First time hunting Muleys in Arizona - OTC - seeking advice

chubalub · Jul 8, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jul-08-15 AT 06:10PM (MST)[p]I'm a student working this upcoming Fall semester in southern California. And on my way home to Texas (late November - December), I am hoping to be able to hunt mule deer in Arizona. I unfortunately can't afford to pay for a hunt on private land, so I am hoping if any of y'all would have any advice as far as how to get an OTC tag, where I should get one for, and when I should hunt for a chance at a big buck?

And if it makes any difference, I have a rifle to use, and I could probably afford to get a smoke pole if it would increase my chances of success significantly.

cmbbulldog · Jul 8, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Jul-08-15 AT 09:58PM (MST)[p]Get a bow and you can chase Mule Deer the last half of December During the rut!

bonecollector777 · Jul 8, 2015

Nearly all hunting done in AZ is done on public land. We don't have land owner tags or anything. Also the OTC tags are archery only in az. Your only hope would be to hunt a unit with your bow in December during the rut. License and tag is gonna be like $450 for you so make sure you have enough time to really hunt or it will be a waste of money.

tooele · Jul 9, 2015

No rifle or muzzleloader hunts unless you draw or there is a leftover tag from the draw. Your only option is archery.

sagebrush · Jul 9, 2015

There won't be any leftover rifle mule deer tags that time of year, but you could buy a rifle Coues deer tag in several of units down along the Mexican border.

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