Desert Hunt Observations

[Bullkllr]

Both my sons drew "2nd" antlerless tags for Desert this year. Opened on 12/13-28. We didn't go until this past Monday-Tuesday. Never hunted the area for deer before. We had a great time for the 2 days we hunted, and the guys did not end up shooting anything although they both could have. I just thought I would post a few observations on our experience. Feel free to refute as ridiculous or whatever.

1. We saw a lot of deer, but not as many as I thought. Saw more bucks than does, including some really nice ones and one I would call the biggest I've seen on the hoof.

2. Overall, most of the area we hunted (an easy access place?) didn't have any deer in it. We didn't see any deer in miles of hiking/glassing, then hit pockets that held more than seems logical. Literally saw no deer within about 3 miles of our access point.

3. Deer we saw have been hunted and were spooky as heck, especially the does. Some of the bucks on the other hand couldn't have cared less and just watched us after we showed ourselves.

3B) I couldn't really figure out what the deer we saw were doing in terms of a pattern. They weren't using the alfalfa from what we could tell. Saw some feeding on the sage. Only pattern seemed to be hide in the sage from humans.

4. Easiest place to hike I have ever been. We wore boots the 1st day, tennis shoes the 2nd. We liked the tennis shoes much better. Weather was ridiculous for late December- warm, calm, partly cloudy/sunny.

 5. Hunting sand dunes is weird. Many places we could only see as far as the next dune. Weird being less than a mile from Potholes' Res. and almost never being able to see it.

6. Doesn't really seem like that area needs as many antlerless tags as they gave out...? With the very limited buck tags there didn't really seem to be a big deer surplus, at least where we were.

We're thinking about going back for a couple days after Christmas since we have time off. Mostly going to enjoy the area again and look for deer. Might take one if the situation is right.

BTW, Merry Christmas!

[crabcreekhunter]

Just a suggestion that works sometimes, use a fawn in distress call and it can bring does out of little pockets right to you at times... Have it happen all the time when calling yotes!

[boneaddict]

Pretty good observations, and collaborates with what I have seen

[wildwood]

I've had the tag twice there and your spot on.  first time we had seen alot of deer  had it last year and didn't see nearly the amount as four years prior with no real mature bucks seemed to be three to four year olds both times

[builtfordtough]

Had that tag 3 years ago and have never seen such smart deer... Saw over a hundred deer in 2days. Plus saw 4 of the biggest bucks I've ever seen... On 1 stalk I had 2 spotters and a pusher. I snuck around a few sand doons and got into position... Best stalk and game plan I personally put together...however my pusher was in the line of fire. By the time I could get my buddy to back up and get outta the area it was too late and they (over 20 deer) busted and that was that.

[Dave Workman]

'Glockster' can't log in and asked me to relay these observations:


I got done with my Desert permit hunt last weekend, so I'd like to offer you some thoughts on your observations.  Since you have a few more days left, I hope this is helpful: 

"3. Deer we saw have been hunted and were spooky as heck, especially the does. Some of the bucks on the other hand couldn't have cared less and just watched us after we showed ourselves."

Your observations are spot on, especially about the wariness of the does.  Most people seem to think it's going to be one of those petting zoo hunts you see on TV when that antlerless permit shows up in the mail.  Older does lead the groups.  They are wise and know how to spot trouble from a LONG way away.

I call my tactic of hunting out there 'sneak and peak'.  They can see you from an incredible distance....i mean nearly a mile if the conditions are right.  Therefore, you have to use the dips and dunes to stay out of sight, then crawl on your knees to the side of the dune, hide behind a sage and take a peak with your bino's.  Again, never skyline ....ever.  Or you're going to ruin your hunt for about a mile radius.  Try to hunt with the sun at yoiur back and the wind in your face.  Every deer hunter I saw out there this year was sky-lining. 

The test is are you seeing coyotes before they see you?  If you haven't seen a yote before he sees you, you're not being sneaky enough.

3B) I couldn't really figure out what the deer we saw were doing in terms of a pattern. They weren't using the alfalfa from what we could tell. Saw some feeding on the sage. Only pattern seemed to be hide in the sage from humans.

Correct again, they are not using any agricultural foods right now.  The key is bitterbush.  It's that sage looking stuff that is much greener looking than the regular sage.  Find it, and you'll find deer (be further than 2mi from nearest easy access).  It's also alot taller than regular sage.  They love it.

6. Doesn't really seem like that area needs as many antlerless tags as they gave out...? With the very limited buck tags there didn't really seem to be a big deer surplus, at least where we were.

I think the herd is plenty healthy.  I have hunted out there since 1996 and the herd seems as robust as ever.  My wife and I covered it north to south over two weekends and saw the usual amount I am used to seeing while bird hunting.  The fellow permit holders I met this year, almost all of them said the same thing.....'this is the first time i've ever been here'.  That will bring down the kill rate.   It's not as easy of a hunt as people think.

[MerriamMagician]

Its rare for me to go out anywhere in the unit this time of year and not see at least 2 hundred deer in a day. There is a lot more deer than people realize out there, and literally tens of thousands of little hidey holes for those bucks to grow old and big with the unique terrain in the unit.

[Bullkllr]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Got it done Friday and Saturday. Both nice close shots.

Glockster- Good stuff! That was pretty much what we learned and did!

[splitshot]

  good thread with good comments.    it is easy walking now, but when the sand is dry it is another story and it is lots hotter.  also the bush deer eat is called rabbit brush.  lots of cheat grass too.  mike w

[Chad E.]

  good thread with good comments.    it is easy walking now, but when the sand is dry it is another story and it is lots hotter.  also the bush deer eat is called rabbit brush.  lots of cheat grass too.  mike w

Rabbit brush is way different than bitter brush.   Bitter brush is a very important winter range food for mule deer throughout their range.  I do agree with you on the cheat grass.  A wet mild winter like this one really makes it come on strong and the deer love the fresh green up.

[trophyhunt]

Congrats on your success, those dates seem late for a doe hunt?  I could see how someone can accidently shoot a doe looking deer to only find out it was a buck that dropped.  At a distance it's hard to tell the difference, I once shot a buck on dec 30 with my bow, I thought it was a good meat doe.  I never did find his antlers.  Again, congrats!