area 17

[huntin40]

Hello everyone

I have area 17 for archery this year. I have already been scouting two different weekends and i was not utterly impressed. I will or at least can backpack hunt, but the water situation was scarce going in through cow and ledbetter. Does anyone have any knowledge of springs that wont be dry by the time the season comes, or should we be looking into other areas for this unit. Did not see many or big bucks either.

Thanks guys and good luck this year

-Chad

 

[TGRschank]

I have hunted that area a lot. I hunted it 2 years with a rifle and 5 years with a bow. I would still be hunting it, but I had to grow up and get a real job so I know live in Nevadafornia (vegas)and don't have enough time to hunt that far away. I have never been able to rely on water there. The areas that have a lot of water (ie Cottonwood Canyon) get a lot of hunting pressure and good size deer are few and far between. If your after a meat buck hunt a popular canyon with a year around flowing creek. If you want a wall mounter you are going to need to bring water with you.

I always packed in a lot of water on my late scouting trips. I would fill my pack with 4-5 gallons plus the water I would need for that day or two i was scouting. I would hide it good and cover it. Then I would only have to take my tent, sleeping bag, jacket, rain gear, food, and cooking equipment.

Unit 17 as a whole doesn't have high numbers of big bucks, but does have pockets with good numbers. These areas are going to be where other guys arent hunting which normally means to tough to hike and not enough water.