Where are the coues hunters?

[3TOE]

I check the Coues forum 2-3 times per week hoping someone posted something new.
Come on guys! My hunt starts at the end of November & I really want to talk Coues.

Tell a story from one of your hunts…
How one gave you the slip…
Post a pic of your success..
Post a pic of the terrain you hunted…
Anything!

 

[deerelkalope]

I went coues hunting last year and all I got was a 3 legged bear

 

[Lou (Louis)]

Dream hunt, but I've never done it, so don't call myself a Coues hunter. I guess I am a Coues hunt hunter.

 

[AZGuy]

Used to hunt coues growing up in Central AZ. Sure miss those hunts! Mule Deer are superior!

 

[3TOE]

Dream hunt, but I've never done it, so don't call myself a Coues hunter. I guess I am a Coues hunt hunter.

This will be my 2nd trip down there. They have definitely peaked my interest. Hopefully you get a chance to get after them one day.

 

[3TOE]

Used to hunt coues growing up in Central AZ. Sure miss those hunts! Mule Deer are superior!

You should get after them again for old times sake.

 

[AZGuy]

You should get after them again for old times sake.

Agreed, nothing like the Sonoran desert!

 

[3TOE]

Agreed, nothing like the Sonoran desert!

I totally agree.

 

[SlowElk]

Best herd of Coues I have seen was grazing at the entrance to Kartchner Cavern; haven't seen any since. I spend more time in the northern units.

 

[3TOE]

Best herd of Coues I have seen was grazing at the entrance to Kartchner Cavern; haven't seen any since. I spend more time in the northern units.

I hunted south of there all around Sierra Vista back in 2022.
This year I will be further west in 35B.

 

[1989Cohunter]

I didn’t draw, but I’m impatiently watching to see how your hunt goes!

 

[HikeHunt61]

I went once, 30 years ago. Had no clue- was trying to still hunt them. Ha!

But I did almost step on a small buck. Was crossing a large opening, nothing but 2 foot tall brush. I'm stepping around a little bush, and this bastard explodes up right underneath me. Heart attack city...

 

[3TOE]

I went once, 30 years ago. Had no clue- was trying to still hunt them. Ha!

But I did almost step on a small buck. Was crossing a large opening, nothing but 2 foot tall brush. I'm stepping around a little bush, and this bastard explodes up right underneath me. Heart attack city...

I get it man. I’m from back east, so my first few attempts at mule deer, I was trying to hunt them like whitetail.

 

[Bluehair]

A Coues hunt pic to help with the mood. I don’t do it much anymore because everyone does it now. This was last year.

 

[3TOE]

A Coues hunt pic to help with the mood. I don’t do it much anymore because everyone does it now. This was last year.
View attachment 155874

Man that is a stud!!!

 

[Bluehair]

Man that is a stud!!!

Glassin practice.

 

[3TOE]

On my last hunt, it took me a few days to get dialed in on the glassing. Once I realized to stop looking for deer & glass for rabbits & mice, I started seeing those little bastards.

 

[BrianID]

I wouldn't consider myself a serious coues hunter but take advantage of the opportunity when I can.
On average they are much better eating than mule deer. They are also easy to pack out. Even a mature coues will have less than half the meat of a mature mule deer buck. They are also good looking deer and make great looking mounts.

I glass for them like I'm trying to spot coyotes. I do a bunch of calling for coyotes and found coues deer and coyotes can appear and vanish unexpectedly. Don't give up on glassing after the 1st couple hours of the morning. I've glassed many coues deer late morning after I thought prime glassing time was over. I've also killed 2 coues bucks mid day by just stumbling onto them by luck. In my observation, coues deer may cover more ground than mule deer. If I glass a mule deer at 1 mile, I feel I have a very good chance of hiking over there quickly and killing him. If I glass a coues deer at a mile, I don't have that same confidence. They can move more than mule deer and they can be very difficult to spot when you do get close enough for a shot. They are called the grey ghost for a reason.

Good luck on your hunt. I've never hunted coues in 35B but have spent some time in the area. Good density of coues deer in that part of Arizona and weather should be comfortable for hunting in late November. Jacket in the morning and light shirt in the afternoon would be common.

My 2023 Coues

Coues bucks my BIL and I doubled up on a few years ago

Coues I was had in easy rifle range the day before the season opened. I was unable to find him again.

 

[wweaver79]

I hunted south of there all around Sierra Vista back in 2022.
This year I will be further west in 35B.

There a few good ones in that area. I was FT Huachuca for a bit a few years ago and saw a couple good bucks that were well over 100 probably 110-115ish. In safe areas for them of course.

 

[3TOE]

I wouldn't consider myself a serious coues hunter but take advantage of the opportunity when I can.
On average they are much better eating than mule deer. They are also easy to pack out. Even a mature coues will have less than half the meat of a mature mule deer buck. They are also good looking deer and make great looking mounts.

