opinions, advice, etc. for a Coues greenhorn

[highsierra]

Hey "Coues" people!

 

I normally find myself posting on other forums (I'm a die-hard Blacktail and Muley hunter) but this year my friend and I finally drew December Coues tags for 36B so I have been lurking here lately. We are well aware of the issues involving the "undocumented" folk that utilize that area and are taking the necessary precautions that so many of you have posted about here on this site. In fact, due to the nature of this kind of hunt and our inability to adequately scout the area due to the distance we live from the zone, and our lack of experience with hunting in such a volitile area, we broke down and hired an outfitter. Hopefully this will not only increase our odds of success but will also keep us safe. This will actually be the first "guided" hunt either of us have ever been on. We pride ourselves in being ethical, experienced, D.I.Y. hunters but felt that in this case it might be time to bite the bullet and seek out the services of an expert. I know it made the wives happy knowing that we werent going into this hunt totaly blind. We will be leaving for our hunt the day after X-mas and hunting the entire last week of the season. Before we pull out I have a few qustions for the "experts" out there on this forum:

 

1. Realistically, if we have the proper equiptment (high quality optics, trained eyes, etc) how many branched-antler bucks on average should we see a day if our guide has done his homework?

 

2. What caliber of bucks are people typically taking in this unit on this hunt in recent years? Is there any stats available on this...such as BC scores? (any pics you could share?)

 

3. On day 3 of a 5 day hunt would you shoot a 100 inch 3x3 or hold still hold out?

 

4. Does anyone have any other pertinent, up to date (recent) info on any specifics of the area that are not already published by the AZFG or heavily discussed on this or the other major Coues forums?

 

Thanks in advance for any info you feel comfortable sharing!

 

HIGHSIERRA

[firstcoueswas80]

I wouldnt let a 100" pass on day 3 of a 5 day hunt.

[Mr. Jonathan]

I wouldn't let a 100 inch buck pass the first morning - but that has nothing to do with the unit or guide or anything, I'm just saying I wouldn't pass up a 100 inch buck!

[Tines]

Congrats on the tag! There's always too many variables in hunting, even with "trained eyes" and "quality equipment". I'm also not sure if there's a "right" answer to any of your questions but here's my opinion if weather permits:

 

1. Expect 10-15 bucks a day. 75% being branch antlered bucks.

 

2. Doubt there are any stats but I'd venture to say that 100"+ bucks taken during a December hunt are less than 15%. Give or take a couple.

 

3. Would I shoot a 100" buck on day 3 of 5? Depends on what I'm seeing. Is that the first buck of that caliber during my guides' pre-hunt scouting OR seen during the hunt? Once again, too many variables. But the main one to consider- does that 100" 3x3 blow your skirt up? If he does, shoot him. If you won't be happy with him, let him go and keep hunting. A philosophy I like to follow is "don't pass up today what you'd shoot tomorrow....."

 

4. Pretty sure this is the "major Coues forum" and doubt you'll find much more information anywhere else. It might not have extensive unit by unit info but everything you need to know is here.......and hopefully in your outfitters head.

 

Let us know how you do. Good luck!!!

 

 

[pirogue]

Hopefully, you asked potential outfitters these same questions before you selected one. What was their answers to these questions. I would have probably been asking these questions on the forum to get an idea, before selecting an outfitter. Good Luck.

 

[Guest super jumbo]

If you have never shot a coues deer before, then i would say it would be a mistake to pass up a 100 incher on opening day. Sure you can gamble, but for your first deer you should think long and hard before you let a 100 incher go. It doesnt matter what unit or hunt, a 100 inch class deer is a stud. Dont want you to go home unhappy man. If your guide is seeing lots of big deer though then i would gamble with the first couple of days. Good luck fellas.

[Mr. Jonathan]

Congrats on the tag! There's always too many variables in hunting, even with "trained eyes" and "quality equipment". I'm also not sure if there's a "right" answer to any of your questions but here's my opinion if weather permits:

 

1. Expect 10-15 bucks a day. 75% being branch antlered bucks.

 

2. Doubt there are any stats but I'd venture to say that 100"+ bucks taken during a December hunt are less than 15%. Give or take a couple.

