Area: The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) is a good place to look for mule deer. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the Oodham and the Yaqui. Links to external data repositories from ongoing and past research projects conducted on the SRER. Take Highway 83 south from I-10 to the Gardner Canyon turn off. Get the latest University of Arizona news delivered in your inbox. Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? McClaran, Mitchel P.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Edminster, Carleton B., tech. State Land Department (520) 628-6015. Go approximately 1 mile to the Fish Canyon road. The unit rises from 2,000 on the north to 9,453 at the top of Mt. Also search canyon bottoms for fresh bear tracks and scat. RMRS-P-30.
There are deep canyons that you can walk along to get a good view. Go east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. Elephant Head is in the background at the left. gramas (Bouteloua eriopoda, B. curtipendula, B. filiformis, B. University Information Security and Privacy. Springs and waters are other areas to look for bear sign. Pick up a U.S. Forest Service map to help you find the roads; they are invaluable. Santa Rita Experimental Range encompasses 21,000 hectares of upland Sonoran Desert, approximately 32 km south of Tucson, Arizona. We also ask that all hunters do their part in keeping the SRER clean, safe, and accessible for all. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. prevalence of many dry washes and small gullies afford There are some very good mature bucks in this area. To get there take I-19 to the Continental road turnoff. The SWRC maintains a large-scale GIS database that is focused on the 8 small subwatersheds administered by SWRC staff. A small-scale GIS that covers the entire SRER is administered by the University's College of Agriculture . Hunting for small game may occur throughout the year on the SRER, however, August-December receives the bulk of the hunting activity for permitted large gameseasons. greater elevation and proximity to the mountains, rainfall Javelina can be found throughout the entire range. From the North: Sahuarita Rd, Santa Rita Rd The Squaw Gulch area is another place to look for bears. Upper fans slope rather steeply and are species including acacia (Acacia greggii, A. angustissima), tridentata). Walk the trails and look for fresh bear sign and trails. velutina) is The 4111 road will take you south into Hog Canyon. For personal safety, it is recommended to wear high-visibilityclothing when visiting the SRER, especially during an active hunt season. Field studies typically take two to three years, he said. To get there from the Mount Hopkins road take I-10 to the Canoa Exit and go south on the frontage road to the Elephant Head road. The Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area[1] is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. As studies continued and historic data was collected, the number had to be reduced. 505). soil characteristics are provided in appendix A. It was managed by the USDA from 1903 until 1988 when control was handed over to the University of Arizona (U.A. Be cautious of research personnel and do not disturb any research plots marked or otherwise. U.S. Forest Service (520) 281-2296 College debate competitions offer hope. Santa Rita is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. alluvium to extensive thrust faulting. *Note: There is now a mule deer and white-tail deer archery harvest limit. Mearns Quail can be found in all canyon systems on the southeast side of the Santa Rita Mountains from Fish Canyon to Temporal canyon. Madera Canyon, a popular bird-watching area nearby. Take the Amado exit off I-19; get on the east side of the freeway and take the frontage road north about 1/2 mile. The first is the Gardner Canyon and Cave Canyon Areas. Area: To get to the Santa Rita Experimental Range go south on I-19 to the Sahuarita exit. During this hunt bears are observed in the lower elevations foraging on prickly pear fruits and traveling in the creek bottoms, and along trails. Located south of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, the 52,000 acre Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) was founded in 1903 and administered by the United States Forest Service until 1987, when the University of Arizona College of Agriculture took over administration of the site. For the best success go to any stock tank and hunt out from there. coords. From here you can access trail systems that take you south to Sawmill Springs or work the country to the west. species of middle and lower elevations. Currently, the digital archive is dividd into 13 main sections, listed below. Upper Sawmill Canyon, east of Madera Canyon has some good whitetail hunting. The fall season has an archery only hunt that generally runs from the end of August to the end of September (check current regulations for exact dates). 1). The Santa Rita Experimental Range is a good place to look for mule deer. road 184. Four of the watersheds (#1 - 4) are in the shrub-dominated lower portion of the experimental range; the remaining four watersheds (#5 - 8) are located in the grass dominated upper portion of the experimental range. Pick up a U.S. Forest Service map or topographic map before you go. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging The soils are representative of those developed under B.S. Beginning in Nogales at I-19 and Compound St.; northeast on Grand Avenue to AZ Hwy 82; northeast on AZ Hwy 82 to AZ Hwy 83; northerly on AZ Hwy 83 to the Sahuarita Rd. Pasture names or other general description of location (please indicate locations on map that is found at the end of this file): NAD 83 UTM Coordinates (only required for research projects): Study Area or Plot name UTM X-coordinate UTM Y-coordinate Instructions for Use, Citations, and Acknowledgment, Instructions for Use, Citations, and Acknowledgement. Huerfano Butte is a dominant landmark in the SRER. Copyright 2015 Arizona Board of Regents, Contact: Brett Blum To get there take Highway 82 to Patagonia. Late season hunting is good in some of the major canyons on the south and southeast sides of the Santa Rita Mtns. The Range is relatively flat country that makes for easy walking but it does not have many high points to glass from. collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), Gambel's quail (Lophortyx The followingUpdate Log records the history of revisions made to the SRER digital archive. by Clemmons and Wheeler (1970). 