I will start a topic - 8 deer bonus points

[Big or Bust]

Somehow I ended up here without trying due to a combo of leftover and archery kills. I'm south of Tucson. Don't really need assistance with this but curious on everyone's thoughts. I will be burning this fall, likely on a late Dec. Coues tag just so I can hunt for 3 weeks and have no problem overburning a bit.  

34s through 36s, what are everyone's thoughts? Could get close to 29. 32's access issues good for age class? 33's age class recovered enough?  I know 36a, 36b, and 36c very well and could hunt from my house but not too thrilled overall with the 36s right now. Leaning 34a..

Mostly just creating a thread here - ha

Any words of wisdom? 

 

[oz31p]

Don’t ask me , I read your post twice before I realized your talking bonus points not antler points 

[WHT_MTNMAN]

Well I'll give some of my thoughts. 

33 is still struggling, 36s are tough 36c would be my choice of all the 36s. 

I would look at 34s and 35s. 35s have some great bucks in them, if you can put in the time and have access. 

29 would be my choice above all if you could draw it, I don't even know it well I've just seen some great bucks come out of there 

 

[Big or Bust]

1 minute ago, WHT_MTNMAN said:

Well I'll give some of my thoughts. 

33 is still struggling, 36s are tough 36c would be my choice of all the 36s. 

I would look at 34s and 35s. 35s have some great bucks in them, if you can put in the time and have access. 

29 would be my choice above all if you could draw it, I don't even know it well I've just seen some great bucks come out of there 

 

These are my thoughts as well about exactly. I know 35a pretty good too. Likely 2nd place as of now...

Thanks for thoughts. 

[Ed67]

I had 36A late two years ago that I drew with 5 points. Saw a lot of bucks but nothing worth shooting, but it was very warm for a December hunt. I wouldn’t apply for it again. 
I like 33, would consider 36B for late. Good luck. 

[HyNoon]

8 hours ago, WHT_MTNMAN said:

Well I'll give some of my thoughts. 

33 is still struggling, 36s are tough 36c would be my choice of all the 36s. 

I would look at 34s and 35s. 35s have some great bucks in them, if you can put in the time and have access. 

29 would be my choice above all if you could draw it, I don't even know it well I've just seen some great bucks come out of there 

 

36c had a  ranch close this year and block off a lot of access as well. 

[thegunsmith2506]

29 has some rough country that I bet doesn't get touched. My moms family owned property around Rucker Canyon years ago. They killed some giant bucks back in the day. Some day I will venture back there. 

[Red Rabbit]

8 points would not get you into the bonus pass for the December hunts in 23 or 29.  Last year, Dec 29 required 9 BP.  But you could always roll the dice in hopes for drawing in the 1-2 pass.  Units 23 or 29 would add some interest and challenge if you wanted different new territory.

[Big or Bust]

Yeah. A bit short for 29...

[trphyhntr]

Kaibab archery. The late coues hunts are like a 4th season general tag. 

[Big or Bust]

Agree. But I am burning so I can get back to hunting AZ coues every year and get these points off my back. Only doing as I will have 3 weeks. Not waiting any longer....

[IA Born]

Take this for what its worth, but I had the late Dec 35A tag in 2022.  My good friend is the retired WM for 35A.  I had limited time to hunt, but made it work.  We saw one smallish buck the whole time and my friend was telling me 35A was declining in quality.  That was back in 2022 and I haven't hunted 35A since (and I LOVE 35A).  I started hitting 34A, based on my friend's recommendation. I wish I had enough points to get a late Dec 34A tag.