I glass for them like I'm trying to spot coyotes. I do a bunch of calling for coyotes and found coues deer and coyotes can appear and vanish unexpectedly. Don't give up on glassing after the 1st couple hours of the morning. I've glassed many coues deer late morning after I thought prime glassing time was over. I've also killed 2 coues bucks mid day by just stumbling onto them by luck. In my observation, coues deer may cover more ground than mule deer. If I glass a mule deer at 1 mile, I feel I have a very good chance of hiking over there quickly and killing him. If I glass a coues deer at a mile, I don't have that same confidence. They can move more than mule deer and they can be very difficult to spot when you do get close enough for a shot. They are called the grey ghost for a reason.

Good luck on your hunt. I've never hunted coues in 35B but have spent some time in the area. Good density of coues deer in that part of Arizona and weather should be comfortable for hunting in late November. Jacket in the morning and light shirt in the afternoon would be common.

My 2023 Coues
View attachment 156251
Coues bucks my BIL and I doubled up on a few years ago
View attachment 156253
Coues I was had in easy rifle range the day before the season opened. I was unable to find him again.
View attachment 156252

That’s what I’m talking about!!! Thanks for your post & pics. Those are some great bucks. Like you, I’m not a serious Coues hunter. This will just be my 2nd attempt.
I grew up hunting whitetail back east but Coues are a completely different animal. I’m ready to get down there.

 

[3TOE]

There a few good ones in that area. I was FT Huachuca for a bit a few years ago and saw a couple good bucks that were well over 100 probably 110-115ish. In safe areas for them of course.

A buck that size would be incredible, but I’m not holding out for a stud. I’m just hoping for a mature deer. I passed on some really small bucks on my last hunt. Im just hoping to see something a little better this go around. Some guys here on MM have shared some pics of their successful hunts & they are pretty impressive.

 

[Lou (Louis)]

I hope you guys realize how blessed you are.

 

[3TOE]

I hope you guys realize how blessed you are.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

 

[Tikka]

I wouldn't consider myself a serious coues hunter but take advantage of the opportunity when I can.
On average they are much better eating than mule deer. They are also easy to pack out. Even a mature coues will have less than half the meat of a mature mule deer buck. They are also good looking deer and make great looking mounts.

I glass for them like I'm trying to spot coyotes. I do a bunch of calling for coyotes and found coues deer and coyotes can appear and vanish unexpectedly. Don't give up on glassing after the 1st couple hours of the morning. I've glassed many coues deer late morning after I thought prime glassing time was over. I've also killed 2 coues bucks mid day by just stumbling onto them by luck. In my observation, coues deer may cover more ground than mule deer. If I glass a mule deer at 1 mile, I feel I have a very good chance of hiking over there quickly and killing him. If I glass a coues deer at a mile, I don't have that same confidence. They can move more than mule deer and they can be very difficult to spot when you do get close enough for a shot. They are called the grey ghost for a reason.

Good luck on your hunt. I've never hunted coues in 35B but have spent some time in the area. Good density of coues deer in that part of Arizona and weather should be comfortable for hunting in late November. Jacket in the morning and light shirt in the afternoon would be common.

My 2023 Coues
View attachment 156251
Coues bucks my BIL and I doubled up on a few years ago
View attachment 156253
Coues I was had in easy rifle range the day before the season opened. I was unable to find him again.
View attachment 156252

Your 2023 buck is a stud! What softball did you shoot him with?

 

[Tikka]

A Coues hunt pic to help with the mood. I don’t do it much anymore because everyone does it now. This was last year.
View attachment 155874

Blue, teased me last year with these bucks...

 

[Bluehair]

Blue, teased me last year with these bucks...

Break out a few of those pics you’re holding out on. Check your BM’s.

 

[Lou (Louis)]

Break out a few of those pics you’re holding out on. Check your BM’s.

For worms?

 

[3TOE]

Break out a few of those pics you’re holding out on. Check your BM’s.

I’ve seen some pics of Tikka’s Coues & I know he hunts them way harder than I did on my previous hunt. He definitely has them figured out for sure!

 

[BrianID]

Your 2023 buck is a stud! What softball did you shoot him with?

Shot him with a muzzleloader. Tough deer still ran almost 100 yards after the shot. Coues deer don't die easy. The only coues I've dropped in his tracks took a 300 gr bullet from my 338 Lapua.

 

[Tikka]

Shot him with a muzzleloader. Tough deer still ran almost 100 yards after the shot. Coues deer don't die easy. The only coues I've dropped in his tracks took a 300 gr bullet from my 338 Lapua.

We’ve had two go more than 50+/- yards, the rest were drt…

 

[300WBYMULES]

Hunting elk and mule deer.

 

[3TOE]

Hunting elk and mule deer.

lol… those of us that didn’t draw elk or muley tags had to swing for the fences & pray for a Coues tag.

 

[Gut shot]

One of my favorite animals to hunt. I started hunting for them south of the border back in the early nineties. I agree that it typically takes your eyes a couple of days before you really start spotting them. It seems that every Coues hunt is a real adventure, always a blast.
Here are a few of mine from the past.
Is your tag for Arizona?

