Coues in Unit 6A/6b in Northern Arizona

[peakandplateau]

Greetings all,

I'm new to this little forum here. But am definitely seeking opinions and tales regarding Coues in Northern Arizona in particular. I must admit that I'm a new hunter and the only whitetail hunting I've done has been in Texas (though it was NOT on one of those high-fenced deer farm ranches!).

 

I'm hoping to do some scouting and hunting in Unit 6A/6B and do have a good general familiarity with the geography and landscape in these units. I've lived in Az all my life and in Flagstaff for the last 16 years and have spent a good amount of time backcountry hiking in these areas. I've noticed the Coues population density map that shows a dark red (medium desity) north/south patch that seems to run perfectly along the edge of the rim in that region.

 

So, my question is, in scouting this general area, what really seems to be the preferred habitat of the coues in this area or where a good starting point may be? Pinion/Juniper zone, upper sonoran desert zone just below the rim, the pines higher up.

 

Thanks for the chance to post in this forum!

 

Jason

[willhunt4coues]

Everwhere you mentioned is great. Get you some good bino or even not good what ever you are comfortable with and a tripod and GLASS GLASS GLASS you will find them sooner or later. Set up some trail cams on trails or water and see what you can see. The more you are in the hills the more you will see. Good luck and welcome to a great site.

 

[CouesWhitetail]

Since you are new to hunting, you might consider hiring a guide to show you the ropes. Josh Epperson (aka GRONG) is a strong supporter of this site and knows that area well and would be a good contact.

 

http://www.rimrock-outfitters.com/

 

 

As has been mentioned, you can find Coues in many of the different habitat types you mentioned. If you want some more general info on coues biology, check the coues biology section of this website and the habitat page: http://www.coueswhitetail.com/coues_biolog...eer_habitat.htm

 

Another good source of info is to read what AGFD has to say about the unit.

Each unit has a hunt unit report to give suggestions on where to start for each species.

http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_units.shtml

 

 

 

Amanda

 

[Red Rabbit]

You can find coues in the pines, on Mt Elden, near Marshall Lake/Walnut Canyon, but I would concentrate right along the rim and the canyons like Fossil, West Clear, Wet Beaver, Sycamore.

[peakandplateau]

Hey thanks for all of the input everyone has already shared!! It's all very helpful!! I believe my budget will restrict me from using guide services, but I think I'm a dihard D.I.Y. guy anyway. I enjoy getting out into the 'sticks' on my own and into the backcountry as it is.

 

I feel I learned alot by observing whitetail behavior from hunting in Texas for nearly 2 months, but now I've gotta translate those experiences back into the environment here in my home state and within a much more diverse and massive landscape.

 

Keep chiming in, I definitely like to hear everyones opinions!!

 

(Honestly the whole time I was in Texas in 'the box on stilts' I kept dreaming of hunting here in Northern Arizona).

 

Thanks,

 

Jason

[az4life]

I used to see a lot of them along the road from Camp Verde to payson, Gen Crook Trail?

 

About half way between the 2 points (still pinyon and juniper area) stake out a couple tanks along the West Clear Creek.

Lots of other game there as well. Use a camera or 2 and you might be surprised what you find. Maybe even find the Mogollon monster! AZ's Sasquatch....

 

Not too far from Flag so you could do daytrips easily.

 

Good luck

[deserthunter23]

I agree with Red Rabbit,check the big canyons,pick points where you can look up and down the canyons and the benches just under the rims........its all good coues country ,densities maybe not as high but there are some big deer.Good luck,and welcome,Steve