Arizona 12A West Late Kaibab deer

[DonMartin]

Well it looks like the deer on the north Kaibab are coming back.

Myself and fellow AWO guide Dave Bruns had the opportunity to accompany our good friend jay Chan on his hunt in 12A West (Late).

We saw lots and lots of bucks and while most of them were "cookie cutter" 18 to 23 inch wide bucks, there were better bucks to be had.

They seemed to be just getting going into the rut.

On the morning of the fourth day I decided to sit and watch a water while Dave and Jay took a hike down a canyon.

I heard a couple of shots and learned that Jay had caused a real nice 4 X 4 buck to take a permanent dirt nap.

If the Game & Fish Dept. continues to manage this herd in a more conservative way, these kinds of bucks will only be getting bigger and better in the next few years.

Glad to see they cut the tags this year to let more bucks get some age on them.

We all know the Kaibab has the genes to produce boomer bucks, they just need the chance to grow to their potential.

Every resident that applies for this hunt has a chance to draw and the good news for NR's that they no longer need to be in the max pool to have a shot at these tags. If you're one or even two off the max in AZ, you might get lucky and get a tag for this hunt.

Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

 

[Foreman4x4]

Stud buck and a great picture!

 

[lonetree]

Great buck for your friend. What about the NR's who have no points is there any hope for us. Never mind... I think I know the answer.

 

[eldorado]

Beautiful buck.

Eldorado

 

[nfh]

Very nice buck

 

[DonMartin]

As to drawing a late 12A West tag as a NR.

Sorry but unless you are in or near the top of the pool, not ever going to happen under the current way tags are issued.

However there is an alternative I'll tell you guys about.

There are a couple of friends of mine, Travis and Troy Scott who own Southwestern Hunting Adventures who get some absolute whopper desert mule deer.

Normally I don't promote other guides, but these guys are the real deer for desert mule deer so I have no problem recommending them.

Check out their website.

You can draw those desert tags with little or in some cases no bonus points. But beware, these are desert specialists. If you want to see and hunt the big deer, and you've never been there or done this before, you'll want to give them a call.

When I draw by next and last Strip tag ( I Have 13 points) I'll be putting in for the late Kaibab for first choice and their desert area as my second.

Don Martin
Arizona Wildlife Outfitters

 

[lonetree]

Thanks for the lead Don I'll look them up. Sadly, I'm all to aware that I will never be able to hunt north of the ditch, in whats arguably the best monster muley country in the world. Good luck when you do get your strip tag, and be sure to post a story & photos. Because allot of guys out there will be living vicariously through you.

 

[treedagain]

sweet buck