 

[CowsAL]

I check the Coues forum 2-3 times per week hoping someone posted something new.
Come on guys! My hunt starts at the end of November & I really want to talk Coues.

Tell a story from one of your hunts…
How one gave you the slip…
Post a pic of your success..
Post a pic of the terrain you hunted…
Anything!

Hey 3TOE,
I have been hunting Coues seriously now for nine to ten years. It took me till August 23, 2022 to finally harvest one. Since then, I am now three for three with a score totaling 303 pts. and a combined distance of 177 yards. 2022 and this year, on 8/24/24 I tagged out in the early archery season in Az 6B and in 2023 Muzzleloader in 35A. My muzzleloader was the smallest at 87 2/8. Mule deer have always been my thing but these things have definitely gotten under my skin and I can't get them out of my mind! As far as I am concerned, there ain't nothing like them. If I can figure out how to post some pics I'll put a couple up. Good luck on your hunt.
BigAL

 

[3TOE]

One of my favorite animals to hunt. I started hunting for them south of the border back in the early nineties. I agree that it typically takes your eyes a couple of days before you really start spotting them. It seems that every Coues hunt is a real adventure, always a blast.
Here are a few of mine from the past.
Is your tag for Arizona?

View attachment 158616

View attachment 158617

View attachment 158620

Those are some great pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Yes my tag this year is for AZ, unit 35B.

 

[3TOE]

Hey 3TOE,
I have been hunting Coues seriously now for nine to ten years. It took me till August 23, 2022 to finally harvest one. Since then, I am now three for three with a score totaling 303 pts. and a combined distance of 177 yards. 2022 and this year, on 8/24/24 I tagged out in the early archery season in Az 6B and in 2023 Muzzleloader in 35A. My muzzleloader was the smallest at 87 2/8. Mule deer have always been my thing but these things have definitely gotten under my skin and I can't get them out of my mind! As far as I am concerned, there ain't nothing like them. If I can figure out how to post some pics I'll put a couple up. Good luck on your hunt.
BigAL

That is a heck of a run for the past 3 years. Congratulations on your success.
I grew up hunting whitetail back East & have taken more than my fair share. This will just be my 2nd hunt chasing coues. Immediately following my 1st hunt in 35A back in 2022, I was hooked. These little deer are a lot different animal than the whitetail I grew up hunting. I can’t wait to get back out there again this year.

 

[WHT_MTNMAN]

 

[WHT_MTNMAN]

I’ve killed my best ones in old Mexico but I’ve killed a bunch of big Coues with friends in Az and a few with my bow in Az

 

[WHT_MTNMAN]

 

[3TOE]

I’ve killed my best ones in old Mexico but I’ve killed a bunch of big Coues with friends in Az and a few with my bow in Az

Good lord… lol
I’d say you have those little jokers figured out. That is one hell of a Coues collection.
That’s awesome!!!

 

[buglemuley]

I drew a November AZ coues hunt this year. I’m so excited. I’ve never even seen a coues before but I’m excited for the challenge.

 

[3TOE]

I drew a November AZ coues hunt this year. I’m so excited. I’ve never even seen a coues before but I’m excited for the challenge.

What unit did you draw?
Good luck on your hunt.

 

[buglemuley]

What unit did you draw?
Good luck on your hunt.

Unit 22. From what I know I’ll be doing a lot of hiking and glassing which sounds perfect for me.

 

[3TOE]

Unit 22. From what I know I’ll be doing a lot of hiking and glassing which sounds perfect for me.

Good deal… I’m in no way one to give advice & it depends a lot on the terrain, but minimize the hiking & spend A LOT of time glassing.
Good luck!

 

[Lou (Louis)]

I drew a November AZ coues hunt this year. I’m so excited. I’ve never even seen a coues before but I’m excited for the challenge.

Congratulations!

 

[ridgerunner]

Some amazing bucks in this thread. I'm counting the days down to November and getting to chase these guys for the first time, I'm hoping to turn up nice mature buck, they seem to be pretty addicting so maybe it will be the first of many.

 

[3TOE]

Some amazing bucks in this thread. I'm counting the days down to November and getting to chase these guys for the first time, I'm hoping to turn up nice mature buck, they seem to be pretty addicting so maybe it will be the first of many.

Best of luck to ya. Come back and share your success when you get one down.

I counting the days also. 63 more days until my hunt begins.

 

[1989Cohunter]

Best of luck to ya. Come back and share your success when you get one down.

I counting the days also. 63 more days until my hunt begins.

Getting close!

 

[Muley_73]

Been lucky enough to pull 4 coues tags in NM over the past few years. Looking forward to heading out for number 5 in two weeks.

 

[3TOE]

Getting close!

I’m getting pumped man!

 

[3TOE]

Been lucky enough to pull 4 coues tags in NM over the past few years. Looking forward to heading out for number 5 in two weeks.View attachment 162562View attachment 162563View attachment 162564View attachment 162565View attachment 162566View attachment 162567View attachment 162568View attachment 162569

Heck yeah! Good luck on your hunt. I hope I put eyes on one like the ones you posted.