Overview: There is a good population of bears in the area but it will take some planning and scouting for a hunter to be successful. The black bear population is generally in the upper reaches of the Santa Rita Mountains, however bears are often observed at lower elevations later in the year. During the spring bear hunt, after leaving den sites, bears are searching for areas with an abundance of tender grasses. Therefore, look for wet areas and south exposures where young, green grasses may be found. When the bears come out of the dens their foot pads are soft. They prefer to use cleared trails until the pads become callused. Also search canyon bottoms for fresh bear tracks and scat. It is also helpful to find a high vantage point from which to glass.

The fall season has an archery only hunt that generally runs from the end of August to the end of September (check current regulations for exact dates). This season occurs when bears are more active. During this hunt bears are observed in the lower elevations foraging on prickly pear fruits and traveling in the creek bottoms, and along trails. This is the best opportunity to observe bears but it is still a challenging hunt and requires planning and scouting for the hunter to be successful. Most successful hunters begin early in the morning. Using a predator call can also prove useful but be aware that the bear may come in close your call.

Area: There are several areas to look at for this hunt. The first is the Gardner Canyon and Cave Canyon Areas. To get there take Highway 83 to the Gardner Canyon turn off (four miles north of Sonoita). The area is well signed, using a Forest Service or Topo map to navigate should be easy. Once you get into the area there is good foot trail access into bear country. Walk the trails and look for fresh bear sign and trails.

Another area to consider is Temporal Canyon. To get there take Highway 82 to Patagonia. Once in Patagonia you want to take First Street north. First street will take you north into the Temporal Canyon area. Once there you can take the 72A road into the Mansfield canyon area or continue north on 72 to Walker Basin.

The Squaw Gulch area is another place to look for bears. To get there take Highway 82 to Forest Road 143 (Approx. mile marker 15) and head north. When you get to Forest Road 144 turn to the east and follow the road on back. Squaw Peak is along the way and is an area to look at as well.

Josephine Canyon is another area to explore when looking for bears. You can get there from the Patagonia or the Mount Hopkins side. To get there from the Patagonia side take Highway 82 to Forest Road 143 go north to the Josephine Canyon turn off and then go the east. To get there from the Mount Hopkins road take I-10 to the Canoa Exit and go south on the frontage road to the Elephant Head road. Go east to the Mount Hopkins road and follow it to the Bull Springs road (approx. 6 miles). Follow this road south to the Josephine Canyon turn off.

There has been bear activity on the north side of the Mountain range as well. However it is against Federal and State rule for any person to enter the Madera Canyon area with a weapon (including bow and arrow) capable of operating. In other words the Madera Canyon area to within 1/4 mile of the closure area is illegal to hunt in. To get more details on the closure area contact the Forest Service Nogales Ranger District: 303 Old Tucson Rd. Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296. There is an alternative for the archer. The Florida Canyon Work Center has a trailhead just before entering the work center area. This trailhead allows the hunter foot access to several trails on the north side of the Santa Rita’s. To get there take I-19 to the Continental road turnoff. Follow the road east to Forest Road 481. Take the 481 road south to the trailhead parking area.

Melendrez pass is another option. The area can be accessed from Highway 83. Take Highway 83 south from I-10 to the Gardner Canyon turn off. Go approximately 1 mile to the Fish Canyon road. Take Forest Road 163 to Forest Road 165 west to Melendrez pass. From here you can access trail systems that take you south to Sawmill Springs or work the country to the west.

The possession or use of motorized vehicles off forest system roads and trails is prohibited. For further information concerning this or any other laws administered by the USFS contact the Coronado National Forest, Nogales Ranger District: 303 Old Tucson Rd. Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296.
Even though these units are made up predominantly of public lands, private property can be encountered. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with your hunting area before venturing afield. The best way to accomplish this is by obtaining and studying USFS, topographic and state land maps of all interested areas.

Summary: This bear population is healthy and bears are seen throughout the spring and summer. Pick up a U.S. Forest Service map or topographic map before you go. Also, don't forget to get a copy of the hunt regulations. Pre-season scouting will help the hunter get familiar with the area and locate potential hunting areas where bears may be present. Try to work along trails looking for sign. Also, watch the roads for bear tracks. Bears will also turn rocks and tree trunks along trails looking for grubs. Springs and waters are other areas to look for bear sign. Also be aware that weather can change rapidly at higher elevations during this time of year, and the temperature can vary by as much as forty degrees. Always take plenty of water and let someone know where you will be hunting and when to expect you home.

Overview: The mule deer population in the unit Is stable or decreasing at this time. Although there are not as many bucks as there used to be there still are a few good areas to find them.

Remember to pick up a Forest Service map to help you with the road system and locating water holes. Also, don't forget to take a copy of the hunt regulations with you. The first hunt will be warm so the deer will be bedding down early. You'll need to get out of camp early and glass feeding areas. The second hunt should find the deer a little more active.

Area: The Santa Rita Experimental Range has a good population of mule deer. The Range is relatively flat country that makes for easy walking but it does not have many high points to glass from. The best ways to hunt deer on the range are to either get up on the hills on the far east side or to walk the high edges of the major river beds that cut across the Range. Getting out for some pre-hunt scouting will greatly improve your chances of success. Get a hold of a U.S. Forest Service map and locate water sources in the country.

