Arizona Guided Coues Deer Hunts Outfitters & Guides: Coues Whitetail Deer Hunting in Arizona

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Arizona Coues Deer Guides and Outfitters

Coues Deer Hunts

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About the Coues Whitetail Deer

trophy coues deer hunting guides Arizona Guided Hunts is pleased to offer quality hunting trips for the Coues Whitetailed Deer in southern Arizona near Tucson. The Coues Deer is considered one of the most prized and most challenging deer species for North American trophy hunters. This petite deer is the smallest huntable sub-species of the whitetailed deer and weighs between 70 - 100 lbs. dressed out. Mature bucks normally have 8 total points on the rack. The minimum Coues deer score for Pope and Young is 70 inches and the minimum score for Boone and Crockett is 110 inches. The Coues Whitetail is classified under a separate category in all record books because of it’s small, tight rack. Even the World's Record typical Coues deer (144-1/8" B&C taken by Ed Stockwell in 1953) would not make it into the Boone and Crockett book if scored and categorized under the Eastern whitetail standards. That is the reason for the separate category for this unique deer species. Hunters that have taken all the species in the "deer slam" usually consider the Coues deer one of most rewarding and most beautiful trophies.

About Our Coues Deer Hunts

coues whitetail rack Our Coues hunts are conducted in the vast, rugged desert mountains of southeastern Arizona, with Tucson being the closest major city. The hunting technique for Coues deer involves choosing a good vantage point and spending hours glassing through high-powered binoculars and spotting scopes. The Coues bucks may be spotted over a mile away. Once a trophy Coues buck is located, the spot and stalk method is used to get within shooting range. The canyons where Coues deer live are usually big and open. Rifle hunters should be prepared for shooting distances from 200 yards to 500 yards, if the need arrises. Bow hunters typicially take shots at ranges from 30 to 60 yards, since it is really open terrain. Because of the topography, high-powered riflescopes on top of lightweight flat-shooting rifles with a bipod are a "must have." Recommended rifle calibers are the .25-06 up to .300 Magnums. We do not recommend smaller calibers. Rifle season hunts are conducted during three timeframes, which are: late October, early November, and late December. Our Archery Coues hunts are conducted during the month of January when they are in full rut.

If you are a bowhunter, we offer two time choices: an early archery deer hunt in August through mid-September and a rut archery season in January. The early season during Aug-Sept is mainly conducted sitting a water hole. The January rut archery season is a bit more challenging and can be considered the ultimate "spot-and-stalk" deer hunt! Our rut Coues deer bowhunting takes place from January 1 through January 31. There are no trees in classic Coues deer country, which leaves out treestand hunting as a January technique. Our guides use glassing methods to locate a good buck. Once a good Coues buck is located, it is then carefully stalked to within a comfortable distance. Carefully stalking involves staying out of sight, walking lightly on the loud, crunchy, brush-choked, gravel ground to avoid noise, and always keeping the wind in your favor. Once into position, the archery hunter waits patiently for the right moment to release an arrow. If the bucks are rutting hard, rattling, grunting and/or doe bleats will sometimes bring the buck closer for an opportunity to release an arrow. Since it is a spot and stalk hunt, archery shots tend to be in the 30 to 60 yard range. The further you can shoot a bow accurately, the higher your chances for success. Our guided Coues bowhunters see many bucks during this rut hunt. Hunters typically make 1 to 3 stalks per day. Most of our archery coues hunters release arrows at bucks. Getting a Coues deer with a bow though, ultimately "boils-down" to the archery hunter's abilitiy to use good stalking techniques. Archery deer hunts are 5 days in duration (instead of 4). We conduct an early archery season (Aug-Sept) and a late season (January). August archery deer hunts may be combined with archery bear (In that case, the total hunt cost would be the current bear hunt rate), if you so choose to purchase an OTC bear tag. January hunts can be combined with javelina during the first 3 weeks of January, if you so choose to apply for and draw a javelina tag. Archery deer tags are over the counter for residents, but are limited for nonresidents (on a first-come, first-serve basis online).

