JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted October 28, 2017 Hey guys, long time lurker here making his first post. Sorry for the wall of text, TL;DR at the bottom. Please let me know if I made any mistakes regarding posting, profile, etc. I am pretty new to big game hunting in general with only a couple of Javelina hunts in terms of "big game" (with various levels of success). I moved here from Alaska a couple of years ago and therefor everything I'm doing, hunting wise, is self taught or with the help of some friends and I'm kind of at a stand still. Me and a buddy were both drawn for rifle coues in mid November down in 34A. I am relatively familiar with the area due to the Javelina hunts but have never been deer hunting before. I spend 95% of my time on the east side of the Santa Rita's as opposed to the west and have seen plenty of doe before, but never any bucks. As I'm sure quite a few of you know, the elevation and landscape change a lot on that side of the mountain... So my question is, should I continue scouting the mid-higher elevation part of the mountain where I've seen the majority of the does I've come across. Or should we focus on the lower, more desert-like terrain? I don't want to ask anyone about their secret locations or ask for anything too revealing, but I do appreciate anything anyone can tell me (Even if it isn't related to my question, I welcome ANY and all information)! I am a nursing student in West Phoenix so finding the time to hunt was a challenge within itself, and any scouting more than the day before is sadly not going to happen. As such, I am planning on using what I know from my February Javelina hunts. I am not expecting any real success on the hunt due to my lack of preparation because of school, but the experience will do nothing but help me going forward. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, I appreciate it, and any help you can provide! TL;DR: First time deer hunter. For coues on the east side of the Santa Ritas in unit 34A, which elevation should I focus my efforts? Low scrub-brush or the higher grass-like areas? Thank you for any tips you can help me with! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bisbee Report post Posted October 28, 2017 Oak and junipers areas do much better than the pine forests, if that is what you are asking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted October 28, 2017 Bisbee,I wasn't planning on going that high. But yeah, simplified I guess it's an argument of oak/grass land vs mesquite/ocotillo/desert scrub. Something like this: vs. Despite the pictures, I have spent more time and have therefor seen more deer on the eastern part of the mountain, however I did not have my camera handy as I wasn't just sight seeing those times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkaddict Report post Posted October 28, 2017 I've never hunted the east side but I much prefer the desert, ocotillo, mesquite area compared to oak, grass. Maybe it's more about the area I can glass. When I hunt in Mexico there are years the deer are thick in the oak, grass areas probably due to the acorn crop. Most of the time it's the desert stuff, more variety of food sources. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted October 29, 2017 That makes sense, thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
no worries Report post Posted November 1, 2017 By no means an expert on coues or 34A, but my kids have killed 3 bucks in there (34A east side) over the last 2 years. Lots of guys on this site know more about hunting coues and most of them have been really helpful. Most bucks we find are in the same area/terrain that has does. This year we killed one buck down in the prickly pear/ocotillo and one up higher. Both areas had does hanging out as well. Typically with us, the does are often found closer in to our glassing spot and we glass up the bucks farther out. If possible,you might want to expand the distance you glass if you are only finding does. Not uncommon to glass a buck that is a mile away and go after him. Good luck on your hunt and let us know how you make out. Jim 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
roninflag Report post Posted November 2, 2017 get high and glass. the bucks are there. the shots we have had are on the long side. the coues like rough country and they are fairly small and challenging target. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted November 3, 2017 Thanks a bunch! That inspires some confidence. By no means an expert on coues or 34A, but my kids have killed 3 bucks in there (34A east side) over the last 2 years. Lots of guys on this site know more about hunting coues and most of them have been really helpful. Most bucks we find are in the same area/terrain that has does. This year we killed one buck down in the prickly pear/ocotillo and one up higher. Both areas had does hanging out as well. Typically with us, the does are often found closer in to our glassing spot and we glass up the bucks farther out. If possible,you might want to expand the distance you glass if you are only finding does. Not uncommon to glass a buck that is a mile away and go after him. Good luck on your hunt and let us know how you make out. Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted November 3, 2017 Are you glassing with decent glass and a tripod? That's probably the most important factor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 3, 2017 First look for areas away from roads with a water source. This could be a stock tank or GF drinker but those are often near roads Steep canyons with cottonwoods in the bottom will often have pools of water in the bottoms most of the year. Glass South east slopes at first light then north / northeast slopes shortly after sunrise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted November 4, 2017 Are you glassing with decent glass and a tripod? That's probably the most important factor. I actually just upgraded and picked up a pair of Vortex Diamondback 12x50 Binos and the tripod attachment yesterday, so I should be set! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted November 4, 2017 First look for areas away from roads with a water source. This could be a stock tank or GF drinker but those are often near roads Steep canyons with cottonwoods in the bottom will often have pools of water in the bottoms most of the year. Glass South east slopes at first light then north / northeast slopes shortly after sunrise. We have one watering hole with a crazy amount of footprint traffic we will be checking out for sure. It is pretty far from the roads so hoping for the best as far as that hole is concerned. Will keep my eyes open for the cottonwoods! Thanks for the slope recommendation, will definitely do that! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtuck Report post Posted November 9, 2017 First timer for Coues as well so I don't really have any insight to provide. I also have a tag for 34A and my hunt starts on Friday, 11/10. I'm also a RN so I understand the lack of free time to scout. Good luck with your hunt and hopefully we can both fill our tags. Good luck with nursing school too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JstnDvs.13 Report post Posted November 9, 2017 My hunt starts tomorrow as well. Leaving as soon as I finish my Cardiovascular System exam at noon! Filling tags would be great. Best of luck, let me know how you do out there! And thank you very much. First timer for Coues as well so I don't really have any insight to provide. I also have a tag for 34A and my hunt starts on Friday, 11/10. I'm also a RN so I understand the lack of free time to scout. Good luck with your hunt and hopefully we can both fill our tags. Good luck with nursing school too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
