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ramriderarizona
Guest
I have a 13 B tag. What type of bucks have been seen this year so far? How has the drought effected the antler growth? Thanks and let me know what to expect on this hunt.
chipc
Very Active Member
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- 1,061
Sorry, I can't help you with your antler growth question. However, I don't blame you for asking. Tip, Whats wrong with the question ? Asking about the moisture is different than not knowing anything about whats going on up there. Even if he doesn't know anything about whats going on up I guess he'll find out when he gets there , eh ? Its his tag and he should be able to enjoy it the way he wants without all of us internet experts deciding how much time he should spend preparing. Just my .02. GOOD LUCK. C.C.
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bubbas
Guest
Chip,
I understand what you are saying and typically agree but I also tend to agree with Tip. I think it's fair to say those who put in for these elite units do so because they know of the trophy potential and they want a trophy. Well, if you plan on just showing up to the Strip and harvest a magazine cover buck- Good Luck! You must have better luck than me. I just hope the person with the tag plans on scouting as it gets closer to maximize his hunt or the hunt can be very demoralizing.
I understand what you are saying and typically agree but I also tend to agree with Tip. I think it's fair to say those who put in for these elite units do so because they know of the trophy potential and they want a trophy. Well, if you plan on just showing up to the Strip and harvest a magazine cover buck- Good Luck! You must have better luck than me. I just hope the person with the tag plans on scouting as it gets closer to maximize his hunt or the hunt can be very demoralizing.
BigBucks23
Member
- Messages
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ramriderarizona
I have spent the whole summer on the strip (mostly 13A), Seen some good bucks (missed a 28-30" 4pt. on the archery), but seems that the drought has put a little bit of damper on the tine length, but not a lot. The deer where really bunched up until the rains hit the end of July. After that they scattered. There is grass every where and every pond has water in it (makes for a tough hunt when there are not a lot of deer). Not sure if you have looked into getting some help for a tag that might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I give props to the DIY hunters, but I also know that this tag doesn't come every year. If you do end up needing a hand check out my fathers web sit.
Kory Bundy
www.atfirstlightguides.com/
I have spent the whole summer on the strip (mostly 13A), Seen some good bucks (missed a 28-30" 4pt. on the archery), but seems that the drought has put a little bit of damper on the tine length, but not a lot. The deer where really bunched up until the rains hit the end of July. After that they scattered. There is grass every where and every pond has water in it (makes for a tough hunt when there are not a lot of deer). Not sure if you have looked into getting some help for a tag that might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I give props to the DIY hunters, but I also know that this tag doesn't come every year. If you do end up needing a hand check out my fathers web sit.
Kory Bundy
www.atfirstlightguides.com/
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Hard_Hunter
Guest
I agree with BigBucks23! Anyone with the last name of Bundy knows what they are talking about. The drought may have put a little damper to the horn growth out there, but to my knowledge there are ponds and watering tanks everywhere so believe me the deer will find their water. If you spend your time before hand locating deer and looking for them doe's you should be fine. The more time you spend out there the better so good luck let us know how it goes
jordan
jordan
TipMOver
Active Member
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- 453
LAST EDITED ON Oct-08-07 AT 12:48PM (MST)[p]Sorry for my harshness last night. I have defended folks in the past that have come on and asked questions like you did when folks said similar things that I did last night. I think the phrase "let me know what to expect on this hunt" pushed me off the ledge.
This is arguably THE best mule deer hunt anywhere, IMO. If you are not using an outfitter, you may want to talk to the area biologist (Luke Thompson). He should be quite a bit of help. Sorry, I dont have his phone #. 13B is a HUGE chunk of dirt. I think its roughly 50 miles wide and about 75 miles tall. Deer seem to be pretty spread out. Get up there and poke around as much as you can before the hunt. If you are a NR, this could be your only shot at having the tag. Good luck!
This is arguably THE best mule deer hunt anywhere, IMO. If you are not using an outfitter, you may want to talk to the area biologist (Luke Thompson). He should be quite a bit of help. Sorry, I dont have his phone #. 13B is a HUGE chunk of dirt. I think its roughly 50 miles wide and about 75 miles tall. Deer seem to be pretty spread out. Get up there and poke around as much as you can before the hunt. If you are a NR, this could be your only shot at having the tag. Good luck!
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ramriderarizona
Guest
I have been up looking around and will do again. I did not think asking local hunters who have spent weeks or months in that unit what to expect re:weather, antler growth this year, and the mental aspects of a hunt where the deer may be scarce was sad. The photos seen in the magazines from the strip are usually the best of the best. The bucks in the photos are 185+, what type of buck does the average hunter take. It is no different than the elk hunts in 3a3c,9,10,etc the photos show 370+ but I can assure you the average bull taken in those units does not approach that average. I see hunters passing 350+BULLS because of the hype.They go home without a bull because of unrealistic expectations Isn't that what this type of forum is for in addition to posting of pictures so that a hunter can find out what is really happening in a given unit?
Also, as someone who has spent at least five weeks a year in guided hunt camps for the past fifteen years, I see the vast majority of hunters get burned out in less than a week on once in a lifetime hunts (early elk hunts and sheep hunts) in Arizona. When they arrive in camp they say they will hunt hard for the entire hunt 6-13- or even 31 day hunts and they burn out much quicker than they think. So the idea of moving up to a unit for 30 days before the hunt is unrealistic for most hunters.
Note: I did not ask where to go to find big bucks just a general question.
Also, as someone who has spent at least five weeks a year in guided hunt camps for the past fifteen years, I see the vast majority of hunters get burned out in less than a week on once in a lifetime hunts (early elk hunts and sheep hunts) in Arizona. When they arrive in camp they say they will hunt hard for the entire hunt 6-13- or even 31 day hunts and they burn out much quicker than they think. So the idea of moving up to a unit for 30 days before the hunt is unrealistic for most hunters.
