They will become sexually mature in a year and a half. Topo-graphical maps will help you get around the rest of the unit. To hunt deer during a General, Youth-Only, Muzzleloader, CHAMP or Archery-Only season, you must apply through a draw for a hunt permit-tag. One of the easiest ways to get into the Mule Mountains is to take Highway 80 south of I-10 at Benson. Access across private property from Highway 80 and Curtis Flats Road junction, east across the Dragoon Mountain Ranch to the Coronado National Forest boundary has been lost to residential development. The Mule Mountains have access roads locked going into Sandy Bob, Dixie, Mexican, Gadwell and Abrigo Canyons. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest and a forest service map will help you with the road system. Food Preference: Weeds, palo verde, aspen, mushrooms, yucca flowers, shrubs, oak, mesquite beans, janusia, cliffrose, sagebrush, juniper, coffeeberry, cacti fruit, and filaree in season When driving east on Hwy. Only about 9,500 mule deer were reported harvested. User Scores. Turn east on the Middle-March road and drive approximately 10 miles until you reach the Forest Service Boundary. Please read and obey the landowners requests, and obtain permission before going afield. Sportsmen must be aware that a large portion of the habitat in the Mule Mountains is inaccessible. The east side of the mountain is accessed off the Dragoon Road, Ironwood Road, and Middle-March Road. Hiking across state land will access the upper parts of the canyons. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! In 1929, the mule deer season was closed south of the Gila River, and even as recently as 1946, fewer than 5,000 mule deer (more than 80 percent of all deer killed) were harvested in Arizona. Some extra scouting, and hiking into the more inaccessible areas, may help you take a larger buck. In Arizona, predation on deer is mainly by coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions. 191 to the U.S.- Mexico border. Beginning at U.S. Hwy 191 and the U.S.-Mexico border; west along the border to the San Pedro River; north along the San Pedro River to I-10; northeasterly on I-10 to U.S. Hwy 191; southerly on U.S. Hwy 191 to the U.S.-Mexico border. Our guide and outfitter service is available in AZ units 12b west, 12a west, 12a east, 13a, and 13b as well. Go through town and take the exit for Highway 80 to St. David. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! This area is becoming developed so be aware of the residences in the area. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest so a forest service map will help you with the road system and the access points. West of the mountain ranges, the San Pedro River runs north from the Mexican border (south boundary of unit). This area is being developed so be aware of the residences in the area. When applying for big game hunt permit-tags, you must use hunt numbers. The mule deer is the larger of Arizona's deer. thanks for the welcome, thanks for the warning but I think well ake our chances. A series of years of poor fawn survival followed. by m gardner Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:42 pm, Post The Juniper Flats Road travels northeast through private parcels of land to the radio towers and accesses the top of the Mule Mountains. Never hunted mule deer down there. With the institution of permit-only deer hunting the following year, hunter numbers dropped from more than 97,000 to fewer than 68,000. Stock tanks are full of water this year after a great summer monsoon season, however it is difficult to find high concentrations of birds due to this. Any tips or information would be greatly appreciated. The Juniper Flats Road travels northeast to the radio towers and provides access to the top of the mountain. Restricted access is posing a problem, particularly in the Mule Mountains. Overall, the unit has approximately 125.5 square miles of whitetail deer habitat of medium to low density. The eastern side of the Dragoon Mountains, Cochise, and Sunsites can be accessed from Highway 191 south of I-10. General Hunt: Any firearm, pre-charged pneumatic weapon, crossbow, or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304. Access to Escabrosa Ridge, the southwest portion of the Mule Mountains, can be accessed off of Highway 92 between Bisbee at milepost 345. The quail populations have suffered from the past drought years, but due to current condition, the desert quail in the area are trying to respond favorably. White Water Draw is a 1400-acre+ area that was purchased by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. I wanted to ask if anyone has experience or suggestions in hunting unit 30B. After a gestation period of about 190 days, the does give birth to spotted fawns, often twins. Area: To get to the agriculture fields near Richland, Sunsites, Elfrida, and McNeal, take Highway 191 south of I-10. 191 and the U.S.