o******s
发帖数: 1364 | 1 Background: Took first archery lesson late Dec. 12. Purchased my bow in Jan
13 and started practicing under the guidance of my mentor (previously a pro
archer who competes with PSE's Frank Pearson) in March. Compound, 26in DL,
65# DW.
Our archery only deer runs Aug. 23rd - Sept. 12th and then Dec. 13th-Jan.31
this season. So I decided to try my luck for the summer hunt as preparation
for winter (familiarizing the hike, scout for path, etc.). Talked to many
local hunters and my mentor, realize that it is a tough but not impossible
hunt over the summer. Some suggested staying near tanks/water holes. Since I
don't have several days in a row to spend at the same spot, and it's
already towards the end of the summer season (too busy/hot before this
weekend to do real scouting) so deers are likely some hike away, I decided
to take a long trek on a route suggested by my mentor.
Pumped with excitement, I went to a local range on Saturday and practiced
one last time.
My sight is set for 20-60. I know that if I have a shot at 70 and if I must
take it, I will take it. So I used the bubble as my sight for 70 and voila!
We also have a 3D course. The longest shot is at 60 yards with this bear. I
practiced on this one. All arrows are on. The 3 arrows grouped together (and
the one at 70) are when I'm completely focused on the pin. When I focus on
target, my arrows tend to spread much wider.
Also did broadhead practice up to 70. All shots are on in the vital region.
The pictures are too blurred to show. | o******s
发帖数: 1364 | 2 With the 3D bear target, you get a feel of hunting in the desert --- no
trees, but still possible camouflage in cactus. Deer residence are deep in
the mountains, they trek out to water catchment during the day.
I live in a satellite city in the valley and close to the mountains, but
still it is very urban. Drove 45 min to the trail head. Started hiking at 4:
20am. It is supposed to be a 5 mile hike, but the elevation change is over
600ft, up and down 2 ridges, so it is not trivial, especially with all my
gear and 3 gallons of water in my backpack. My mentor said if we can
get there before 6am and set up, we might have a shot. (This is my very
first hike into that area, without much chance of scouting before hand, so I
expected that it's more like a scout than a hunt, even though I took all my
gear out.)
The hike turns out to be really tough, as we are mostly trekking on deer
trail and river bed, with no designated hiking trails and full of cactus.
Also we have to watch out for rattle snakes, especially in the dark. The
gators we bought are useful but still too hot. I quickly get sweated out.
On the way in we saw several water catchment.
Deer tracks are right next to it --- we are on the right track!
The hike started at point A from the far background, where there is a hint
of trail. Down in the valley the gps doesn't work well and led us to a very
tough saddle climb at entry point B. It saves us a small bit of distance,
but the climb was tough and we wasted a lot of time. At C, we are close to
the hunting point, but it's already 8am.
Climbing up the final bit of mountain covered in saguaro, ocotillo, prickly
bear and jumping cactus, we finally arrive at the spot, and started scent
spraying again. | o******s
发帖数: 1364 | 3 On the way in, close to point B, we saw a rabbit. The rabbit ran away but
just hid under a cactus tree, thinking he is away from my sight. Thought for
one second (shame, shouldn't have even thought) if I would take it, I
decided to go for it, as it is very likely that I don't get a deer this time
. Ranged the distance at 17 yard. Focused on the pin, and my first broadhead
kill. Aimed a bit too low as it is not the standard pin distance. The hit
was on the leg. Saw it run and waited out a minute or two until it dies.
Weighs 2lb 3oz after getting home.
We are on the saddle at 8:20. Still full of cactus on the ridge, but as we
descend, we saw some long grass with clear hint of animal making bed. This
is it, I think. We scouted for about 40 min to 1 hour, no sign of movement -
-- we are here too late. | o******s
发帖数: 1364 | 4 In addition to the hint of bedding, also saw several different types of poop
. We can identify those of javalina, but not sure about the pictured ones.
The small ones are right at the bedding area. Size wise they look like those
from goat, but the fresh ones (pic not taken) are not black, more yellow-
brown. Does it belong to deer? I'm not sure what the other one is linked to
either.
Also saw a lot of muzzleloader shells. I think there are animals in that
area.
On the way out, thought about calling in animals, but it started to rain
pretty bad, so we rushed out and arrived at the trail head again around 1pm.
Summary --- it is a great spot, IF I can get there before they get up. It is
a tough hike, I would likely take it again in the winter to see if I have
better luck. Of course, more scouting is necessary after the gun season is
complete. Hopefully with the deers in rut, I can even get them at water
catchment before reaching their residence. | f********4
发帖数: 955 | | c*******r
发帖数: 1243 | 6 Congratulation for the 1st havest. Good shot.
Hiking 5 miles in wild place is too much, esp. in the dark. Can you use
other means, i.e. muzzleload, instead of archery? You can hardly get a shot
in this type of hunt. Surely, you don't want to miss it when the opportunity
is present.
If other means are not allowed, you may have setup and let the deer come to
you instead of chasing them in the wild. The final place you find may be the
bedding area. But, you have to be very caution to hunt the bedding. Deer
may stay their at night and leave during the light. They will find a more
secured place during the day. If they get spooked at bedding, they may move
away. But, at least, it tells you that there are some animals around. Can
you feed deer? If yes, you may want to set up a feeder close to that spot. I
would try to find deer trails around and setup 50-100 yards away from the
bedding. Do not put corn on the trail, 5-10 yards off the trail. Howwever,
even if feeding is allowed, how can you bring bags of corn to this remote
place. It would be a problem.