Note: I did not ask where to go to find big bucks just a general question.
BigBucks23
Member
- Messages
- 50
obviously you are looking to kill the biggest buck you can, but what would you consider a shooter (typical 190+, nontypical 200+), what is the goal. While guiding out there last year we ran into several DIY hunters that had all the hopes of killing a 210" buck. The end of the story, they shot 2-2pts. with three days left, these were the first bucks they had seen. I videoed two bucks on Sat. 4x5's 190-195's, and my buddy a 4x5 that will go 200". What I'm saying is that there are some good bucks, just make sure you have a reasonable goal, if you exceed that then its a bonus. I'm going to assume that from your last comment that you are a guide, or you have been guided in the past?
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ADDICT
Guest
BigBucks23--
Does the statewide general archery season cover 13A and 13B? I didn't think over-th-counter tags were available for those units?>
I killed my antelope in 13B last month and we spent a lot of the time looking for deer. You guys are right, don't expect to see a lot of deer there but big bucks like the same types of terrain no matter what state you're in. I can't wait to to draw a rifle permit!
Does the statewide general archery season cover 13A and 13B? I didn't think over-th-counter tags were available for those units?>
I killed my antelope in 13B last month and we spent a lot of the time looking for deer. You guys are right, don't expect to see a lot of deer there but big bucks like the same types of terrain no matter what state you're in. I can't wait to to draw a rifle permit!
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ramriderarizona
Guest
Addict:
How nice were the bucks you saw while antelope hunting? How was your antelope hunt?
You can buy over the counter archery deer permits for 13A not B. I am going up in the next week or so to scout for my deer hunt.
How nice were the bucks you saw while antelope hunting? How was your antelope hunt?
You can buy over the counter archery deer permits for 13A not B. I am going up in the next week or so to scout for my deer hunt.
BigBucks23
Member
- Messages
- 50
You could buy an over the counter tag for 13A. Luke Thompson and John Simms the fish cops on the strip told during the archery hunt that it passed to go to a draw starting in 2008, they are not sure of the number of tags they will allow yet, and they will also be allowing some tags on 13B. Also the Kiabab is going to draw for this next year. In Short, everything north of the ditch will be a draw only. ramrider, have a safe scouting trip and good luck.
Kory Bundy
Kory Bundy
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ADDICT
Guest
I saw five deer that were over 180 and two were close to 200. All were in velvet the second week of September but I'm not sure if they are in the same spot during November. Here's some of the goat pics:
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID8/2816.html
Luke Thompson the 13B Manager is a cool guy.
http://www.monstermuleys.info/dcforum/DCForumID8/2816.html
Luke Thompson the 13B Manager is a cool guy.
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gilamonster8
Guest
ram ask every huntin buddy you have to go on the trip with you.The more eyes looking the better off you will be.Send them all to different areas till one of them finds a buck you need to look at.If you find a herd of doe's keep an eye on them a big buck will show at sometime during the hunt.Take all the fuel you can.Ive only hunted 13a so i cant help any on 13b but I can tell you, you may go days without seeing any deer at all. Very good luck to you. I have 10 points and hope to get the tag next year.
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ramriderarizona
Guest
That is a great looking buck. Better than most I have seen or heard about this year.
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buckfever69
Guest
My dad and brother had that same tag a few years ago and spent the money on an experienced guide. It was a tough hunt and both ended up killing smaller bucks. Good bucks, but not what you would expect from that tag. especially with a guide. It just shows how hard of a hunt it can be even with good help. If you can, I would consider a guide. Great tag, good luck.
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gilamonster8
Guest
When was the last time you were in 13a or 13b?
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bigbucks243
Guest
we was there last year and seen just bucks nothing special but if anyone knows the strip it would be the bundys, the ryan hatch group, and david virostko!
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gilamonster8
Guest
I was hunting 13a in sept. With the 13a or 13b tag if you shoot anything less than a 180 you got to be nuts. I will come home with my tag before I shoot anything less. Check out clay bundys web site i think its WWW.cbguideservice.com or the johnson bros guide service the are two of the best up there. Ive had two 13a tags in my life in 96 took a 213 buck on the 2nd to the last day. In 97 came home with my tag after chasin a 240 class and a 230 class with no regrets
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ramriderarizona
Guest
sremim:
For trophy elk hunts 390 point bulls are unrealistic, yes a few are taken but 95% of the bulls are not even close to this.
For 13B I do not know, that is why I posted my question. For 13B my guess is 180 should not be an unrealistic expectation if a hunter hunts hard for the entire hunt. Do you agree or disagree?
Again that is why I posted my question. I do not live near 13B it is a 24 hour round trip.
Thanks
For trophy elk hunts 390 point bulls are unrealistic, yes a few are taken but 95% of the bulls are not even close to this.
For 13B I do not know, that is why I posted my question. For 13B my guess is 180 should not be an unrealistic expectation if a hunter hunts hard for the entire hunt. Do you agree or disagree?
Again that is why I posted my question. I do not live near 13B it is a 24 hour round trip.
Thanks
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gilamonster8
Guest
No your right 180 for a person that hunts hard should be A very real Goal.Speaking for myself, I Have waited 10 years for the tag again so have two buddys. I will not shoot at anything less than a 220class until the last two days. Opps or a 200 typ
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bigbucks243
Guest
i would not shoot anything under a 210 until the last day! or a 200 inch typical
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gilamonster8
Guest
One more thing to think about. This may have just been my Deer I dont know, but the meat tasted like crapola, So you might as well be looking at a huge mount as you choke it down. My dog was real happy most nights I cooked it.