-Mexico border; west along the border to the San Pedro River; north along the San Pedro River to I-10 Exit 331; northeasterly on I-10 to U.S. Hwy. Thanks for any input. The hunt can be difficult and requires scouting the exceptional knowledge of the areas. These units also have over the counter archery hunts available in August/September and December/January for an action packed spot and stalk desert mule deer hunt. Overview: Both mourning dove and whitewing dove occurs, but the majority of the harvest and opportunities will be for mourning dove. Chihuahuan desertscrub vegetation grows in the valleys at lower elevations throughout the unit. Be Aware of the Species, more violations of taking the wrong species have occurred in this unit so please be patient and aware of the differences in the two species! Life History The mule deer gets its name from its large ears. See the Access Information for details. 191; southerly on U.S. Hwy. Get a free account to view the details! Having a copy of the dove hunting regulations with you is a good precaution. Another access point for the Mule Tails is from the Paul Spur Road, this road intersects Highway 80 about halfway between Bisbee and Douglas. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! Take the Warren Road toward Bisbee Junction and on south, southeast to the Border Road where several access roads into the area exist. by arizonaelitefreak Thu Aug 06, 2009 1:16 pm, Post BONUS POINT ONLY (no other hunts may be chosen in conjunction with this one), 12A East (excluding Grand Canyon National Park), 12A West (excluding Grand Canyon National Park), 39, 40A, and 40B (Special Restrictions Apply - See Note 7), 42 (excluding White Tank Mountain Park and Skyline Regional Park), Hopi Tribal Member Hunt in Units 4A and 4B, Hopi Tribal Member Hunt in Units 5A and 5B, 42 (excluding Skyline and White Tank Mountain Regional Parks), Aug 19 - Sep 8, 2022 and Dec 9 - Dec 31, 2022, Nov 18 - Nov 27, 2022Nov 11 - Nov 17, 2022. Remember, good landowner relations begin with you. There are two dirt roads off of the High Lonesome that will access the eastern side of the Mules. The Redbird Mountains currently are inaccessible without landowner permission. 2023 Photos & Text Copyright - Dieringer Outfitters LLC mule deer Overall, the bear population is considered low and limited to the upper elevations of the Dragoons and to a lesser extent, Mule Mountains. Overview: Javelina can be found throughout Unit 30B. Please identify the deer before taking a shot as whitetail are expanding into mule deer habitat. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Rifle and archery mule deer hunts. Other areas of quail concentrations can be found in upper elevations along the mountain drainages, and stock tanks. Bureau of Land Management, San Pedro Project (520) 258-7200 The state has two distinct species, the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The department will also have a section on its website dedicated to the status of these units. Antlered means having an antler fully erupted through the skin and capable of being shed as defined in R12-4-101. Javelina forage on the warmest slopes first during cold weather. In 1961, an all-time high of 91,120 deer hunters took 35,897 deer. We also guide hunts for southern Arizona mule deer in units 27, 28, 30A, 31, and 32. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Land around populated areas (Bisbee, Double Adobe, McNeal, Elfrida, Sunsites, Richland, Dragoon, St. David, and Tombstone) has Javelina populations. A forum community dedicated to hunting and fishing enthusiasts in the Arizona area. In the wild deer have a life span of about ten years. The unit varies considerably in elevation and vegetation types. Elevation ranges are based on weather stations in or near the unit. to SR. 92) so getting the Bureau of Land Managements regulations is a must. Access is gained from Highway 80 at Mule Gulch, milepost 350, and the Warren Road (south of Highway 80, east of Bisbee). One of the ranchers around Douglas got into trouble this spring for roughing 2 of them up a bit and has to pay $78,000 in civil penalties for causing mental anguish so don't kick any. For Archery-Only Nonpermit-Tag hunts, you may purchase a nonpermit-tag from a license dealer as prescribed in R12-4-114. Habitat: Desert shrub, grasslands, pinon-juniper, pine, aspen-fir, and mountain meadows Another access point for the Mule Tails is from the Paul Spur Road, this road intersects Highway 80 about halfway between Bisbee and Douglas. The area between Davis Road, north to the Gleason Road can be accessed off of both the Gleason and Davis Roads at several locations. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Also, several ranches have been developed also restricting hunting near and around them and access through the areas. Specializing in unit 12b for northern AZ mule deer, and units 27, 28, 31 and 32 in southern Arizona. Interested hunters can contact the Tucson office or stop in at the ranch headquarters, located 1.5 miles south of Davis Road on Coffman Road and request information on the area. Due to the climate and elevation, the habitat types vary from oak woodlands in the highest elevations of the mountains, down to semi- desert grasslands, and Chihuahuan desert scrub in the valleys. The west side of the Dragoon Mountains can be reached by taking Highway 80 south of I-10 at Benson. Create a free account to read the rest of this deer hunting note! After the burn the deer population increased because of better deer habitat. Larger herds can still be located, although hiking in or horseback are the only means of accessing such areas. If a person is applying for a Youth-Only hunt and a regular hunt on the same application, the higher of the tag fees must be enclosed. Nov 11 - Nov 17 . Area: Gambels