Arizona deer, bighorn, etc

[lamrith]

WOOT!  We drew 34A October hunt!

Good luck on left overs WACoues!  Sorry you did not draw.

yeah you both beat me was just coming here to post..

[Bean Counter]

You could draw a worse hunt than that. I saw a beast in 34A last year. Nearly drove off a cliff trying to get a better look at him.  It was worth it.

[lamrith]

You could draw a worse hunt than that. I saw a beast in 34A last year. Nearly drove off a cliff trying to get a better look at him.  It was worth it.

Yeah it was our 2nd choice, 1st was #1003 Oct-Nov 3A&C hunt.

I need to see what I can find for economical decent bino's now.  Stepdad has Vortex he likes, but says they not gather a ton of light for late evening..

Any power rating you recommend knowing that terrain Bean?  12x, 14x?...

[Bean Counter]

I've seen my share of the Rocky Mountain west and would say that southern Arizona is about the last place I'd want to hunt without quality optics. Some of my honeyholes I hike up in the morning and stay up until I either see something to chase or the sun  goes down.Even on my archery  elk hunt in northern Arizona last year, which is higher in elevation, can be done without too much fuss. After my first few scouting trips I quit bringing my spotting scope altogether and when I was out with my bow I usually just had my rangefinder. Not so down south. I have Nikon EDG 10x32s which are a bit shaky given the power vs the objective lens but for 65% off retail I couldn't pass that up. I think 8x is too short and 10 or 12x is ideal. A spotter or at least some 15x56s on a dinky tripod would do you good.

The Santa Rita Mountains are the primary place to hunt coues deer in this unit. Its a lot greener than you'd think. Surprised they call this the desert. I'll post up a few pics later.

I've looked through midrange Vortex and I was not impressed. 

[WAcoueshunter]

I hunted for years down there with just a pair of 10's around my neck.  But then I got a pair of 15x56's on a tripod, and am now spoiled.  Buy the 10's (or 8's) first, then add the 15's if/when you can.  They serve different purposes.  There are exceptions of course, but the foothills of most coues terrain in southern AZ is made for glassing with 15's.  Our spotters usually don't leave the truck.  We use them more down lower in the flats looking for desert mulies. 

[Bean Counter]

There's your 'desert' hunt 

A few fun facts about 34a:

• The Santa Ritas are home to the Whipple Observatory. Which should give you an idea as to how high you can get and glass in this unit
• It is the last known spotting of a jaguar in the US

[WAcoueshunter]

Exactly, perfect 15 distance to glass those hills in front!  My point is, we're not talking 10,000 foot peaks that are three miles away.  Heck, I used my 15's to see if the ski lift is running after the snow last New Years.   

[Tbob]

Not drawn for me! I didn't expect much anyways. I put in for 12A west.. Anyways, looks like mulies and stink pigs in January again for me! Really enjoyed that hunt last year! And this year it's a short drive rather than a flight..

[Bean Counter]

I just got off the phone (text) with a guy who joined my elk hunt last year. He pulled one of the 12AW tags

[Tbob]

Damn! That's awesome for him! that's an excellent area! Be sure and post up a pick if he's cool with that!

[lamrith]

There's your 'desert' hunt 

A few fun facts about 34a:

• The Santa Ritas are home to the Whipple Observatory. Which should give you an idea as to how high you can get and glass in this unit
• It is the last known spotting of a jaguar in the US

:drool:Thats just mean..
IS IT OCTOBER YET!?!?

[Bean Counter]

Damn! That's awesome for him! that's an excellent area! Be sure and post up a pick if he's cool with that!

What I'd really like  is to get up there and photograph the hunt. But I think I have to chose between a wildlife lens for my DSLR and a new riflescope for my trophy pronghorn hunt this fall according to my better half 

[Tbob]

Dude.. Tough choice... I'd buy the lens with my credit card and then find a way to get that scope cash money on the down-lo! Mount it and nobody has to even notice.. Usually works for me:-) and I just don't ask questions when I see new shoes on her feet..

[Bean Counter]

Lamrith: sending you a PM.

(can't attach photos to PM and too lazy to upload elsewhere).