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2008 Deer Forecast: The WestBy Alex Robinson Herd assessment numbers are in. How will your fall deer season stack up? Here's Part 4 of OL.com's exclusive state-by-state report. Aug 21, 2008
ARIZONA Tag fees: $42 resident, $233 non-resident Forecast: Big Game Management Supervisor Brian Wakeling says above average precipitation and favorable fawn production should lead to a great season for both whitetails and mule deer. Because there were low winterkills, more deer permits will be issued this season, Wakeling says. Also, with relatively low hunter success rates across the state, there are plenty of mature deer that survived last year's season. Wakeling says this year the state is going to offer more hunts in an attempt to cut down hunter densities. Wakeling suggests checking into buying left over tags if you didn't pull a permit, or didn't pull the permit you were looking for. With more permits being issued this year there are bound to be some leftovers and they become available August 11th. Public land (mule deer): One of the best places to pull a mule deer permit in Arizona is the Kaibab (units 12a and 12b). The Kaibab is located in the northern part of the state and is famous around the country for it's trophy mule deer potential. Hunting the high elevations of 12a you'll find trophy mules hiding throughout the ponderosa pines. Unit 12b sits at a lower elevation and is made of mostly transitional habitat such as sagebrush and buck brush. Public Land (whitetail): Most of the good whitetail hunting is done in the oak savannahs and grasslands in the southern part of the state. There is more private land in this region so access can sometimes be tricky. Some of the more accessible units are 31, 32 and 29, but if you're after monster whitetails you want to hunt in 30a or 30b. For more information: http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting.shtml
CALIFORNIA Tag fees: $26 resident, $228 non-resident Forecast: When deer program coordinator Craig Stowers says this year's deer season is going to be blazing hot, he's not being positive. All summer severe drought conditions and wildfires have ravaged the state from top to bottom, and the harsh conditions will make this season a tough one, Stowers says. Many hunting areas could be closed, especially in the southern part of the state, making thorough planning and scouting next to impossible. Adding to the complications, hunters are required to use non-lead ammunition this season. "Hunters this year need to make sure they have a lot of options, and they shouldn't be upset if their first option doesn't work out," Stowers said. He suggests keeping close tabs on your hunting spots conditions and being ready to switch locations quickly. Public land: According to Stowers there is at least one ray of hope shinning through the wildfire smoke: the northeast. There is great deer hunting territory that is currently wildfire free along the Sierra Nevadas tucked away in the northeast corner of the state. However, quota hunts are set up in this region, which makes access tough. For more information: http://dfg.ca.gov/
Tag fees: $31 resident; $316 non-resident
Where to hunt whitetails: Go east young man if you're looking whitetails, because Colorado's eastern plains region is full of trophy bucks. The rut usually takes place during bow season so look to ambush testosterone bucks in riverbottoms that cut through agricultural regions. There were many reports of crop damage caused by in the southeastern region of the state, so landowners that corner should be more willing to grant access Baskfield said. Where to hunt mule deer: Baskfield said you'll have a good chance of getting a nice mule deer buck anywhere along the western slope, but especially in the south west region. The Gunnison National Forest, in west central Colorado is well known for its mule deer hunting, but with 1.7 million acres of public land, there's plenty of room to escape hunting pressure. One area to stay away from is the Hayman Burn Area in central Colorado, Baskfield said. The area burned years ago and since then there has sprouted a ton of undergrowth, essentially becoming a deer magnet. Hayman produced a few trophy bucks and got a lot of attention, in fact, a little too much attention. Baskfield says there is now so much hunting pressure in the area that it is difficult to enjoy a quality hunt there and suggests going elsewhere. For more information: http://wildlife.state.co.us/
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Forecast: It's no secret that Colorado is one of the best deer hunting states in the west, but after a tough winter, many hunters are wondering if the state will live up to expectations. The winter had the biggest affect on mule deer and even forced the state into a deer feeding program in Gunnison Valley. Fewer tags will be offered for Gunnison Valley as a result. But Tyler Baskfield of the Colorado Wildlife Division says the media over played the winterkill. The winterkill was actually close to it's historic average, it just seemed more devastating because the last few winters were unusually mild, Baskfield says. Also, the mature bucks that hunters are after are able to cope with harsh winters better than yearlings. "If you hunt in Colorado and have a buck tag in your pocket, you should still be excited for this season," Baskfield says. Last year hunters in Colorado had a 46 percent success rate, killing 32 bucks for every 100 does. Baskfield says despite the tough winter, whitetails are still thriving, and there will be extra tags antlerless whitetail doe tags offered in the southeastern corner of the state. 
