UNIT 12B West (Arizona)-Early Hunt

Greetings all!, I am new to the site, but have recently drawn a tag for an area that I am not too familiar with. I have a tag for the Oct 26-November 4th hunt. I was hoping that someone might be kind enough to point me in the right direction. I have started to research the area, and hear that the prime hunting in this unit happens in the later seasons. I have harvested several Coues deer in the past, but have not taken a mulie (yet).

Any ideas?

Many Thanks,

Noah Gibby
8,411
MuleyMadness
I have not hunted your Unit, but from what I know/heard it can be a tough hunt. At least for a big buck, I think the Buckskin north of Kaibab Plateau is part of your unit. Think there is a smaller residential herd that stays there, but from what I understand it's mostly known as a wintering ground for deer moving in from other areas (Kaibab, Pauns, etc.)

Who knows though maybe with some early bad weather, you'll do well. Certainly surrounds some great units, with great genetics.

Sorry that's about all I know.
11
Default Avatar
I had this exact same tag in 05, and ended up getting a crabby clawed buck the last day. I honestly had a ball and seen plenty of deer but this buck was the second biggest buck I saw. Had I been carrying a rifle I could have smoked a solid 185+ typical. Ya I do regret it but I always wanted to harvest a buck with my bow on an any weapon hunt. It was hot and dry on my hunt and I mostly hunted the buck skin area, thats were I got this one. Most the people seemed to be their as well. There are other areas that will have a few deer and you maybe able to find a big one, but it will be very tough hunting. The rut was just barely starting to begin and the last few days will likley be the best. But it was for sure one of my most enjoyable hunts.
20
Default Avatar
I had the late tag in 05 and had a ton of fun. Like JDH said it can be hard. I would focus on the Buckskin around the Utah line. Most all these deer actually come off the Puansagant. Hope for some cooler weather and just have a ton of fun. Scout to get to the know the area but new bucks will move in every day.
11
Default Avatar
"jdh" wrote:I had this exact same tag in 05, and ended up getting a crabby clawed buck the last day. I honestly had a ball and seen plenty of deer but this buck was the second biggest buck I saw. Had I been carrying a rifle I could have smoked a solid 185+ typical. Ya I do regret it but I always wanted to harvest a buck with my bow on an any weapon hunt. It was hot and dry on my hunt and I mostly hunted the buck skin area, thats were I got this one. Most the people seemed to be their as well. There are other areas that will have a few deer and you maybe able to find a big one, but it will be very tough hunting. The rut was just barely starting to begin and the last few days will likley be the best. But it was for sure one of my most enjoyable hunts.
Thats awesome that you bowhunted during a rifle season. Congrats on a nice buck.
11
Default Avatar
Good luck onyour hunt.
11
Default Avatar
Thanks to everyone for the input and replies. What would be my best option for an access road into the Buckskins?

Thanks,
11
Default Avatar
I have not hunted that unit,but talked to a friend of mine that did last year. He said take ALT. 89 and look for roads going north off A-89. also A-89 cuts though Unit 12 AW. That's all he would tell me, but he did get a nice 4x3. Also was a hard hunt, but he had fun. Good Luck. I got Unit 10 same dates.
11