Anyone on here take advantage of the otc archery deer tags in Az. Been looking to hunt the west and the 1st season hunt really fits into my work schedule. Not really interested in where anyone hunts just your general thoughts as to a back country spot and stalk style hunt.

Best bet is AZ. Game and Fish website. The draw for Elk and antelope have come and gone. If there are any tags left for OTC it will be announced then. Usually some left for the desert areas and there are deer but can be hard locating them. I used to hunt out passed Wickenburg going west. Using the website and signing up for weekly reports can help as well. There's no charge. You get a bunch of info but it's a good way to stay up with what your interested in. The prime area is the Kabab up north of Flagstaff. This should be a good year as we had lots of rain. Good luck and welcome.

I just went to the website. The 2017-2018 regs are not up yet. Scrolling through the online book from 2016-17 shows the deer hunts. The book calls OTC "non- permit hunts" and they are archery only. You can see what areas where available and how many OTC tags were available. Not much help but can give you an idea anyway.

I talked to the game dept people re OTC deer tags in the west 1/2 of AZ. They said it usually wasn't much of a problem getting a tag. Already have a license and an elk pt, so was thinking of applying for a Javalina then get the deer tag when I get there. The season is in January, so will need a 2018 license also.

Anyone have any advice as to which zone? Would prefer the west half if possible

I used to hunt the late season in Kaibab for otc muleys. Open desert spot n stalk or still hunting can be tough for bows. I like forests.

Use to hunt the base of the Superstitions. Look to the Broadway trailhead between Monument Canyon & Hog Canyon. OTC tags for mulies/coues and don't forget to get a javelina tag. John

Thanks everyone, I've been looking at wilderness areas with limited accsess, really want to hike in a ways.I understand it's a very low success rate with a bow but it's a better percentage than trying to kill a mule deer in Pa though.

There is a wilderness area in unit 20A that might suit you. There is a main road that runs by it but it's some rugged area. I was going to hunt the area for Javelin but it was rain and mud this year and I was afraid of getting stuck. The area is not that far from Prescott, AZ.

A good idea IMO. Using a TOPO map or online maps would help locate water. I sometimes will chuckle seeing "blue lines" on a map but then remember in the wet season there is a good chance of water being there. This past year we had rushing water in streams like "Dry Beaver Creek" that ran into March.

I'm in the learning curve of e-scouting, I did find the AZ access maps I haven't signed up for a subscription, its supposed to show all water holes,not that I'm planning at sitting on water. thanks M60 for the unit tip, I was looking in 22 to start just because of flying into Phoenix and the short drive but Prescott is an option as well.

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