AFscout80 Report post Posted October 23, 2006 Howdy folks, the Air Force just moved me down here to Arizona and I got drawn for 36B for next weekend. I went scouting, took a drive down Ruby Road and was a little shocked at the terrain. I imagined slow-rolling peaks, saguaros and sparse vegatation. What I saw was thick vegatation, steep cliffs, deep valleys, canyons and wash-outs. It was hard to find a reliable water-source so I took to foot (I didn't bring a map) and quickly found a creek that was dammed up just east of Ruby (Ranch?). Seeing how coues deer are small, I assume they can't hold water to the extent larger white-tails can so my plan is to glass for them within a mile of a water source. I also covered a lot of ground and saw very little sign of coues deer. Is my plan of action good, am I looking in the right area? Do you know somewhere better in that area? I'm not after a trophy buck, just to take any buck will tickle my pickle. Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks. Tim "Simplify, simplify, simplify" (Henry David Thoreau) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redneck74 Report post Posted October 23, 2006 Howdy folks, the Air Force just moved me down here to Arizona and I got drawn for 36B for next weekend. I went scouting, took a drive down Ruby Road and was a little shocked at the terrain. I imagined slow-rolling peaks, saguaros and sparse vegatation. What I saw was thick vegatation, steep cliffs, deep valleys, canyons and wash-outs. It was hard to find a reliable water-source so I took to foot (I didn't bring a map) and quickly found a creek that was dammed up just east of Ruby (Ranch?). Seeing how coues deer are small, I assume they can't hold water to the extent larger white-tails can so my plan is to glass for them within a mile of a water source. I also covered a lot of ground and saw very little sign of coues deer. Is my plan of action good, am I looking in the right area? Do you know somewhere better in that area? I'm not after a trophy buck, just to take any buck will tickle my pickle. Any and all input is appreciated. Thanks. Tim "Simplify, simplify, simplify" (Henry David Thoreau) Buy your self a good pair of binos get up on a good hill that will enable you to see 360 degrees and glass, glass and then glass some more. That unit is a great! In fact Ray Charles could kill a Coues deer in it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueshunter Report post Posted October 23, 2006 I would suggest you get yourself a tripod, get set up on a high spot somewhere 1/2 hour before sunrise and glass in a grid type pattern on the S.E. facing slopes first thing in the morning. Pick apart the shadow areas, watch for shapes, colors and movement. These coues are only about 34" at the shoulder so they are small and with their coloring, they blend in very good. Later in the morning when nothings moving, glass the N.W. facing slopes or glass down into likely bedding areas to find a buck bedded. Your water hole would not be a bad area to focus on for deer coming into during midday. Hunt all day long and glass, dont hike all over and you should be able to find a buck and stalk in on him........hope you do well............Allen....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFscout80 Report post Posted October 24, 2006 thanks guys, that is about what i'm expecting to do. however, is the terrain habitable by the coues? it seems really tough and rough, specifically the deep cross-cut canyons and ravines but that might be why the like it...good cover. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lfootmatt Report post Posted October 24, 2006 thanks guys, that is about what i'm expecting to do. however, is the terrain habitable by the coues? it seems really tough and rough, specifically the deep cross-cut canyons and ravines but that might be why the like it...good cover. As a 2nd year 36b hunter I'm qualified to say this. Get out early! You've got to be setup and ready to glass before sunrise if you want to see many deer. I got in late a couple of times and didn't see squat. The times I got in early were much more productive and that was during the December hunt when they were starting to get horny and stupid. I got a November tag this year so don't know what to do. Later, Matt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vegasjeep Report post Posted October 24, 2006 thanks guys, that is about what i'm expecting to do. however, is the terrain habitable by the coues? it seems really tough and rough, specifically the deep cross-cut canyons and ravines but that might be why the like it...good cover. They call a Coues Deer a Poor mans Rocky mountain sheep as the terrain they inhabit is about the same kind as a Sheep. The deer love ROUGH, Lots of Ocotillo Cactus, Brush, and anything else you can think of that would make it difficult to find and hunt them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
az4life Report post Posted October 25, 2006 When you pick a spot to glass from, just look for the worst spot you could imagine pulling a buck out of, and that is where you will often find him. They love the extreme rugged terrain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFscout80 Report post Posted October 26, 2006 thanks for the advice guys, good luck to you and yours on your hunts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