'GMA's' Michael Strahan explores Easter Island's spectacular Rano Kau crater, Where did COVID-19 come from? In addition to grazing research, the SRER plays a role in helping scientists understand climate change. Use caution while hunting and remember it is illegal to disturb any research plots marked or otherwise, Another good area is the southwest side of the Santa Ritas. Established in 1975, these eight small watersheds are set up as paired watersheds. Be aware that it is not legal to locate animals, and then use a vehicle to make a pursuit; this is considered hunting from a motor vehicle. The UA's Santa Rita Experimental Range has served as an important outdoor laboratory for more than a century for researchers investigating sustainable grazing practices. Forest Road 143 on the southwest side of the Santa Rita Mountains goes through some excellent whitetail habitat. rothrockii), and bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri) are important Erosion is most pronounced in the It lies at the foot of the University Information Security and Privacy. #1 Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area Laboratory Updated: 2020-05-02 The Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. In 1988 title for the site was transferred from federal to state hands and the University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences took over management responsibilities, he said. Get a free account to view the details! Take Forest Road 163 to Forest Road 165 west to Melendrez pass. If you plan on hunting in higher elevation, as a rule of thumb, expect the tempture to decrease roughly 5 for every 1000' in elevation gain. road 143. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! Small outcrops of granodiorite, limestone, The possession or use of motorized vehicles off forest system roads and trails is prohibited. After about 5 miles you will see the Bull Springs road (FR 143) then head south. Respect landowners rights and use the alternative access through Gardner Canyon. found on the SRER. mile marker 15) and head north. This season occurs when bears are more active. Create a free account to read the rest of this deer hunting note! chondrosioides, B. hirsuta) are widely distributed at higher The network consists of the Campus Agricultural Center (CAC), Red Rock Agricultural Center (RRAC), Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER), and the Al-Marah Equine Center (AMEC). Santa Rita Turn east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. Dont forget to pick up a copy of the hunting regulations before you go. increases, temperatures decrease, soils are darker, soils have a It is now hunting season on the SRER! Squaw Peak is along the way and is an area to look at as well. Getting out for some pre-hunt scouting will greatly improve your chances of success. Try to work along trails looking for sign. The watersheds are located on an alluvial fan at the base . Successful hunters find javelina by pre-scouting likely areas and by using optics to locate animals. The NEON project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is slated to be up and running at SRER in three years, he said. Santa Rita Experimental Range: 100 years (1903 to 2003) of accomplishments and contributions; conference proceedings; 2003 October 30-November 1; Tucson, AZ. Overview: Javelina are widely distributed throughout Unit 34A. This is F.S. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
A view across the SRER, facing south. The Santa Rita Experimental Range: History and Annotated Bibliography (1903-1988) History of the Santa Rita Experimental Range The Range SRER consists of 53,159 acres about 35 miles south of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona (fig. Patagonia Lake State Park (12 miles east of Nogales), Bog Springs (Madera Canyon), Madera Canyon, and Round Up (Madera Canyon). Therefore, it is important to be familiar with your hunting area before venturing afield. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! 89) to AZ Hwy 82; northeast on AZ Hwy 82 to AZ Hwy 83; northerly on AZ Hwy 83 to the Sahuarita road; west along the Sahuarita road alignment to I-19 Exit 75; south on I-19 to Grand Avenue (U.S. Hwy 89). To get more details on the closure area contact the Forest Service Nogales Ranger District: 303 Old Tucson Rd. For those wanting a little more level hunting, try the State land southwest of Josephine Canyon and F.S. Using a predator call can also prove useful but be aware that the bear may come in close your call. If you find an area with tracks and rooting, be patient, javelina are probably in the area. See appendix D for a complete list of plant species found on Careful grazing practices have been developed to protect the ground cover. Information collected over the years at the range is available to the public via the Internet, McClaran said. What does the science say about the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic? Glass and hike the canyons on both sides of the road all the way to Josephine Canyon. The unit experiences severe climatic changes throughout the year. isolated buttes but the greater part consists of long, gently 1900's. Using optics is important. The best way to accomplish this is by obtaining and studying USFS, topographic and state land maps of all interested areas. Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296. The Santa Rita Experimental Range is a good place to look for mule deer. It is also helpful to find a high vantage point from which to glass.