SUCCESS RATES: We are proud to say that many of our rifle Coues seasons have ended with a 100% success rate! Nearly all of our past Coues hunters have been presented with opportunity. Our success rate for Archery Coues hunts is typically double that of the general public's archery Coues success rate. Most of our archery harvests would make the Pope and Young minimum.

arizona outfitter tent camp Accommodations: Our complimentary accommodations are basic southwestern style outfitter tent camps which are often located many miles from civilization. Sleeping quarters for big game hunts are typically in deluxe outfitter tents, unless noted otherwise. If you are looking for a hunt with fancy lodges, this is NOT the hunt for you! Tent camps are used because we stay in remote areas. The deluxe tents consist of large outfitter Kodiak Canvas brand tents. The size of our tents are tall and spacious inside; typically 10X10 or 10X14 and stand 6.5 feet tall. The tents are equipped with heaters during the colder months. Cots with thick pads are provided, but all hunters must bring their own sleeping bags. For those that own a camping trailer and would like to bring it to camp to stay in are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot discount the hunt any for doing so. It must be high enough for ground clearance on rough, rocky dirt roads. Please ask for road conditions before bringing one. Video of our typical camp.

Hunters should note that Coues deer live on slopes in the desert mountains. Hunters are encouraged to condition themselves to the best of their ability in order to increase their odds for success. We do not use or own horses and pack animals. If you are looking for a horseback hunt, this is NOT the hunt for you.

Licenses and Seasons

Rifle Coues whitetail tags are by draw with the application period in May through early June. Hunters will apply for the draw and could be randomly chosen for a timeframe within a given area. Bear in mind, since it is a random draw system, it might take more than one try. Some hunters are lucky and draw their first try, while others are not so lucky and take more than one try. The odds for drawing non-rut October and early/mid November rifle tags within our areas are high when putting down Oct. and early Nov. (or vice versa) as first and second choices on the draw application. Late December "RUT" rifle tags are very limited and will take several years of applying to draw.

The rifle season drawing deadline is June 4, 2024. We will assist potential hunters who are booking with us by sending an email with draw instructions and our preferred hunt numbers. Contact the outfitter for directions. Once a tag is drawn, we will book the hunt with a 50% non-refundable deposit. Read the "rifle hunt booking info" below.

Archery deer tags are over-the-counter for residents. Nonresident archery deer tags are limited and available online on a first-come, first-served basis November 4 at 8am. Nonresident archery deer tags sell out within a day, so it's vital to get online at 8am. Contact the outfitter for directions.

Hunting license fees: $37.00 (Resident) and $160.00 (NonRes). All draw applicants need to purchase a nonrefundable Arizona hunting license in order to apply.

Deer Tag Fees: $58 (Res) and $315 (NonRes)

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Coues Season Dates for 2024-25

Aug 23 - Sept 12, 2024 (Early Archery Season)

Oct 25-31, 2024 (Non-rut Rifle Season)

Nov 8-14, 2024 (Non-rut Rifle Season)

Dec 13-31, 2024 (RUT Late Rifle Season)

Jan 1-31, 2025 (Rut Archery-Only Season)

Rifle hunters apply in the draw for up to 5 timeframe choices within our recommended area. The dates of your hunt will be determined by a State run random draw process. Therefore, hunters who want the best odds should be flexible with their time choices and not set on a certain date. Read the "rifle hunt booking info" below.

Archery hunters: Archery deer tags are over-the-counter for residents. Nonresident archery deer tags are limited and available online on a first-come, first-serve basis November 4 at 8am. They sell out within hours, so act promptly at 8am.

This is a High Demand Hunt. Hunters interested in booking a Coues deer hunt should contact us as soon as possible because spaces are very limited. We usually only accomodate up to five hunters in camp at a time, so book early. Rifle season hunters must contact us prior to the early June draw deadline for the correct hunt number to use in the drawing!

View our Coues Hunt Videos or read our coues deer articles for more feel of our hunts.

