I'm doing some google earth scouting and figured I'd start a thread that might help several PM members in a few weeks. I've also read threw last years threads as well.

For those of you familiar with the area, is there a preferred direction out of Tuscon you like to hunt? I assume the habitat varies greatly. I've read that straight south is awesome, but very thick. Is that more of a shotgun area? For someone who want to use a rifle and prefers hilly or mountainous areas, are you better off going a different direction? Or is there pretty much all types of terrain regardless of what direction you go?

How about critters, Are you more likely to call in a bobcat in one type of terrain over another? It looks like there flat land and mountains in almost every direction. What do you prefer to call? How's is it comparable to either Globe or Las Cruces for those of us who attended those conventions?

How's the public land hunting southeast of Tuscon? I'm a big history fan and was thinking about spending a day hunting SE of Tuscon and visiting the historical sites in Tombstone during the afternoon.

For someone who wants to take a few quick shots at the "three points range" to make sure the scope is still on, it there some good hunting nearby as well?

I know these are a ton of questions, but I imagine many of us traveling here for the first time have some of the same questions.

Thanks in advance for any ones input whether it be answers or additional questions.

Lots of good spots down 286/sasabe hwy out of 3 points and it's mostly public land all the way to the border. There are areas around tombstone/sierra Vista but most spots have been hit by locals. I usually find bobcats in thick brushy foothills here and its best to have both a shotgun and rifle as the terrain changes and both can be utilized.

I would make sure you have a shotgun with you at all times.

Did awesome with shotgun last year.Rick

There is pretty much all types of terrain regardless of what direction you go. There are 9 different species of predators and furbearers in southern AZ and all of them can be found within a 50 mile radius of Tucson. Lots of different habitat types are needed to support that many different species. I cannot think of any other place in the lower 48 states that has a higher density and diversity of predators and furbearers than southern AZ.



Yes! Bobcats and grey fox like denser cover. Dense cover with boulder piles is a magnet for fox. The terrain to call depends on the species you want to pursue. If you want to pursue grey fox, focus on rocky wash bottoms or areas with lots of boulders and use fox sounds. For bobcats focus on areas with denser vegetation and use bird sounds. I find using a shotgun is the most preferred in the majority of the areas around Tucson.



Globe is higher in elevation and more rockier than Tucson. The vegetation around Globe, AZ is more characteristic of chaparral habitat. The Tucson area has some of that as you transition to higher elevations, but Tucson is more characteristic of lower Sonoran Desert habitat. The terrain around Globe is mostly foothills in mountainous terrain whereas Tucson is flatter.

Las Cruces has a lot more flatter terrain than Tucson. The desert vegetation is not as dense as in Tucson. The mountainous areas are not as high in elevation as Tucson. Las Cruces has fewer riparian areas and perennial streams than Tucson.



Do it, lots to see, and easy to find places to call predators.



Yes, but you will need to go south toward Sasabe, AZ or hunt the Roscruge Mountains northeast of the shooting range. The area west of the shooting range is Indian Reservation and not public lands.

This is all great info! Thanks for every ones input thus far. I'll have to pick my sets wisely since I'll be flying in with just a 223 rifle and my scope probably is not the best for tight brush either, but I'll make it work.

Maybe I'll try the Roscruge Mountains the night I get in since it's pretty close. Is the Roscruge Mountains pretty good hunting or better off going south?

Better off going south since that area has more clearings for rifle stands. Suggest hunting the Kings Anvil Ranch. There is a landowner sign-in/out box for permission to cross private property to access the public land west of it. The ranch turnoff is marked and its about 5-7 miles south of Three Points. If you pass Kings Anvil Ranch and continue south toward Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge, there will also be clearings there where the vegetation was converted to grasslands.

Standing up or a chair is a big help. When I stand up I use a bog pod shooting sticks help big time. You will be fine with the 223. I use my 243 or 22-250 carry in also. I have extra shooting sticks camo chairs and gillies if needed. Need to learn more area's this year.Rick

You should be able to fly with two long guns, so toss that shotgun in! If not, you can ship it to you yourself at the location you're staying (assuming they'll receive and hold a package for you). If that doesn't suit, perhaps you can make arrangements for a loaner.

HUNTING JAVELINA WHILE PREDATOR CALLING:

The Handgun, Archery, Muzzleloader (HAM) season for javelina will be in progress during the dates of the PM Convention. The HAM season for javelina is Feb 5-15, 2016.

The AGFD usually has left over javelina tags available that hunters can buy over the counter at the AGFD Office in Tucson. The cost for a javelina tag is $38.00 for residents and $115.00 for non-residents.

If you decide to buy a HAM season javelina tag to take a javelina while predator calling, you will also be required to hunt predators/furbearers with a handgun, archery, or muzzleloader.

I called in a big ol' javelina last year - it was a hoot! After some distress sounds, I played pup distress and he came out of the brush in a major huff, right to the caller. Funny stuff. If I actually liked eating the silly little things, I'd have a tag in my pocket and hunt with my muzzleloader or Contender during the Convention week.

NO Critters around Tombstone I cleaned them all out

How often to you run into Javelina hunting around Tuscon? Is one likely to see them when hunting predators or a rare occurrence?

I see them a couple times and lots of Tracks. Rick

Does this mean it's illegal to have say a pistol in a holster in case you see a Javelina, but still be carrying the rifle for predators? I've got a Contender with a bandelero holster that would be perfect for this.