Hunting outlook: dove, archery deer and pronghorn
By Mike Rabe, migratory game bird supervisor, and Brian Wakeling, big game supervisor, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Dove outlook
Overall, expect a good dove opener this year and a normal to above-normal season. Over most of the state, expect the early dove hunt to be good in areas where food is available for doves. Because of relatively poor seed crops resulting from the dry winter in the northern desert, it was thought doves would probably be more concentrated than they were last year. However, the good summer rainfall has resulted in abundant seed crops and more available water sources in the desert, which should provide more dispersed hunting opportunities in central Arizona. Hunters should still expect to see decent concentrations of doves in the agricultural areas. Early scouting to find where the doves are feeding will pay off on opening day. Be careful before returning to traditional areas outside of metro units, because many agricultural areas are being developed and are no longer suitable for dove hunting. There are still lots of good choices, but check first.

Desert roosting or loafing areas such as mesquite or tamarisk thickets, particularly close to water sources, can offer good shooting. White-winged dove reproduction appears to be excellent in the central deserts. Whether this will pay off in the bag will be determined by how many of these birds are still in the state in early September, because their migration to the south is typically underway at that time.

Here are the regional outlooks for dove hunting:

Region III
Good numbers of doves are reported in the Mojave Valley, along the Colorado River, and in the Hualapai Valley north of Kingman. Scout washes near water sources early in the morning and stake out spots where doves fly to water and food from roost sites. Many areas of this region offer excellent hunting opportunities and have little hunting pressure.

Region IV
Dove hunting will be best in agricultural areas planted with small grains, like wheat or safflower. Because of the dry winter this past year, there was little food in the desert for doves, and they will likely concentrate in the agricultural valleys. Areas like Wellton and the Mohawk Valley will yield good hunting in 2006, as well as around Yuma. Hunting should also be good this year around Salome and Aguila.

Region V
Dove populations are about average throughout the region. Large populations of birds have dispersed into the desert during the monsoon season, requiring some preseason scouting to locate them. Once found, these populations should provide good shooting. Remember, hunting is prohibited within the limits of any town or city, and some cities have annexed additional areas. You have the responsibility of ensuring that your favorite area is still open to hunting, so check with the city or town in the area for their current boundaries.

Region VI
Many areas in the east and north valleys are no longer accessible to dove hunting due to housing developments and annexation. The best opportunities exist in the agricultural areas near Stanfield, Maricopa and Casa Grande. West of the Phoenix metro area, near Buckeye down to Gila Bend and along the Gila River, should also provide good opportunity. There are numerous feedlots in these areas, some of which permit dove hunting. Always ask first before hunting on private land, and be sure to keep your hunting area clean (pick up spent shells and any other litter, and clean your birds at home). The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Robbins Butte Wildlife Area also offers good opportunities to harvest doves with their numerous agricultural fields that are open to public hunting.

Archery deer outlook
Statewide, deer fawn recruitment increased for both white-tailed deer and mule deer for a second year. As with last year, more yearling bucks (spikes and forkhorns) should be available than in the recent past. Don’t expect droves of deer, but you should note a moderate improvement in numbers. Although recent rainfall events have been beneficial for much of the state, last winter was among the driest on record. Antler development will benefit from the recent rains, but early nutrition is important as well. Early nutrition is dependent on winter precipitation patterns. In other words, don’t hold your breath waiting for the big one.

The good monsoonal rainfall we’ve received so far this year will result in dispersed water availability and lots of green-up. The deer will not be as concentrated around isolated pockets of water and will forage if the distribution of water remains favorable for deer. Finding a good place to sit and wait may be difficult, although daily activity patterns are rarely abandoned entirely by deer unless substantially disrupted by some event. Take lots of ice and be prepared to deal with meat and capes in warm weather during early hunts.

Remember that successful archery deer hunters, including Kaibab archery hunters, must contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department in person or by telephone at 1-866-903-3337 within 10 days of taking a deer. Failure to report your harvest may result in a citation.

Here are the regional outlooks for archery deer hunting:

Regions I and II
Water is not likely to be a problem this year, so water hole sitting may be less successful. Spot-and-stalk hunting may prove a good alternative approach. Unit 3C is improving in the aftermath of the Rodeo-Chedeski fire, and deer sightings seem to be increasing in Unit 27. The Kaibab is always popular, but overcrowding complaints are common.

Region III
December archery deer hunts should be good for spot-and-stalk hunting. Because of the summer monsoon activity, water sources may not be a strong attractant, making deer harder to find.

Region IV
Southwestern deserts can be difficult to hunt. Nevertheless, big bucks are taken annually in this area of relatively low deer density. A little extra effort may be needed to make your hunt successful.

Region V
Compared with long-term averages, rainfall remains less plentiful in this region than in the other regions, and populations have responded less favorably. However, this is the main white-tailed deer region, so patient spot-and-stalk hunters can be successful.

Region VI
Hunt success has been high in Units 22 and 23 during the last two years. The Willow fire area continues to improve and may prove helpful to white-tailed deer hunters. The Cave Creek Complex fire impacted a large area last summer, but few animals will abandon this area. Recently burned areas can be quite a draw to foraging deer, especially following rainfall and green-up.

Pronghorn outlook
Although pronghorn survey results have yet to be fully compiled, preliminary indications suggest that fawn recruitment this year will be below last year’s. The dry winter of 2005–2006 failed to produce adequate early spring green-up that provides important cover and nutrition to young fawns. The summer monsoon has been favorable, and last year had better fawn survival. This should mean there will be more young bucks and a few older, wiser ones in the herds this year.

Pronghorn hunting seasons usually have warm weather, so hunters lucky enough to draw a permit should be prepared to care for meat and capes in less-than-favorable conditions. Pronghorn lose fur easily, especially in warm weather, so packing your harvest out will require care.

Many pronghorn experts insist the key to pronghorn hunt success is pre-season scouting. Pre-season scouting can play an important role in locating and identifying the animal you plan to harvest. Hunts are often over in a very short time. But remember, you may not be the only hunter pursuing that animal. Hunters are often judged by the ethics they display when they don’t know anyone else is watching.

Regardless of which region your permit is in, pronghorn may not show much affinity to water sources this year. Hunt in areas with a diversity of broad-leaved herbaceous plants, as this is their primary food. Watch for green areas.