Desert Rut

[Big or Bust]

Our desert deer are cooked. Best thing that could be done for the good of the herd is to shut it down for 5 years then make it all a draw....

[creed]

1 hour ago, Big or Bust said:

Our desert deer are cooked. Best thing that could be done for the good of the herd is to shut it down for 5 years then make it all a draw....

.

I could not agree with you more, but it’s not going to happen because of money and so-called hunting opportunity that a handful of influential people opposed to a draw want to keep OTC.

guess we could blame it all on crossbow hunters

[wildwoody]

funny, don't think were not going to total archery draw. Its already happening slowly. 

[Big or Bust]

I honestly can't believe more people aren't talking about this at least us below the rim. I am fortunate that I average a lot of days with a bow in hand. Honestly, Southern AZ and SW mule deer numbers IMO are about 15 to 20 % of what they were about 3 years ago. This is likely generous. 

This is an example of what the does looked like in the 37s in May 2025. Likely days from death. This pic was taken for drought documentation, not taking of game. 

Numbers were already waaaay down before last years drought. That was just the nail in the coffin. 

[CatfishKev]

1 hour ago, Big or Bust said:

I honestly can't believe more people aren't talking about this at least us below the rim. I am fortunate that I average a lot of days with a bow in hand. Honestly, Southern AZ and SW mule deer numbers IMO are about 15 to 20 % of what they were about 3 years ago. This is likely generous. 

This is an example of what the does looked like in the 37s in May 2025. Likely days from death. This pic was taken for drought documentation, not taking of game. 

Numbers were already waaaay down before last years drought. That was just the nail in the coffin. 

Wow dude that is heartbreaking to see.