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wklman

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  9. Posted · Report reply

    Polyborus_plancus.jpghave any of you guys ever seen one of these birds? i saw one while i was out delivering the reservation down in sells. its one of the neatest looking birds i've ever seen. i didn't know what kind of bird it was until i asked my brother about it.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    "Not to sound mean or anything, but what about fair chase? Quit baiting this animals and hunt them the real way. I can't stand how people hunt these days. It's not hunting if your just sitting on your can waiting for something to come and eat. U might as well set up a lawn chair and eat popcorn with your bow in your hand. Do it the right way and spot and stalk these awesome deer, give yourself the ultimate challenge."

     

     

    "I must agree with Monstercoues 100%. I can't wait until bait or using salt in the state is illegal. I don't believe baiting is fair chase either. Keep the wind in your face, spot and stalk. Well said Monstercoues."

     

    Ditto, hunt em' spot and stock and you'll have a heck of a better story too. baitin' just ain't huntin in my eyes.

     

    Wade

  18. Posted · Report reply

    White-tailed Deer

    Overview: Unit 34A has an average population of whitetail this year. The majority of bucks seen will be in the one to two year age classes but there are older class bucks available to the hunter that puts in the effort at pre-season scouting. There are average densities of whitetail in many areas of the Santa Rita Mountains and the foothills.

     

    Get out for some scouting to sharpen your eyes and to find the hideouts of those wily old bucks. It is a good idea to do some pre-season scouting not only to find the deer but also to also check and make sure access is still available for your favorite hunting grounds.

     

     

    Area: The best numbers are in the southern end of the mountains but you can also expect a lot of hunters in small amounts of area between private property as the area is popular. The Squaw Gulch area on the southwest corner of the mountain is also good. If you hike in at least 1/2 mile away from the road you will get away from most hunters. The country on the west side of the Temporal drainage has good numbers of deer, although the past monsoon season has washed the Temporal canyon road out completely and the Forest Service has no predicted date on rebuilding it. The road is closed at the trailhead at the Arizona trail parking lot. The thicker cover areas from Mansfield Canyon and south harbor a few older age class bucks.

     

     

    The Fort and Hog Canyon areas are favorites of many hunters. The traditional entrance off of Highway 82 is not public access and has been posted by the homeowner's association. Please respect landowner rights and use the alternative access. Access is through Garner Canyon. To get there, exit Highway 83 at Gardner Canyon. Follow this road to the west to Forest Road 795. Take the 795 Road to Forest Road 4111. The 4111 road will take you south into Hog Canyon. You can glass some good habitat along the way.

     

    Forest Road 143 on the southwest side of the Santa Rita Mountains goes through some excellent whitetail habitat. Alto, Josephine and Bond Canyons are good but be prepared for steep country. For those wanting a little more level hunting, try the State land southwest of Josephine Canyon and F.S. road 143. But be aware that white-tail and Mule deer can occupy the same habitat in these lowland areas.

     

    Upper Sawmill Canyon, east of Madera Canyon has some good whitetail hunting. A good way to get to the high country there is to come in on the east side of the mountains to F.S. road 165 into Melendrez Pass and hunt down into Sawmill. This method provides excellent glassing opportunities. To get to the 165 road you will need to take Highway 83 south to the Gardner canyon turnoff (forest road 92) and go west. Take the Fish Canyon road number 163 and follow it past Kentucky camp. The road will continue west and then north, intersecting forest road 165 which will take you west to Melendrez Pass.

     

    A new access road was constructed in 1997. This road provides legal access into the Big Casa Blanca and Wood canyon areas. To get there take State Highway 82 to mile marker 25.5 (approximately 5 miles east of Patagonia), and follow the Casa Blanca Canyon road to the northwest. After about 3.5 miles look for a road heading to the north. Follow this road to the crest of the ridge. The road will then travel east and take you into Wood Canyon.

     

    Summary: Two key things are to be remembered. First, pick up a Forest Service map to find the above-mentioned roads and canyons. Second, don't forget your binoculars. For whitetail hunting they are as important as your rifle.

     

    The early hunt will be pretty warm so get out early in the morning to catch them before they bed up. They will begin to bed shortly after the sun comes up unless we get some cool weather during the hunt.

     

    The middle hunt will be cooler and the deer should stay up later but you still will increase your chance of success if you are heading out of camp at the first hint of light or sooner. Remember that deer also have a mid-day flurry of activity around noon to 1:00 p.m. It's a good time to be on a high point glassing.

     

    The late hunt will be cool to cold weather. The bucks will be starting to chase the does and will be more visible. It is always a high hunt success time as the bucks are moving more. You will not find high hunter densities during this hunt

     

    hope this helps doug :lol:

    • Like 1

  25. Posted · Report reply

    if you've been hunting there for so long and its public land i don't see anything wrong with hunting it. we all have areas that we call our honey holes but their is so many hunters out there now doing so many different things with water,salt licks, scouting cameras and such that i don't believe there is a spot that hasn't been supposedly claimed by somebody. just don't get mad when somebody comes and hunts a spot you've worked on.

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