Gila 24 Coues Deer

elknut · Jun 3, 2024

Long time MMr, on my first try for Coues Deer (ever) in NM Unit 24, its a MZ hunt in late Oct. Sure could use some general advice as I'm doing my Google Earth flyovers and reading archives.

A couple of questions,
1) I have no idea what elevations I should be looking at given its in Oct?
2) Does NM (someone NF / F&G) have documented locations of man made water, like guzzlers, places I could look for water.

If a PM works better would enjoy a chat for some pointers.

MrRogers · Jun 3, 2024

I’ve never hunted coues in 24 but I’ve found them from 4K feet to 7k. If it’s warm they hide from the sun and move all day. After morning glass into the sun. Glass, glass and glass some more until your eyes hurt. I don’t know of a drinker map but they do tend to stay close to a water source. Good luck!

LT · Jun 4, 2024

Good unit for them. but will be a difficult hunt. Good luck

NMJJ · Oct 15, 2024

have the mule deer tag, im good about getting out to scout but just havent this year. hoping someone could share some last min advice. i could glass for days but just looks super thick in most areas.

Treefiddy · Oct 15, 2024

^I have the same tag. I've been scouting twice now and it is thick in a lot of spots, no way around it. There's still plenty of open country too though. Anyway, the numbers seem decent. I feel like luck might be a pretty big factor in some of the thicker areas. Could probably glass and hike all day and not see much or walk right into some while on the way to a glassing spot or something.

ortegageno · Oct 15, 2024

Hunted that unit couple years ago for achery.hint and never seen a Buck. Only advise I can share is don't hunt them like mule deer.

elknut · Oct 20, 2024

Thanks all, hunts have been going pretty good thus far two bulls down (NM & CO) now back to NM for a mini buck, it’s hot but I’ll start lower in brush country mixed with pine and look for water to sit on. Excited to see the country.

Not sure what don’t hunt them like mule deer means, but for sure more glassing. I’ve never seen a Coues in the wild yet, so just looking at one will be a step in a good direction.

Good luck all.

elknut · Oct 25, 2024

Anyone live in Silver City, I had to buy a full can of Triple 7 FFFG at BassPro in Phoenix and I can't fly home with it after my hunt that ends on 10/30. Hate to see it just go to waste, its free to any local that wants it.

yoteduster · Oct 26, 2024

thats really nice of you..good luck on your hunt..hunting coues deer is a blast and you will find out why they're called the grey ghost real quick...

elknut · Thursday at 5:19 PM

Coues deer was a bust for me, covered much of the unit, saw about every critter but Coues - even 3 Bobcats. I'd guess for some locals they can produce deer but not many as I talked with several hunters with Mule Deer tags and they had not seen whitetails. I saw one white flag bust into the trees on the opening morning - that was it in 5 days. Time to look to AZ.

I did give my powder away and made a friend. Plus the country was worth the trip.