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.  

[wildwoody]

fxxk.

[zslayer]

3 hours 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. 

This is disturbing!  Ans should be brought to more people’s attention!  If they have to cut tags waaaay back or eliminate seasons for a few years then do so!  

[Roofer Billy]

1 hour ago, wildwoody said:

fxxk.

Fxxked up.

[CouesFanatic]

All F&G cares about is money. They don't care about the animals at all. Things will change when they see it hitting their pockets. Every unit has hunts to the max, good luck finding mature animals in any unit, it's getting tougher each year. I feel horrible for my kids and their kids. Seeing what my dad and his dad had for hunting opportunity and quality in the past compared to now is rough. Add 20 more years from now and you will be lucky to shoot anything with antlers. Have you hunted deer in western NM? Thats what AZ is going to. Hunt 12 days to maybe see a dink. 

I spent some time in the 37's this archery hunt. I've never seen that many people there in January. There is 5x the amount of hunters there was just 2-3 years ago. We are headed in a bad direction. Time for a draw across the board, cut these deer a break, they need it.