quail can be found in isolated areas in the unit. Don't miss it! I had a Mule tag there last year and didnt see one. One thing to remember when you are in the Mule Mountains is the private land, most will be posted, so respect the ranchers wishes. Also the rolling hills and small mountain ranges and the foothill have mule deer. From the North: State Hwy 80, U.S. 191 The Dragoon Mountain Ranch property boundary is posted No Trespassing. Knowledge of land status relating to ownership is as important as hunting skills in this unit, since so much of mule deer habitat is on private land in the unit. The unit varies considerably in elevation and vegetation types. Sportsmen access in unit 30B continues to be reduced. The August and September seasons can be brutally hot, especially if you're coming from the Midwest. The Dragoon Mountains are part of the Coronado National Forest and can be accessed from the north at Dragoon. When the archery deer harvest limit for a particular unit and species has been reported the unit will be closed to further archery deer hunting at sundown the Wednesday immediately following. Predators: Mountain lion, coyote and eagle. Check your email for a confirmation message. White-tailed Deer Overview: Unit 30B has a relatively small population of whitetail deer in relationship to nearby units. Approximately 2.5 miles south of Tombstone, take Davis Road east to High Lonesome Road and south to access the east side of the mountain. Access in unit 30B has been reduced over time due to the amount of private property in the area. Shane, From SHANE The Movie. EXCEPT for some Archery-Only deer, a hunt nonpermit-tag must be obtained from a license dealer as prescribed in R12-4-114. Four Canyon is inaccessible through private property at the Fourr Ranch Headquarters located at the end of Old Ranch Rd. Terms of Use | Toggle between terrain, satellite, and topographic views. Restricted access in the Mule Mountains makes it difficult to get to the Mearns habitat. Hiking across state land will access the upper parts of the canyons. Address 123 Main Street New York, NY 10001, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. Area: Cottontails can be found throughout the unit with little effort on the part of the hunter. Create a free account to read the rest of this deer hunting note! Overview: Unit 4A has both general firearms deer and archery deer hunting opportunities. we couldnt turn around last year with out seeing them. Muzzleloader Hunt: Muzzleloader weapons as prescribed in R12-4-101 and R12-4-318, crossbow or bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304. Generally they prefer the more rugged country. Please read and obey the landowners requests, and obtain permission before going afield. Scaled quail can be found throughout the unit in high desert grassland communities. Sections 17-303 and 17-304 or Commission Rules R12-4-321, R12-4-801, R12-4-802 and R12-4-803. At lower, drier elevations, drop time is synchronized more with summer rains that bring on new plant growth. I guess getting high enough to glass the flats would be a start but wondering if certain areas hold a larger concentration of deer over others. They eat such items as twigs, bark, buds, leaves, and nuts. Mule Deer. To hunt deer in Arizona, you need a valid hunting or combination license and a deer tag. One thing to remember when you are in the Mule Mountains is the private land, most will be posted, so respect the ranchers wishes. It is in preparation for the rut that mule deer grow antlers. Some extra scouting, and hiking into inaccessible areas may help you take a larger buck. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. To hunt deer during a General, Youth-Only, Muzzleloader, CHAMP or Archery-Only season, you must apply through a draw for a hunt permit-tag. One thing to remember when you are in the Mule Mountains is the private land, most will be posted, so respect the ranchers wishes. The Mule Deer Working Group (MDWG) was established by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' (WAFWA) president and directors in 1997 to address concerns about a long-term decline in mule deer numbers at the time. Archery-Only Hunt: Bow and arrow as prescribed in R12-4-304 and R12-4-318, or crossbow if you possess a crossbow permit as allowed under R12-4-216. There are also opportunities for viewing these magnificent animals while camping in the southern part of Box Canyon. These hunts are before . Near the Bisbee Airport, there are dirt roads that will take you into the Mule Tails. Distribution: 90ft-10K ft, statewide except extreme southwest corner of state Please utilize phone apps, GPS or maps to determine the land status in the area and be aware of the land status where you are at all times. Cochise Stronghold in Dragoon Mountains located west of Sunsites, Arizona. Access is gained from Highway 80 at Mule Gulch, milepost 350, and the Warren Road (south of Highway 80, east of Bisbee). Mule deer have white rump patches and short, narrow, black-tipped white tails. Denied access in the Mule Mountains makes it extremely difficult to access these areas. 