Arizona draw. Unit 19A

[spectr17]

I'm staring at my AZ app and wondering what to do.

I've been putting in for 19A bow but I haven't heard much this year on that unit. Is it still worth a chance? I've got 3 bonus points now.

Did the AZGFD trap any bucks out of the area this year like in the past?

Thanks for any info.

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Here is the report from the AZGFD webpage

http://www.gf.state.az.us/h_f/hunting_units.html

Antelope

Overview: Unit 19A has a good number of record-book antelope bucks, and some of the highest antelope densities in Arizona. Herds are currently doing well with high fawn survival. Unfortunately, their habitat is disappearing at a rapid rate from area development. Many popular hunting areas are slated for future development. Much of the unit's antelope population is in or near the Town of Prescott Valley. The discharge of firearms is prohibited within city limits. Additionally, because of past circumstances, Prescott Valley city ordinance prohibits the discharge of an arrow within 1/4 mile of any roadway, residence, or building within the city limits.

Areas: For archery: High concentrations of antelope necessitate high concentrations of hunters. This is not a wilderness experience. Be courteous of others -- other hunters keep antelope moving around. These hunts are during the rut. Use of buck or doe antelope decoys is effective, as are blinds near water sources. Water sources are in high demand by hunters for blind locations. Set up your blind early to establish your site, but be tolerant of others also wanting to use the area. Remove all blinds following the hunt. Also be courteous of Prescott Valley residents, many of whom do not hunt and enjoy the presence of antelope near town, by not walking through yards or dragging dead antelope past neighborhoods. Most hunting east of Prescott Valley is on the Fain Ranch. Access is allowed by foot only, without permission. If accessing the area from Fain Road, absolutely no vehicle travel is permitted off of this main dirt road. Access to hunters may be denied at any time by the ranch if this rule is violated. Antelope hunting is prohibited in the Prescott Valley area between Robert Road (the main north/south road in the middle of Prescott Valley) and Glassford Hill Road (the main north/south road on the west side of Prescott Valley) because the area has become too urbanized. Because these hunts are during the rut, bucks are relatively easy to stalk. Watch for a buck that is chasing does or actively driving off other bucks. When this buck circles out of sight, move into this area and wait behind any available cover. Many times the buck will return and continue to recklessly defend this area. These hunts occur during hot weather. Remove harvested antelope quickly and cool the meat as soon as possible to prevent meat spoilage.

For rifle hunt south of Highway 89A: The best morning glassing locations are off Forest Service Road 643, where a hunter can sit in the foothills, looking into the valley with the sun at his back. As with the archery hunts, if access to the area is off of Fain Road, no vehicle travel is permitted from this road, however, foot access is allowed on Fain Ranch without permission.

For hunts north of Highway 89A: Access is a big issue here. Although there are many antelope in this area, much of the area is housing subdivisions or private ranches. Obtain a Forest Service map, which shows private, State Trust, and public land designations. Many of the ranches here require written permission before access is granted. Scout the area well in advance, identify land ownership, and request permission of the landowner if the area you wish to hunt is on private land. Some of these requests are declined.

 

[Grail]

Here's the deal...if you've never been there then it's kinda like hunting in town. There are people all over the place (many of them near the houses are anti's) and it's tough to get up a blind before someone else does. And believe me, a blind is your best option. Almost no cover. Unless you hunt the east side in which case you'll have to settle for a smaller buck (usually, not always the case - and it may not be a big deal to you).

Did they trap last year: No. They were going to, but because the drought killed 280 something bucks in 19A alone they decided not to. They're going to try and let the herd rebuild before they move them.

Are there big bucks there: Yes. Not as many as before (not even close) but there are some record book heads. I video taped one buck this year that was around 90 last year and he's not going to be even close to that this year. The drought has definitely affected this years horn growth.

There is a new freeway that disects the 19AS 20 sections and I'm sure it'll be up and running by season time. Is this a good thing? It'll make it super easy to road hunt. But it might keep the passersby off of the Fain Rd.

Will I put in there this year? Not unless I find a buck bigger than the biggest one from last year (who isn't as a big this year).

 

[spectr17]

Thank Grail for the info. The drought has really put the hurt on may animals in AZ and the SW.

Come on rains.

 

[Coues]

I guess the drought has had a deleyed effect. Last year, when we basically got no rain at all, horn growth was actually pretty decent. This year, we had decent winter snow and rain, and things look very dismal. We have already had more water this year than we had all of last year in alot of places.

Eli: What is your opinion of the Antelope herd in 19B and 17?

I drew the 19a archery tag a few years ago, and although it was a fun hunt, I probably would not put in there again. Just too much compitition from other hunters. But, when I had the tag, they were issuing over a hundred tags for the hunt. Now there are only 60. Still, if it were me, and coming from out of state, I would be putting in for a ML'er hunt first choice and the 10/18 archery tag second.

 

[Grail]

I have no idea about the herd in 19B or 17A. I haven't been to either unit this year. Yet.

The 17B antelope are all over the Vegas and neighboring ranches, but "No Trespassing" signs are posted everywhere you look. I've been there once this year and saw several bucks that would score over 82. I just don't see anyway of hunting them.

So, you're gonna go with a smokepole for first choice? Probably smart. As for the 10/18 archery hunt...how do you plan on hunting that one if you get a tag? I know that in Unit 10 it's hard sometimes to kill a BIG buck with a rifle.

About the drought...I've researched back into the history of precipitation in the state of Arizona and cross referenced it with the history of record book bucks and I've found that the current years level of precipitation is the least affecting factor of the current years horn growth. It seems that the two most important factors in a buck's record book potential is the year prior to the killing the buck and the 3 years prior to killing the buck. The year of the buck's death showed very little relevance to that buck's trophy potential. So, basically, during the buck's first year of life and the very year before he's taken are the two most important years for developing monster horn growth. This research took forever because I did it unit by unit, so my accuracy may be off and since I'm not a scientist or biologist take it for what it's worth.

Oh, and about the drought and horn growth last year...yeah, we killed the World Record. We also saw and videoed, wait...lemme count 'em...at least 4 bucks that I can remember that would've scored over 90 in AZ and 2 in NM.

I'm going scouting tomorrow! I'm so happy! Gonna go find at least two 90 point antelope. Yep, you read that right. 90. Haha. I hope.