Restricted Hunting Areas Near Southern Border

that is to protect the hunters from the predators-2 legged varieties.

Sounds like fun...it might be to protect the 2 legged predators from the hunters.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

I live and hunt on the Arizona border regularly, and although there are signs, they are advisories of high drug trafficking in this area. Here in Arizona, the vast public lands throughout the state, including border regions, can't be infringed upon or restricted by any L.E. entity, federal or other wise, and I've never had L.E. make us feel unwelcomed or had out rights disrespected. they are doing a job and always seem to do it with integrity in my experience. Some areas that I hunt are just a few yards from the border, and we regularly encounter both smugglers and B.P. agents. It's getting really bad though, and one must remain alert and ready to defend your life and property. Car jackings by ambush are becoming uncomfortably common place the last few years. We also have simular warning signs along the interstate, primarily I-8 warning travelers of car jackings and other violent activity.

But despite the high risk, and personal encounter's my Son's and I have endured, we still camp right on the border during deer and javelina hunting season, but we sleep with our self defense weapons within very close reach, like in the sleeping bag. I refuse to let thugs and illegal's infring on my recreational activities, or intimidate me while enjoying my most loved outdoor sports. This is my/our United States, and no common criminal is going to take that away from me/us without some serious resistence, up to, and including, using deadly force if necessary.

One of my Son's is employed with B.P. and can get land and air agents in two shake's, regradless of cell phone service. And it just so happens that some of the best trophy mule deer and couse deer units are right smack dab in the middle of the smuggler's common route's. So we approach it as, they, meaning the smuggler's, have to deal with us and navigate around us, not the other way around. I can't count the number of times we have brought a sh-t storm of agents down on top of them in a matter of minutes, it feels good too!

I hunted unit 36B fro 4 years when I lived over there. I cannot confirm a single illegal alien sighting. I spent days glassing and I only glimpsed one, one time, not sure if it way an alien or rancher. i saw their garbage eveywhere, but never did I come into contact with a drug smuggler. So, I'm really not afraid of the units that hold a lot of illegals, and there are premium coues deer hunts in these ares. Also, I am no the kind to shy away from this behavior. If I feel threatened, I'm shooting first. But to be honest I'n not very worried. I have border patrol on my cell. I have spent A LOT of hours in "bad" country and I haven't seen any threats. To be honest, there are some cheap, trophy hunts in southern units because people are scared.

But, I am sickened by any advice to "cease and desist. " I'll hunt where I damn well please, being a free citizen in a free state.

They haven't even tried to restrict anyone, so far as I know. It's more of a warning to be aware of what is going on around you, and to alert people to what potentially might occur.

I'm taking my 15yo daughter out hunting quail and dove in the morning, right here on the border. This is where we live.

I've hunted 36B the last two years. I've been within a mile or two of the border both times. I have yet to see an illegal down there, but there is border patrol everywhere, which I actually find comforting (plus they know the area extremely well and can give helpful information as to where the deer are). Like others have said, there are warning signs about encountering illegals and drug smugglers.

While I have not had the same experiences seeing illegals and smugglers that gamestalker has, I do agree to keep a sidearm within arms reach at all times, but that goes for pretty much anywhere, whether you're at an international border or not.

It's not always the illegals and dopers that are the problem but the bandits that prey on them. They are often Americans in possesion of automatic weapons and nightvision and use small unit military style tactics and wear uniforms that resemble military/LEO. It can be quite a problem if one doesn't know what the locals wear. Locals are Sheriff's Dept, BP, and various other agencies.

BikerRN said:

It's not always the illegals and dopers that are the problem but the bandits that prey on them. They are often Americans in possesion of automatic weapons and nightvision and use small unit military style tactics and wear uniforms that resemble military/LEO. It can be quite a problem if one doesn't know what the locals wear. Locals are Sheriff's Dept, BP, and various other agencies.

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Sorry to do a mild necro-bump, but your statement interested me. I've heard of "Civilian" Border Patrol groups, but not the tactics, uniforms, or auto weapons. I'm not doubting you, but could you give me some info on this, the idea of paramilitary units operating on the border region is of concern to me, especially if mimicking LEO's in look and feel.

Sorry to do a mild necro-bump, but your statement interested me. I've heard of "Civilian" Border Patrol groups, but not the tactics, uniforms, or auto weapons. I'm not doubting you, but could you give me some info on this, the idea of paramilitary units operating on the border region is of concern to me, especially if mimicking LEO's in look and feel.

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My understanding was that this behavior was largely by other mexicans, not Americans.

We have hunted the 35B unit for 13 of the last 14 years for coues. We have seen the drug dealer "trains of people" almost every year which we report to the Border Patrol. They have caught the people every time we have reported to them. The BP is very effective in this area and very helpful. They have advised us about five years ago to always carry a sidearm which we do.

We hunt on leased federal land controlled by a private ranch. Great place, good people, but this past year I decided to hunt northern AZ for mule deer. My friends still hunted the ranch and reported seeing less trash from illegals than normal. Anyone hunting the area needs to be alert and careful and have the BP phone numbers.

Smokey, I concur with your friends. I have seen less trash this season than in the past several. I hunted 30B for Coues, and hunt 30B and all over 34A and B for small game.