1). Target shooting is always prohibited on the SRER. mile marker 15) and head north. Its more work but the birds are there and the country is beautiful. range of characteristics due directly or indirectly to difference The 4111 road will take you south into Hog Canyon. 3,200 and 3,600 feet elevation (Martin and Reynolds 1973). The Santa Rita Experimental Range is a good place to look for mule deer. Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana) is *Note: There is now a mule deer and white-tail deer archery harvest limit. 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. Hunting has been largely restricted to small game, with occasional special-season big game hunts. 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. 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. To get to Gardner Canyon, take State Route 83 south from I-10. grasses persist over lehmann lovegrass (Medina 1988). Results of this research have direct applicability to over 20 million acres of semiarid rangelands in the United States and to another 20 million acres in northern Mexico. This page provides access to the newSanta Rita Experimental Range (SRER)digital archive, the longestrecord ofdata availablein the Southwest for long-term measurementsof climate, vegetation change, livestock use, experimental land use treatments, andrepeat photography. B.S. SRER's longstanding research base includes an archive of repeat photography images taken beginning from 1902 to the present. Temp Avg. The outdoor laboratory has provided a source for long-term ecological research. Both hunters and visitors are encouraged to review the Arizona HuntSeasonSchedule, Rules, and Regulations as well as Hunt Guidelines and Recommendations on theArizona Game and Fish Department website for additional information onhunting activity prior to your visit. Effective use of optics will save a person a lot of walking. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The unit experiences severe climatic changes throughout the year. Alluvial caps cover about 2023 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona. Pre-season scouting will help the hunter get familiar with the area and locate potential hunting areas where bears may be present. Copyright 2015 Arizona Board of Regents, Contact: Brett Blum 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. 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. Another area to try for mule deer is south of the old road going from Amado up to Mt. 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. Each watershed is instrumented with one recording raingage and one flume. Unit 34A has Sonoran desert, Arizona chaparral, desert grassland, pine forest, and several riparian corridors. 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. terraces, breaks, or low escarpments and numerous gullies (Youngs The soils are representative of those developed under and Poulson 1931). This season occurs when bears are more active. recreational activities. Water is limited in the area so it would benefit the hunter to locate them, as mule deer must use them. coords. Jan. 27, 2010. 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). Go east to the Mount Hopkins road and follow it to the Bull Springs road (approx. This includes the repeat photography archive and lots of other data, "This brings the Santa Rita Experimental Range to the globe," he said. Some parts of the lower range are characterized by 1064 East Lowell Street Before starting their activities on the Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER), all researchers and instructors are required to submit and gain approval of the Range Use Application provided below and have a certificate of insurance complying with the SRER Policies. Also, dont forget to get a copy of the hunt regulations. To get there, exit Highway 83 at Gardner Canyon. Summary: This bear population is healthy and bears are seen throughout the spring and summer. The SRER is relatively flat country that makes for easy walking but it does not have many high points to glass from. If you hike in at least 1/2 mile away from the road you will get away from most hunters. Once you get into the area there is good foot trail access into bear country. 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. "Users around the world can access information.". Many other species of 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. Squaw Peak is along the way and is an area to look at as well. 1). Located south of Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, the 52,000 acre Santa Rita Experimental Range was founded in 1903 and . A good way to get to the high country there is to come in on the east side of the mountains to F.S. It will show you the road system in the entire unit.) mammals, birds, and reptiles are common (see appendix B). Take the 481 road south to the trailhead parking area. After about 5 miles you will see the Bull Springs road (FR 143) then head south. Get a free account to view the details! Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the Oodham and the Yaqui. Thousands of visitors travel through SRER each year enroute to You may be on the only water in the pasture and they need water too. See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account! The road will continue west and then north, intersecting forest road 165 which will take you west to Melendrez Pass. SRER. Avariety ofgame species both large and small live on the SRER. Scouting is important because javelina do not move far from a well-established home range. road 165 into Melendrez Pass and hunt down into Sawmill. road 143. Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296. Patagonia Lake State Park (12 miles east of Nogales), Bog Springs (Madera Canyon), Madera Canyon, and Round Up (Madera Canyon). 505). If you want to get away from the majority of the hunters, try the higher elevations and steeper slopes. Take the Fish Canyon road number 163 and follow it past Kentucky camp. Santa Rita Experimental Range - Range Use Application Page 3 of 7 . Take the 795 Road to Forest Road 4111. Santa Rita Experimental Range - Range Use Application Page 2 of 7 4 DATES Studies that require product testing agreements have a term of one year and may be renewed for terms of one year each. The outdoor laboratory has provided a source for long-term ecological research. The range is home to 20 to 30 research projects at any time, McClaran said, with 100 scientists working throughout the site. Learn more about the Santa Rita Experimental Range, School of Natural Resources and the Environment Forest Road 143 on the southwest side of the Santa Rita Mountains goes through some excellent whitetail habitat. 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. See how weather varies by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation range. University Information Security and Privacy. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the Oodham and the Yaqui. It lies at the foot of the northwestern edge of the Santa Rita Mountains. 486 road are good bets to find quail. Hunting has been largely restricted to The NEON project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is slated to be up and running at SRER in three years, he said. The Florida Canyon Work Center has a trailhead just before entering the work center area. Area: The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER). James Bond novels being reworked to avoid offending readers. This area is also known as the Helvetia area. 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. Turn east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. The SRER was founded in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt and serves as America's oldest experimental rangeland. When the bears come out of the dens their foot pads are soft. sandstone, and other conglomerates constitute the remaining 5%. Thousands of visitors travel through SRER each year enroute to Madera Canyon, a popular bird-watching area nearby. Be aware that SRER is leased by the University of Arizona for research purposes and research personnel are frequently in the field. Please be mindful of all private property signs, mining equipment and mining personnel that might be working in the area. Nogales, AZ 85621 (520) 281-2296. A popular area for Mearns Quail hunters is Fort and Hog Canyon. Cattle are closely monitored and allowed to consume 40 percent of the summer grass at a pasture before they are moved to another site. (Haplopappus tenuisectus), and cholla cactus (Opuntia fulgida, O. Important game species include mule deer Are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel? Santa Rita Experimental Range: 100 years (1903 to 2003) of accomplishments and contributions; conference proceedings; 2003 October 30-November 1; Tucson, AZ. gambelii), scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), mourning dove Other Pertinent Climate Information Create a free account to read the rest of this terrain note! The possession or use of motorized vehicles off forest system roads and trails is prohibited. Annual vegetation is most abundant in areas with light to Unit 34A has Sonoran desert, Arizona chaparral, desert grassland, pine forest, and several riparian corridors. From the East: State Hwy 83, Gardner Canyon Rd, Greaterville Rd Mearns Quail can be found in all canyon systems on the southeast side of the Santa Rita Mountains from Fish Canyon to Temporal canyon. The Santa Rita Experimental Range is a good place to look for mule deer. 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. It is the oldest continuously operating rangeland research facility in the U.S. The followingUpdate Log records the history of revisions made to the SRER digital archive. 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. 1903). Springs and waters are other areas to look for bear sign. 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. 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. A lock (
It is now hunting season on the SRER! Take Forest Road 163 to Forest Road 165 west to Melendrez pass. Official websites use .gov
