Arizona antelope question

[crawlake]

Hello everyone, I got drawn for archery antelope in Arizona and was wondering what's the best way to hunt them down there. I'm from northern Alberta and this will be my first antelope hunt. I've heard some guys use blinds and decoys, and others have said that hunting over a waterhole with a blind is the best way to do it. Any information you guys can give me will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Glass eye]

Awesome, I've been applying for antelope w/archery for years with no luck of drawing.
What unit ?
I've done some scouting/video taping of them around Prescott.

 

[crawlake]

I got drawn in zones 10, 18A, and 18B. A friend of mine suggested that these units would be a good place to find a good antelope buck.

 

[Coues]

By far, the best hunt in the state for big bucks. There are B&C caliber bucks in all 3 units. 85"+ goats are taken in these units almost every year. I have a ML'er tag in unit 18A.

Hunting water is hit and miss, depending on the monsoon rains or lack thereof, which typically peak in Aug and early Sept. It's not uncommon to get a ggod rainstorm every evening at that time of year, which obviously puts a damper on waterhole activity.

Decoying works as does spot and stalk. There are a lot of animals in the junipers, which makes spot and stalk more feasible.

 

[Glass eye]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coues @ May 31 2007, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Decoying works as does spot and stalk. There are a lot of animals in the junipers, which makes spot and stalk more feasible.[/b]

The terrain is not open plains. Rolling hills with cuts and gullies easy for stalking.

 

[SDHNTR]

Easy? Stalking? Antelope? Bow? Can you use those words in the same context?

 

[Coues]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Glass eye @ Jun 1 2007, 08:51 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coues @ May 31 2007, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Decoying works as does spot and stalk. There are a lot of animals in the junipers, which makes spot and stalk more feasible.[/b]

The terrain is not open plains. Rolling hills with cuts and gullies easy for stalking.
[/b][/quote]


The upper plateau area of unit 10 is almost impossible to stalk within bow range, IMO.

 

[richardoutwest]

May sound crazy, this has is a two person operation. One guy holds a hand held decoy infront of him with the shooter in his back pocket and close the distance. 20 yard shots are not uncommon! Go ahead and laugh, once you try it, I don't think you will be laughing any more!

 

[Coues]

I've seen people do that up on Fain Ranch in unit 19.

 

[crawlake]

Thanks for the info guys, i'll certainly give the decoy a try.

 

[One Track]

Try to be there for the entire hunt, (ten days or so.) The rut might be early and it could be late. I hunted the last five days of the season and missed it. The mature bucks wanted no part of my decoy. They just laid there smoking a big cigar while I belly crawled 500 yds. At about 80 yds, they would get up and move another quater mile and bed up. Over and over. The decoy worked well on the little satelite bucks. They came in to 10 yds. It had been raining, so waterholes didn't pan out. If you can team up with somebody, you will have a better chance.

If you are going to hire a guide, email RichardOutWest. Or, you could have Desert Bull Scouting Service do some scouting for you. I did that when I drew. They sent me maps and notes on where to find two 80"+ goats, places to eat, and places to camp. That way on opening day, you're already in the right spot. Money well spent.