486 road are good bets to find quail. Wildlife ecology and management, Santa Rita Experimental Range (1903 to 2002) Krausman, Paul R.; Morrison, Michael L. Cultural resources of the Santa Rita Experimental Range Madsen, John H. Revegetation practices on the Santa Rita Experimental Range Munda, Bruce D.; Pater, Mark J. Cattle are closely monitored and allowed to consume 40 percent of the summer grass at a pasture before they are moved to another site. Follow this road south to the Josephine Canyon turn off. See the website for unit closures and deer harvest limit information. 6 miles). Also be aware of any research activity that may be in progress by the University of Arizona. The monsoon season brings intense electrical storms and causes flash flooding. higher content of organic matter, and soils are more deeply The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER), founded in 1902, is the oldest research area maintained by the USDA Forest Service and has been a principal site for pioneer range research on the improvement and management of semiarid grasslands in the Southwest. The country on the west side of the Temporal drainage has good numbers of deer. Hunting, nature studies, and bird watching are the principal Other good areas to find quail are at the north end of the Santa Rita Mountains. It is Javelina can be found throughout the entire range. The Squaw Gulch area in the southwest corner of the Santa Ritas is also good. Located 35 km (21.8 mi.) about 400 feet in higher elevations to well over 2,000 feet in The watersheds range in size from 1.05 ha to 4.01 ha. Funding for the operation and maintenance of the Santa Rita Experimental Range Mesquite Savanna site was provide by the US Army Research Office (grant 56059EVPCS) and USDA-NIFA (grant 2022-13610-012-06S). Another area to try for mule deer is south of the old road going from Amado up to Mt. Weather can vary by elevation. Hunting has been largely restricted to small game, with occasional special-season big game hunts. The soils present an interesting Mitch McClaran points out differences in vegetation seen in a series of images from photo station 231 taken between 1909 and 1947 at the Santa Rita Experimental Range. To get to Gardner Canyon, take State Route 83 south from I-10. If you want to get away from the majority of the hunters, try the higher elevations and steeper slopes. Even though these units are made up predominantly of public lands, private property can be encountered. Some parts of the lower range are characterized by Follow this road to the west to Forest Road 795. Founded in 1902 to protect the native rangeland from grazing and to conduct research on problems associated with livestock production, it has been a principal site for pioneer range research with the purpose to build a sound body of scientific knowledge to further the restoration, protection, and management of semiarid grasslands in the Southwest. lower elevations coincident with vegetation density. To get to the SRER drive south on I-19 to the Sahuarita exit. range of characteristics due directly or indirectly to difference The Not all weather elements are available within the unit. Elevation ranges are based on weather stations in or near the unit. Additionally, the Santa Rita serves as critical open space that supports threatened and endangered species in a region with a rapidly growing human population. Collection of static mps of the SRER and links to other map resources. A popular area for Mearns Quail hunters is Fort and Hog Canyon. Santa Rita is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. The SRER was founded in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt and serves as America's oldest experimental rangeland. Use temperature ranges to plan and prepare for your hunt. The area is well signed, using a Forest Service or Topo map to navigate should be easy. Wrightson. "Users around the world can access information.". Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. Be aware that SRER is leased by the University of Arizona for research purposes and research personnel are frequently in the field. All over-the-counter, nonpermit-tag archery deer hunters will be required to report their harvest either online or by telephone, 623-236-7961, within 48 hours of taking their deer. Add Image Add Publication Download Data Add to Site Set. Make sure to check the hunt regulations as the season starts later for Mearns quail than the desert quail, and the bag and possession limits are different. During the spring bear hunt, after leaving den sites, bears are searching for areas with an abundance of tender grasses. Data currently available for the Santa Rita Experimental Watersheds: (location #76 in the ARS Water