The watersheds are located on an alluvial fan at the base . small game, with occasional special-season big game hunts. The unit rises from 2,000' on the north to 9,453' at the top of Mt. Elevation ranges are based on weather stations in or near the unit. 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. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. species of middle and lower elevations. moderate density of perennial grasses and in areas where native LockA locked padlock
Weather can vary by elevation. Once in Patagonia you want to take First Street north. Note: The November opener for mule deer saw to 2 of snowfall on the unit. At lower elevations, the slope Prior to the station becoming a research facility in 1902, 2,500 to 3,000 cattle regularly grazed the site, said Mitch McClaran . Go east past the Old Nogales Highway to Santa Rita Road (F.S. Patagonia Lake State Park (520) 287-6965 Erosion is most pronounced in the 8 LOCATION. Information collected over the years at the range is available to the public via the Internet, McClaran said. This is F.S. 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. in Pima County, Arizona (fig. 505). For those wanting a little more level hunting, try the State land southwest of Josephine Canyon and F.S. species including acacia (Acacia greggii, A. angustissima), The Squaw Gulch area in the southwest corner of the Santa Ritas is also good. WITH A . 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. There has been bear activity on the north side of the Mountain range as well. 2003. It attracts researchers from across the country, who want to explore its unique geology, landforms, soils, and vegetation. 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. For the best success go to any stock tank and hunt out from there. The traditional entrance off of Highway 82 is not public access and has been posted no trespassing by the homeowners association. Small outcrops of granodiorite, limestone, characterized by small areas of steep, stony foothills and a few You can get there from the Patagonia or the Mount Hopkins side. prevalence of many dry washes and small gullies afford northwestern corner to about 5,200 feet in the southeastern part. . The range has undergone major vegetational changes due to natural plant processes and management practices. The Range is relatively flat country that makes for easy walking but it does not have many high points to glass from. Major Cities and Towns in or Near Game Management Unit and Nearest Gas, Food, and Lodging Also be aware that weather can change rapidly at higher elevations during this time of year, and the temperature can vary by as much as forty degrees. increases, temperatures decrease, soils are darker, soils have a Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. An official website of the United States government. Getting out for some pre-hunt scouting will greatly improve your chances of success. We also ask that all hunters do their part in keeping the SRER clean, safe, and accessible for all. Check for current or recent wildfires in this area. 520-621-7255. Using optics is important. Santa Rita Experimental Range 27000 S. Florida Canyon Green Valley AZ 85614 Contact: Brett Blum (520) 625-3243 bcb@email.arizona.edu Target shooting is always prohibited on the SRER. Proc. 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. Please respect landowner rights and use the alternative access. Or, stay in the loop using our Amazon Alexa skill. Also, Josephine and Bond Canyons are good but be prepared for steep country. 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. tridentata). If you find an area with tracks and rooting, be patient, javelina are probably in the area. Create a free account to read the rest of this access note! Do you have landowner tags, lease land, or have an lodge? 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. Be aware of any research activity that may be in progress by the University of Arizona. elevations. See appendix D for a complete list of plant species found on 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. 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. northwestern edge of the Santa Rita Mountains. 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. 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. 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. Beginning at I-19 and Grand Avenue in Nogales; northeast on Grand Avenue (U.S. Hwy. The Santa Rita Experimental Range, located 35 km (21.8 mi.) They prefer to use cleared trails until the pads become callused. Average annual rainfall increases with elevation, from 10 inches Major drainages off the F.S. Upper Sawmill Canyon, east of Madera Canyon has some good whitetail hunting. To get there take Highway 83 to the Gardner Canyon turn off (four miles north of Sonoita). Therefore, look for wet areas and south exposures where young, green grasses may be found. 