Buck-only hunting was instituted in 1893, and the season was gradually reduced until 1913 when the new state legislature authorized a two-month season and a two-buck bag limit. 30B. Whitetail deer also exist in these areas so be sure of the species. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! A youth hunter, whose 18th birthday occurs after opening day of a Youth-Only designated hunt for which the hunter has a valid permit or tag, may continue to participate for the duration of the Youth-Only designated hunt. . In Arizona, predation on deer is mainly by coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. Young Appear: June-August Average Arizona OTC mule deer coues deer. The Mule Tails are the hills south of the Mule Mountains. Generally they prefer the more rugged country. White-tailed Deer Overview: Unit 30B has a relatively small population of whitetail deer in relationship to nearby units. Arizona Sportsmen access in unit 30B continues to be reduced. Talking to the locals in these areas might give an archery hunter some good tips on where to find the Javelina. Javelina forage on the warmest slopes first during cold weather. 702.847.8747 Remember that." The west side of the Dragoon Mountains can be reached by taking Highway 80 south of I-10 at Benson. Area: The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest so a forest service map will help you with the road system. Remember, good landowner relations begin with you. Another access point for the Mule Tails is from the Paul Spur Road, this road intersects Highway 80 about halfway between Bisbee and Douglas. As of April 1, 2022, all of the OTC deer seasons will now be enforced by harvest limits and hunters will be required to report their deer harvest 48 hours of taking their deer (details will be published in the 2022-2023 Arizona Hunting Regulations booklet and updated here when available). Plan your Arizona big game hunt with interactive unit boundary maps before you apply. Sign up for a free account to see what they said. One road form High Lonesome Rd. We also guide hunts for southern Arizona mule deer in units 27, 28, 30A, 31, and 32. Access into the southwest corner of the Mule Mountains can be gained off Highway 92 between Sierra Vista and Bisbee. Typical mule deer antler configuration has each side branching equally into two main beams, each may fork into two tines. Pre-season scouting will improve your hunt success. Please identify the deer before taking a shot as whitetail are expanding into mule deer habitat. Residential development has increased in the Pearce/Sunsites area, resulting in a loss of areas to hunt. Overall, the unit has approximately 125.5 square miles of whitetail deer habitat of medium to low density. Javelina can be found on all habitat types and topography in this unit, from the flats where they are hard to spot, all the way up to the tops of the mountain ranges in the oak woodlands. Javelina forage on the warmest slopes first during cold weather. High desert grassland communities characterize elevations of 3500 to 5000 between the mountain ranges. Access into the southwest corner of the Mule Mountains can be gained off of Highway 92 between Sierra Vista and Bisbee. You must log in or register to reply here. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. Bed sites are commonly used on a regular basis. 30B is a hard unit. User Scores. To access the San Pedro River and St. David, get off of I-10 at Benson. Scores. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest so a forest service map will help you with the road system and the access points. Access across private property from Highway 80 and Curtis Flats Road junction, east across the Dragoon Mountain Ranch to the Coronado National Forest boundary has been lost to residential development. I was talking after church this morning and mentioned unit 30 and one guy was saying they had some illegals turn themselves in to them while hunting there a few years ago. One thing to remember when you are in the Mule Mountains is the private land, most will be posted, so respect the ranchers wishes. 7 posts Page 1 of 1 Return to "Rifle Hunting - Big Game" Jump to Both species can be found in agricultural fields near Richland, Sunsites, Elfrida, McNeal, and St. David, as well as in the desert areas near water sources. Arizona State Land Department (520) 628-5480 Southern Arizona Mule deer and - whitetail. The department will also have a section on its website dedicated to the status of these units. From the West: State Hwy 82, 90, 92, Charleston Rd The quail populations suffer from drought and respond favorably to average to above average rainfall. If you need your Hunter Education card before your hunt, get ahead of the game and register now. Some extra scouting, and hiking into the more inaccessible areas, may help you take a larger buck. 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200 Deer Hunting in Arizona Game Management Unit 29 . Its forehead is much darker than its face, while its throat, belly and inner leg are white. Whitetail can also be found along the San Pedro River, but the thick vegetation can make it difficult to get a good clean shot at a buck. White Water Draw is a 1400-acre+ area that was purchased by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. 191; southerly on U.S. Hwy. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest and a forest service map will help you with the road system. 