Coues virgin

[Treemanj]

Hey guys, I am a new member here, but have been lurking for a few months.

 

I am planning my first coues hunting trip for the third week in January. I will be heading to southeast arizonia and am planning to hunt eithe unit 33 or 29. I have a Javalina tag for 33, but really like the looks of the Coronado NF in 29, and would not mind eating to Javi tag.

 

I don't have any dilusions of a high probability of harvesting a deer, but would like to put myself In a position to see some and hopefully learn a little. I will be hunting DIY and solo, and really don't have much idea what to expect. I plann on walking and watching for a couple of days, and hopefully find some areas to either spot and stalk or set up a blind or tree stand and try to ambush one.

 

If anyone has any info that they would be willing to share with a new coues hunter that woul be much apreciated.

 

Thanks for any help,

Jim

[Guest 300ultramag.]

the more time (in the field) you can take the bettter your odds. I would recommend at least 15 days for coues..

 

in 33 u can chase muley alot easier

[coues4u]

Glass Glass Glass

[SO I HUNT]

Glass Glass Glass

 

and more glass

[Treemanj]

So are you guys saying I should bring binoculars?

 

No, really, thanks for the replies, I certainly would not be against shooting a mluie either, but kinda partial to coues.

 

I think I will have 8 or 9 hunting days, that is max for me on this trip.

 

Thanks again,

 

Jim

 

[deserthntr]

So are you guys saying I should bring binoculars?

 

No, really, thanks for the replies, I certainly would not be against shooting a mluie either, but kinda partial to coues.

 

I think I will have 8 or 9 hunting days, that is max for me on this trip.

 

Thanks again,

 

Jim

 

binos are a MUST for coues, glassing and spot and stalk or sitting water where you know they are coming into it is your best chance, you most likely wont get a coues by still hunting in the desert. possible but most likely wont happen

[inline]

Start planning your trip for next year. Coues Deer are more addicting that cocaine, successful or not you are going to want to go back.

 

Good luck!

 

And like everyone else says "less hiking more glassing"!

[Coach]

C'mon guys. I bet there is at least one member on here that would be willing to take this guy out and show him the ropes. SE AZ is too far away for me personally, but I bet there are some guys in Safford or Clifton who wouldn't mind getting out of the house for a day or two.

 

Jim, you really are taking on something big if you are coming from out-of-state and going in blind. I checked your profile and couldn't tell where you are coming from. Can you give us something about you to go on? Hunting the desert is hard, hard, hard if you aren't used to it, and don't know where to start.

 

This forum is full of knowledgeable hunters from all over the state, many of which are very glad to help out somebody who is willing to do some leg-work.

 

As others have stated, be ready to spend lots of time glassing. The country is generally very open, but the critters here know that and don't show themselves much. I had a wise old guy tell me I should wear out the seat of my pants long before my boots if I want to figure these animals out. He was dead on. You won't see much walking around unless you are focusing on escape routes that lead to places you'll not likely glass nor hike.

 

Shoot me a PM if you want, and I'll do my best to give you some idea of what to expect. However, Amanda has done a great job of describing the habits and habitats of coues deer, along with detailed glassing and hunting advice, right here on this site. I doubt I could tell you much that isn't readily available from the CWT home page. After that, it comes down to fine-tuning the basics, which takes experience in the field.

 

[John O]

PM sent

[Treemanj]

Thanks again for the replies and PM's l will return PM's after

I have a little time to process the info.

 

I am from the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. I am 34 years old and have hunted many states and

most of them DIY and solo. I wil be driving to AZ, and planning to camp out, maybe a night or 2 in motel "freshen-up time". I spent one winter working down at Buenos Aires NWR several years ago, so I have an idea of the general terain of the area.

 

I am planning basicly to start in areas between 3000 to 7000 feet on elevation and possibly keying in oak covered benches and creek beds and water sources. Obviously my plan is pretty broad, but learning and adjusting the plan is the fun part.

 

I can see that glassing should be the biggest part of that plan.

 

Thanks again for help

 

Jim

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I think you are on the right track. I would let your truck do the work until you locate the elevation or the terrain that the deer are holding in. Depending on when your there bucks should be close to the does maybe not chasing but in the same area. We usually hunt around 4000-4500ft in elevation. The deer we hunt really like to hold in the small fingers off of larger drainage's, but as I write this maybe I just like to hunt those more.