az 18b baca float

[bigdeer]

I've always hunted the lower sections of this unit..
Been up ontop of the mesa's as well, Yolo ranch area and bozarth mesa.. But Never been up to an area called baca float..
any body have the story on this section of the unit???

 

[AZDude]

It is a land grant that is leased (I think) to the ORO Ranch. They used to charge a pretty hefty fee to hunt elk there, and it is completely closed to deer hunting. They patrol it pretty heavily and legend has it, if the cowboys catch you in there, they will tie you up to a tree and leave you there till the police show up.

-AZDude

 

[mikey]

my pops used to hunt that "baca float" when he was in his late teens early 20's...he's got numerous stories of HUGE deer in that area, until they started kickin' him out. Now we hunt 17A. but sometimes when we go scoutin' we still see some good size bucks near and around that area, but of course never find them when season starts..

 

[bacagrant]

I hunted the Bacagrant for 5 years. Killed my first buck at 14 near the ranch headquarters. Today the ranch is owned by a lady from New York. She is a naturalist that belives every thing should live and die in it's own time. If you hunt along the southern border you have a chance to see a bruser. Most of the older bucks know not to cross the fence which is posted. Many hunters today do cross the fence but at there own risk. Never heard of a cowboy hooking you to a tree but it wouldn't suprise me. They will call the local law and G&F.
The bacagrant is 15 miles by 15 miles of privite land. Plus the lease land to the west. It was a spanish land grant given to Louis and Maria baca in the 1800's. It is known in the history books as The Louis and Maria Baca Float Number 5. It is the largest privetly owned piece of land in Arizona. I do know the ranch holds some very big bucks, but the Elk have about driven them out. You can still hunt the elk for I think $1000.00 Chad Smith has exclusive guiding rights to the ranch for the elk. His outfit will set you up with a guide and take you in. They allow the elk hunting because they compete with the cattle for the grass. I guess the elk are about to eat them out of the cattle business.

 

[Someburro]

So, everything should live and die in it's own time, unless it's eating your profits, then you can shoot the **** out of it?

 

[AZtrophyhunter]

Wow, I hunted that unit two years ago & I've never even heard of this ranch. 18B is a strange unit, the country was different than anything I've ever hunted. There were these weeds everywhere that gave my brother & I serious allergy attacks. Personally, I was glad to get the hell out of there. We did see 4 or 5 small bucks but passed on them.

 

[bacagrant]

I like the way you put it. I'am thinking the ORO corp is putting pressure on the old lady to do something about the Elk. Not many tags but some big Bulls. I talked to Chad Smith a few weeks ago about rumors that they were going to do the same on deer but he said no. They have a resident lion hunter on staff. They also are cutting in on the profits.

 

[bigdeer]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-11-04 AT 10:38PM (MST)[p]bacagrant, is your screen name a coincidnece to this post or is there more to it??

 

[bacagrant]

I guess you could say my name is only whats left of the best memories of my life. My first five deer were harvested on that ranch. I live not far from there and only wish I could go back and hunt there again. Not to say I havn't been on the float during season. I have killed a few big bucks just off the place but I never hiked back in looking for the big ones I know live there. Now I hunt the north rim and Utah everychance I get. By the way Unit 18-B is excellent for big deer if you know where to look.

 

[mikey]

it's a shame that such a good area is off limits..but i guess that's why it holds some bruisers, because we can't hunt them.
..but i'm tellin' you. i've seen some bruisers that have overlapped into 17A near the 7UP ranch, but only seen them in August/early September while scouting.....

 

[bacagrant]

I have hunted 17A and 18B off and on for almost forty years. My kids put in for those units because it's so close to where we live. I heard stories that back in the early 70's the G&F transplanted some Kiabab deer in those units to try and boost the quality of the antlers by getting some good genes going in that area. I have personaly seen several bucks that would go 200 or better. Drop points cheaters and all. Can't confirm the transplant thing is true but it makes a good story. I know others that say they have seen good bucks as well. We keep going back because I know this area so well. Never killed anything over 160 but we keep trying. I do know of bucks taken that went over the 190 mark. As soon as the bow hunters show up the big boys just slip over the fence and are gone. If you are willing to hike 2 or 3 miles back in to some rough country plus puttng up with the weed factor you might see something worth hanging on your wall. If your looking for a trophy these units have quality deer but they are few and far between.

 

[bigdeer]

Bacagrant, so as far as hunting close to the baca as possible where these big boys might be... Would you suggest trying to squeeze in there from the south via the bagdad/campwood rd, north from the anvil rock rd...????

 

[huntazido]

I first started hunting 17A in 1978 when I was 14 years old. Even today, I usually have it as my second choice every year (first chice is usually late kaibab). This area has a lot of sentimental value to me. We have always camped along road 9 and Walnut creek. I have walked the fence between 17A and Baca float many times too. Back in the day, when we would bowhunt in there we used to see quite a few bucks in the 24 -28 inch range, but like I said, that was back in the day. I bowhunted real close to the 7-up this past December for 5 days and saw 3 does, 30 turkeys and about 50 elk. This area has really been hit hard over the past 10 years or so by the elk, predation and drought. Very hard to find bucks of any caliber now. It was a challenge to even find a fresh deer track. I have hunted this area for a very long time and it never used to be this way.

The Arizona Hunter and Angler had an article in the mid 80's about the deer being transplanted from the kaibab in this general area. As I recall, the artical stated that unit 19B(yes, 19B) during arial surveys by G&F said it was probably the best unit below Colorado river to spot 30 - 40 inch bucks!! They said they were out in thick, flat PJ country and darn near impossible to spot unless you were in a plane. The article also mentioned how these bucks tended to migrate from 19b, to 17a, and even the Baca.

I have also been a little leery of crossing over the fence even to "scout". Have heard many rumors over the years and I'm sure most/all are untrue but it is still always in the back of my mind. Sure wish this area would return to the good ol' days.

Good hunting

John

 

[bacagrant]

Hunting close to the bacagrant will get you only a possible chance at a good buck. Not much of a chance but a chance. Most people that hunt that unit know the same thing you know now. If I was hunting 18-b I would hunt only the south fence line. Very rough country with few roads. You do not have to be on the fence line only within a one mile of it. If you see a buck and don't want to go home empty handed then shoot. If you have the whole season and meat does not mater then hold off and keep looking. IF you have a quad or a jeep then go back in as far as you can. Canyons will stop you. That is where most hunters quit. If you cross the canyons on foot then your in the country that may hold a bruser. If your from Arizona get a lion tag. I have killed two and have buddies that have each killed one. Read all posts from everyone on this subject. Alot of information has been given you. Send me a priviate E-Mail at [email protected] if you have any more questions.

 

[bacagrant]

Good post John, very good post...Good Luck to You!

 

[huntazido]

Bacagrant, I feel so strongly about that area I told my wife when I die, to drop my ashes from a plane over that valley walnut creek flows through.

Sounds like you and I may have a little more in common than participants on MonsterMuleys.

Good Hunting
John

 

[carlos]

bacagrant, I lived on the grant for several years. Over time I have lived in all four corners of the ranch. I was just thinking we probably know each other.

 

[mondomuley]

I found an 88" shed on the border of the float last year. I hunted 17a and 17b last year during the archery hunt I saw a 200" buck and went on three stocks at bucks over 160. I also glassed a lion. These areas get pounded by hunters on the rifle hunt and they still manage to kill a few bruisers. I killed a 187" 9x7 in 18b in 1994. Hunt the canyons and you will find bucks.

 

[mikey]

i can vouch for some big boys in 19B..about 7 years ago my dad missed a big 30" with a single dropper..and whenever we go Javelina hunting the big boys like to show themselves. saw two big 4x4's 2 years ago..
but we stopped hunting 19B for deer about 4-5 years ago..it got really scarce for bucks...we started going a whole season without seeing a buck..tough hunting on the west side of that unit..

 

[bacagrant]

Carlos, I'm sure I don't know you but it is good to know you are out there. Maybe sometime we can trade some stories...

 

[bacagrant]

John, I once toyed with the idea of trying to get permission to be buried in the little grave yard at the base of Juniper Mesa. Do you know the one I mean? It has about 15 or 20 very old head stones in it. Some of them date back to the late 1800's. It was just an idea. I guess we all get a little carried away at times!