Snapshot

It may depend on latitude, the farther north the earlier the rut if they are like mule deer. Coues are basically concentrated in the southern half of the state and a scattered population a little farther north?

But he had the wrong GPS coordinates entered.

Like everyone else said! I love the late archery hunt, hardly any competition, but unless you have a particular buck/s patterned and or a water hole that has good activity it can be tough, but thats what makes it fun and challenging. I spot and stalk mostly, sitting water holes is not my favorite way to hunt, but it works if they are not watering after dark. For Coues I like the first 2-3 weeks of January during the peak of the rut, the late december rifle hunts are over and if you find the does the bucks will be there, but it makes it tougher to get in close.

Like everyone else said! I love the late archery hunt, hardly any competition, but unless you have a particular buck/s patterned and or a water hole that has good activity it can be tough, but thats what makes it fun and challenging. I spot and stalk mostly, sitting water holes is not my favorite way to hunt, but it works if they are not watering after dark. For Coues I like the first 2-3 weeks of January during the peak of the rut, the late december rifle hunts are over and if you find the does the bucks will be there, but it makes it tougher to get in close.

One heck of a nice deer!

Beautiful buck!

Very tasteful and creative. I like it!

At 500 yds. those bullet holes should be touchin!

Happy thanksgiving boys and girls! The smell coming out of my kitchen right now is tasty. A couple cold ones along with a fottball game, oh yeah!

Same to you guys! The wife is in the kitchen working her magic, the beer and wine are cooling in the fridge, football games on later. Good day for being at home. I was supposed to be up on an HOAL elk hunt in unit 27 for 6 days, but contractual obligations on a project that is behind schedule has held me back, but the young hunter is in good hands with the others that are helping and I hope they have a good thanksgiving day and a great hunt.

I will be going out there soon to do a little scouting for the December archery hunt. Did you see the fire on Fagan last year? I wonder if it improved the feed this year?

Hey neighbor, what are you doing in my glassing spot of Fagan? I go back their all the time on the quad, I live right down the road. Send a P.M if you ever want to hook up for a ride.

Great job on two nice lookin bucks!

That is a great story and a super nice buck ! Gotta love that unit 27. I have been skunked on gettin a tag there since 2003, maybe next year. Scott is a great guy and is a definitely a " Super Coues" hunter, especially in unit 27.

That is definetly a nice buck, especially for 34B. Packing in that spike camp was a great idea and paid off well. Way to go!

2 - 2 1/2 hours from Safford, approx.

Good luck on your hunt. I was supposed to be leaving for unit 23 today for my mule deer hunt. I found a nice 160" class mulie buck when I was elk hunting there in September. Unfortunately, a work schedule will not allow me to go on my New Mexico hunt, as I need what little time I can get off at Thanksgiving to help out on an HOAL elk hunt in Arizona unit 27. I was camped down by Pueblo park and saw those mulies north of there, but I did not see any whitetail.

I got mine in September at that little roadside market in Glenwood, $10.00.

Oh yes, our wonderful G&F department where the blind lead the deaf.(No disprespect intended to the biologists and WM's) In the New Mexico draw this year there were leftfover permits for my second choice, yet I received a third choice tag.???

I know what you mean. That is probably why those guys put up a raggedy ole tent. I see alot of guys putting trailers out a week or so before the hunt. Down here in southern AZ, nothing is safe anymore.

You took my unit 27 tag from me during the draw and you want me to show pictures as well. The nerve Just kidding. I have yet to shoot a unit 27 whitetail, although I have taken alot of mule deer up there I will post (as soon as I can find it) some pickups of a lion kill, a true 6 x 5 whitetail rack. Good luck on you hunt. No unit 27 tag for me this year, although I will be there the 1st of January chasin rutting bucks with a bow.

Check out this linkfor gutless field dressing.

Most of the bucks will be in the one to two year old age classes. The majority of the whitetail population is in the Whetstone Mountain range with dispersed groups in outlying areas. Area: One of the main problems hunters encounter in this hunt unit is access. The Cottonwood and Wakefield Canyon areas are locked off at this time. This means that the north side of the Whetstones does not have legal vehicular public access. Hunters need to plan their hunt accordingly and look at alternative areas. Access may be granted by contacting the local ranchers and obtaining permission. Be aware that you must abide by their rules while on their land so be respectful of their wishes. The area known as Ricketts Mine has also been locked off. This will prevent vehicular access to McGrew Springs, Middle Canyon, and Guindani Canyon. French Joe and Middle Canyon can both be accessed from F.S. road 369 at milepost 300 on Hwy. 90. For those hunters wanting a little more seclusion and fewer hunters I would suggest the west side of the Whetstones. You can access those areas either through the Las Cienegas National Consevation Arera off Hwy 83 or from F.S. road 779 off Hwy. 82 east of Sonoita. The area from Bear Springs north to Apache Canyon has some nice whitetail. Be prepared for some dense brushy areas in some spots and also some steep canyons. Hunters may also want to try the south end of the Whetstones in Mine and Dry canyons. To get to Mine Canyon take the Sand Ranch Road from Highway 82 and follow the road west to Forest Service property. The road turns north just east of the ranch and onto Forest Service property. Remember that any land not on forest is private in this area and obey all postings unless you obtain permission from the rancher. Approximately one (1) mile past the Forest boundary there is a primitive cut across road that will take you east around the base of the mountain over to Dry Canyon. Dry Canyon can also be accessed off of State Highway 90. Along the Cienega Creek can also be a good area for whitetail. In general the whitetail densities are low and the vegetation is thick, which makes it a challenging hunt. Archery hunters frequent this area in the winter. Summary: As you can see, if you are not familiar with unit 34B you need to obtain a Forest Service map to help you identify the roads and canyons. It is also a must for the serious whitetail hunter to have a pair of binoculars. They will help you find those hard-to-spot bucks. The first hunt will probably be pretty warm so plan to leave camp very early to catch the bucks before they bed down. Bedding will start soon after light if it is warm weather. The second hunt will be cooler but still plan on hitting it early. Those big bucks still bed early. The late hunt will have the highest hunt success because the bucks will be out starting to chase the does for the rut. The weather can be unpredictable at that time of the year so come prepared. Access is still a problem at the north end of the Whetstones so a pre-hunt scouting trip will help you find your way in. Don't overlook the Empire Mountain Range I have seen some decent deer in there.

2 or 3 blocks of ice packed into the chest cavity works well in warm weather. Alot of butchers will refuse to process game that is "funky"

Nice looking bull for sure! Way to go.