 

3. Would I shoot a 100" buck on day 3 of 5? Depends on what I'm seeing. Is that the first buck of that caliber during my guides' pre-hunt scouting OR seen during the hunt? Once again, too many variables. But the main one to consider- does that 100" 3x3 blow your skirt up? If he does, shoot him. If you won't be happy with him, let him go and keep hunting. A philosophy I like to follow is "don't pass up today what you'd shoot tomorrow....."

 

4. Pretty sure this is the "major Coues forum" and doubt you'll find much more information anywhere else. It might not have extensive unit by unit info but everything you need to know is here.......and hopefully in your outfitters head.

 

Let us know how you do. Good luck!!!

 

 

The buck in your avatar blows my skirt up!

 

[highsierra]

Thanks guys for the opinions / advice. I am very confident we chose the right outfitter. He came highly reccommended from several industry experts. All the same questions (plus more) were posed to him as well as a long list of individuals that had used his services in the past. Still, it's always nice to hear from other D.I.Y. hunters such as yourselves before heading out on an adventure like this. I've personally loged many years chasing big game most all the western states except AZ. I'm no stranger to chasing muley's at over 10,000 ft., or spotting blacktails in the oak woodland at long rang ...but this Coues hunting in the desert mountains of southern AZ where you gotta not only dodge cactus but also keep clear of the illegals seems so foreign. Maybe that's the appeal to me...something different you know. Definitely a new challenge, possibly even a new addiction!

 

If you couldnt tell already, I'm really starting to get excited for this hunt. Having one more big game hunt this year is certainly a bonus...and getting out of the cold, windy, rainy, snowy weather we're having here at home will be a nice change too. Wish the weather that we are having here would clear out and give me a chance to hit the rifle range again though. I am very confident with the rifle I'm bringing (Rem. 700 Varmint Special .308 topped with Leupold Mark IV 8.5 x 25)at long range, but I still would like to get a little more trigger time in right before the hunt. Cant practice enough you know!

 

Keep the comments an info coming...I am an information junkie.

 

Highsierra

 

 

[firstcoueswas80]

So whos the outfitter?

[highsierra]

So whos the outfitter?

 

Would rather not say at this point. No sense in it anyways, the decision was made already and the hunt is finalized. I will, however, give him due credit when our hunt is over and I post on our results...fair enough?

[firstcoueswas80]

Hmm thats weird being hush hush about the outfit but ok.

[highsierra]

Hmm thats weird being hush hush about the outfit but ok.

 

Sorry you feel that way. I just dont want to open a door for any undue bad-mouthing, criticisms. Unfortunately, some people in this world like to jump at the chance to tear others down. I'd like to keep it positive, ya know.

 

If you are really that interested PM me and I'd be happy to discuss our choice of outfitters and the reasoning behind it in private.

 

Highsierra

[firstcoueswas80]

I understand your stance, but I was not asking for that reason.

 

MOST people on this site wouldnt bash an outfitter, unprovoked but if you still wish to keep it a secret that is obviously your choice. I was just asking out of curiosity.

[Guest super jumbo]

Hmm thats weird being hush hush about the outfit but ok.

 

Sorry you feel that way. I just dont want to open a door for any undue bad-mouthing, criticisms. Unfortunately, some people in this world like to jump at the chance to tear others down. I'd like to keep it positive, ya know.

 

If you are really that interested PM me and I'd be happy to discuss our choice of outfitters and the reasoning behind it in private.

 

Highsierra

Thats a good call high sierra. Telling the name of the outfitter is of no good if you have done your research already. No matter how good you are as a guide there are always people waiting to tear ya down. All it would do is cast doubts in your mind before the hunt, and that wont do anybody any good. Looking forward to your pics.

[DBArcher]

I think you guys missed caseys point, he was just curious about what outfitter it was, he is definately not a person to bash on people. Daniel