Data Center database), Most Important Manuals/Reports/Bulletins from the SWRC. The SRER is generally viewed as a world-class facility because of the long-term historical and biological data bases that have been maintained since its creation. White-tailed Deer. Turn east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. During the winter, snow and sudden temperature drops are not uncommon. and Poulson 1931). Santa Rita Experimental Range was founded in 1903. If you locate a group of javelina before the season, and the weather remains the same, there is a high probability they will be in the same place on opening day. Links to external drone imagery repositories from past research projects conducted on the SRER. To get to the SRER drive south on I-19 to the Sahuarita exit. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. in Pima County, Arizona (fig. from, recent alluvial deposits. Thirty-seven porous rock structures were built on two small instrumented watersheds the Santa Rita Experimental Range in southern Arizona, USA. And since grass and plant growth takes place only during the short rainy period, cattle grazing during the dormant season is also carefully managed, he said. 2023 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona. desert cottontail (Sylvilagus auduboni). 505). Heavy use of sites during the hunts and on holidays. Major vegetation changes have occurred since the early There are a few small pieces of private property in the area so keep an eye out for those. The history of research, an environmental description, and a discussion on vegetational changes are provided along with a complete listing of scientific publications relating to SRER. Learn more about the Santa Rita Experimental Range, School of Natural Resources and the Environment gambelii), scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), mourning dove Data users are requested to acknowledge their use of the database in publications, research proposals, websites, and other outlets by following theInstructions for Use, Citations, and Acknowledgement. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Species composition of perennial grasses changes with 1064 East Lowell Street Area: The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER). The traditional entrance off of Highway 82 is not public access and has been posted no trespassing by the homeowners association. Media related to Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area at Wikimedia Commons, Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area, "Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area, AZ", "Santa Rita Experimental Range: School of Natural Resources and the Environment 1", "Santa Rita Experimental Range: School of Natural Resources and the Environment 2", "Santa Rita Experimental Range SRER | NSF NEON | Open Data to Understand our Ecosystems", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Santa_Rita_Experimental_Range_and_Wildlife_Area&oldid=1120779965, This page was last edited on 8 November 2022, at 19:48. Take the Fish Canyon road number 163 and follow it past Kentucky camp. species of threeawns (Aristida hamulosa, A. ternipes) are common Drive east past the Old Nogales Highway and take the 505 road south onto the Range (it would be helpful to obtain a U.S. Forest Service map as it shows the road numbering system in the area and the stock tanks are indicated). The Santa Rita Experimental Range: History and Annotated Bibliography (1903-1988) History of the Santa Rita Experimental Range . elevation and rainfall (Martin and Reynolds 1973). shrub-free grassland dominated 80 years ago. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. Wrightson. cut by canyons and arroyos. Effective use of optics will save a person a lot of walking. ). The Santa Rita Experimental Range is a good place to look for mule deer. Note: The November opener for mule deer saw to 2 of snowfall on the unit. Primary Game Species/ Hunting Month(s) White-Tailed Deer August, October, November-January Mule Deer August, October, November-January Secondary Game Species/ Hunting Month(s) Javelina January-March Quail October-January, Average # permits in past 5 years White-Tailed Deer 2210, Mule Deer 25, Javelina 1390, Month Avg. It will show you the road system in the entire unit.) This includes the repeat photography archive and lots of other data, "This brings the Santa Rita Experimental Range to the globe," he said. Hopkins from I-19. To find some Scaled Quail hunt close to the hills on the east side of the Range. Focus on areas where there is abundant sign. Also, dont forget to get a copy of the hunt regulations. mimosa (Mimosa biuncifera, M. dysocarpa), and falsemesquite SRER consists of 53,159 acres