2024 RATES

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COUES DEER HUNT

Coues Deer Hunt Options	# Days	Rate
Rifle Coues Deer, Non-Rut: (2 on 1)	up to 4*	$3,000.00/person
Rifle Coues Deer, Non-Rut: (1 on 1)	up to 4*	$3,500.00/person
Rifle Coues Deer, Dec. RUT: (1 on 1)	up to 5*	$4,500.00/person
Jan or Aug Archery Coues Deer (2on1)	up to 5*	$3,000.00/person
Jan or Aug Archery Coues Deer (1on1)	up to 5*	$3,500.00/person

Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide (share a guide). If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.

Non-Hunter Fee: Some hunters like to bring along a buddy to camp and share the experience while they hunt. There might be an option to invite one person as a non-hunter or observer while on your guided Coues deer hunt. Non-hunter space is very limited. Based upon availability. Coues Deer Hunt Non-Hunter Fee: $1,000.00

Description of Coues Deer Hunts

Rifle Coues Deer Hunts: Includes complimentary accommodations (tent camps), complimentary meals, a guide, skinning, packing out animal, and up to 4 days of hunting (up to 5 for Dec rut). Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide. If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.

Archery Coues Deer Hunt: Includes complimentary accommodations (tent camps), complimentary meals, skinning, packing out animal, and a guide. The archery deer hunt is up to 5 days in duration. Note: There is an early archery deer season in Aug-Sept and a January rut season. January archery Coues deer hunters who hunt during the first 3 weeks of January, have the option of hunting javelina while hunting Coues deer, provided they draw an archery javelina tag for the deer area. The archery javelina tag is by draw in September and is optional with the archery deer hunt (we don't charge extra to add on javelina). Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide. You must bring the other person to share the guide with, if choosing 2 on 1.

* Hunters arrive in camp the day prior to hunting and depart camp about noon on the last day of hunting. Hunters depart sooner if they tag out early. The non-rut rifle seasons typically start on a Friday morning and we hunt till noon Monday with hunters meeting us on Thursday about noon. So, it's best if flying non-resident hunters arrive in Arizona the evening prior to meeting us (two days before hunting), rent an SUV from the airport, get a hotel room and we will meet the next day around noon in the hunt area about 1 to 2 hours from the Tucson Airport or 3 to 4 hours from the Phoenix Airport. These are the closest major airports. Flying hunters can follow us to camp in their rental car. Flights should depart the morning after the hunt. More details on the general info page.

Additional Information

Rifle Coues Hunt Booking Info: The first step is to contact the outfitter to get on the list for a possible rifle season Coues hunt. In May, you will be emailed directions on how to apply in the draw and which hunt numbers to use. Hunters can apply for up to 5 timeframe choices within a given area. Your hunt dates will be determined by the lottery computer draw. Bear in mind, since it is a random draw system, it might take more than one try. Some hunters are lucky and draw their first try, while others are not so lucky and take more than one try. The odds for drawing non-rut October and early/mid November rifle season tags are high when putting down Oct. and Nov. (or vice versa) as first and second choices on the draw application. Late December "Rut" rifle tags are very limited and usually take several years of applying to draw. Once drawn, you will book the hunt by signing a contract and submitting a 50% non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due at least 21 days prior to the hunt. All monies paid are nonrefundable. We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests. Visit our policy page for more details.

Archery Coues Hunt Booking Info: The first step for resident hunters is to sign some paperwork and return it promptly with a 50% non-refundable deposit. The remainder is due 21 days prior to the hunt. All monies paid are nonrefundable. We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests. Visit our policy page for more details. Nonresident archery deer hunters must apply and get a first-come, first-serve archery deer tag online prior to booking. Nonresident archery deer tags are limited and available online on a first-come, first-serve basis November 4 at 8am. They will sell out within minutes, so act promptly at 8am. Residents can buy archery deer tags over-the-counter anytime prior to the hunt.

Other Costs and Considerations that are the hunter's responsibility: Licenses and tags, transporting yourself to/from the camp, rental vehicle, butchering, transporting your meat/hide/trophy to your home, taxidermy, hotel stay before/after the hunt (if flying) are some things to consider and are the hunter's responsibility. Gratuity for your guide is gladly accepted and is customary (15% is typical).

Space is limited, so book early!!! We usually only accomodate up to five hunters in camp at a time, so book early.

Be sure you visit our general info page and Coues Videos page.

Coues Deer Hunt Photos

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