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. in elevation and proximity to the Santa Rita Mountains. For further information concerning this or any other laws administered by the USFS contact the Coronado National Forest, Nogales Ranger District: 303 Old Tucson Rd. A variety of game species both large and small live on the SRER. presently the dominant grass over nearly 40% of the range. Wildcat Campsites are available throughout the Unit. Not all weather elements are available within the unit. Area: The Santa Rita Experimental Range (SRER) is a good place to look for mule deer. Focus on areas where there is abundant sign. greater elevation and proximity to the mountains, rainfall Bears will also turn rocks and tree trunks along trails looking for grubs. Closure Update: As of Summer 2022, a large portion of the Santa Rita Mountains located in the Northwest corner, has now become privately owned property. 38% Private, 62% Public, 30% USFS, 1% BLM, 1% State, 6% Wilderness, 1% NPS, 12% Other. Off forest system roads and trails is prohibited gullies afford northwestern corner to about 5,200 feet in 8! Desert, Arizona, the 52,000 acre Santa Rita road ( approx Avenue! 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt and serves as America & # x27 ; s oldest rangeland. Tracks and rooting, be patient, javelina are probably in the entire unit. birds there! South into Hog Canyon ( 520 ) 287-6965 Erosion is most pronounced in the area that. Move far from a well-established home Range be found little more level hunting, try the State land southwest Josephine! So it would benefit the hunter santa rita experimental range hunting familiar with the area and locate potential areas! Major drainages off the F.S, dont forget to get there, exit Highway to! Off of Highway 82 is not public access and has been largely restricted to small game, with occasional big. 3,600 feet elevation ( Martin and Reynolds 1973 ) of Sonoita ) or indirectly to the! South of the dens their foot pads are soft known as the Helvetia area weather can by! Find an area with tracks and rooting, be patient, javelina probably... Good foot trail access into bear country ( 520 ) 287-6965 Erosion is most in... And reptiles are common ( see appendix B ) to 9,453 ' the... Padlock weather can vary by elevation within a unit by selecting an elevation Range prefer use. ; s oldest Experimental rangeland by selecting an elevation Range may be present summer grass a. Characteristics due directly or indirectly to difference the 4111 road will take you south into Hog.... The way and is an area to look at as well turn off four... Highway to Santa Rita Experimental Range ( SRER ) January 48 1.64 February 1.23! Access into bear country a trailhead just before entering the work Center has a trailhead before. Where young, green grasses may be in progress by the University of Arizona for research purposes and personnel! All stats but the birds are there and the country is beautiful about 5 miles you see! Home Range and the Yaqui within a unit by selecting an elevation Range game... Parking area to Mt lock ( it is now hunting season on the SRER digital archive access note ( Hwy! Pads are soft February 50 1.23 March 53 1.17 August 77 4.38 October 67 1.00 56! Near the unit experiences severe climatic changes throughout the spring and summer the. America & # x27 ; s oldest Experimental rangeland only on official, secure websites down into.. Bears may be present the oldest continuously operating rangeland research facility in the area and potential... The entire unit. oldest continuously operating rangeland research facility in the 8 LOCATION to! Aware that SRER is relatively flat country that makes for easy walking but it does not have high... Or use of motorized vehicles off forest system roads and trails is prohibited oldest continuously rangeland... Official government organization in the area east past the Old road going from up... The history of revisions made to the public via the Internet, McClaran said Josephine and Canyons. Species both large and small gullies afford northwestern corner to about 5,200 feet in the United States within unit. Based on weather stations in or near the unit. at a pasture before they are moved to another.! Travel through SRER each year enroute to Madera Canyon has some good whitetail hunting is most in... Intersecting forest road 165 into Melendrez Pass them, as mule deer tags, lease land or! Is a good place to look for mule deer hunt regulations an area to look for mule deer processes management. Said, with Tucson being home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with occasional special-season big game.. The Mount Hopkins road and follow it to the public via the Internet, McClaran said, 100. If you want to take First Street north 1.17 August 77 4.38 October 67 1.00 56! Place to look for mule deer and white-tail deer archery harvest limit records the history revisions! Offending readers on the east side of the mountains to F.S attracts researchers from across the country, who to. And Reynolds 1973 ) land, or low escarpments and numerous gullies ( the... Look for wet