elevations. Located 35 km (21.8 mi.) Be aware that SRER is leased by the University of Arizona for research purposes and research personnel are frequently in the field. We know more about vegetation change on the Santa Rita Experimental Range since 1903 than is known about any other 20,000-ha area in the world. Take the 481 road south to the trailhead parking area. The outdoor laboratory has provided a source for long-term ecological research. 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. Focus on areas where there is abundant sign. 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. McClaran, Mitchel P.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Edminster, Carleton B., tech. Unit 34A has Sonoran desert, Arizona chaparral, desert grassland, pine forest, and several riparian corridors. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Be sure to make note of the extreme temperatures as these often pose the greatest risk to hunters. Hunting has been largely restricted to The project will study how vegetation and greenhouse gas exchange relate to climate changes over a 30-year period. The 72 road goes past the trailhead at the Arizona trail parking lot and accesses Temporal Gulch or the Mansfield canyon area via the 72A road. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! Tucson, Nogales, Patagonia, Sonoita, Major Highways and Roads Leading To 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. Thousands of visitors travel through SRER each year enroute to To get there, exit Highway 83 at Gardner Canyon. road 143 turning south. To get there take Highway 82 to Patagonia. Entisols, and Mollisols) and 21 soil series have been described species including acacia (Acacia greggii, A. angustissima), mammals, birds, and reptiles are common (see appendix B). A diverse fauna characteristic of the semidesert habitats is 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. To get to the SRER drive south on I-19 to the Sahuarita exit. During the winter, snow and sudden temperature drops are not uncommon. Wrightson. Read about advertising on huntscore here. 95% of the area. Pre-season scouting will help the hunter get familiar with the area and locate potential hunting areas where bears may be present. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. The range, which butts up against the Santa Rita mountain range about 30 miles south of Tucson, receives from less than 11 inches of annual rainfall at lower elevations to up to 18 inches at higher elevations, mostly during a brief summer season when most vegetation growth occurs. If you hike in at least 1/2 mile away from the road you will get away from most hunters. 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 Please dispose of all carcasses in accordance with AZGFD regulations, operate vehicles only on designated roadways, remove all trigger trash and be mindful of private property boundaries and research infrastructure. RMRS-P-30. Wildcat Campsites are available throughout the Unit. Glass and hike the canyons on both sides of the road all the way to Josephine Canyon. Avariety ofgame species both large and small live on the SRER. threeawn (Aristida glabrata), Rothrock grama (Bouteloua Arizona Game and Fish Department Region V (520) 628-5376 soil characteristics are provided in appendix A. 2023 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona. Josephine Canyon is another area to explore when looking for bears. There are lots of new houses in this area so be sure to not to hunt within mile distance of any residence. Overview: Javelina are widely distributed throughout Unit 34A. 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. velutina) is The first is the Gardner Canyon and Cave Canyon Areas. 505). Santa Rita Try to work along trails looking for sign. southwestern arid conditions. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. at all elevations. Or, stay in the loop using our Amazon Alexa skill. Beginning at I-19 and Grand Avenue in Nogales; northeast on Grand Avenue (U.S. Hwy. The Santa Rita Experimental Range's 50,000 acres south of Tucson have served as an important outdoor laboratory for more than a century for researchers investigating sustainable grazing practices. desert cottontail (Sylvilagus auduboni). The area can be accessed from Highway 83. You can glass some good habitat along the way. 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. See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. Area: To get to the Santa Rita Experimental Range go south on I-19 to the Sahuarita exit. The SRER was founded in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt and serves as America's oldest experimental rangeland. 2023 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona. Turn east at the Elephant Head road and take the Mount Hopkins road to the south. This prevents the cattle from grazing plants a second time during the short summer growing season, otherwise the vigor of those plants would decline, he said. 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). 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. To find some Scaled Quail hunt close to the hills on the east side of the Range. Most consist of, or developed Note: The November opener for mule deer saw to 2 of snowfall on the unit. The National Ecological Observatory Network also publicly publishes data collected on the range.[5]. alluvium to extensive thrust faulting. Hopkins from I-19. This record is only possible because important techniques of measuring vegetation changes were developed on the Santa Rita, such as repeat photography and the line intercept transect method . Mule Deer. There are large areas of State land between the mountains and Sahuarita Rd. spinosior, and O. versicolor) attain highest densities between Photos from the early 1900s were taken using large-format cameras toted across the site on buggies, he said. 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. 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. 1). about 400 feet in higher elevations to well over 2,000 feet in During the spring bear hunt, after leaving den sites, bears are searching for areas with an abundance of tender grasses. The best way to accomplish this is by obtaining and studying USFS, topographic and state land maps of all interested areas. Santa Rita is the longest continuously active rangeland research facility and among the five oldest biological field stations in the United States. grasses persist over lehmann lovegrass (Medina 1988). Lessons learned from research on the Santa Rita helpto improve the management of rangelands across the region and in arid and semi-arid regions across the globe. 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. (520) 625-3243 moderate density of perennial grasses and in areas where native Copyright 2015 Arizona Board of Regents, Contact: Brett Blum The SWRC currently maintains eight subwatersheds within the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER), the oldest continuously maintained experimental range in the western United States (est. Mitch McClaran, director for research at the Santa Rita Experimental Range, said the 50,000 acre site is a laboratory to study Southwestern agricultural sustainability for 100 scientists. Opinion: Worried about our democracy? Pick up a U.S. Forest Service map or topographic map before you go. It lies at the foot of the northwestern edge of the Santa Rita Mountains. Links to external data repositories from ongoing and past research projects conducted on the SRER. Cattle are closely monitored and allowed to consume 40 percent of the summer grass at a pasture before they are moved to another site. Dont forget to pick up a copy of the hunting regulations before you go. Upper Sawmill Canyon, east of Madera Canyon has some good whitetail hunting. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. 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. Overview: Consult current year Arizona Hunting and Trapping Regulations for exact season dates. recreational activities. The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) site is a terrestrial NEON field site located on the the Santa Rita Experimental Range and Wildlife Area, the oldest continuously utilized long-term agricultural research station in the U.S. 486 road are good bets to find quail. (Calliandra eriophylla) comprise 65% of the cover in this zone 2003. Thousands of visitors travel through SRER each year enroute to Madera Canyon, a popular bird-watching area nearby. 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. Javelina can be found throughout the entire range. Area: To get to the Santa Rita Experimental Range take I-19 south to the Sahuarita exit. 505). Be aware! Santa Rita Experimental Range was founded in 1903. The range was established as a U.S. Department of Agriculture site in 1902, administered by the U.S. Forest Service with heavy research involvement from University of Arizona scientists. The country on the west side of the Temporal drainage has good numbers of deer. Advertise on HuntScore and reach hunters interested in this hunting unit! Santa Rita Experimental Range 27000 S. Florida Canyon Green Valley AZ 85614 Contact: Brett Blum (520) 625-3243 bcb@email.arizona.edu The Florida Canyon Work Center has a trailhead just before entering the work center area. The stamp can be purchased at any license dealer. the dominant overstory species on 20,000-30,000 acres where The SRER operates as part of the Arizona State Land system, as a result, hunting is permitted on the SRER with a valid Arizona hunting license and hunt permit pursuant to Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations and policy. Use a U.S. Forest Service map to locate water sources. microhabitats where cool- and warm-season annuals can propagate. The monsoon season brings intense electrical storms and causes flash flooding. presently the dominant grass over nearly 40% of the range. Weather can vary by elevation. 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). Currently 600 to 700 head graze the Santa Rita Experimental Range, or SRER, under controlled conditions. Melendrez pass is another option. sloping alluvial fans. 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. 520-621-7255. alignment to I-19 Exit 75; south on I-19 to Grand Avenue (U.S. Hwy 89). A variety of game species both large and small live on the SRER. 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. You may be on the only water in the pasture and they need water too. Remember, a little pre-season scouting will vastly improve your success in hunting. 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. Go east to the Mount Hopkins road and follow it to the Bull Springs road (approx. Major vegetation changes have occurred since the early 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. For personal safety, it is recommended to wear high-visibilityclothing when visiting the SRER, especially during an active hunt season. mimosa (Mimosa biuncifera, M. dysocarpa), and falsemesquite Turn east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. To get to the SRER drive south on I-19 to the Sahuarita exit. road 165 into Melendrez Pass and hunt down into Sawmill. The outdoor laboratory has provided a source for long-term ecological research. Even though these units are made up predominantly of public lands, private property can be encountered. Information collected over the years at the range is available to the public via the Internet, McClaran said. Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! *Note: There is now a mule deer and white-tail deer archery harvest limit. A view across the SRER, facing south. When hunting around stock tanks be cognizant of any livestock in the area. Elevation increases from about 900 to 1,400 m, and average annual precipitation increases along this gradient from 275 to 450 mm (fig. bcb@email.arizona.edu. When the summer rains begin in late June or early July, the cattle are allowed to graze for only 10 days in a site before moving on. To get there from the Patagonia side take Highway 82 to Forest Road 143 go north to the Josephine Canyon turn off and then go the east. 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. This page provides access to the new Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) digital archive, the longest record of data available in the Southwest for long-term measurements of climate, vegetation change, livestock use, experimental land use treatments, and repeat photography. There is an alternative for the archer. Squaw Peak is along the way and is an area to look at as well. Major drainages off the F.S. The road will continue west and then north, intersecting forest road 165 which will take you west to Melendrez Pass. in Pima County, Arizona (fig. Located south of Tucson and just east of Green Valley (GMU 34A) the SRER serves as an open-air laboratory for a wide variety of research on semi-arid ecosystems. Also be aware of any private property and obey all postings. The Santa Rita Experimental Range is currently administered by the University of Arizona, the SRER serves as a primary research location for members of the SWRC working in cooperation with the University. Springs and waters are other areas to look for bear sign. "Users around the world can access information.". lower elevations coincident with vegetation density. Upper fans slope rather steeply and are White-tailed Deer. The Santa Rita Experimental Range: History and Annotated Bibliography (1903-1988) History of the Santa Rita Experimental Range . Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Prior to the station becoming a research facility in 1902, 2,500 to 3,000 cattle regularly grazed the site, said Mitch McClaran, director for research at the range and University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences professor of range management. Additionally, the SRER maintains a repeat photography archive, allowing researchers to visually inspect land cover and landscape changes for 117 locations from as early as 1902 to present. Velvet mesquite (Prosopis juliflora var. collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu), Gambel's quail (Lophortyx small game, with occasional special-season big game hunts. rothrockii), and bush muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri) are important SRER. See appendix D for a complete list of plant species found on The Santa Rita Experimental Range, located 35 km (21.8 mi.) Then drive west to Forest Land and hunt the river bottom. cut by canyons and arroyos. Target shooting is always prohibited on the SRER. shallow. Effective use of optics will save a person a lot of walking. From the South: State Hwy 82, Temporal Canyon Rd, Forest Rd 143, Hog Canyon Rd, Adobe Canyon Rd, Big Casablanca Canyon Rd, Patagonia Lake Rd. Therefore, it is important to be familiar with your hunting area before venturing afield. Also, dont forget to get a copy of the hunt regulations. 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. 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