345, m.p. On private land, access can be revoked any time. Freeport- McMoRan owns large tracts of land in the southern end of the Mules, specifically in the Bisbee area and restricts hunting. Arizona also has good mule deer hunting in other areas of the state. Average # of general permits in past 5 years. The biological productivity of unit 30B relies upon winter, and to a greater extent, the summer rainfall for a combined yearly average of approximately 15 inches. Overview: Unit 30B has a relatively small population of whitetail deer in relationship to nearby units. Talking to the locals in these areas might give an archery hunter some good tips on where to find the Javelina. Even this was deemed excessive by the state's sportsmen, and a public initiative in 1916 reduced the limit to one buck deer to be taken during the month of October. Hunting Aug 19 - Sep 8, 2022, Dec 9 - Dec 31, 2022, Jan 1 - Jan 31, 2023 . From turkey hunting in the spring to chasing Elk and mule deer in the fall, this is as real as Hunting can get!Follow our Instagram as @Western_Obsessions_TVFollow Kurt on Instagram @kurt_belding ( https://www.instagram.com/kurt_beldin )https://www.westernobsessionstv.com/Book a Hunt with Kurt: https://www.huntingcolorado.co/Film Produced by: www.whiterabbitsyndicate.comWestern Obsessions TV: https://www.westernobsessionstv.com/Produced by: https://www.whiterabbitsyndicate.com/Sponsors:Crossfit OneBeat ( https://www.onebeatcrossfit.com/ )Body Rival Supplements ( https://www.bodyrival.com/ )Rocking NY Cattle CompanyFit Republic Nutrition Co. There are two dirt roads off of the High Lonesome that will access the eastern side of the Mules. Area: To get to the agriculture fields near Richland, Sunsites, Elfrida, and McNeal, take Highway 191 south of I-10. Number of Young: 2 However, dont expect to see an abundance of any quail species in the district this season. The San Pedro River can be accessed near Benson, St. David, HWY 82, Charleston Road, and HWY 92. Check your email for a confirmation message. Several canyon roads in the Mules go through private land and are posted and locked, so respect the ranchers wishes. This was our first trip to Arizona to hunt mule deer and we had our work cut out for us! Both mourning dove and white-wing dove occurs, but the majority of the harvest and opportunities will be for mourning dove. This road travels south along the east side of the mountain to Cochise Stronghold Road. 80. GIS Data: Unit Size and Land Ownership* Overall unit size: US Forest Service: The main things to remember while hunting are antler structure, size, tail size and color. Bucks are polygamous and fight for a harem of does during the winter breeding season. This area is being developed so be aware of the residence in the area. 82, and the Schieffelin Monument area west of Tombstone. One road form High Lonesome Rd. Antlered mule deer. A youth hunter, whose 18th birthday occurs after opening day of a Youth-Only designated hunt for which the hunter has a valid permit or tag, may continue to participate for the duration of the Youth-Only designated hunt. See Access Information for details. The size and number of 'points' is dependent on a combination of age, nutrition, and genetic background. Overview: The quail populations (Gambel and Scaled) in the unit will respond to winter rainfall. Several canyon roads in the Mules go through private land and are posted and locked, so respect the ranchers wishes. Camping is allowed on BLM and Forest Service administered public lands. Do not leave spent shot-shells lying in the field and around water tanks. by arizonaelitefreak Sun Aug 09, 2009 12:11 pm, Post It just takes more effort on the hunters part. There are two dirt roads off of the High Lonesome that will access the eastern side of the Mules, and you can access whitetail habitat in the upper parts of a few canyons. Approximately 2.5 miles south of Tombstone take Davis Road east to High Lonesome Road and south to access the east side of the mountain. To the East of the mountain ranges, Sulphur Springs Valley runs from the Mexico Border, north to I-10. Arizona Game and Fish Department, Region V (520) 628-5376 All Rights Reserved. Oak woodlands grow on the steep, rugged Dragoon and Mule mountains at elevations of 5000' to 7000'. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Weather can vary by elevation. Seems state law says you can't refuse them water if they ask and they know that. Be sure and have all the pertinent hunt regulations with you before you go hunting. The mule deer gets its name from its large ears. Game Management Unit 30b; Game Management Unit 31; Game Management Unit 32; Game Management Unit 33; Game Management Unit 34a; . Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? To hunt deer in Arizona, you need a valid hunting or combination license and a deer tag. Please pick up spent shot-shells, complaints have been received because livestock have ingested them causing complications and it is littering, a revocable offense. Please identify the deer before taking a shot as whitetail are expanding into mule deer habitat. Sportsmen must be aware that a large portion of the habitat in the Mule Mountains is inaccessible. However, they will also feed in the bottoms where the spring growth will first come up. See Access Information for details. During good years large populations can be found along the Davis Road, Gleason Road, and the Pearce Road. The only question is when. This road travels toward the mountain, to Henry Canyon, and eventually connects to the Middle-March Road pending passable road conditions. Other areas include the Gunnison