Arizona Unit 33 Early November Rifle Muley Hunt

Hi all, new to the forum, but old to the coues whitetail forum. Pulled a unit 33 early November (thought I'd try muley this time)

I've hunted 33 before, but only for whitetail, and tended to focus on the northern/eastern part of the Catalina Mountains around Saddlebrook and Peppersauce Canyon (N/W side).

Pretty much, all I've seen have been whitetail in the unit, as that's where I was hunting and looking (higher elevations). I've always done the first rifle hunt, and the deer scatter after day 2 of the hunt. This hunt is a week after 650 of my fellow hunters have been all over the unit chasing/taking coues.

Any general pointing beyond what the G&F department website so I can start scouting would be appreciated. My initial thoughts on on the fingers on the west side of the Catalina mountains?

I've heard Redington pass area, but that also there are hunters crawling over themselves and trying not to get hit by all the ATV's out on weekends.

I just broke in my second pair of boots last season, so I'm ready to wear my new pair out.

Thanks!

No tips?

How about honey holes?

Sorry, I have hunted 33 a couple times and have not even seen a mule deer in this unit. I tend to spend most my time up the mountain or at least higher elevations. Have always heard they are down lower.

Good luck

LAST EDITED ON Jul-26-17 AT 03:58PM (MST)[p]The only mule deer I have seen was south of the highway east of Oracle just before the San Manuel turn off. I would scout the north end if it was me.

The foothills and flats surrounding the Catalinas and Rincons all hold mule deer. Basically from Catalina up to Oracle, then east to San Manuel and down the old road (forgot the name) along the San Pedro River to Benson. Then west along I-10 to the unit border near Vail. I have seen nice bucks and sheds in all those areas. Redington area will have a lot of deer camps. Yes, the north side near Oracle-San Manuel is nice, but some quail hunters up there too. If you can't scout spend some time with quad maps and Google Earth and find good habitat pockets away from roads - they do exist, it's a big unit. Don't forget the flats - they can be productive - find a high spot and glass. Know that some of these areas, like near Oracle, and between Benson and Vail are becoming more and more developed. Good luck!

varnco said:

No tips?

How about honey holes?

Click to expand...

Lifelong resident of unit 33 and a rancher little rincons on the backside of the Rincon mountains is a good spot Happy valley area best thing you can do for yourself is scout the areas that you want to hunt know the areas know the trails but more so get to know the ranchers well in advance befriend them explain to them who you are what you're about asking permission and politely if you can hunt their property tell them that if you find any trash or debris you'll gladly remove that you'll report any down fences your respect their livestock remember this will go a long way ranchers will look at all hunters with great apprehension if you're going to drink shoot beer cans whatever don't even bother going we've thrown many people off our ranch for the same problem do your homework good luck Happy hunting also no the land what a state with his bureau of Land Management no everything about it cuz you're going to have to navigate that be respectful always open and close Gates and don't leave a mess

6 years later…..