11hunter11 Report post Posted December 24, 2007 Hi my name is Jeff and i have a problem, i cant seem to get a coues deer with a bow. I have lived in AZ for 2 years now and have been hunting in unit 23 south. I have always hunted the pine trees and I have found plenty of deer but nothing too impressive to take, some forkies, 3x3s but all pretty small so i pass on them. Have any of you guys been successful in the pine trees? Is it time for me to rethink my hunts and start going to open country and spot and stalk? What do you all think? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Jeff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted December 25, 2007 Jeff, in my opnion, if you can get ANY coues buck in range WITH a bow in hand AS WELL as a TAG.... SMOKE HIM!!!! Welcome to the forum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesSlayer Report post Posted December 25, 2007 Can't be too picky until you start killing them...try different strategies until you find one that works for you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GameHauler Report post Posted December 25, 2007 Besides Jeff, You can't shoot the horn off with a stick. Oh Crap, Did I say that There are not many Coues in the pines. You have to go down south to the 30 units to get anything over a 2 point. They just grow better on rocks instead of pine needles Just look at the pictures being posted Everyone is not smileing because they have cactus stuck in them. Can't explain it just the way it is WELCOME to the site T. Ruble Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikep35 Report post Posted December 25, 2007 Jeff, in my opnion, if you can get ANY coues buck in range WITH a bow in hand AS WELL as a TAG.... SMOKE HIM!!!! Welcome to the forum. I agree. If you decide to switch to the desert country, sneaking up on a coues deer is just as hard or harder than any hunting you'll ever do. If you're within range in the pines and have a chance to arrow one, you better take it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
11hunter11 Report post Posted December 25, 2007 T. Ruble..I hear you there. I have yet to see an impressive coues taken in the pines. I have seen some nice ones (80" to 90") while driving to my spot (in the pines), but nothing while hunting. I'll keep in the pines for now i guess, since it is the rut and i will get one. Here is basically what i have been seeing. This came from my buddies cam but this is typical. Nothing bigger. Thanks for your replies guys and good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted December 25, 2007 Stalker, Welcome to the forum! How are you hunting them in the pines? Are you stalking them (as your name suggests) or are you in a treestand or groundblind? Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
11hunter11 Report post Posted December 26, 2007 Stalker, Welcome to the forum! How are you hunting them in the pines? Are you stalking them (as your name suggests) or are you in a treestand or groundblind? Amanda I am in a stand. Its load up there and i figure this is the only way to do it. I have tried ground blinds but i like it better up high. Would you take the one in the pic as your first one? He just seems kind of young, 2 1/2 or so. I am out of meat and the year is almost over, but i no how that story goes, during the last week he wont be there???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues 'n' Sheep Report post Posted December 26, 2007 Stalker, Welcome to the forum! How are you hunting them in the pines? Are you stalking them (as your name suggests) or are you in a treestand or groundblind? Amanda I am in a stand. Its load up there and i figure this is the only way to do it. I have tried ground blinds but i like it better up high. Would you take the one in the pic as your first one? He just seems kind of young, 2 1/2 or so. I am out of meat and the year is almost over, but i no how that story goes, during the last week he wont be there???? That could be a 1 1/2 year old deer with great genetics..... you are in 23..... Heck yes, you should shoot him!!! How do you know you won't blow it when a Monster comes in if you haven't killed one yet??? It truly surprises me how many people "pass up" animals larger than what they have already ground checked. I have 5 Coues with a bow..... my first was a forky and my last was a 108 1/8" Gross non-typical. Each buck that I have taken was larger than the last, but now I find myself wondering if I can pass up a buck that is over 100".... .... That would be tough for me. You ought to be happy to have an opportunity at any Coues with your bow and earn your badges one buck at a time. IMO. Welcome aboard! CnS Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COOSEFAN Report post Posted December 26, 2007 Welcome to the site! I have dreamed of taking a nice Coues with a bow for alot of years and I've spent quite a bit of time trying. I've killed a bunch of em but not a single one with a bow! I have never really hunted them in the pines and I've never hunted from a treestand or blind. Spot n' stalk has been the only way thus far and in the open country I hunt it's one of the toughest things I've done! I beleive it's one