Hills, Government Mountain, Tombstone Hills, Redbird Hills, the area between Davis Road and Middle-March Road, and the Pearce area. A youth must pay the higher fee unless applying only for Youth-Only hunts. Thanks!! Go Pro to see what they had to say! The October/November hunts in these units can be drawn with 0-3 bonus points and they are great units for desert mule deer. Some extra scouting, and hiking into the more inaccessible areas, may help you take a larger buck. Buck-only hunting was instituted in 1893, and the season was gradually reduced until 1913 when the new state legislature authorized a two-month season and a two-buck bag limit. Hunter Education classes fill up quickly. The most abundant deer in Arizona is the Rocky Mountain mule deer. There are 0 HuntScore members that have hunted this unit. Mearns quail are harder to find because of the nature of the quail and because they are found in much smaller concentrations in this unit. No one under age 10 may hunt big game in Arizona. These are things to be aware of and remember do not shoot within a quarter of a mile of a residence. Whitetail can also be found along the San Pedro River. The amount of localized rainfall will determine the dove distribution in the unit. Stock tanks are full of water this year after a great summer monsoon season, however it is difficult to find high concentrations of birds due to this. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! 7 posts Page 1 of 1 Return to "Rifle Hunting - Big Game" Jump to Various dirt roads intersect the highway from the north (MP 345, MP 350, and Fowdy Ranch Rd.). Arizona mule deer hunting outfitter and guide service with Dieringer Outfitters LLC. They were lost and half starved and also ate most of their food before the border patrol got there to take them. Drive south on Warren Road towards Bisbee Junction. Arizona OTC mule deer coues deer. We. Bed sites are commonly used on a regular basis. This was a great adventure and an experience. The amount of localized rainfall will determine the dove distribution in the unit. Also, parts of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area are closed to firearm hunting (Charleston Rd. You are using an out of date browser. Hiking from open areas will still get you into most of the Mule Mountains. Javelina can be found on all habitat types and topography in this unit, from the flats where they are hard to spot, all the way up to the tops of the mountain ranges in the oak woodlands. Cottontails can be found in washes and desert vegetation off of any access roads in the unit. Las Vegas, NV 89113. 520-439-6400 or http://www.blm.gov/az/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/ncarea/sprnca.html) since some areas of the San Pedro are closed to firearm hunting. Residential development has increased in the Pearce/Sunsites area, resulting in a loss of areas to hunt. Travel south a short distance and turn left on E. Touchstone Trail. During years of above average summer rainfall and normal winter rainfall, Mearns can be found in many areas in and around the Dragoon and Mule Mountains and in isolated areas between the Gleason Rd. we couldnt turn around last year with out seeing them. When fully grown, the antlers harden, the velvet dries, and is rubbed off. Whitetail can also be found along the San Pedro River. No trespass/hunting signs have been posted on private property on the Christensen Ranch. Overall, we are below average, however rain occurred throughout the winter/spring and created green-up and the quail may respond. Access into the Mule Mountains is very limited compared to the Dragoon Mountains. Continue down Highway 80 past Tombstone. Deer permit numbers gradually increased after 1972, leveling off at around 70,000 per year between 1976 and 1982, when hunters took more than 12,000 mule deer, approximately 75 percent of the total deer harvest. With the advent of better than average winter rains, mule deer populations will once again improve. The road crosses private property and is considered critical access and has sportsmen respect signs posted. Overview: Unit 30B is a large unit with two large mountain ranges (the Dragoon Mountains and the Mule Mountains) with low hills and ridges between the two ranges surrounded by high desert flats in the valley. Young Appear: June-August Average We will definitely return to Arizona to hunt mule deer again!Be sure to Subscribe to Kurt Belding and Steve Ficco's hunting channel here on YouTube where they bring you Hunting adventures to wherever you may be watching from. Mule deer are located in all mountain ranges and lower valleys within the unit. Deer Hunting in Arizona's Game Management Unit 30B - HuntScore Get unlimited access to over ten years of historical drawing and harvest data for over 1,700+ hunt units. Near the Bisbee Airport, there are dirt roads that will take you into the Mule Tails. Moose, Caribou, Sheep, Goat Hunting etc. The Arizona Trail takes hikers to the base of Picketpost Mountain and down through part of the White Canyon Wilderness, right through the heart of bighorn sheep country. Archery deer nonpermit-tags are only valid for one calendar year and require mandatory harvest reporting. There are 1 OTC hunts in this unit. The south and east side of the mountain can be accessed off the Dragoon Road at Manzora Road and the railroad trestle at the double green gates.