Another way is to bring a deer decoy. It can be light weight. Put some deer
urine around the decoy (not on the decoy). We have found that it worked for
buck and doe as well.
The last, you may want to analyze the bedding spot from statlite map and try
to find where the deer feed, where has density cover, where is the water
hole as well. I guess they won't be very far from here. The droppings in
your pictures are too dry. I will be more interested in fresh ones. The
fresh ones means the animals are still around. I never see goat dropping, so
cannot tell. But the smaller ones can also be rabbit's. The color of
droppings cannot tell who leaves them. But it tells you what they eat. It
would be some light color food, for example dry grass, corn etc. So, check
around you may find the food source and it would be a hot spot to hunt. | o******s
发帖数: 1364 | 7 Thanks for all the tips. We chose this spot as it has much less hunter
pressure and in late season the deers might not be close to regular trails.
I have several other alternative spots that I would check out during the
winter rut season, which is supposed to be a better hunt.
Using other means than archery is difficult as the draw success rate in this
unit is extremely low. With the over the counter archery tag, we can hunt
most units for a total of 9 weeks throughout the year, as compared to 1 week
where the tag allows.
It is illegal to use bait (at least during hunting season), such as corn in
AZ, but urine is ok. The other spots are closer to motor access, hopefully
it will be an easier hunt next time. Honestly I'm still pondering how did my
mentor drag all those 200 lb of muley for those steep 5 miles back to the
trail head...
shot
opportunity
to
the
move
【在 c*******r 的大作中提到】
: Congratulation for the 1st havest. Good shot.
: Hiking 5 miles in wild place is too much, esp. in the dark. Can you use
: other means, i.e. muzzleload, instead of archery? You can hardly get a shot
: in this type of hunt. Surely, you don't want to miss it when the opportunity
: is present.
: If other means are not allowed, you may have setup and let the deer come to
: you instead of chasing them in the wild. The final place you find may be the
: bedding area. But, you have to be very caution to hunt the bedding. Deer
: may stay their at night and leave during the light. They will find a more
: secured place during the day. If they get spooked at bedding, they may move
| T**r
发帖数: 7016 | | c*******r
发帖数: 1243 | 9 Do you hunt mule deer, not whitetail? If so, my tips may work, or may not. I
never hunt mule deer before, so not quite familiar with their habits.
You guys did right. In public hunting area, you have to put extra efforts to
avoid the crowd.
There is no way to drag a 200lb dead animal and hike 5 miles. I tried once,
my buddy and I dragged a less than 200 lb whitetail for about 800 yards in
the woods. Almost "killed" us. I guess that he might quater the deer and
brought back piece by piece.
If I were you, I may hide a trail camera at the spot you want to hunt for
upto 1 week. It will definitely help. Of cause, this is public land. You
have to take the risk of stolen. But in my opinion, it is worth a try. I
left my camera in the public land where I hunt. I have less frustrution now.
.
.
this
week
in
【在 o******s 的大作中提到】
: Thanks for all the tips. We chose this spot as it has much less hunter
: pressure and in late season the deers might not be close to regular trails.
: I have several other alternative spots that I would check out during the
: winter rut season, which is supposed to be a better hunt.
: Using other means than archery is difficult as the draw success rate in this
: unit is extremely low. With the over the counter archery tag, we can hunt
: most units for a total of 9 weeks throughout the year, as compared to 1 week
: where the tag allows.
: It is illegal to use bait (at least during hunting season), such as corn in
: AZ, but urine is ok. The other spots are closer to motor access, hopefully
| o******s
发帖数: 1364 | 10 Our tag allows for any deer, but based on what I was told, I think this herd
is muley.
I'm not sure if it's late to do trail cam for the winter season, the people
I talk to seem to suggest doing it in April.
And I will definitely quarter the deer among all hunting partners to get it
out. My mentor also suggested a tarp.
I probably will focus on those water catchments in mid-way. There is much
less climbing if I hunt there.
I
to
,
【在 c*******r 的大作中提到】
: Do you hunt mule deer, not whitetail? If so, my tips may work, or may not. I
: never hunt mule deer before, so not quite familiar with their habits.
: You guys did right. In public hunting area, you have to put extra efforts to
: avoid the crowd.
: There is no way to drag a 200lb dead animal and hike 5 miles. I tried once,
: my buddy and I dragged a less than 200 lb whitetail for about 800 yards in
: the woods. Almost "killed" us. I guess that he might quater the deer and
: brought back piece by piece.
: If I were you, I may hide a trail camera at the spot you want to hunt for
: upto 1 week. It will definitely help. Of cause, this is public land. You
| f********4
发帖数: 955 | 11 AZ太开阔了，可能更适合步枪200，300yard射击。弓箭不容易，对新手很难上手。最好
从步枪开始比较靠谱。
herd
people
it
【在 o******s 的大作中提到】
: Our tag allows for any deer, but based on what I was told, I think this herd
: is muley.
: I'm not sure if it's late to do trail cam for the winter season, the people
: I talk to seem to suggest doing it in April.
: And I will definitely quarter the deer among all hunting partners to get it
: out. My mentor also suggested a tarp.
: I probably will focus on those water catchments in mid-way. There is much
: less climbing if I hunt there.
:
: I
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