OVER THE COUNTER DEER

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 30, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Oct-30-16 AT 04:32PM (MST)[p]Hello m.m. friends . I've never posted in this state before but figured I'd reach out. I have undergone 2 sergeries since May, and am possibly facing a third on the near future. I had to give up my Gila elk tag(I'm a n.m. resident ) this year due to these darn surgeries. I'm curious if your state offers any over the counter deer opportunities that would be worth the drive ,so I might possibly get to hunt something as my January tag hangs in the balance . In no way am I looking for anyone's best spot, just a yes-no and possibly a unit . If anyone would care to help I'd appreciate it. Thank you, god bless.

cmbbulldog · Oct 30, 2016

Yep. You can hunt all of January with a bow during the rut. Great fun. Pick up a javelina tag to boot in many areas. You can basically hunt the whole state south of the ditch. Good luck.

bonecollector777 · Oct 30, 2016

Lots of good hunting in January here. Check the regs for open units but most units are open south of the Grand Canyon. A few I know of that aren't are 3a/3c and 4b. The deer will be rutting so it's always fun. Can hunt javelina as well in most units and always can get a lion tag if you're feeling super lucky. I'd say 23 would be a good unit but there are always a million people running around there. Can still produce nice bucks but lots of pressure. Southern az has some good units with less pressure.

BUGLEnmIN · Oct 31, 2016

Man you guys are awesome, I do believe I may do that!!! I have extensive knowledge for quite a few species here in n.m. so maybe we can trade a couple starring points if you feel like it , if not that's fine too. Thanks again

Dirtbag · Oct 31, 2016

You might also consider Az Unit 27. It is next door to NM unit 23 and holds monster coues and some good muleys....

BUGLEnmIN · Nov 1, 2016

Dirt bag thank u , that would be great . is it Otc?

Dirtbag · Nov 1, 2016

>Dirt bag thank u , that
>would be great . is
>it Otc?

Yes, OTC....January 1st -31st..... you need to purchase hunting license and archery deer tag.

DoeNob · Nov 8, 2016

Hunted OTC last year in central AZ w/ an outfitter (A3).

We got into deer every day, saw 170 class top end. As was mentioned, if you come absolutely get a Javelina tag, I could have shot 20 of them.

Didn't end up harvesting in 5 days, but they weren't in the rut just quite yet, I was there early (Dec 16-21).

I would wait till after NYE to go, but yes, it can be a great hunt

BUGLEnmIN · Nov 8, 2016

Thank you all for the insight, it is much appreciated. Hope to be there for Jan 1 2017

GilaJeff · Nov 14, 2016

And I think your license will be good for January, next AUG-SEP,and then December.

BUGLEnmIN · Dec 8, 2016

>And I think your license will
>be good for January, next
>AUG-SEP,and then December.

I thought if I buy a tag in Jan of 2017 it was good for Nov & Dec 2017???

stw · Dec 8, 2016

your az hunting license is good for 1 year from purchased date, and archery otc deer tag is good for that calendar year.

BUGLEnmIN · Dec 10, 2016

>your az hunting license is good
>for 1 year from purchased
>date, and archery otc deer
>tag is good for that
>calendar year.

Yessir but what months

brian390 · Dec 10, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Dec-11-16 AT 05:46AM (MST)[p]In a lot of the units that are open it's not too hard to find rutting deer. If you hunt any of the units north of Phoenix just go to the cedar trees and glass from a hill and it should be decent. If you hunt the desert say from Phoenix south it's usually better hunting in January, and the deer are a little harder to find.