I've known for years that the Mule Deer Rut in Southern Arizona lags significantly behind the Rut in Northern Arizona. But I was visiting my rancher friends widow this past weekend and her son reported a large Mule Deer crossing the road the night before. A buck still with its antlers. He noticed other bucks in the previous days, not as large, but also with antlers. I have seen antlers as late as the first of March but assumed they were shed shortly thereafter in March.
For those not familiar with Arizona, the state has a wide variety of landscape. From Pine Forests at 8-10,000 feet to mid-high desert at 4000 feet to low desert at 1500 feet all the way down to close to sea level in the West. Yuma's elevation is reported as 141 feet above sea level while Humphrey's Peak is reported at 12,657 feet above sea level. And the fauna varies with the location.
AZ G&F distribution Map for Mule Deer
Although the official map for distribution of Mule Deer indicates almost the entire state, what I see normally is White Tailed Deer at the higher elevations and Mule Deer at the lower elevations. I'm sure AZ G&F is correct that we have Mule Deer at the higher elevations, I just don't think there are as many up there. As I almost exclusively hunt the South, I'd like to hear what the hunters in Northern Arizona see/know. Javelina seem to be adopting to most elevations.
The rut in higher elevations somewhat mimics what others see in the rest of the country and I think Elk in Arizona have about the same Rut as in Colorado though I'd wouldn't argue if someone knows better. Down here in Southeast Arizona the Mule Deer Rut doesn't normally start until until at least mid-December and some years not until January. The delayed Rut seems to be in effect North all the way to the Phoenix Area. One year I stumbled upon a days old fawn in the first week of Dove Season (September) about 40 miles East of Phoenix. See 'Late Season Fawn' here for the story on that: Late Season Fawn | The High Road
I always thought that the amount of daylight was the most contributing factor in when the Rut starts. The difference in the amount of daylight can't be that significant between Flagstaff (35 degrees North) and Sierra Vista (32 degrees north). The average temperature must play a significant role in when the Rut start. Also I seem to recall that the Rut in East Texas was in September and that isn't significantly different in latitude than say Phoenix (33 degrees North) compared to Tyler Texas (32 degrees North).
Here is the summary for Mule Deer in Arizona from the AZ G&F Website:
AZGFD
Breeding Period: November-December
Young Appear: June-August Average
Number of Young: 2
Distribution: 90ft-10K ft, statewide except extreme southwest corner of state
Habitat: Desert shrub, grasslands, pinon-juniper, pine, aspen-fir, and mountain meadows
Food Preference: Weeds, palo verde, aspen, mushrooms, yucca flowers, shrubs, oak, mesquite beans, janusia, cliffrose, sagebrush, juniper, coffeeberry, cacti fruit, and filaree in season
Range: 30-50 sq. miles
Live Weight: M-200-225lbs.; F-110-125lbs.
Predators: Mountain lion, coyote and eagle
In the south the mule deer seem to be on the lower end of the weight spectrum. The average size for a mature buck that I have seen down South was in the 130-150 lb. range. And isn't it interesting that G&F list 'Eagle' as a predator of Mule Deer. That would be something to see.
Mostly idle banter for the non-hunting seasons. Though I might go down next weekend and chase some rabbits. It is a year long season in Arizona. Don't worry, the Easter Bunny is safe as I hunt with a handgun and this year I'm likely to do it with my newly acquired Colt 1862 Police. FYI, in the decades I've been hunting rabbit with a handgun, I've never managed to hit one. My rules are they have to be on a dead run before I shoot. If they aren't running, I have to make them run. It is really more practice shooting than hunting. Oh, and good exercise for the Rabbits!
For those not familiar with Arizona, the state has a wide variety of landscape. From Pine Forests at 8-10,000 feet to mid-high desert at 4000 feet to low desert at 1500 feet all the way down to close to sea level in the West. Yuma's elevation is reported as 141 feet above sea level while Humphrey's Peak is reported at 12,657 feet above sea level. And the fauna varies with the location.
AZ G&F distribution Map for Mule Deer
Although the official map for distribution of Mule Deer indicates almost the entire state, what I see normally is White Tailed Deer at the higher elevations and Mule Deer at the lower elevations. I'm sure AZ G&F is correct that we have Mule Deer at the higher elevations, I just don't think there are as many up there. As I almost exclusively hunt the South, I'd like to hear what the hunters in Northern Arizona see/know. Javelina seem to be adopting to most elevations.
The rut in higher elevations somewhat mimics what others see in the rest of the country and I think Elk in Arizona have about the same Rut as in Colorado though I'd wouldn't argue if someone knows better. Down here in Southeast Arizona the Mule Deer Rut doesn't normally start until until at least mid-December and some years not until January. The delayed Rut seems to be in effect North all the way to the Phoenix Area. One year I stumbled upon a days old fawn in the first week of Dove Season (September) about 40 miles East of Phoenix. See 'Late Season Fawn' here for the story on that: Late Season Fawn | The High Road
I always thought that the amount of daylight was the most contributing factor in when the Rut starts. The difference in the amount of daylight can't be that significant between Flagstaff (35 degrees North) and Sierra Vista (32 degrees north). The average temperature must play a significant role in when the Rut start. Also I seem to recall that the Rut in East Texas was in September and that isn't significantly different in latitude than say Phoenix (33 degrees North) compared to Tyler Texas (32 degrees North).
Here is the summary for Mule Deer in Arizona from the AZ G&F Website:
AZGFD
Breeding Period: November-December
Young Appear: June-August Average
Number of Young: 2
Distribution: 90ft-10K ft, statewide except extreme southwest corner of state
Habitat: Desert shrub, grasslands, pinon-juniper, pine, aspen-fir, and mountain meadows
Food Preference: Weeds, palo verde, aspen, mushrooms, yucca flowers, shrubs, oak, mesquite beans, janusia, cliffrose, sagebrush, juniper, coffeeberry, cacti fruit, and filaree in season
Range: 30-50 sq. miles
Live Weight: M-200-225lbs.; F-110-125lbs.
Predators: Mountain lion, coyote and eagle
In the south the mule deer seem to be on the lower end of the weight spectrum. The average size for a mature buck that I have seen down South was in the 130-150 lb. range. And isn't it interesting that G&F list 'Eagle' as a predator of Mule Deer. That would be something to see.
Mostly idle banter for the non-hunting seasons. Though I might go down next weekend and chase some rabbits. It is a year long season in Arizona. Don't worry, the Easter Bunny is safe as I hunt with a handgun and this year I'm likely to do it with my newly acquired Colt 1862 Police. FYI, in the decades I've been hunting rabbit with a handgun, I've never managed to hit one. My rules are they have to be on a dead run before I shoot. If they aren't running, I have to make them run. It is really more practice shooting than hunting. Oh, and good exercise for the Rabbits!
