Steve Z. took a big 12AE mule deer with us in 2015.
Steve Zeiser was a lucky hunter who drew one of the Arizona Kaibab 12AE Late Mule Deer tags in 2015. He then booked his guided mule deer hunt with us & hunted with our Kaibab Mule Deer FREAKaka Jimmy Hoffman. After a few days of grinding it out & passing on some nice bucks, the crew was able to close the deal on a BIG Kaibab buck. Steve’s buck was over 30 INCHES wide with a gross score pushing 190!
Jimmy Hoffman holding Steve’s brusier 12AE buck!
EPO guides, John & Jimmy holding Steve’s big buck.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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
Best Arizona Archery Mule Deer Hunts:
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.
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.
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.
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.
