a Coues but the split beams like a mulie? Either way I want a room just like that with a wood stove and some deer heads on the wall. One of the things that I miss the most from growing up in Wisconsin is the cozy finished basement for displaying trophy mounts and watching football and movies. Apparently the ground is too hard to dig foundations like that here in Arizona. I'm no fan of the heat out here but I'm not exactly ready to trade our winters yet...

Hello everyone. I'm looking for a little advice but before I begin let me explain what I'm NOT asking for: honey holes, secret spots, or the answers to where the deer are, where to go etc. Ok there now that's out of the way. What I'm asking for is some advice from the guys who have archery hunted the higher elevations of Mount Lemmon the early archery season in the 7000 feet and up range where it's more pines and forest compared to lower desert. I live near 33 and have spent all my time hunting and scouting there and I've spent two years since I moved back to Arizona getting familiar with the 4500 feet range where it's much more wide open. I've begun to have quite a bit of trouble with the early season heat at those elevations aggravating a prior injury and has gotten to the point where I almost dread even going out to glass for a morning. For that reason I've started to look at going higher where it's cooler in the early season. I am completely inexperienced Coues hunting the more wooded terrain, although I did grow up stand hunting midwestern whitetails, so any general advice to get me started would be extremely appreciated. Again, not asking for GPS coords, just some general techniques for moving from the lower desert to thicker pines. Thanks in advance!

That's pretty much what I plan to do after this season. I was kind of forced into the decision to move to cooler temps a couple weeks ago so being so late in the game I might just grab the bow once it opens and hike around in some new territory away from the roads and trails, hunker down where I see some sign and then dedicate some more scouting come spring to be more prepared going forward. I've found the higher elevations over here are a little mix between midwest woods and western terrain, which is why I posted the original question on techniques hunting in that stuff. It's fun learning a new area and there are so many deer around up there that I really look forward to finding a few spots like what you mentioned. Thanks again to all you guys who have helped out. I can't believe archery is less than two weeks away. Good luck to everyone!

The one on the right looks like he's shaping up to be a real nice buck.

PM sent You guys are great. I really love these forums. Thanks again for all the pointers!

Thanks for all the help. I'll take your advice. Do any of you guys still spend significant time glassing openings or do you mostly scout travel routes and water and set up a stand? Thanks again.

Okay cool. I won't have the chance to pick up a tree stand or ground blind for the early season this year so I guess I'll just set up somewhere and break up my silhouette with some brush. Thanks.

Even during archery? I was kind of afraid that would be the case.

Danm223 PM me if you want another set of eyes out there. I havent been able to get out much yet but my schedule will be lightening up soon.