Feb 17, 2008
Bucks That Got Away - Part 3
This buck didn't exactly get away. The photo below was taken in 2002 and we named the buck Crossover. He was one of our Auction Tag candidates that year along with a buck we named DW (see post below) and JoeBoo (see post below.) We decided that JoeBoo was bigger than DW and that Crossover - being in an archery only unit - would be too much of a hassle, though we thought he might be slightly larger. Jason, the rancher, found Crossover's shed in November of 2002 and gave it to us. The horn, if you doubled it, would have scored 95 6/8 B&C. We took JoeBoo that year and he scored 95 B&C. We took DW the next year believing that DW was slightly bigger than the year before and he scored 94 B&C. Then, in 2004, Arizona changed the rules for Auction Tag hunters and allowed us to hunt the archery only area with a rifle. We took Crossover that year and, though we knew he was much smaller, we thought he'd still score over 90. He scored 90 6/8 B&C. One more year and I'm sure Crossover would have been over the hill and not an option for us on the auction tag - he almost got away.
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9 comments:
Is there still a bow only unit in Arizona? If so does it still grow giant antelope?
Unit 6B is Archery only for the regular Draw, Unit 8 is only open for Muzzy's. There are some big goats in there but these areas are very wooded so finding the antelope are hard to do.
6B and 11M are the only two archery only units.
eli, in your 2006 photos what unit was odin in? Has he been killed? What a great buck and photo.
Odin lived in 19A and disappeared during the 2006 hunt (possibly before the hunt.) The buck was not seen last year and we devoured the area. The buck is most likely dead one way or another.
eli,new topic, i have 14 non-res points for antelope i want to only hunt archery. what unit offers a great hunt without fighting over water etc. but still can produce the big boys? 5a,10 19a? or somewhere else. any thoughts.
Well, the draw deadline has passed so I'll assume you're taking about 2009...We really won't know until after the 2008 season has passed. Things can change a lot from year to year.
Generally speaking Unit 10 is a great archery choice because you also get 18A and 18B. In 19A there's a good chance that you'll be fighting over a water hole if you're blind hunting - I've seen it happen. And it's nearly impossible to kill a buck in there without a blind. Unit 5A might be good.
Do you live in Arizona?
Back when 19A was archery only and there were numerous 90-inch antelope in there every year it wasn't considered a waste of points to draw, but now...I guess I'm just wondering why you only want to hunt archery? The success rate doesn't compare and the size rate isn't even close. Most of the hunters I talk to would consider drawing an archery tag with 14 points a "waste of points."
Although, if it's a shear need to hunt I can see your choice as the archery tags are much easier to draw, but if a big buck is your goal, and I'll assume it is because you're reading my blog, I'd probably advise against archery hunting in Arizona...not that you asked. :)
If you must archery hunt I'd suggest New Mexico. They offer better draw odds than Arizona and the bucks, as a whole, are much friendlier than ours. Also, they don't have a bonus point system so you'd never be "wasting points." Finding a place to hunt will require a little more work, but it isn't that tough if you just ask around.
ok where in new mex that has plenty of public can a guy chase big bucks? i have hunted 36 and 55 before with a rifle, i believe with a bow you can hunt the unit not just the ranch correct. i've looked over unit 13 before and have seen good bucks but they where on private. whats your opinion?
In New Mexico you're allowed to hunt any public land connected to a county road. Also, you can hunt any ranch you want as long as you get permission from the rancher. Most of the units in New Mexico are good for trophy quality.
Unit 36 has plenty of antelope and several places to hunt on "public" land. Also, many of the other units connected to that hunt have a lot of good bucks. Unit 36 seems to draw a lot of the hunters - I'm betting that if you looked into some of the less popular units you may find an area all to yourself.
Not sure where you saw the good bucks in 13, but there's a bunch of public land in 13. Both sides of the highway when you're at the VLA are private, but once you drive into the area either side of the highway you can find public land.
There's actually an area down by Eddy County where it's "Archery Only" and it's almost all public land. I haven't scouted it, but I've heard that there are good bucks down there.
The only place I'd caution against hunting might be the NE corner of the state as there are many really big ranches that are all private and finding a spot to hunt might be tough.
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