Norteno

I picked a 5mph cross wind to get some reference numbers. In reality, how do you tell what the cross wind is at a 300 yrd target across a canyon from you? I was going to just watch the trees and shrubs around it to at least get the wind direction, but other than that it is a guess. Any suggestions?

I am no pro, but thought I would put in my 2cents of advice. Thought I would throw the obvious our there first with the azgfd info. I would suggest you take as many tips as you can get from members. What you'll find is the areas recommended are all similar. Pick a quadrant that sounds good and buy that topo map. (Wide World of Maps in Mesa). If you haven't done so already download Google Maps and study the area you want to go in detail. Here is "the west end of Roosevelt" as suggested above. You can zoom in and view from every angle. It doesn't beat scouting on foot, but sure saves a lot of time looking for roads. I live in Chandler too, so if you ever want to meet up to talk hunting IM me.

White-tailed Deer Overview: White-tail deer numbers in unit 23 are static to improving. The long-term drought we have been experiencing over the past several years has had an effect on them but they seem to thrive in unit 23 regardless. How well the fawns survive due to the dry spring and summer rains is a good indication of the condition of the total populations the following year. Look forward to better populations on years with increased rainfall. White-tailed deer can be found in all habitats from the semi-desert grassland areas up through through mixed-conifer forests. They are primarily found in a band of elevation from 3,500 feet to 6,000 feet. White-tailed deer prefer areas that do not experience heavy livestock densities. Required equipment for a successful hunt is a GOOD pair of binoculars and a tripod to mount them on and/or a spotting scope. There are areas in the unit where a good glasser can glass 20 to 30 deer from one vantage point. This can't be done unless you have the proper equipment. Areas: Popular areas holding high densities of white-tailed deer are between Cherry Creek and Tonto Creek at an elevation between 3,500 to 6,000 feet. All major drainages that run off of the Sierra Ancha Mountains hold white-tailed deer. For an undisturbed hunt, packing into one of the wilderness areas is a good plan. These are Salome, Hells Gate and Sierra Ancha. The north half of the unit also produces good hunt opportunities for white-tailed deer. Tips: Pre-season scouting is very important. Locate an area away from roads and glass the area to locate deer. Use a Tonto National Forest map to help you locate areas in which to search. White-tailed deer are very localized and can be found in the same canyon or hillside several times. The December hunt is a rut hunt and the bucks are usually actively seeking out does. Continue to glass with an honest effort and you should be able to locate a mature buck.

If you have an iPhone or Droid I found this app very helpfull. Well worth the $7.99 I paid. It will not replace your paper maps, but knowing exactly where you are at is a life saver. I drop pins with notes everywhere I go. Last month I was mountain biking in NM and my tire blew. If I would have followed the trail walking it would have been miles. Luckily I had cell service and downloaded the topo map of the area. I cut across the forest to the nearest road in 20 minutes where my friend picked me up. Topo Maps by Phil Endecott

Just got hit $69.50 for two deer tags! No results on azgf site yet, but I'm pretty sure I got my first choice.

When I called gf a few weeks ago they told me July 13. I checked credit card and gf this morning with no luck.

Where were you in 24a? Saw groups of deer (does/spikes)and coues bucks everyday for the first 4 days of Nov Mule Deer. Went back on the last day of hunt and saw a group of does and two groups of pigs. Dang pigs ruined my sundown hunt because they were circling me the whole time. They did give me some good practice ranging them in and getting my sights on them from different shooting positions. How are roads up there now? Here is a cell phone pic from my truck of one of the bigger ones that was crossing with a group of 7.

Well the day is finally here. Nov11 Mule Deer hunt in 24A starts tomorrow. My cousin and I have put in our time scouting the entire unit and found an area where there are lots of deer. Still, didn't find the big buck yet but hopefully he shows up tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be posting pics soon and giving a lot of credit to some of you for giving me some advice here and there.

Seen a couple spikes so far. If your nephew is interested I'll tell you exactly where for next weekend. If I was Coues hunting I would be pretty happy right now.

Good luck on your hunt. I have a Mule deer tag for that unit early November. Have been scouting quite a bit and only seen Mule deer. I guess I'm doing that part right. Was out there yesterday and it is still too dang hot for me in the day. Hope it cools down. If I see a coues shooter out there I'll let you know.

I have the mule deer hunt in that unit in early November. Been glassing a lot and going back up tomorrow. So far its been all Muley's so far, but that is what I am looking for. I am going back up tomorrow. If I see some coues I'll let you know.