Arizona Deer Hunt Scouting | Mule Deer & Coues Whitetail

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Deer Hunting in Arizona

Arizona has two deer species. Mule deer live across most of the state, from the high pine forests and the famous Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon down to the desert ranges in the south. Coues whitetail ("cows" deer) are a small whitetail subspecies found in the oak and pine mountains of central and southeastern Arizona, roughly 4,000 to 10,000 feet. Coues bucks are known as the "gray ghost" because they're so hard to find, which is why serious Coues hunters spend most of their time behind good optics. Glassing country ahead of time is what separates a filled tag from a long week of hiking.

Arizona Deer Units I Scout

Mule deer:

• Kaibab Plateau, Units 12A East and 12A West: Arizona's best-known trophy mule deer country, north of the Grand Canyon
• Northern Arizona, Units 5A, 5B, 7, 8 and 10: pine, juniper and open country around Flagstaff, Williams and Seligman
• Central Arizona, Units 21 and 22: desert and chaparral mule deer country
• Southern Arizona, Units 33, 37A and 37B: desert and mountain mule deer country

Coues whitetail:

• Units 5A, 6A, 6B and 8: the Mogollon Rim and northern edge of Coues range
• Units 21, 22 and 23: central Arizona mountains and the Tonto National Forest
• Units 32 and 33: southern Arizona sky island mountains

Hunting somewhere else? Statewide hunts are available. Contact me about your unit.

Arizona Deer Seasons and the Rut

Dates change every year, so always check the current regulations. The general pattern:

• General rifle deer hunts: mostly October through December, depending on the unit. Kaibab late hunts are among the most sought-after tags in the state.
• Muzzleloader and handgun-archery-muzzleloader (HAM) hunts: limited draw hunts in many units.
• Over-the-counter archery deer: Arizona sells archery deer tags over the counter (no draw) that are valid in many units during August–September, December and January seasons. One tag covers either mule deer or Coues whitetail.
• The rut: mule deer rut in late November and December. The Coues rut runs from late December through January and peaks around mid-January. My December and January archery rut hunts are built around that timing.
• Youth and CHAMP hunts: youth-only seasons and Challenged Hunter Access/Mobility Permit (CHAMP) hunts are offered in many units.

See the current Arizona hunting regulations for exact dates and hunt numbers.

How to Apply for an Arizona Deer Tag

Most rifle and muzzleloader deer tags come from the fall draw, which closes in early June. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early June.

1. Create a free AZGFD portal account at accounts.azgfd.com. That's where you'll see draw results and bonus points.
2. Buy an Arizona hunting license. Everyone 10 and older needs one. Buy a license from AZGFD.
3. Read the fall hunt regulations, released in early May, and pick up to five hunt choices.
4. Apply online at draw.azgfd.com before the June deadline.
5. Check results in your portal account. If you don't draw, you earn a bonus point. Leftover tags and over-the-counter archery tags are still options.

Arizona uses bonus points. Up to 20% of deer tags in each hunt go to applicants with the most points, and nonresidents are capped at 10% of tags per hunt. Details: AZGFD bonus point process.

Tip: Call me before you apply. I can tell you how deer are doing in the units I scout this year.

How I Scout Your Deer Hunt

1. You draw (or buy your archery tag) and book. We go over your unit, weapon, dates and goals.
2. I scout your unit. I glass and track deer to learn their feeding areas, water, bedding cover and travel routes, and I locate bucks worth your time.
3. You hunt with a plan. On opening day you already know where to start glassing.

This is fair chase hunting. I don't bait or lure animals. I learn their natural patterns by watching them.

Arizona Deer Hunt FAQ

What's the difference between a Coues deer and a mule deer?

Coues whitetail are a small whitetail subspecies that live in Arizona's central and southern mountains. Bucks are much smaller in body and antler than mule deer and are extremely wary, so most are found by long hours of glassing. Mule deer are larger, have big forked antlers and live across most of the state, including the Kaibab Plateau.

When is the Arizona deer draw deadline?

The fall draw for deer closes in early June each year. AZGFD sets the exact date each year, usually a Tuesday in early June. Regulations come out in early May on the AZGFD big game draw page.

Can I hunt deer in Arizona without drawing a tag?

Yes, with a bow. Arizona sells over-the-counter archery deer tags that are valid in many units during the August–September, December and January archery seasons. One tag covers either mule deer or Coues whitetail.

When is the best time to hunt Coues deer?

The Coues rut runs from late December through January and peaks around mid-January, when bucks are moving and easier to find. My archery rut hunts are scheduled for December and January.

Can nonresidents hunt deer in Arizona?

Yes. Nonresidents can apply in the draw (capped at 10% of tags per hunt) and can buy over-the-counter archery deer tags.

What's included in the price?

Rates are per hunt for one or two hunters, with one scout per hunt, and camp-included packages are available. Your hunting license and deer tag are purchased from Arizona Game & Fish and are not included.

Do you offer a deer and javelina combo?

Yes. I offer a 7-day January archery deer and javelina combo hunt. See the rates above, or read more on my Arizona javelina hunts page.

Have an Arizona deer tag? Call Marco at 928-821-1192 or email me to talk about your unit.