Antelope 19A Archery Hunt looking for a decoy

[andrewmilich]

I have a 19A Archery hunt coming up.  It's going to be super hot.  So I was going to sit water and looking for a decoy.  Does anyone have one I could borrow?  Hunt is August 22.  I have waited 18 years and am super excited for this hunt.    

 

Also if anyone else has a 19A tag would love to connect 

[Ed67]

Fun hunt. Had it twice in late 90s and early 2000s. Water will be heavily occupied by hunters. Some seemingly never leave it but if you find water that’s unoccupied you’ll do well. 
I used to hunt the wash ruts back and forth trying to get close in the Fain Ranch. Some of those washes are cut 4-6’ deep. Not sure if that ranch is still available. 
watch out for rattlers. 
I didn’t tag either time but had fun. Lost 13 pounds in 9 days of hunting the first time. 

[yotebuster]

2 hours ago, Ed67 said:

Fun hunt. Had it twice in late 90s and early 2000s. Water will be heavily occupied by hunters. Some seemingly never leave it but if you find water that’s unoccupied you’ll do well.  

I think there’s way way less tags than back then.  As dry as it’s been I would bet water will be good.  Biggest antelope I’ve ever hunted in my life was in there.  Was hitting water daily right in front of my blind.  Opening day his buddies all watered but he didn’t come for some reason that day.  Ended up raining 2.5” that night 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Ed67]

1 hour ago, yotebuster said:

I think there’s way way less tags than back then.  As dry as it’s been I would bet water will be good.  Biggest antelope I’ve ever hunted in my life was in there.  Was hitting water daily right in front of my blind.  Opening day his buddies all watered but he didn’t come for some reason that day.  Ended up raining 2.5” that night 🤦🏻‍♂️

Yep for sure.  Used to take 5-7 points, now up to 20 for archery.  Crazy

[Flatlander]

Back in that time period there were two hunts with 60ish tags each. The unit was also much larger. Half that stuff is houses now.

[idgaf]

I would do some beta testing with decoys on bucks you do not intend to hunt in that unit.  Chances are mature bucks have seen every style of decoy. 

[NOTAGS]

Didn't the Fain ban blinds on their water holes a few years back?

[andrewmilich]

2 hours ago, NOTAGS said:

Didn't the Fain ban blinds on their water holes a few years back?

Fain banned hunting completely.  I spoke with the owners of the ranch many times.  

[andrewmilich]

3 hours ago, Flatlander said:

Back in that time period there were two hunts with 60ish tags each. The unit was also much larger. Half that stuff is houses now.

for this hunt there were only 10 tags so....hopefully not to many people out there  

[NOTAGS]

That sux. Too many inconsiderate idiots, I guess. That was a large part of that units antelope holding area .  I remember hunting it when the road through it was dirt  back in the 80’s. 

[andrewmilich]

7 hours ago, Ed67 said:

Fun hunt. Had it twice in late 90s and early 2000s. Water will be heavily occupied by hunters. Some seemingly never leave it but if you find water that’s unoccupied you’ll do well. 
I used to hunt the wash ruts back and forth trying to get close in the Fain Ranch. Some of those washes are cut 4-6’ deep. Not sure if that ranch is still available. 
watch out for rattlers. 
I didn’t tag either time but had fun. Lost 13 pounds in 9 days of hunting the first time. 

I think there are only 10 tags for this hunt so hopefully I can find water unoccupied.  

[andrewmilich]

Just now, NOTAGS said:

That sux. Too many inconsiderate idiots, I guess. That was a large part of that units antelope holding area .  I remember hunting it when the road through it was dirt  back in the 80’s. 

Ya I am bummed.  Both Fain and Perkins are not allowed.  You have to pay to use Perkins.  Another ranch called Arizona Economic Development  has purchased last of the land now and they also do not allow hunting. I have spoken to all the ranches up there. Unless you have permission you cannot hunt them.  Deepwell will allow you to hunt but you have to have permission.  I have spoken to them and I know the ranch owner and main ranch manager.  I have permission but as I know of today, no one else does.  So thats good.     There is still a lot of public land checker boarded.  But it's getting slimmer. 

[oz31p]

There’s a good amount of goats in non typically country in 19a also

[bigorange]

2 hours ago, andrewmilich said:

Ya I am bummed.  Both Fain and Perkins are not allowed.  You have to pay to use Perkins.  Another ranch called Arizona Economic Development  has purchased last of the land now and they also do not allow hunting. I have spoken to all the ranches up there. Unless you have permission you cannot hunt them.  Deepwell will allow you to hunt but you have to have permission.  I have spoken to them and I know the ranch owner and main ranch manager.  I have permission but as I know of today, no one else does.  So thats good.     There is still a lot of public land checker boarded.  But it's getting slimmer. 

Deep Well was open when I had the tag for walk-in access. If you have permission there that's good...had several good opportunities there and killed mine on water there. PM me and I can give you more specifics if you want. My friend had a decoy that we used but I think he sold it.

[Markleo21377]

You are in for a super fun, super frustrating hunt! Lots of antelope and some great tanks still available on public or accessible land. For archery I’d definitely advise focusing on water and get yourself a good battery powered fan because it is like sitting in an oven that time of year in a ground blind. 
 

decoys can work but it’s about 50/50 in my experience. If you use one don’t walk straight at them. Walk at a 45 degree angle then switch directions doing the same. Sounds like you’ve done some great research, but I have helped on hunts up there a lot over the years so shoot me a message if you have any questions.