Seasons of the hunt in AZ.

[Michael Pfander]

I thought I would close out tonite with a few stream pics and little critters.  The elk still have their spots in july. This is the headwaters of the Black River This is about 40 or so miles downstream. This is AZ smallmouth water. I took this above camp at the Sunrise 3-D shoot 4th of July weekend. These are Goulds in the Santa Ritas.  These guys are about half grown.

[Michael Pfander]

When fall arrives things get more interesting.  Particularly if you've drawn.  If that is the case then you start seeing things like this.  Or like this.  I got lucky and caught all four feet in the air.  Once in a while I draw an elk tag.  This area had burned in the past[as you can tell] great forage and you can see them for quite a ways.

[Michael Pfander]

When December arrives archery deer opens up once more. [it closes when elk season starts, wouldn't want a "deer hunter" to make a mistake].    This is snow on the Rincon mnts. at sunset.  These are just to the east of Tucson.  The Saguaro Nat. Park takes a chunk out of them.  That said they are the only place I have put a stalk on a lion.  This is the west side of the Catalinas.  We only get clouds in the summer rainy season and in winter.  This is from the same spot looking west,  that is Picacho Peak.  And One more Coues pick

[Zbone]

Micheal - When is the Coues peak rut?

Thanx

[Michael Pfander]

Zbone:  I would have to say January.  It is a little dependant on the weather.  The warmer it is the later it is.  At altitude and in colder years its going good in December.  The Catalinas go up to over 9000', the Santa Ritas to almost 10,000.  The Coues go all the way to the top.  I am fairly sure I have seen the same buck working does up high early and down low late.
MAP

[Onestringer]

Awesome, thanks for sharing. I hunted coues this January, I plan on going back later this year.  How is the August/September hunting?

Thanks,

Scott

[Michael Pfander]

If you don't like the desert, hunt high.  They are in velvet in the early season.  I like to chase mule deer in the high country at that time.  You also get to chase turkey and bear.
MAP

[elkken]

Great pics Michael ... we winter a few months in Buckeye near the White Tank Mts. I see deer tracks all the time when I'm out riding my Mt bike but I promise the bride to leave my bows at home when we head south.

[ron w]

Thanks for showing us......neat stuff. Never would have thought there were smallmouth in AZ.

[steadman]

Very cool! Thanks for the pics. That is a monster couse you have pics of    
Congrats on the elk  

[Zbone]

Micheal - CONGRATS on your Coues!

If you don't mind me asking, what region did you take your Coues?

Hunted AZ twice, once as a teen chasing around small game, and again around 10 years ago chasing Javies, but the only time I seen whitetails was around Ft. Hauchuca.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Awesome !!!

[Michael Pfander]

Zbone:  I killed that one in the Catalinas.  They are so sneaky it helps to know the area.  They are much harder to pattern than other whitetail.  They have a much larger home range as well.
MAP

[WESTBROOK]

Excellent photos and beautiful country!

Thanks for the Tour    

[CoachBGriff]

Michael,

Thanks so much for posting the pics.  A buddy and I love to hike, and we spent a week around Escudilla one year.  You all have some beautiful country.

[akaboomer]

I miss Az. I lived in Tucson and Catalina for several years. I really have enjoyed the pictures you have shared. One thing I will always miss are coveys of quail that were in my yard every morning.

Chris

[Michael Pfander]

Coach:  That part of the state burned in the last big fire.

[Michael Pfander]

Coach:  That part of the state burned in the last big fire.  The drouth has been hurting the quail population and the spring flowers AKA.