Archery Coues Tips

Well I returned last week from my third attempt at taking a Coues with a bow. I am beginning to think this is going to be an impossible task. Last year I hunted 4 days during Dec 2007, 7 days in Jan of 2008 and another 7 days Jan 12-19th 2009 without a deer.

I have been chasing the same MONSTER Coues on the last two hunts. I have found a place in AZ that is 17 miles from any paved surface and 4 miles from any 4wd trail. It's a B**** to get in there but this Coues has been able to escape the rifle hunters. I am hoping he will make it another year. I think I finally have his patterns figured out.

It was a tough hunt this year with a full moon for the first four days of the hunt...the deer were definitely nocturnal. I saw 6 other bucks in addition to this monster. I think this Coues would gross 120". I have taken a number of eastern whitetails...so I am confident in my scoring capability. He is getting to be an old deer..you can tell by the sagging belly, dip in the back and starting to get gray in the face.

I did get within 90 yards after a 3 hour stalk and he just decided to get up and move to another location, he didn't see me or smell me...he just decided to move. The thermals are light in this area and almost no wind...its in a meadow near the bottom of a canyon.

I remove my boots..I hunt with 3 thick pairs of socks, watch the wind and do my best to position myself in ambush locations when these deer are moving. Still have not been able to get closer than 90 yards. That's why he is so big.

I passed on a couple of 30-40 yd shots at a 70" and 80" class deer. Your thoughts... should I take one of these smaller deer next year....or keep after the the big one? Any tips on hunting this AZ country when it is so dry, very light thermals and next to no wind? These deer definitely have a 6th and 7th sense.
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AzRednekRabbit
Honestly, if you feel confident you can get him you should hold out for him. I'm sure it will be much more rewarding finally getting the deer you have been watching for a few years than it would to just take any buck. Either way it should be fun. As for stalking in AZ, you seem like you have the right plan. I hunt bootless quite often as well and just pack on the heavy socks and honestly feel it's the only way to do it here when we haven't had any rain. Even then you only have a day or two before everything is totally dry again. Crunch, crunch, snap is the pattern that I find most common while tryin' to sneak around. I hope you find him next year and finally close the distance. Give me a shout when you come down again if you'd like any help. I don't really hunt the Micro Deer but I'm always willing to get out and lend a hand. :thumb
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bowcrazy
AzRednekRabbit...I agree I will hold out for the big guy next year. Thanks for confirming my efforts and approach to these whitetails. I will give you a shout when I plan my next trip to AZ.
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StickFlicker
They seem to be my "unicorn" as well. I just can't seem to get a nice Coues with a bow. Every year I think it's the year, and they just keep outsmarting me! I had the same problem early in my bowhunting career with antelope, but once I "broke the seal" I have been pretty successful. I'm hoping that's the case with these beautiful deer as well, that I will eventually figure it out and have more consistent success. Good luck to us both in 2009!

Marvin
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