Coues Deer Activity Unit 33

[NBB39]

Hello fellow Coues hunters-

So cool to see so many like minded hunters collaborate on this site. I wanted to start a discussion and get your thoughts and ideas for an upcoming Coues deer hunt I have the last week of November/first week of December. 

Before I start, I'm not asking for any honey holes. Just some thoughts or advice if you have any experience in this unit. 

I have hunted this unit for the past two seasons, in two different areas, so we are familiar with those areas. Fortunately, we have been successful each season. The first season we hunted unit 33 was the first general rifle tag in October. Very hot and warm, but we were able to find a couple small bucks and get one on the ground. 

Last season, we were drawn for the second general rifle hunt in October and were able to harvest another small buck. Saw a couple more bucks this time around than the first year. 

For 2019, we drew the general rifle tag for the last week of November/first week of December as stated above. 

I have done my research and have noticed just how many hunts and tags that have been issued in this unit, especially for the 2 months prior to my hunt. More than 2,500 tags. If you were one of those hunters, I hope you did well and enjoyed a fantastic trip. Please post pictures or experiences below as I enjoy seeing and hearing about others trips. They only make me more excited for my upcoming hunt. 

But my question is, at this latter stage of the game, what do the Coues deer tend to do in this specific unit after so much pressure? Are they apt to run down into the deepest canyon around? Or hoof it up to higher elevations that are hard to get to? Do they become more nocturnal? 

Or do they seem to just stay the course and continue to do what they do, and not show any differences in their behavior? 

I would think they would take off for cover far from the roads and from the eyes of hunters, which is what one would think for any big game species that has been pressured so much. We are ready to hunt them as such and get away from the crowds. We won't be backpacking in, although one day we will, but we will be leaving from a base camp each and every day. 

But from those who have hunted this unit, specifically at this time of year, what have you noticed the deer do? Have they completely changed their behavior? Again, if you have any prior experience during this time of year, that would be great. 

Thank you in advance for any response. Hunters are a unique brotherhood that I'm proud to be a part of. While sharing secret spots is taboo, and not something I'm asking for, I enjoy sharing thoughts, strategies and experiences. I am more than willing to share mine as well. 

Good Hunting

[muledeerarea33?]

I won’t share any honey holes or secret spots, and sure as heck won’t tell you what taboo stuff I’m into! But if you’ve killed the past two years, I’d stick with those areas. Whitetail don’t tend to move far from home.

[johnrr65]

6 hours ago, muledeerarea33? said:

I won’t share any honey holes or secret spots, and sure as heck won’t tell you what taboo stuff I’m into! But if you’ve killed the past two years, I’d stick with those areas. Whitetail don’t tend to move far from home.

+1

[wish2hunt]

11 hours ago, muledeerarea33? said:

I won’t share any honey holes or secret spots, and sure as heck won’t tell you what taboo stuff I’m into! But if you’ve killed the past two years, I’d stick with those areas. Whitetail don’t tend to move far from home.

New guy. What else would you expect? 🤔

[PRDATR]

All depends on the individual deer, whether it has been shot at or not etc. Big bucks are taken on all the hunts, you just need a little luck and good eyes.

[Redman]

The deer are still there - it's hard for bucks to grow big in areas that have a lot of pressure, they will be found sooner or later.   We have shot 100-110 inch bucks within 1/2 mile of a road, I suspect they were pushed there.

With that said 33 is a huge area with large deep canyons - or low stuff that is not pressured (as much).  If you want a mature buck you probably need to go somewhere with less pressure or areas that require effort to get into.  There are a lot of areas with roads that end and one can hike for miles to a secluded area, then it takes skills and patience to find a mature buck (or luck). 

[bigbuckclub]

Keep trying different areas. I think you answered your question in your post... go where you think less people tend to go and you should have better odds of finding mature deer. 33 is big and there are deer everywhere in that unit. Good luck.