Osc623 Report post Posted July 26 Looking for advice on hunting coues and mule deer OTC. First time bow hunter, and am wanted to get out early season if possible, but I am open to the later seasons. Not looking for anyone’s honey holes, but more advice about how and when to hunt them and where they usually stay (ex hotter temps means higher elevation etc). Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted July 26 I’m probably the worst guy to offer advice because I don’t archery deer hunt a lot. But I can share some things I have experienced. Deer are where you find them. I haven’t found any rhyme or reason to when they are in certain areas for most of the state. Early season coues tend to keep a pretty tight program and don’t travel a lot. If you can find them scouting good chance you will turn them back up if you are patient. Mule deer are kind of nomads, tougher to pattern in my experience. Which isn’t a lot in August. Most the August hunts for mule deer are higher elevation and less glassable. If I can’t glass I don’t really know how to hunt, so haven’t done much of that. The simple fact is that this time of year in AZ if there is no water, there will be no wildlife. So figuring that out is pretty important. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted August 4 What unit or units you plan on hunting? In my experience coues will stay in there home range regardless of heat. Low deer will be low high deer will be high and stay there as long as there is a water source as mentioned above. But they do not go higher or lower from their typical range unless they absolutely have to. Finding pocket water sources can be gold. Mule deer won't go high so find water and glass. I'm talking about typical southern unit behavior here which is why I ask what units you are thinking about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Osc623 Report post Posted August 4 4 hours ago, CatfishKev said: What unit or units you plan on hunting? In my experience coues will stay in there home range regardless of heat. Low deer will be low high deer will be high and stay there as long as there is a water source as mentioned above. But they do not go higher or lower from their typical range unless they absolutely have to. Finding pocket water sources can be gold. Mule deer won't go high so find water and glass. I'm talking about typical southern unit behavior here which is why I ask what units you are thinking about. Im hoping for unit 21, although im unsure if there’s any mule deer tags left to harvest, so it might just be coues. Is that how the OTC archery harvest goes? The early season of 2025 counts for the 2024-2025 harvest? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idgaf Report post Posted August 4 4 hours ago, Osc623 said: Im hoping for unit 21, although im unsure if there’s any mule deer tags left to harvest, so it might just be coues. Is that how the OTC archery harvest goes? The early season of 2025 counts for the 2024-2025 harvest? The 'new' season/quota starts again July 1, so you're good with hunting muleys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CatfishKev Report post Posted August 5 Not familiar with 21. Are you new to hunting or just archery? Do you know how to glass? Got a tripod and decent glass? Only asking because if you can glass up deer during rifle you can do the same during archery. Southern units have lots of deer. If you are glassing units with not a lot of deer it can make you feel you are doing it wrong even when you are not. I know glassing northern units to where I am can feel discouraging sometimes because the numbers just aren't the same. I'd suggest making a trip down south just to cut your teeth on glassing and getting the hang of it. I could point you to some generic areas where you will definitely see deer. Sometimes getting the basics of glassing down in an area with lots of deer can be a huge confidence booster to someone who is new to the game. All that being said, if you can find a water source off the beatin path sitting water can be gold but honestly sitting water sucks in my opinion. It's just too boring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigj23 Report post Posted August 5 If you are planning on 21 it will be hot and watch for snakes. There are opportunities there, but it will require some work and early mornings to get the some of the better spots. You will also need to know what spots have water, so it will be some scouting or just some luck if you roll up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Osc623 Report post Posted August 5 I appreciate the tips, I am new to hunting I have entry level glass and equipment did some scouting and was unsuccessful. I think I’ll have to head south! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted August 5 21 is a god unit. I’ve killed several whitetail and mule deer in the early otc seasons over the years 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
