AZ Late Season Deer

OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
Had a hunter walk right by me, 14 yards
Never saw me
He had his bow on his back

Go cipher

Red jeep back
Someone else is in this wash driving it up and down

How you gonna hunt from the truck

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OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
It's the Holidays !!
The washes are full of 4 wheelers and rails. Kind of nice- helps me move with their noise and they keep stuff distracted.

I was hunkered down in the wash this morning, and after the red jeep passed thru on his annual 9:00 scouting mission, I hear another vehicle in the wash. If that wasn't enough, I hear what sounded like coughing and spitting. I am thinking, "this buck is really rutting bad". I heard more noises, sounded like a fart, then it ran off. As I turned it was........
A homeless person walking in the freaking desert with his dog.

Can I get a break please- my plan A was ruined by johnny walker with bow on back. He trolls right thru the secret spot at first light. I had 4 does pass thru there too and I am certain the bucks were to follow. So I moved deeper into my favorite (and the red jeeps) wash, only to encounter ole red, and then the coughing, farting, homeless guy and his canine.
I just laughed to myself, and thought, "this is what you get for hiking in 4 miles.
Guys with light weight 4 wheel drive vehicles drive right in.
On my way out I bumped 2 bedded does. I actually put a stalk on them and didn't even know it. Got to 15 yards.
Sure is quiet in this desert.
My wind checker rarely shows and breeze at all.
Good news, that guys fart didn't stink- Praise the Lord for that. It would've hung around all day.
 
OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
Went out tonight and didn't see any bucks.
Good news is I didn't see any red jeeps, vagabonds, canines or vacationers either.
I had the desert to myself from what I saw.
The deer were bedded and not moving during daylight. The full moon is keeping them hunkered down til well after dark.
I had a blast hiking the desert for 5 days, 100,000 steps, 50 miles.


My 2017 season is officially over.

How blessed we are to be able to do what we love.

Bring on 2018- Utah, Idaho and Arizona
First up- Jan Turkey hunt in Utah
 
Last edited:

Bobbyboe

WKR
Joined
Feb 3, 2016
Messages
600
Sorry you didn’t score.

Thanks for posting and allowing us to follow along on the adventure too. Hope 2018 treats you well.
 
OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
Thx guys it was a blast in the desert.
So much so I am off to get a 2018 OTC tag. Hunt started today and goes to end of Jan and then again next Dec.
:)

It was nice to sleep in this AM. And stay warm.
 
OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
2018 tag bought
If the wife will let me I'm going out tonight
Lol
She is a bit tired of all the hunting
Never sees me Between work and play
52d81bf1d62808c2cabab812012f3e41.jpg


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OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
My wonderful wife asked me, "you are going to go hunt tonight aren't you"?

I just mapped out my last night hunt.

I have to head back to AZ tomorrow. But will be back in 2 weeks for more work contract start ups. So I decided to get my 2018 archery tag early
:)

the last 2 nights I sat where I thought they were bedded.
But it wasn't the case.
I saw deer walking out, but not from where I had anticipated them to be.
Tonight I am heading in a totally different mind set.
Nothing to lose


Warm weather, full moon, desert full of off roaders, fire works- last night had it all.
Tonight it will be totally different- like a ghost town around here now.

I did a short 1.5 mile hike up a new wash. Saw some solo tracks, fairly big too. But this is a different wash system than I have explored. I marked it for next time.

For now I am heading to the opposite end of the entrance and exit routes typically taken.

I really wanted to glass today, but had to get packed up and ready for the return trip to Utah.
Excited to get one more night anyway.
 
OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
Haha Travis
This was a fun night.
The wife said don't be out to late past dark, so I decided instead of hunting deep in the desert and having a long walk to the vehicle, I would hunt the perimeter of the field.
Well that paid off.
A huge (wide) forky along with about 15 does goes streaking by me, and stops about 80 yards broadside.
I get out of my little hiding spot to get a shot off.....
Up the field road comes a truck hauling the mail.
With mailmen all wearing camo. zoom
the deer run out into the field.
Then behind me, another mail delivery vehicle with a hunter is chasing that herd.
 
OP
mfllood3800
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
3,721
Location
Utah
Then out across the field 2 more vehicles all doing the same thing.
I never saw such a sight in AZ.
I started laughing. Seems this is where all the hunters have been all along.
I can see why, that buck was a wide one- worthy of chasing in your car.
:)

For a moment I thought they would chase the deer out of the field and right to me for a 30 yrd shot.

Those deer knew exactly how far out in that field they needed to stay.


I am heading home today and will be back in a couple weeks, feeling pretty confident the bucks will be safe.
 
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