Unit 36a

[MTGriz]

I drew the mid-Nov. hunt in unit 36a. If anybody has any insight or information on this area, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

[EBB]

White-tailed Deer

Overview: Unit 36A supports a good population of white-tailed deer. White-tailed deer are found on every mountain range in the Unit, even the small sets of mountains adjacent to the flats.

 

White-tailed deer seem to like the more rugged and steep slopes of the mountains in the unit. They are also found in some of the lower desert that most hunters would consider mule deer country. In the foothills as well as in some of the desert areas both mule deer and white-tailed deer can be found together. The occurrence of white-tailed deer in lower elevations has increased for the past six years. These desert areas will usually have ocotillo present similar to those found between the Sierrita, Cerro Colorado, and Las Guijas mountains.

 

White-tailed Deer have been nicknamed the “gray ghost” because of their ability to remain concealed. They are relatively small and hard to find. Glassing them is the best way to find them. It allow the hunter the opportunity to find the deer before the deer finds him and plan a stalk. White-tailed deer are very fast and once they are spooked they clear out of the country without hesitation.

 

*Please read special note at the bottom of this hunt unit report regarding Undocumented Aliens in this hunt unit.

36A Access

Access is now most easily obtained off of McGee Ranch Road through a gate about 4 to 4 ½ miles west of Mission Road. This road is at the south end of this area and roads will take you into the low country on the east side of the Sierrita Mountains. There are several roads that go out to the east towards Mission road but they are hard to follow and they are not on maps.

 

There is a locked gate going into a half section of state land at the west end of Pima Mine road. This road is a deeded road and is private property running through the state land and is legally locked.

 

From the Northeast you can enter from Ocotillo Ranch road off of Mission Road. This route is tricky because you will need to travel southwest through the subdivision to the power line road. Once on the power line travel west to the State land fence. From this Point you can either travel west along the power line or you can travel southwest toward the Sierrita Mountains and McGee Road. There is no longer access through the Navarro Ranch, Indian Kitchen, or the Ruby Star Area. It may be easier to access this area from the McGee Road.

 

The Sierrita mountains are found in the center of the hunt unit and are the largest and the highest mountain range in the unit. These mountains have no public vehicular access to the top of the mountain. The main roads on the east and west sides are legally locked on private property. Foot access is allowed into this area.

 

As of August 2004 the McGee Ranch Access road has been locked off by Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation. Access is still allowed up to the locked gate but vehicles can no longer access the mine property for liability purposes. The Game and Fish Department and the McGee Ranch are currently working on an alternate route but until a right of way can be approved and constructed, Sportsman will not be able to access the area owned by Phelps Dodge. This area will lock off access to the roads around Horse pasture Hill.

 

Phelps Dodge was concerned about vandalism problems, target shooting, unsafe OHV use, and camping on their property. They also had an incident occur when a target shooter shot through the windshield of one their trucks while the operator was driving down a mine road.

 

Access to the northwest side of the Sierrita mountains can be obtained be taking Ajo road, HWY 86, west out of Tucson to Sierrita Mountain road and then south on Sierrita Mountain road to the end of the pavement. Continue south on the dirt road though a cattle guard and staying on the main traveled road that will veer to the left. This road will take you to the base of the mountains as well as having several roads that leave it. These roads will also take you to different part of the valley giving you access to different parts of the mountains.

 

This area is constantly being developed and many of the roads run across private property. When the landowners start construction at their site, they sometimes put up a fence and lock off the road. There is no right away across these private lands and they can close the roads. There is no way to predict which roads will be closed during this next year.

 

Access to the north end of the Sierrita mountains can be obtained be taking Sierrita Mountain road to the end of the pavement. The paved road turns west and is called Diamond Bell Road. Take the dirt road to the east about three quarters of a mile and go through the gate. As you travel North east in this area it borders the Tohono O’Odham Indian Reservation so pay attention to signs on fences. The Reservation is not included in 36A and if you are Trespassing or hunting on Tohono O’Odham Land you are subject to Tribal Laws.

 

Access to the southeast corner of the Sierrita mountains can be obtained by taking the Canoa road exit off Interstate 19. Take frontage road to the north and then the first road, which is Calle Tres go to the end of the pavement, where there is a gate about 40 yards south. This road will allow access to the area to the east of the Caterpillar property.

 

The second route to access this area is to go south on the frontage road to the first gate south of the rest area. This road will allow access to the southeastern portion of the unit and the area south of the Caterpillar property.

 

The Caterpillar Proving Grounds is closed to rifle hunting and access to hunt the property (even from the perimeter) must be granted on a daily basis. Trespassers can be cited for Trespassing or Hunting in a closed area.

 

The Caterpillar Proving Grounds property line is just west of the El Paso Gas line road. It runs south along the El Paso Gas line from the Duval Mine to approximately Escondido Wash. From there it runs along a legally posted fence line west approximately three miles. The boundary then runs North to the Duval Mine Dump.

 

Access to the southern portion of the Sierrita mountains can be obtained by taking one of the two roads off Arivaca Road on either side of milepost 18. The road to the east going north next to the Marley Cattle Company's barn will give you access to the southeast portion of the mountain. The road to the west is the Batamote road and will give you access to the southwest portion of the mountain. This road also leads to the Tinaja mountain, which is in the Caterpillar Proving Grounds.

 

The Cerro Colorado mountains are in the south central portion of the hunt unit. They are the most rugged of the unit’s mountains. Access around and into these mountains can be acquired off Arivaca road from most of the roads that go north off Arivaca road from milepost 17.5 to the road about a half-mile west of milepost 9. You may also access this area by taking the Batamote Rd (mp 17.5) to the Batamote Ranch, then head south and all the roads to the east head into the Cerro Colorado.

 

The Las Guijas Mountains run along the southwestern portion of the unit from the town of Arivaca to the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. Access to this mountain range can be gained from any of the roads north off Arivaca road from milepost 9 through Arivaca to five miles east of Sasabe highway or Hwy 286.

 

Access to the north side of the Las Guijas mountains is obtained from the east by taking either of the roads near milepost 9 or 7 north off Arivaca road then go west on the road to the Montana Ranch house. Access can also be gained off of mile posts 5 and 3 but these roads are not traveled as much. There are several roads going north and south off this road. Access can also be obtained from the west by taking the Secundino road at milepost 16 east off of HWY 286 and continuing east off the refuge.

 

Access to the western portion of the hunt unit can be obtained from Sasabe Hwy (286). There are numerous roads going to the east off the Hwy. Many of these roads will take you to the base of the mountains with some of the roads taking you all the way around the mountains coming out on Arivaca road or even Interstate 19.

 

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in the southwest portion of the unit is open to hunting (Except quail and predators) and camping. The Refuge also has stricter regulations regarding the use of OHV’s and carrying loaded firearms in vehicles. Contact the Refuge for specific regulations that apply to hunting and camping on the Refuge at 520-823-4251.

 

The best maps to get for this unit are the USGS Topographic maps. These maps will give detailed information on the location of most of the roads and waters, as well as the terrain features of the unit. They are available from map and survey supply stores as well as some outdoor equipment supply stores. Maps depicting the land ownership are available from the State Land Department at 233 N. Main, Tucson, 85701.

 

The BLM map is also good to have, it has a larger scale so all of the area is on one map. You will need the “Sells” map for this area

 

*SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS:

 

Unit 36A is in one of the corridors for Undocumented Aliens (UDA’s) to travel through while attempting to enter the United States. Evidence of UDA’s can be found throughout the unit and will include hundreds of trails, abandoned vehicles, clothing, water jugs/bottles, backpacks and numerous other items that a UDA will discard along their route.

 

Over the past few years, hunters have reported more and more groups of UDA’s and even an occasional drug load. Hunters are advised to use caution while hunting and camping in this area. Lock up all vehicles and secure all items of value when you are out of your campsite or parking area.

 

To report UDA’s call the Border Patrol at 1-877-872-7435 or in case of an emergency contact 911.

 

 

Hope this helps and Be Safe.

EBB

[MTGriz]

Thanks a bunch! This is more than helpful. Thanks again!

[azshtr]

That was directly from the Game and Fish web site. Check there for a lot of help. Its actually a pretty good source of information.

[Guest 300ultramag.]

BP