newby need AZ 13B advice

[AzAndy]

A couple years ago I moved to Az from WI to get out of the cold. I've been an avid hunter all my life, but my ability to sit in an oak tree waiting for a whitetail doesn't do me a lot of good here. I'm not a kid anymore (58) and have been learning what I can about elk, javelina, and mule deer hunting from the internet and talking to people at work. I'm a RN, so most of the people I work with are women and don't happen to be big hunters, though a few are. Now, just to irritate most of you members, I put 13B down for my first choice on this year's application and got drawn with 1 bonus point. Almost embarrassed to say that. I understand perfectly well that this is the hunt of a lifetime, but in the financial situation I'm in, I can't afford a guide. I have taken a couple scouting trips and plan a few more. The overwhelming impression of the area is that it is so VAST! It's hard for me to figure out where to start! I've taken off of work for the entire November season, and will arrive there Tuesday prior to the opener and stay as long as I need to. I have this tag that people dream of and don't want to mess it up. Can someone get me pointed in the right direction? Thanks. Andy.

 

[sageadvice]

I know nothing of 13b but i have worked years at Hospitls and ,many friend that are very well paid RN's. You mentioned taking a month off but also that you can't afford a guide. Why not work half the month, hire a guide for the other half from the boo-coo money you made, and kill one of the best bucks to be had in the area on a successful hunt of a lifetime?

Just a thought!

Joey


"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

 

[nontypical]

Take out a loan?

If there ever was a tag worthy of borrowing some cash for...you have it.

You may never draw another...

 

[sagebrush]

I would probably go DIY myself. Might not get the biggest buck in the unit but I would be more than just the trigger man. Get on Google Earth and find every water catchment you can. Load the lat/lon and the route to them in your GPS. You will see cameras on every one but don't be discouraged, just hang yours there along with the rest. Pick a water with a big one and sit a couple hundred yards away where you have a clear shot. Come early and stay late. This is what you are looking for:

Best of luck to you.

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard

 

[P]

Check your pm box!!!

 

[Gator]

I got to say work 3 weeks and hunt one and you will have that hunt almost paid for. With a guide that will put you on a good buck or at least one big enough for the wall.
Now get to work and get some overtime in.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]

 

[fullthrottle]

Go DIY, it will mean way more. Get your satisfaction from the adventure of the hunt. If you put the time in and hunt smart you stand a good chance at finding a nice one.

 

[glass_eye]

pm sent

 

[P]

Pm send again Andy

 

[koyote]

Unless you hire a guide your likely in for an EPIC disappointment. The largest deer in the country live here but there is BS around every corner on this hunt!! Camera's everywhere, utv's running everywhere checking cameras in the middle of the night, spotlighting to locate deer. Not you typical mule deer hunt. Go see Tori and be happy.

Koyote

 

[Idcurs]

Call the GM in 13b or Luke the past one or Bob the real old one!!!They will give you some starting points and it won't cost you!!!!!!Bob knows the unit very well,so does Luke but not as well as Bob.Two big starting points Black rock---dellenbaugh,not all bucks live here but there are a lot of deer there!!!!!So many other places it would take over a 1000 pages.There bucks in every spot on the strip,and you might find that buck of a lifetime!!!!!

 

[Idcurs]

Call the GM or Luke or Bob the old GM's.Start at Black Rock or Dellenbaugh ,lots of deer and some big bucks.

 

[Idcurs]

>Unless you hire a guide your
>likely in for an EPIC
>disappointment. The largest deer in
>the country live here but
>there is BS around every
>corner on this hunt!! Camera's
>everywhere, utv's running everywhere checking
>cameras in the middle of
>the night, spotlighting to locate
>deer. Not you typical mule
>deer hunt. Go see Tori
>and be happy.
>
>
> Koyote

You don't need a guide,start at Black rock or Dellenbaugh

 

[LuckyShot]

First of all, congrats on drawing your tag with one point.
That alone should tell you that luck might be on your side for this hunt!
It's been a banner year down there in Southern Utah and Northern Arizona this year. Lots of rain this summer had made horn growth fantastic.
Any updates?