New Coues Hunter

[AT Hiker]

Hello all!

 

This year will be my first year hunting Coues. I lucked up and drew a late AZ 31 tag and in my research I stumbled upon this site. Im anxious to get invloved in this community and learn as much as I can about these critters.

 

A little bit about me;

I live in Nort Central TN. I grew up hunting whitetail in both TN and KY, about 6 years I ago I discovered Western hunting and have been addicted ever since. I usually try to get in at least one DIY Public land hunt in each fall, mainly for mule deer in WY. Backpack hunting is my favorite style by far but I love spot n stalk pronghorn and the occasional rutting mule deer private ranch hunt in MT me and my grandfather do. One of these days I hope to draw a elk tag but for now my deer addiction is plenty for my family to handle!

 

This year I started out bummed because I did not draw any tags, with the exception of MT general deer. However, I was surprised by a call from AZ G&F telling me I drew a Dec Coues Unit 31 tag. Score! I only had a few points and did not expect to draw anything...

 

Fast forward till now; maps have been delivered, a call has been put in to AZ biologist, a few emails back n forth from people who have "driven" through the area and now I discovered this cool site.

 

I would be fooling myself if I didnt think about coming on here and asking for any help with 31, of course I will take all the help I can get. But I also want to learn about these deer and become as proficient as I can. My long term AZ plan was to start archery hunting them this Jan, mainly to learn the country and how to adapt my techniques of self taught Western hunting to hunting AZ coues then be ready by the time came to realistically draw a tag. This plan is of course altered a bit but for the better, I just have to fast track my learning curve.

 

As of now my plans are to backpack into one of the wilderness areas (or wilderness study areas). I have a non hunting buddy tagging along for support. I plan to glass, glass some more and glass a little bit more after that. I was hoping they would be rutting but from what I read that is likely not going to happen.

 

My main obstacles right now in planning are this;

A. Access to these wilderness areas, it appears access to Santa Teresa is limited

B. Access into the Pinalenos is better but some of the roads will be closed post mid Nov

C. It looks like the Pinalenos is going to be hard to make a backpack hunt out of it with all the roads, maybe not though

D. Water, I think of AZ as a dry desert with NO water to be found. My map has springs located but I know not to trust them fully

 

Anyone care to shed some light on my intial plans? My skin is tough so have at it please.

 

Regardless, I am anxious to read and follow along on this site. Im just as anxious to share my experience after my hunt.

 

Thanks to all!

[GreyGhost85]

that is a great tag, and you shouldn't struggle too hard to find deer. the santa teresa's are pretty remote without much access and would offer a great backpack hunt. get some big glass and learn how to use it. hunting for coues is generally finding a couple high vantage points that give you the ability to look at a lot of country and stay in the same place or two glassing all day long. they are very small animals and your average buck probably wouldn't weigh 100lbs live weight. get ready to find yourself addicted

[wildwoody]

oh boy!!

[AT Hiker]

Thanks so much for the help so far.

 

Will I have trouble finding water, for me to filter for myself, while out backpacking? I hope to focus my efforts in the higher elevation, specifically Santa Teressa if I can get in there.

[StraightTequilaNight]

It's been a very wet late summer / fall. Seasonal streams are all running well. Lots of the springs that have been dry for years are wet this year. You shouldn't have any problem finding water to filter. If you're backpacking, just pay attention to the wind & stay alert. These deer are very wary, but I've had lots and lots of close encounters while out hiking if the wind is right. If you have the late December hunt, you'll be at the start of the rut. Should be able to key in on does & the bucks won't be far away. There are plenty of places to backpack in the Pinalenos. people don't stray too far from the roads, which gives you an advantage if you're willing to put a few miles on your boots.

[AT Hiker]

Thanks again everyone, heres to praying for water in the streams!

 

Im still waiting on a biologist from AZ G&F to call me back. Its been 2 weeks, do they usually take this long or should I give the office a call back? I dont want to be that guy bugging them.