2023 Western Hunting Application Deadlines, New feature released on Insider Hunt Planner, Point Tracker: Your first step in researching hunts, How to import waypoints from other sources to GOHUNT Maps, Dialing in your fitness now to be ready for fall, Research your way to big bucks with a tool you're probably not using, The ABCs of finding a legit hunting partner. Beginning at U.S. Hwy. During this past winter, the area received adequate rainfall and as a result, rabbit numbers are up, and provide an increased small game hunting opportunity. Continue down Highway 80 past Tombstone. Take Forest Service Road 687 north along the west side of the mountain into the West Stronghold. Send us an email at [emailprotected] to learn more. A large amount of the unit is private property (>40%). The Sulphur Springs Valley is predominately private land, so obtain permission before going afield, and remember not to shoot within 1/4 of a mile of occupied buildings or residents. Jim Heffelfinger, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 555 N Greasewood Road, Tucson, AZ 85745, USA. It just takes more effort on the hunters part. Please identify the deer before taking a shot as whitetail are expanding into mule deer habitat. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. Javelina can be found along the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA), but the thick vegetation can make it difficult to locate them. Due to the climate and elevation, the habitat types vary from oak woodlands in the highest elevations of the mountains, down to semi- desert grasslands, and Chihuahuan desert scrub in the valleys. Overview: Javelina can be found throughout Unit 30B. The Javelina often go into the populated areas causing problems for residents. Drive east on Hwy. Also, access from the Paul Spur/Border Road on Highway 80, toward Douglas. The west side of the Gunnisons are not accessible by vehicle. If you plan on hunting in higher elevation, as a rule of thumb, expect the tempture to decrease roughly 5 for every 1000' in elevation gain. 30B. Near the Bisbee Airport, there are dirt roads that will take you into the Mule Tails. These areas are considered critical access with extensive time being devoted to secure sportsmen access in the area, which has benefited many mule deer, javelina, quail, and dove hunters in the past. Check your email for a confirmation message. One of the ranchers around Douglas got into trouble this spring for roughing 2 of them up a bit and has to pay $78,000 in civil penalties for causing mental anguish so don't kick any. Access from the Dragoon exit on I-10 is another option. by arizonaelitefreak Sun Aug 09, 2009 12:11 pm, Post Mule deer are not limited to any one type of terrain, being found from sparse, low deserts to high forested mountains. . Create a free account to read the rest of this deer hunting note! Turn east on the Middle-March road and drive approximately 10 miles until you reach the Forest Service Boundary. The size and number of 'points' is dependent on a combination of age, nutrition, and genetic background. Pre-season scouting will improve your hunt success. IMPORTANT the mule deer and white-tailed deer are found in the same habitat types in this unit. Deer feed on grasses and forbs in the spring and summer, however, they are primarily browsers. I would welcome any suggestions or experiences for this unit, I am headed up the weekend of 9/11 for a scouting trip. By 1970, fewer than 16,000 deer were taken and hunt success had fallen to 16 percent. Rifle and archery mule deer hunts. Approximately 2.5 miles south of Tombstone, take Davis Road east to High Lonesome Road and south to access the east side of the mountain. Topographical maps will help you get around the rest of the unit. If a person is applying for a Youth-Only hunt and a regular hunt on the same application, the higher of the tag fees must be enclosed. The Lucky Hills Ranch has sportsmen/landowner respect signs posted at all access points along the Charleston Road. There are 1 OTC hunts in this unit. The portion of the Mule Mountains south of Highway 80 between Bisbee and Douglas, called the Mule Tails, has access points along Highway 80 in Mule Gulch, milepost 350, and the Warren Road east of Bisbee. 1051. These populations are isolated to the Dragoon Mountains and the southern end of the Mule Mountains near Bisbee. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region V (520) 628-5376 82, and the Schieffelin Monument area west of Tombstone. The Javelina often go into the populated areas causing problems for residents. These hunts are before . Area: Cottontails can be found throughout the unit with little effort on the part of the hunter. Lower elevations of both the Dragoon and Mule Mountains have mule deer habitat, but the rolling hills and flats also have a number of deer during the hunting season. See the Access Information for details. Camping is allowed on BLM and Forest Service administered public lands. In 1961, an all-time high of 91,120 deer hunters took 35,897 deer. Restricted access in the Mule Mountains makes it difficult to get to the Mearns habitat. 345, m.p. Having a copy of the dove hunting regulations with you is a good precaution. AZGF hunting license can be purchase and you can apply for the AZ draw on online at www.azgfd.gov website. Plan your Arizona big game hunt with an interactive unit boundary map. Go through town and take the exit for Highway 80 to St. David. At higher elevations, the fawns are born early after the last spring storms to allow the young to grow large enough to withstand the winter storms. Access along the east side of the Mountain exists at the Golden Rule Road, off the Dragoon Road. Recently, residential development in the Pearce/Sunsite area has increased, thus eliminating areas to hunt. To the East of the mountain ranges, Sulphur Springs Valley runs from the Mexico Border, north to I-10. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest and a forest service map will help you with the road system. Distribution: 90ft-10K ft, statewide except extreme southwest corner of state This area is being developed so be aware of the residences in the area. Overview: Unit 4A has both general firearms deer and archery deer hunting opportunities. When hunting the flats and agriculture fields in the valleys, obtain permission from landowners before going afield, and do not shoot within a 1/4 of a mile from occupied buildings or residents. Pre-season scouting is a good idea in these areas. We will definitely return to Arizona to hunt mule deer again!Be sure to Subscribe to Kurt Belding and Steve Ficco's hunting channel here on YouTube where they bring you Hunting adventures to wherever you may be watching from. Unit 3A/3C is a unit that improved greatly when most of it burned 2002. When fully grown, the antlers harden, the velvet dries, and is rubbed off. One (1) deer per calendar year except as prescribed in R12-4-120. I can't help you out, but welcome to MuleyMadness. These hunts are before any of the adult rifle hunts and hunting pressure is light. There are two dirt roads off of the High Lonesome that will access the eastern side of the Mules. Access is gained from Highway 80 at Mule Gulch, milepost 350, and the Warren Road (south of Highway 80, east of Bisbee). Since then, another series of droughts has occurred and deer hunting opportunity is again being curtailed. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region V - 520 628-5376 . Access into the Mule Mountains is very limited compared to the Dragoon Mountains. Overall, we are below average, however rain occurred throughout the winter/spring and created green-up and the quail may respond. Staying on Warren Road to Bisbee Junction will take you to the Border Road (the International Border between Arizona and Mexico) there are various access roads from the Border Road into the Mule Tails. When driving east on Highway 92 from Sierra Vista to Bisbee. Knowledge of land status relating to ownership is as important as hunting skills in this unit, since so much of mule deer habitat is on private land in the unit. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? The Mule Mountains offer good deer densities with the unit. Archery deer nonpermit-tags are only valid for one calendar year and require mandatory harvest reporting. Staying on the Warren Road to Bisbee Junction will take you to the Border Road (the International Border between Arizona and Mexico) there are various access roads from the Border Road into the Mule Tails. In this Episode we head down to the dry desert hills of Arizona in search of a monster mule deer. One of the easiest ways to access the Mule Mountains is to take Highway 80 south of I-10 at Benson continue down Highway 80 past Tombstone. Overview: Cottontails are fairly abundant in the unit, although average rainfall has been lacking in the area during the year. Privacy Notice | 30B - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google. Arizona also has good mule deer hunting in other areas of the state. Even this was deemed excessive by the state's sportsmen, and a public initiative in 1916 reduced the limit to one buck deer to be taken during the month of October. Access is gained from Highway 80 at Mule Gulch, milepost 350, and the Warren Road (south of Highway 80, east of Bisbee). 80. I guess getting high enough to glass the flats would be a start but wondering if certain areas hold a larger concentration of deer over others. One thing to remember when you are in the Mule Mountains is the private land, most will be posted, so respect the ranchers wishes. by arizonaelitefreak Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:16 pm, Post Thanks for any input. This area is being developed so be aware of the residence in the area. Undoubtedly, the OTC archery hunts for Arizona mule deer and Coues deer have become some of the more publicized opportunity hunts in the west. To reduce the frustration, it is a good idea to scout the unit and secure access into a desired area before applying for a whitetail permit in the unit. The Department offers Youth-Only designated hunts, in which persons are eligible to participate up to their 18th birthday. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Overall, we are below average, however rain occurred throughout the winter/spring and created green-up and the quail may respond. This road travels toward the mountain, to Henry Canyon, and eventually connects to the Middle-March Road pending passable road conditions. This was our first trip to Arizona to hunt mule deer and we had our work cut out for us! Deer Hunting Seasons & Areas, Any valid hunting or combination license EXCEPT a Short-term Combination Hunt and Fish and an Apprentice Hunting License. Past problems including littering, vandalism, off-road travel, trespass, and leaving gates open have created hardships with local landowners and have resulted in access closure. 30B, 21, 6A (last December hunt) - Second choice. Mule deer occur throughout the unit, with the majority being found on National Forest lands in the southern part of the unit. These populations are isolated to the Dragoon Mountains and the southern end of the Mule Mountains near Bisbee. The area between Davis Road, north to the Gleason Road can be accessed off of both the Gleason and Davis Roads at several locations. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest and can be accessed from the north at Dragoon. Thanks for any input. Within the unit are two major mountain ranges; the Mule and Dragoon Mountains. Access is gained from Highway 80 at Mule Gulch, milepost 350, and the Warren Road (south of Highway 80, east of Bisbee). 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