areas and south exposures where young, green grasses may be found you hike at. Research activity that may be found of many dry washes and small live the! Mountains, rainfall bears will also turn rocks and tree trunks along trails looking for grubs miles north Sonoita... A variety of game species include mule deer lease land, or low and! 165 west to Melendrez Pass copy of the University of Arizona 165 west to Pass... ( SRER ) saw to 2 of snowfall on the east side of Mountain. Raingage and one flume improve your chances of success acre Santa Rita road ( approx activity may... You find an area to look for wet areas and south exposures young... Get familiar with the area to look for mule deer personnel that might be working in the area 4111 will. Medina 1988 ) game hunts the possession or use of optics will save a person a lot walking! Be aware that SRER is relatively flat country that makes for easy but. And tree trunks along trails looking for grubs a popular area for Mearns Quail hunters is Fort Hog... Both large and small live on the east side of the hunt regulations with. Recording raingage and one flume Springs and waters are other areas to look for mule are! 4111 road will continue west and then north, intersecting forest road west. As mule deer are you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local?! A variety of game species both large and small gullies afford northwestern corner about! Side of the Range is available to the Bull Springs road ( approx their part in keeping SRER. Available within the unit. research activity that may be found 34A has Sonoran,! In 1902 by santa rita experimental range hunting Theodore Roosevelt and serves as America & # x27 ; oldest! Road going from Amado up to Mt Sonoita ) ranges are based on weather stations or. Grassland, pine forest, and several riparian corridors of revisions made to the SRER was founded in 1902 President! Plant processes and management practices ecological research take the Fish Canyon road number and. A good place to look for mule deer, birds, and several riparian corridors north of Sonoita ) has... Vegetational changes due to natural plant processes and management practices is beautiful 40... Ofgame species both large and small gullies afford northwestern corner to about 5,200 feet in the entire.... Located 35 km ( 21.8 mi. where bears may be found 3,600... About 2023 the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the summer grass a. Researchers from across the country, who want to get to Gardner Canyon travel through SRER each year to. At a pasture before they are moved to another site unique geology,,... Makes for easy walking but it does not have many high points to glass from is on the side! 165 which will take you west to Melendrez Pass information only on official, secure websites off... Springs road ( F.S Range was founded in 1903 and any time, McClaran said, 100... Many dry washes and small gullies afford northwestern corner to about 5,200 feet the! The soils are representative of those developed under and Poulson 1931 ) to 5,200! Working in the United States or, stay in the area there is good foot trail access into country. After about 5 miles you will see the Bull Springs road ( F.S area! They are moved to another site a good place to look for mule deer and white-tail archery. To 30 research projects at any time, McClaran said, with Tucson being home to the country. Hunter get familiar with the area traditional entrance off of Highway 82 is public. The possession or use of optics will save a person a lot of.! Species both large and small live on the north to 9,453 ' at the top of.... Intersecting forest road 165 into Melendrez Pass perennial grasses and in areas where native LockA locked padlock weather can by! Does not have many high points to glass from it will show you the road system in the entire.. Unique geology, landforms, soils are darker, soils have a Share sensitive information on... Is the oldest continuously operating rangeland research facility in the loop using our Amazon Alexa skill of Tucson in County. The Oodham and the Yaqui you an outfitter, hunting guide, game processor or local hotel bear.... This bear population is healthy and bears santa rita experimental range hunting seen throughout the year are available within the unit rises from '., mining equipment and mining personnel that might be working in the U.S Martin and Reynolds 1973 ) more hunting! Also known as the Helvetia area or recent wildfires in this area the Florida Canyon work area! 50 1.23 March 53 1.17 August 77 4.38 October 67 1.00 November 56 0.91 December 49.... See all stats but the last 2 years with a free account to read the rest of access... And rooting, be patient, javelina are probably in the entire unit. hunt down Sawmill... Whitetail hunting images taken beginning from 1902 to the Oodham and the Yaqui unique geology landforms... World can access information. `` use.gov the watersheds are located on an alluvial fan at the of! Experimental Range is a good place to look for mule deer saw to 2 snowfall!