Thoughts on draw

[trphyhntr]

We’re in the death throes. 

[creed]

On 5/18/2026 at 9:23 PM, trphyhntr said:

We’re in the death throes. 

I agree. How does it stop or with the current drought, population explosion and lack of predator control does it? The Dept isn't going to implement any real tag reductions, the drought is ongoing and population growth has too much big money behind it to slow down.

 

The desert mule deer is in serious trouble.

[Flatlander]

1 hour ago, creed said:

 

The mule deer is in serious trouble.

Fixed it

[Flashgun]

I have a feeling the point creep on the Bab will be pretty bad as a lot of east side applicants hop to the west after the fire

[Flatlander]

3 hours ago, Flashgun said:

I have a feeling the point creep on the Bab will be pretty bad as a lot of eat side applicants hope to the west after the fire

Buy the dip, hunt the burn.

[Northern Pintail]

On 5/17/2026 at 8:58 AM, goinhuntn said:

Curious as to what some of you would? I have 12 points for deer. I have been holding out for late Kaibab & the strip, but I have along way to go unless I get lucky. My question is even if I did draw my scouting would be limited 1 or 2 trips to a unit I have never set foot in & will not hire a guide. I thought about burning my points on a unit I can scout almost every weekend & know the unit well. There have been some big deer taken out of this unit, but they are far & few between. If I scout all summer long I think I could find a respectable buck. Just curious what some of you would do, would you hold out or burn points & find a respectable buck in a lesser unit? I know there is the potential of a 170 to 180 class buck in this unit.

I think you're looking at it wrong but maybe you're not     Are you just looking to shoot a 170s type buck or are you looking for a type of experience     I like hunting rutting deer and size doesn't matter as much     
 

if you're looking to shoot a 170 your best option is to hunt the same unit as many times as possible and you might finally find one   As mentioned, having the best tag once every 20 years doesn't give you a good chance at killing a big buck

[bojangles]

I’m really struggling as to what hunt to put in for this year.  I’m not interested in a 180.  I got 17 points, and willing to hold. I’m kind of frustrated at reports from some of the premier units up north.  I’d like a chance at a 200 plus.  

[trphyhntr]

43 minutes ago, bojangles said:

I’m really struggling as to what hunt to put in for this year.  I’m not interested in a 180.  I got 17 points, and willing to hold. I’m kind of frustrated at reports from some of the premier units up north.  I’d like a chance at a 200 plus.  

Bonus point 

[naturebob]

32 minutes ago, trphyhntr said:

Bonus point 

Always some big deer up there and a few Giants. I would put in , if drawn Scout a few times ,if You don't like what you see use point guard and wait 3-4 years ......................BOB!

[WHT_MTNMAN]

2 hours ago, bojangles said:

I’m really struggling as to what hunt to put in for this year.  I’m not interested in a 180.  I got 17 points, and willing to hold. I’m kind of frustrated at reports from some of the premier units up north.  I’d like a chance at a 200 plus.  

The worst part of it all is that I don't see mule deer across the west getting better any time soon. IF we get lots of good rain and feed we will have a few good years coming up but the way it has been going its only getting worse, way worse not better. 

Take for example last year, there were only 3 or 4 legit 200" bucks taken across the state. 5-7 years ago even that number was probably more like 20-30. 

I can tell you I scouted the Kaibab in 2019 and I figured I saw 8-10 bucks within a inch or two of 200" and bigger.  The last 2 years I scouted it and hunted it and saw 1. that is a small sample size but very indicative of the downhill slide of mule deer that I've seen across the units i hunt in AZ, CO, and UT. 

[WHT_MTNMAN]

I've seen it said and I truly believe it, a true 180' is the new 200" 

[idgaf]

Houston is right on this.  The sliding scale of animal size is for all animals in arizona.  The 400 bulls of the past are now 350. 

[trphyhntr]

5 hours ago, naturebob said:

Always some big deer up there and a few Giants. I would put in , if drawn Scout a few times ,if You don't like what you see use point guard and wait 3-4 years ......................BOB!

Draw strip and scout a few times? Just to see if it’s good. Most people can’t do that. They’re mostly committed at that point 

[Big or Bust]

I was on the Strip last year, late. Few big boys killed but it's epic down. 

Guides were competing for 170" deer. If you wanted bigger you stayed the whole hunt. Bud killed like a 180" last day and there was fierce competition.....

It's a new world for AZ mule deer....

[trphyhntr]

8 minutes ago, Big or Bust said:

I was on the Strip last year, late. 

Guides were competing for 170" deer. If you wanted bigger you stayed the whole hunt. Bud killed like a 180" last day and there was fierce competition.....

It's a new world for AZ mule deer....

My buddy was there and killed a giant after 4 weeks scouting leading up. the biggest they saw before was like 160.