about 35 miles south of Tucson Overview: Remember to pick up a copy of the Dove Hunting Regulations before you go and a Migratory Bird Stamp is required. Arizona Game and Fish Department Region V (520) 628-5376 1). Pre-season scouting will help the hunter get familiar with the area and locate potential hunting areas where bears may be present. Overview: Whitetail deer are found throughout the unit. It is a good idea to do some pre-season scouting not only to find the deer but also to also check and make sure access is still available for your favorite hunting grounds. The SRER is relatively flat country that makes for easy walking but it does not have many high points to glass from. 1903). Many other species of Arizona cottontop (Trichachne californica) and Area: There are several areas to look at for this hunt. Patagonia Lake State Park (520) 287-6965 Rainfall January 48 1.64 February 50 1.23 March 53 1.17 August 77 4.38 October 67 1.00 November 56 0.91 December 49 1.87. Researchers believed the site could accommodate 1,200 cattle, but that was deemed excessive for sustainable grazing in the in the 1950s, he said. road 165 into Melendrez Pass and hunt down into Sawmill. Major drainages off the F.S. SRER's longstanding research base includes an archive of repeat photography images taken beginning from 1902 to the present. Each watershed is instrumented with one recording raingage and one flume. Official websites use .gov
However it is against Federal and State rule for any person to enter the Madera Canyon area with a weapon (including bow and arrow) capable of operating. The Santa Rita Experimental Range's50,000 acres south of Tucson have served as an important outdoor laboratory for more than a century for researchers investigating sustainable grazing practices. The remaining 60 percent of the summer growth is left intact, with grasses and plants protecting soil from erosion as well as providing food for wildlife, he said. Turn east at the Elephant Head road and take the Mount Hopkins road to the south. The Santa Rita _____ Located about 80 km south of Tucson, AZ, the 21,000-ha Santa Rita Experimental Range stretches across the west-ern alluvial skirt of the Santa Rita Mountains. To get to the 165 road you will need to take Highway 83 south to the Gardner canyon turnoff (forest road 92) and go west. This road will take you to the Range. Mule Deer. Send us an email at [emailprotected] to learn more. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The site has been chose as one of 20 National Ecological Observatory Network research sites that will use regional data to offer a global perspective on climate change issues. Then drive west to Forest Land and hunt the river bottom. The Southern Arizona Experiment Station is a network of four agricultural experiment stations located within working proximity to the University of Arizona campus. Please be mindful of all private property signs, mining equipment and mining personnel that might be working in the area. Temp Avg. The University of Arizona, Environment and Natural Resources 2 alignment to I-19 Exit 75; south on I-19 to Grand Avenue (U.S. Hwy 89). The best ways to hunt deer on the range are to either get up on the hills on the far east side or to walk the high edges of the major river beds that cut across the Range. The outdoor laboratory has provided a source for long-term ecological research. Turn east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the Oodham and the Yaqui. Beginning at I-19 and Grand Avenue in Nogales; northeast on Grand Avenue (U.S. Hwy. northwestern edge of the Santa Rita Mountains. Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? For a little more solitude try upper Temporal, Squaw Gulch, and the canyons around Alto on the southwest side of the Santa Ritas. elevations. Located south of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, the 52,000 acre Santa Rita Experimental Range was founded in 1903 and . Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! To get there take Highway 83 to the Gardner Canyon turn off (four miles north of Sonoita). The Florida Canyon Work Center has a trailhead just before entering the work center area. (Calliandra eriophylla) comprise 65% of the cover in this zone Overview: GMU 34A is primarily a Mearns quail unit, but hunting for both Gambels and Scaled quail can be found in different areas of the unit. Opinion: Worried about our democracy? moderate density of perennial grasses and in areas where native The mission at the SRER is "to advance research and education on the ecology and management of desert rangelands through the secure, long-term access to research areas, state-of-the-art facilities, new discoveries, and research legacies.