12a/12b archery DIY?

muleyskinwatcher · Nov 7, 2012

Hey AZ,Im not looking for any handouts just wanted to know if early archery on this unit was worth the time and effort during early season archery,

AZ4life · Nov 7, 2012

Its my favorite hunt. If you are in shape and like to hike, you can really have a blast chasing them around. You have to find spots without other hunters though, and with the correct vegitation. The bachelor herds are kind of "pockety" up there in the summer and have areas they like, and areas where they don't, somewhat based on vegitation, but for some reasons I'm not sure why. Some hills/canyons in my area have deer every day, while the identical hill right next to it I have never seen bucks on.

muleyskinwatcher · Nov 7, 2012

Thanx AZ, Id say im in shape hunting the wasatch front all these years, sounds like a great place to hunt,Thanks for the info!

tooele · Nov 8, 2012

Yes it is probably one of the best archery deer hunts in the country to have an opportunity at a true legitimate Boone/crocket type buck. It isn't an easy hunt and there are a lot of nut jobs riding around shooting out of trucks. Really, the best way to hunt it is you need to make multiple trips, establish some salt licks and hunt out of a tree stand. Not classic spot and stalk country. Thick and relatively flat on top of a plateau. 12 B isn't even an option for this hunt. It is mainly a migratory unit and there are many if any deer in any of the areas that you would consider hunting. So it is basically a 12 a east/west hunt only. Most deer are in the new aspen growth that are occurring after the big fire from a few years ago.

muleyskinwatcher · Nov 8, 2012

Thanx for the advise Tooele.

AZ4life · Nov 8, 2012

I guess that is the big debate. Treestand or not. I vote not for the Kaibab if you have a good spot to hunt. Of all the guys in treestands and blinds i've come accross the last few years, not one of them has been able to put stocks on three good bachelor heards in one day... they can try and get one buck patterned and hope he still comes in during the hunt, but that is if I didn't already shoot him(or scare him to the other side of the unit

muleyskinwatcher · Nov 8, 2012

Honestly I am not much for sitting in a tree stand or blind, I just cant hold still that long. But I can see why some folks would preffer ambush hunting over spot and stalk on thick timber flats, But thats just not my style either.

califhuntn · Nov 21, 2012

Good thread guys. I have never hunted AZ and have been debating hunting the rut in January or (my true love) early season velvet bucks. I think you help me decide.