Another area to try for mule deer is south of the old road going from Amado up to Mt. Hopkins from I-19. This is F.S. road 184. When this road gets close to the mountains there is F.S. road 143 turning south. All the country between 143 west to the river and from 184 south to Mavis Wash has fair numbers of mule deer. There are deep canyons that you can walk along to get a good view. There are some very good mature bucks in this area. Water is limited in the area so it would benefit the hunter to locate them, as mule deer must use them. Also be sure to reference a map to know private land status as nearly all land south of Tubac to Nogales and into the mountains is private and hunting is by permission only.

Mule deer are also frequently seen in the Gardner Canyon area. You will want to get up on the hillsides and glass on the north and south sides of the Canyon. Be careful to respect private property owner's rights and look out for occupied structures that dot the area. Be aware that in some areas mule deer and whitetail deer can be found together so be sure to identify the deer before you shoot.  The most reliable means of identification is the tail. The mule deer tail is narrow, and black tipped at the end. The whitetail is broad, long and gray/brown in coloration. When alarmed, whitetail will sometimes lay their tail on their back, or flag, showing a white underside and a white rump. It is important to note that not all whitetail will flag. Therefore, if not absolutely sure of which species you are looking at, do not shoot. Also, remember that one characteristic alone is not a totally reliable means of identifying a whitetail from a mule deer. For further information along with illustrations identifying differences between whitetail and mule deer, please review the Arizona Hunting Regulations.

Overview: Unit 34A will have an average to good population of whitetail this year.  Whitetail hunting throughout the unit is good. Habitat conditions during 2009-10 allowed fawn survival to remain stable. Therefore, the number of 1-2 year old bucks entering the population should be quite high, resulting in good harvest success.   At this writing, summer monsoon moisture has been average to slightly above average resulting in good habitat conditions.  It is a good idea to do some pre-season scouting not only to find the deer but also to also check and make sure access is still available for your favorite hunting grounds.

Area: The best numbers are in the southern end of the mountains but you can also expect a lot of hunters in small amounts of area between private properties as the area is popular.  The Squaw Gulch area on the southwest corner of the mountain is also good. If you hike in at least 1/2 mile away from the road you will get away from most hunters.  The country on the west side of the Temporal drainage has good numbers of deer.  The 72 road goes past the trailhead at the Arizona trail parking lot and accesses Temporal Gulch or the Mansfield canyon area via the 72A road. The thicker cover areas from Mansfield Canyon heading south harbor a few older age class bucks.

The Fort and Hog Canyon areas are favorites of many hunters. The traditional entrance off of Highway 82 is not public access and has been posted by the homeowner's association. Please respect landowner rights and use the alternative access. Access is through Garner Canyon. To get there, exit Highway 83 at Gardner Canyon. Follow this road to the west to Forest Road 795. Take the 795 Road to Forest Road 4111.  The 4111 road will take you south into Hog Canyon. You can glass some good habitat along the way.

Forest Road 143 on the southwest side of the Santa Rita Mountains goes through some excellent whitetail habitat.  Also, Josephine and Bond Canyons are good but be prepared for steep country. For those wanting a little more level hunting, try the State land southwest of Josephine Canyon and F.S. road 143. But be aware that white-tail and Mule deer can occupy the same habitat in these lowland areas.

Upper Sawmill Canyon, east of Madera Canyon has some good whitetail hunting. A good way to get to the high country there is to come in on the east side of the mountains to F.S. road 165 into Melendrez Pass and hunt down into Sawmill. This method provides excellent glassing opportunities. To get to the 165 road you will need to take Highway 83 south to the Gardner canyon turnoff (forest road 92) and go west. Take the Fish Canyon road number 163 and follow it past Kentucky camp. The road will continue west and then north, intersecting forest road 165 which will take you west to Melendrez Pass.

A new access road was constructed in 1997. This road provides legal access into the Big Casa Blanca and Wood canyon areas. To get there take State Highway 82 to mile marker 25.5 (approximately 5 miles east of Patagonia), and follow the Casa Blanca Canyon road to the northwest. After about 3.5 miles look for a road heading to the north. Follow this road to the crest of the ridge. The road will then travel east and take you into Wood Canyon.

Summary: Two key things are to be remembered. First, pick up a Forest Service map to find the above-mentioned roads and canyons. Second, don't forget your binoculars.  For whitetail hunting they are as important as your rifle.

The early hunt will be pretty warm so get out early in the morning to catch them before they bed down when the temperature increases.  They will begin to bed shortly after the sun comes up unless the weather is cool.

The middle hunt will be cooler and the deer should stay up later but you still will increase your chance of success if you are heading out of camp at the first hint of light or sooner. Remember that deer also have a mid-day flurry of activity around noon to 1:00 p.m. It's a good time to be on a high point glassing.

The late hunt will be cool to cold weather. The bucks will be starting to chase the does and will be more visible.  The hunt success is higher as the bucks are moving more. Hunter density will also be significantly lower.