Arizona deer hunters enjoyed an overall success rate of 27 percent last year. That figure is an increase of 5 percent over the norm in the 1990s, and it bodes well for this year.

Consistently successful mule deer hunters in southern Arizona scout before the season, glass from a vantage point and are excellent stalkers. Photo by Darren Choate.

In general, precipitation across the state was good last year, which meant healthy deer populations, and proved to be good for antler growth as well. Archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunters alike scored on trophies throughout the deer season. The following three hunts helped to characterize Arizona's 2008 deer season.

WHAT WILL 2009 BRING?
Most of Arizona's deer country has benefited from two years of good precipitation. The past two winters left excellent snowpack conditions in the high country, which led to two years of good spring green-up. Additionally, the late-summer monsoons have been enough to provide deer with ample forage through the fall.

Most deer populations are stable or increasing slightly in some areas. Although precipitation is a good thing, it can also make hunting tough.

Lance Crowther, owner of Timberland Outfit-ters, warns that plentiful food and water means less concentrated deer herds.

"Last fall, deer could feed and water wherever they liked, making it difficult to locate and pattern bucks," Crowther said.

Hunters across the state should prepare for similar conditions this fall as well, he said.

Northern Arizona
Deer habitat in northern Arizona is diverse. Mule deer range throughout the northern region of the state from below the Mogollon Rim to the Utah line.

In the northern region, Coues deer habitat is basically limited to the Mogollon Rim areas, which ranges in elevation from approximately 4,500 to 7,500 feet. The majority of Coues deer are found in the central or interior portion of the state.

This past winter, Region 1 in the White Mountain area received above-average precipitation on the western portion of the region, and below-normal precipitation on the eastern side of the region.

According to Acting Big-Game Management Supervisor Rick Langley, deer populations in the region have fared well over the last few years, and are fairly stable across the region.

"We are still seeing increases in the 3A-3C deer herd six years after the Rodeo-Chediski fire," Langley said.

Mule deer and Coues deer fawn crops in GMU 27 have also benefited from "several landscape-scale habitat projects and recent wildfires," Langley said.

Several mature bucks were field-checked last year. Conditions are ripe, and GMUs 3A, 3C and 27 should provide hunters with a good probability for success again this fall.

For the last two years, Region 2 has experienced above-average winter precipitation, which has led to quality deer habitat. Region 2 is home to the Kaibab and Strip mule deer hotspots.

According to Regional Game Specialist Tom McCall, deer herds in Region 2 are stable or increasing slightly. Like other GMUs, 12 has responded positively to recent wildfires, which have helped to create valuable deer forage.

Several great bucks were harvested in Region 2 last year, including a non-typical that scored 216 inches.

Deer hunters north of the Colorado River enjoyed high success rates in 2008.

"I anticipate similar high success next year," McCall said.

McCall also reported that there was an increase in harvests of 4-point bucks with at least 25-inch spreads in GMUs 12AW and 12AE during the 2008 season.

Units 13A and 13B are likely to produce some monsters in 2009, McCall said.

According to Region 3 Game Specialist Erin Riddering, deer herds seem to be increasing region-wide. In her opinion, this is likely a response to two years of good precipitation.

In 2008, Riddering either saw or heard of approximately 15 bucks harvested within her region that were 4x4 bucks with at least a 24-inch spread.

In the past, GMU 10 has offered hunters a great chance at a quality buck. However, Riddering believes that GMU 18B is the best unit for a general permit in 2009.