AZ. Which Unit? 5 NR points

[james_wvu]

Hey guys. I have been pouring over the AZ proc trying to select a mule deer unit. I have 5 NonRes points. I know the units north of the Colorado are out of the question with my points. I'm not interested in Coues until after I get to hunt muleys. Can anyone recommend a good unit south of the Colorado? Or at least give me an idea whether I am even close to drawing a tag with 5 points?

 

[redrabbit]

There are about 2700 NR with 5 or more BP applying for deer, most in units 12&13. There are some talking about changing the NR cap wher those with less than max BP are given a chance to draw, as now all NR tags are going int eh 20% set-aside for max point holders.

You could draw a December Coues Tag with those 5 points and become addicted to the gray ghost. Or, since you have a license by applying, buy an OTC archery tag and bowhunt the Kaibab to learn 12A for when you do draw, if you decide to keep applying till you draw. In the meantime, drawing a general mule deer tag in Utah, ID or CO will be a lot easier and would give a better chance of a better buck than AZ's units south of the river. IMO, AZ'a mule deer herd south of the river is hurting and you'd be wasting the 5 years already applied by looking at say unit 10 or 27.

RR

 

[james_wvu]

I do hunt other states such as Utah, CO, Wyoming and Nevada and have points in all of them. I don't want to waste 5 points on a bad unit but I doubt I will ever draw north of the river. I guess I was trying to find out if there is a good unit south of the river worth 5 points.

 

[azscouter]

Many of the southern units (such as the 36's and 34's) hold good mule deer numbers and good mule deer as well but not many of those bucks are taken because there are no hunts during the rut. If you were able to get alot of scouting done you might want to apply for one of the 27, 28, the 5's or the 6's since they hold some nice animals. You would most likely get a tag with 5 bp's and being a non resident.