Arizona Unit 9

bigshooter750 · Jul 28, 2009

Well I got drawn for rifle mule deer in unit 9 I don't know much about the unit except is great for ELK!!! so Im going up their in late Aug for some scouting and try to get one with my bow.(My prefered method of hunting) Iv driven up their one other time and didnt see much. Has anybody hunted this area for Deer? Also if so how did you do? I was hoping that someone here could help me out with a starting point for my scouting/archery hunt. As always thanks in advance for your help!!!

DidIDraw · Jul 28, 2009

Congrats bigshooter:

I've hunted elk there four times (all in the late season). I've spent most of my time on top of the Coconino Rim and have seen very few deer there. However, I have seen a couple of good bucks near the park boundry when I've been driving back and forth. That unit is quite dependent on guzzlers and other man-made water catchments. The deer that stay in the park most likely need to leave the park for water - tanks near the park boundry may be a good place to start.

aztap · Jul 28, 2009

Try the west side of the unit along Cataract Canyon from Redlands north to the Supai Res boundary. Hit all the points and little draws/canyons that pour into Cataract. Not a lot of deer but every once in a while you'll find a decent buck.

redrabbit · Jul 29, 2009

The G&F site gives the same general areas I was thinking of recommending.
http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_units_9.shtml

TAGATTRACTER · Jul 29, 2009

Bigshooter, I sent you a PM.

bigshooter750 · Jul 29, 2009

Thanks again everyone. I will be out scouting in a couple of weeks!

caterpillar · Jul 30, 2009

i also got the same tag and I am in the same boat. I live in flagstaff and will be as much scouting as possible, when the soccer season for my kids is over. Except for the sept. elk hunt i plan on doing alot of scouting. Dont know if you are up to it but we could scout different spots and compare what we found. Just an idea to cover more area and possibly help one of us.

bigshooter750 · Jul 30, 2009

Comparing notes sounds good! I will also be setting up some game cameras! Do you have a regular email I can respond to?

caterpillar · Jul 31, 2009

i sent you a pm bigshooter

NeverStopHuntin · Jul 31, 2009

Sent you a PM

bigandtasty · Aug 2, 2009

In the early eighties, we used to take some really nice, big bodied bucks, from Willows Camp, along the reservation border, up to Harrison (harbison?) tank. They seem to like that area.
You might go check that out, as the genes should be still around that area.