Multi-state deer hunting extravaganza

[Scott85]

Like all hunts this started with planning and applying for draws in the spring. The spring started off good with me drawing my 3rd choice in New Mexico for any FAB in Northeastern New Mexico.
When it was time to apply for Arizona I applied the same day that Nevada’s results came out. At the time I was red across the board for Nevada. In my sorrow I wasn’t thinking straight and screwed up my Arizona application by putting the easiest to draw tag first (100% with my points). It was shortly thereafter I realized my folly and it make matters worse the hunt dates for both hunts almost completely overlap with the New Mexico season only lasting a scant 5 days.

I started working on a schedule that would optimize time spent on both hunts. The plan I came up with is scouting before the season in both units and be in New Mexico on opening day. The unit in Arizona is on my way to New Mexico and I’m planing on stopping in that unit and scouting for 3 to 4 days then having a travel day to New Mexico and scouting 3-4 days before the season starts. This might change if I come across a great buck in Arizona and I’ll hunt Arizona first. The season New Mexico is only 5 days the season in Arizona starts a day earlier.

Well that’s my plan. Everything is packed and ready to roll, I head out Thursday for this pretty epic adventure!

 

[Beignet]

I’ve never applied for any out of state tags but that scenario (and subsequent anxiety) of drawing multiple, competing date tags is one that has run through my mind when considering doing so.

Hope you fill ‘em both and have tons of fun doing so!

 

[duckhunt]

Good luck

 

[Wallydeuce]

Following.

Good luck, have fun and be safe!

 

[Scott85]

On the road!!!

 

[WNC2500]

Get em @Scott85

 

[Scott85]

Arrived and camp is set up. Unit looks good from what I can see from the road in.

 

[perma]

Gonna be hard to top your Hawaii buck. Following!

 

[Scott85]

Lots of pretty country but no deer.

 

[WildWill]

Lots of pretty country but no deer. View attachment 345050View attachment 345051View attachment 345052View attachment 345053

This is AZ not NM right?

 

[Oak]

Is the AZ hunt for Coues or mule deer?

 

[Scott85]

This is AZ not NM right?

This is Arizona.

 

[Scott85]

Is the AZ hunt for Coues or mule deer?

It’s a mule deer hunt.

 

[Scott85]

I’ve been slacking. Arizona scouting ended with a lot of miles on the truck and boots with very little to show for it.

 

[Scott85]

I woke up early on the 22nd to hit the road to New Mexico. I wasn’t on the interstate very long when I was involved in a hit and run with a semi. That delayed my progress and I arrived at the campground in my unit late on Tuesday night.

 

[Scott85]

The next day I drove around the unit. The unit only is only 22% public land with lots of small sections. I arrived at one section and there was a rancher driving around. I stopped and talked with him awhile and ended up with permission to cross his property to get to the public land. I went in and glassed up a 4x4 and a huge Forky that evening.

 

[Scott85]

I still had 2 more days of scouting. I scouted some more spots on Thursday but didn’t turn up any deer. On Friday I took it easy on the camper and got ready for the opener on Saturday.

 

[Scott85]

Saturday found me hiking in to a glassing spot in the dark. It was quite a hike and longer that I planned. I made it with 9 minutes to killed before legal shooting light. I was set up for about 20 minutes when I picked up movement. I spotted the first buck then quickly picked out 4 more bucks. There were 2 4x4s with deep fronts but crab claws up top, there was a smaller 4x4 and 2 forkies. I watched them move off a pivot on private and make their way to their beds. All of the 4x4s hit a wash that I could see both sides so they couldn’t leave without me knowing. The 2 forkies bedded down on a north facing slope that really limited my movement to reach them.
I watch them for most of the day and I knew I had to make my move. I tried to get around without the forkies seeing me. I was unable to and went back to my original glassing spot. As soon as I reached the spot as if on cue the forkies got up and headed to the wash the other bucks were in.
I covered as much ground as I could and realized the big forky bedded down on top of the wash where he could see the bottom I was in. I dropped my pack and started to crawl past the spot where the buck could see me. I made past the spot and worked my way up to a slight hill where I could see most of the wash. As I made my way up the big forky got up and started to feed. I took the shot and watched go around in circle and fall down. Bucks erupted from the wash and 2 of them tried to horn the dead forky.
I head back to get my pack and when I make my way back up the wash the buck had moved. I rushed the next shot plugging a nice hole in the antler and the 2nd follow up shot hits its mark. Well it turns out the forky isn’t a forky. He was the biggest bodied buck in the group and had a ton of fat on him. After the packout I’m second guessing going back to Arizona to hunt but I’m not sure yet.

 

[Wild Bill]

Great buck!

 

[Scott85]

Decided to give Arizona 2 days worth of hunt. I’m pulling out of New Mexico in the Am. Got the skull all cleaned. Can see the nice hole I put in the antler.