Best species to hunt in AZ for a newbie without a mule?

[ArizonaChaser]

In Arizona there is a long cougar season and a fall bear season. I live in the desert areas of Phoenix, but in 3 hours I can get to a spot where I have seen plenty of bear sign.

The other legal species of interest to me might be bobcat and fox. I see gray foxes 2-5 times a year, but I have never seen a bobcat.

A quad would be the closest thing I will have to a mule.

What do you think, would bear the best game to try to start out on in my case? It sounds like Lion without a mule may not be a good way to go.

I appreciate any thoughts.

[lepcur]

A quad should work for whatever you want to hunt and you don't have to feed it year round. When the weather cools down you can run those greys not too far from home, just look for some of the brushier areas in the desert and you'll find them. Go have some fun.

[dirtydan]

Hey man I have horses and mules but honestly I walk hunt mostly. Lots of times horses and mules can turn in to a project in them self. They can make life really easy sometimes but on the same hand they can make it a living hell. I'm always getting myself into situations where i gotta tie up and walk and then i'm stuck retrieving my mule later on. You should do just fine with that quad and your own two feet. Good Luck

[TomJr]

Any of the legal game would be fine to start on. I catch plenty of lion, Bobcat and fox just walking... and running when the dogs get on a hot one I also tree a few bears from time to time but they are not my main focus as there is no general season in my area. One thing, you better be in good shape to keep up with those dogs cause they are going to take you into some nasty crap. Mine often tree the critters in the steepest and brushiest place on the whole mountain!

[ArizonaChaser]

Lepcur, Dan and Tom thanks for the answers. That is great news.

I hike for rabbits and quail, but I am sure I need to get in a lot better shape.

[Benny G]

If you are in the Phx area, you can find bobcats, foxes, and lions within 30 minutes from home, in ANY direction. There are even bears on the desert in the spring, but you had better have several pairs of fast shoes if your dogs get on one of those lean boogers!

If you have dogs that you can trust, hunting on foot for lions can be done without too many complications. One of the limiting factors of hunting on foot is that you can't cover as much country as you can on horses or mules.

If your dogs get after a coyote or javalina, good luck even staying in ear shot.

If you want to chase foxes, I would suggest going toward Bloody Basin. Anywhere in that country from Camp Creek to Childs has always had plenty of foxes. Look around the areas that have the most oak brush. They also like granite boulders. Go up toward the head of New River. All of the country that i just mentioned is also PRIME bobcat and lion country.

For the most part, the lions in the desert from New River to Black Canyon City to the Verde River haven't been crowded hard for several years. There's a lot of country in that area that I've mentioned, but there's also some roads that you can travel IF you have a RELIABLE vehichle.

Good luck and be prepared to get tired.

[lepcur]

Lepcur, Dan and Tom thanks for the answers. That is great news.

I hike for rabbits and quail, but I am sure I need to get in a lot better shape.

And that's where the quad comes in. Back in the 70s I used to trap all the country from the valley floor to Apache lake and there is plenty of game, you just have to dodge the houses now

[zwilso56]

There's alot of lion and bobs in New River.. My grandparents and Aunt live up there.. Shes all the time feedin all the animals.. There isnt alot of hound hunters or subdivisions up that way.. Im about an hour and a half from there!

Good luck! and Keep Em Treed,
Zach