Best Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units 2015!

Arizona's Unit 15D continues to be one of the best Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units.
Linda Kelly’s Record Book Nelsoni Ram from Unit 15DN.  Arizona’s Unit 15D continues to be one of the best Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units.

As we evaluated the 2015 Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting Units, we wanted to break it down into the 2 sub-species, so we would be comparing apples-to-apples.  Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep are classified into Mexicana and Nelsoni sub-species.  Typically, Mexicana rams don’t flare out wide, but tend to hold their mass throughout their horns and on average score better.  Nelsoni rams tend to be all over the map with regards to horn structure, but they are most known for being wide, long and flared out.

Both of these rams are Nelsoni Desert Bighorn B&C Record Book Rams, but  as you can see their horn structures are extremely different.
Both of these rams are Nelsoni Desert Bighorn B&C Record Book Rams, but as you can see their horn structures are extremely different. (image credit Darr Colburn)

With out taking Arizona bonus points into consideration, here are our Top 5 Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep (Nelsoni) Units for 2015 with the 2 year average score & age class:

  1. Unit 15DN (163″ 8 years)
  2. Unit 15DS (160″ 6.85 years)
  3. Unit 16A (165.5″ 8.35 years)
  4. Unit 15CS (165″ 7.25 years)
  5. Unit 13BN (160.5″ 7.25 years)

honorable mentions: 15CN & 15BW

Arizona Desert Bighorn Ram taken in Unit 22 with Jay Scott.
A GIANT Mexicana Arizona Desert Bighorn Ram taken in Unit 22 with Jay Scott.

As we broke down the Southern & Central Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Units, we discussed it with our good friend Jay Scott at Colburn & Scott Outfitters.  Jay knows many of these units extremely well and after talking with him and analyzing the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s desert bighorn sheep reports, here is our Top 5 Arizona (Mexicana) Desert Bighorn Sheep Units for 2015 with the 2 year average score & age class:

  1. Unit 22 (178″ 8.55 years)
  2. Unit 24BS (182″ 8.75 years)
  3. Unit 24BN (174.5″ 8.25 years)
  4. Unit 37A (167″ 8.25 years)
  5. Unit 28S (167″ 6.5 years)

honorable mention: 44BN & 37B

Listen to Episode #29 of the Jay Scott Outdoors Podcast as we discuss the Best Units for Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunting in 2015.

Jay Scott Outdoors Podcast iTunes

 

source credit: Arizona Game & Fish Department Bighorn Sheep Reports & Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society

 

Best Arizona Mule Deer Units in 2015!

Big Kaibab Mule Deer taken by Max Nicholas.
Big Kaibab Mule Deer taken by Max Nicholas.

So what are the best Arizona Mule Deer Units or Hunts for 2015?

As many of you know Arizona is completely a draw state for the best rifle mule deer hunts.  If you are a resident you have a shot at any of the best mule deer units, because 80% of the tags will be awarded in the 2nd pass or random draw.  If you are a non-resident you are currently limited because only 10% of the best mule deer tags are awarded to non-residents and this percentage is typically met in the max bonus point pass.  The max bonus point pass is where 20% of the top mule deer tags are awarded and you must have max bonus points to be eligible for this draw.  Basically, that takes 10+ years of applying to reach those max bonus point numbers.

With that said, here is our list without thought to bonus points or the draw process:

Best Arizona Rifle Mule Deer Hunts:

  1. Unit 13B (Strip) November Mule Deer– Best genetics and age class in the state.  The majority of 13B has received good precipitation this spring, which will equal great nutrition for antler growth.
  2. Unit 13A (Strip) November Mule Deer– Great genetics and age class, but less deer habitat than 13B.  13A has actually received better precipitation than 13B this spring and is also a full blown rut hunt (starts a week after 13B).  If there was more deer habitat, it would be our #1.
  3. 12AW (Kaibab) Late November Mule Deer– Solid Genetics with lots of deer.  Age class isn’t as good as the strip.  This hunt is a full blown rut hunt and with the good spring rain, the bucks should reach their potential this year.
  4. 12AE (Kaibab) Late November Mule Deer-basically the same as 12AW, just not quite as many deer or as much country to hunt.

honorable mentions: 12B late, 12BW late, 8 late & 17B late

Over-the-Counter Archery Mule Deer Hunting
Over-the-Counter Archery Mule Deer Hunting

Best Arizona Archery Mule Deer Hunts:

  1. Unit 13B Archery Mule Deer-Best genetics and age class in the state.  The majority of 13B has received good precipitation this spring, which will equal great nutrition for antler growth.  If you it’s dry during the hunt, hunters and guides camp on water and tend to take bigger bucks.
  2. Unit 13A Archery Mule Deer-Great genetics and age class, but less deer habitat.  13A has actually received better precipitation than 13B this spring, so antler growth will be the best in the state.  13A has 5 more archery tags than 13B, but some of the big bucks that rut on the Grand Canyon National Park and in 13B often summer in 13A.
  3. Early Over-the-Counter Central Arizona Mule Deer Units–  Mule Deer densities are similar to the strip, but the age class and genetics are not as good.   Some of the bigger bucks will expose themselves while chasing grass feed from the monsoon season.
  4. Late Rut Over-the-Counter Arizona Mule Deer Units–  The mule deer rut for deer south of the Grand Canyon typically goes from mid-December to late-January.  Mule Deer living in the higher country, which is located  North of the Mogollon Rim tend to rut a little sooner.  Desert Mule Deer located South and West of the Mogollon Rim tend to rut harder after Christmas through late January.

Feel free to contact us with any questions!

 

What does an official 400+ Arizona Bull Elk look like?

Jason Bausch took a GIANT 403″ OFFICIAL Gross scoring Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young Arizona Bull Elk will us this past season. This is what this GIANT looked like back at camped after being field dressed and caped.

A giant Arizona Archery Bull Elk taken in 2014 with Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters.
A giant Arizona Archery Bull Elk taken in 2014 with Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters.
The right side view of a 400 inch Arizona Unit 10 Archery Bull Elk taken with Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters.
The right side view of a 400 inch Arizona Unit 10 Archery Bull Elk taken with Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters.
Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters' guide, Logan Anderson, posing with this 400 massive Arizona Archery Bull Elk.
Exclusive Pursuit Outfitters’ guide, Logan Anderson, posing with this 400 massive Arizona Archery Bull Elk.

This type of trophy is rare, but it’s what we all dream about and crave pursuing as elite Arizona Elk Outfitters.