of those things you just keep at it and eventually you will succeed. The harder you pursue it, the faster you will get results! I just need to focus on that one goal and it will happen....maybe this next year Best of luck to ya......and remember, if there's coues bucks, there's big coues bucks too........just find their tunnels and smoke em' out! Hike farther, look deeper, and be patient.....they are there. JIM> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KidBowHunter Report post Posted December 26, 2007 welcome to the forum Stalker! Maybe you should try hunting in places with a lot of oak. Coues love oak. Also, spot and stalking coues is very hard. Treestands are easier but you still have to be quiet and not move much Any coues with a bow is a trophy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
11hunter11 Report post Posted December 27, 2007 That could be a 1 1/2 year old deer with great genetics..... you are in 23..... Heck yes, you should shoot him!!! How do you know you won't blow it when a Monster comes in if you haven't killed one yet??? It truly surprises me how many people "pass up" animals larger than what they have already ground checked. I have 5 Coues with a bow..... my first was a forky and my last was a 108 1/8" Gross non-typical. Each buck that I have taken was larger than the last, but now I find myself wondering if I can pass up a buck that is over 100".... .... That would be tough for me. You ought to be happy to have an opportunity at any Coues with your bow and earn your badges one buck at a time. IMO. Welcome aboard! CnS I have taken a few nice blacktails in california just not a coues deer, i here what your saying but i guess im just wondering if i was in the wrong area, i know there are bigger ones in this unit but for the last 2 years this is what i come up with. Thanks for all your replies everyone. I will post some pics when i get one. Meanwhile heres some pics of some blacktails from cali. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted December 27, 2007 Stalker, Welcome to the forum! How are you hunting them in the pines? Are you stalking them (as your name suggests) or are you in a treestand or groundblind? Amanda I am in a stand. Its load up there and i figure this is the only way to do it. I have tried ground blinds but i like it better up high. Would you take the one in the pic as your first one? He just seems kind of young, 2 1/2 or so. I am out of meat and the year is almost over, but i no how that story goes, during the last week he wont be there???? That could be a 1 1/2 year old deer with great genetics..... you are in 23..... Heck yes, you should shoot him!!! How do you know you won't blow it when a Monster comes in if you haven't killed one yet??? It truly surprises me how many people "pass up" animals larger than what they have already ground checked. I have 5 Coues with a bow..... my first was a forky and my last was a 108 1/8" Gross non-typical. Each buck that I have taken was larger than the last, but now I find myself wondering if I can pass up a buck that is over 100".... .... That would be tough for me. You ought to be happy to have an opportunity at any Coues with your bow and earn your badges one buck at a time. IMO. Welcome aboard! CnS SHOW OFF!!!! Gino, if you pass on a 100" buck with your bow, I will drive up to your po dunk hood, and whope yer arse myself!!!! comprende! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted December 27, 2007 I have taken a few nice blacktails in california just not a coues deer, i here what your saying but i guess im just wondering if i was in the wrong area, i know there are bigger ones in this unit but for the last 2 years this is what i come up with. Thanks for all your replies everyone. I will post some pics when i get one. Meanwhile heres some pics of some blacktails from c Nice blacktails Stalker. I have heard they are as hard to hunt as our beloved Coues. Are you hunting the pines so you can use a tree stand? How many deer do you see in a day? You might want to try oaks, Mesquite areas. Of coarse it will be hard to find a tree to put a stand in. If you like being up above you might consider a tripod stand. it will allow you to expand your hunting areas and still use methods you are use to. Just a thought. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coueskiller Report post Posted December 27, 2007 You are right on with your thoughts about the pine tree country, no big coues in the pines for sure! Move down to the lower country where all the big bucks live and try spot and stalk. Since you have never taken a coues you should consider taking one if he presents a shot just to get one under your belt. I had 9 coues bucks under 15yds on opening day of the August archery hunt and let me tell you even with everything perfect it's still tough to get a shot, I had a 100" 3x3 at about 12yds and he knew something wasn't right and moved out before I could get a shot. These little deer are super spooky and blow out at the slightest hint of something being wrong. Good luck and keep after them and sooner or later you will be rewarded for your hard work. Geoff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
