AZ OTC archery

[LIK2HNT]

Well since my friend did not draw 12AW Early w/13 NR points we are throwing around the idea of doing the OTC archery. Would like to do it in Nov. or Dec. so he can still apply for 12AW next year. How early do they rut and what units would be best to concentrate on? Did some research on this hunt quite a few years ago and need to find my old research. Anyone willing to talk and discuss options will be appreciated. Please PM me.
Thanks

 

[Bwht4x4]

Mule deer or coues?

 

[LIK2HNT]

Mule deer.
Never hunted Coues yet, but want to in the future. First time should probably be with a rifle.

 

[CouesFanatic]

They just closed 80% of the December mule deer OTC hunts. The ones that are left are going to get pounded like you have never seen before. I'd wait for the draw tag personally. Rut is mostly in January but some pre-rut and mild rutting can be seen in the last week or two of December. North units usually rut earlier.

 

[ruger1022]

If you buy an OTC archery tag for 2022 to hunt in January, are you not able to put in for a tag in the draw that year?

 

[fugitive]

If you buy an OTC archery tag for 2022 to hunt in January, are you not able to put in for a tag in the draw that year?

If you do not tag out on the January OTC hunt you can still enter the fall draw. If you DO tag out in January you can still buy a bonus point for the fall draw and be better off the next year. You do not lose bonus points for the draw if you tag out during an OTC hunt.