Kaibab
Contributors to this thread:Mule Deer
From: Twinetickler
23-Jun-24
I was lucky enough to draw a Kaibab tag. I've been on the unit and have some starting points, but not since the Mangum Fire burned. Has anybody recently been on the Bab and can give a report on what the herd looks like? I have several scouting trips planned starting this coming weekend. Hope to find a good buck or two!
From: BOHNTR
23-Jun-24
Herd is down….fire scar area has fresh growth and a place to look. Always a few nice bucks seen every year……just nothing like years past.
From: Twinetickler
23-Jun-24
12A/12B. Thanks Roy. I may reach out and pick your brain a little more as I know you've spent some time up in there.
From: BOHNTR
23-Jun-24
I’ve been up there every year camping/scouting for over 30 years straight now. Son is still up there camping and scouting. Sure wish it was the mid-90’s again, then it might be worth the points it takes.
From: BULELK1
25-Jun-24
Good for you Walt.
Have fun and Pick-a-$pot--------.
Good luck, Robb
From: Verdehnter3
25-Jun-24
Most everybody hunts the burn. There are alot of deer in there, and there are some big ones. But the absolute biggest are fewer and further between. Personally, I'd look at the burn to see what's in there, but just know that the chances of any big deer in there being seen by multiple tag holders is high, and will be hunted. If I had the tag I'd get into some of the deeper and darker areas with less people.
From: Zim
25-Jun-24
I thought I was onto something when I was drawing every other year. It was a fun hunt well worth a few points. But 14!? Hell no. I’m now looking at other new places to try and burn my points. As will the masses in a couple more years.
From: Twinetickler
26-Jun-24
Verde it's funny you say that. I have the attitude to "get away from people" which is more enjoyable. With that said over the years the biggest bucks I have killed and hunted have been in some of the most accessible spots. I'm headed down Friday to spend a few days looking around. Excited to see what I can turn up. Zim you sure are ornery for a guy that has a Pauns tag in your pocket!
From: Zim
26-Jun-24
TC, All did was state my opinion that the Kaibab archery deer tag was not worth 14 points. Do you disagree with that assessment?
From: Twinetickler
26-Jun-24
I'll let you know mid September!
From: Zim
26-Jun-24
Looking forward to it. Send me a PM for some tips. I’ve hunted it 4 times.
From: BOHNTR
26-Jun-24
I personally wouldn’t burn more than 4 points on that hunt, honestly. Just not the amount of quality deer it used to have. BUT, there are still a few good ones there every year, which is what still creates that ‘Bab Magic.
My son just came back from a scouting trip and saw 3 different bucks that will be big….an additional 7-8 that should finish in that 160-165” range……and lots of smaller bucks. In the 80’s & 90’s, you would see that in one morning. I miss those days.
From: Dikndirt
27-Jun-24
Yes I miss the days when I drew the Pauns with 4 points!! The Kaibab was over the counter for tags back then too! Reality is that it now takes over 20 points to draw the Pauns and 15 to draw the ‘bab for a N/R. I have a dozen or so points in AZ and would love to burn em…. Give me suggestion on a better plan!
From: Dikndirt
27-Jun-24
Yes I miss the days when I drew the Pauns with 4 points!! The Kaibab was over the counter for tags back then too! Reality is that it now takes over 20 points to draw the Pauns and 15 to draw the ‘bab for a N/R. I have a dozen or so points in AZ and would love to burn em…. Give me suggestion on a better plan!
From: Verdehnter3
27-Jun-24
Not sure if a better plan, but something to consider.......G&F has been rotating Dec. mule deer hunts in various units over the past several years. Very few tags are given (usually less than 10), so not sure what that would translate to as far as how many points it might take. It is a rifle hunt, but no reason archery can't be used. Many will say that the units are "mediocre at best," but I've been in a lot of them that time of year and have seen bucks just as big as can be found on the Kaibab in August/September.
From: Dikndirt
27-Jun-24
That sounds like a good option…. I will have to do some research, thanks for the info Verde
From: Scar Finga
27-Jun-24
I spent 15 or 20 years up there, and it is just not the same! I have no desire to go up there and see 1 "shooter" in 10 days or none at all! It's not the same at all!! Some years you'll be lucky to see 5 deer total and some years you'll see 30! It has become so unpredictable! I wish you all the best of luck!!!
Scar
From: Zim
27-Jun-24
I experienced the same yoyo action Scar Finga mentions. I have no clue why that was.
From: Scar Finga
27-Jun-24
Zim,
It's because fish and game has ruined the Bab!!! It used to be so awesome, and they tried to make all of it a trophy unit with massive bucks but then they went in and killed off all the does with "youth" seasons all with rifles and it has never been the same!! I used to pass on huge 3x3's because you never knew what else was around the hillside! Now you're lucky if you see a couple 2X2's in a week of hunting and they get killed pretty fast! The Bab isn't the Bab anymore, it's just another place to see mediocre deer with guides everywhere camped out as close to waterholes as they can!
JMHO!!
From: Dikndirt
27-Jun-24
That sounds like a good option…. I will have to do some research, thanks for the info Verde
From: BULELK1
29-Jun-24
The fire was so damaging.
From: BULELK1
29-Jun-24
The campground was spared
From: BULELK1
29-Jun-24
From: BULELK1
29-Jun-24
The main lodge and Chervon G-station did okay
From: BULELK1
29-Jun-24
Coming up from Fredonia, they had closed the rest stop toilets but apparently people had other plans.
I'm sure we will see some current pix with how lush it is now.
Good luck, Robb
