elkhunter Report post Posted August 8, 2006 I always hunted coues in the oak/juniper hills, but this year I'm off to a new unit. On my scouting trips we're locating most bucks in the mesquite flats and not too far from them are ocotillio covered hills. I read about bucks taken from these ocotillo hills, are they there in the october seasons just as much as they're there in december? Right now I glassed up a few bucks feeding on the super green leaves on these ocotillo, will they still be feeding on these leaves when they die off later into the fall? Thanks for any help, it's a whole new ball game for me in the lower desert areas! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowhunter4life Report post Posted August 8, 2006 I have taken an october and december coues in the ocotillo's. they seem to really love them all fall long. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhunter Report post Posted August 8, 2006 Good to hear! Thanks!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
couesdiehard Report post Posted August 8, 2006 Have seen them feeding on the ocotillos after the rain and they leaves are extended. Have seen them feeding on forbs and stuff and bedding most of the time on those ocotillo hillsides. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bullwidgeon Report post Posted August 8, 2006 Look for ridges with Cholla fruit and heavy ocotillo stands on them. Money country there.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COUESAZ Report post Posted August 8, 2006 They like those stikery sticks. It is good camo for them too. Ihave lost them time and time again when they stop walking in them and stands still. I was watching a buck with some does and the the front deer sure looked like a spike and as i was looking him over to see what it was the big buck bedded down and i could not find him again. One whole hour passed and he stood up to move closer to the other deer And then i saw him again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkhunter Report post Posted August 8, 2006 tell me about it, even right now with the green leaves on em they're tough to find because of the lime stone background, hopefully the upgrade from Zeiss to swarovski will help me out a teeny bit Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted August 8, 2006 My favorite stuff to hunt Coues in is Ocotillo! I don't know why they like the stuff, just know that they do! Any time I see a hillside covered in Ocotillo's, I automatically think of Coues deer and start looking for the horizontal lines in the vertical maze of Ocotillo branches, never overlook the Ocotillos! JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
couesdiehard Report post Posted August 8, 2006 With all the lions hunting them, I think they like the ocotillos because it's a mother to sneak in on them in such open country full of thorns. Lee Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azryan Report post Posted August 8, 2006 are coues big on prickly pear ...do they like eating them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueshunter Report post Posted August 8, 2006 I love Ocotillo's. I think the deer feel more safe in them and they love to eat the leaves. I think Brett and I talked about this a few years back, but I would glass the heck out of ocotillo's............Allen........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted August 8, 2006 Those Ocotillos like growing in the limestone, which is calcium carbonate. Of course calcium makes for strong bones (got milk?) and BIG ANTLERS. RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JACK Report post Posted August 9, 2006 If you can find an ocotillo covered anything, that has barrel cactus with ripe fruit then you are golden!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted August 9, 2006 With all the lions hunting them, I think they like the ocotillos because it's a mother to sneak in on them in such open country full of thorns.Lee For the same reason I think the deer like to bed in hills covered with shin daggers even without ocotillos. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catclaw Report post Posted August 13, 2006 WT, especially bucks, really seem to like the leaves. I have seen the rake the leaves with their antler, then lick them up. I find the leaves are especially good myself. Pick some on the last day before you head home and throw them in a salad. Adds a good flavor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites