CHRIS DENHAM OF ARIZONA -- HUNTING COUES DEER

Denham's Toughest Coues Hunt and General Information about Applying to Hunt Coues Deer

EDITOR'S NOTE: Chris Denham of Chandler, Arizona, has lived in Arizona for 38 years and started hunting seriously in Arizona when he was about 14. Denham, an outfitter and expert hunter, took his first Coues deer when only 16-years old. A colonel, Elliott Coues, back in the 1800s, first discovered the Coues deer, and the deer were named after him. This week we'll take a trip with Denham to the mountains of
Arizona to hunt Coues deer.

QUESTION: Tell me about the toughest Coues deer hunt you've ever had.
ANSWER: The toughest Coues hunt I've ever been involved in was down at the Catalina Mountain outside of Tucson. A buddy of mine and I had packed up into this mountain just for a day hunt in December. We went up about 3,000 feet in elevation above our truck. Then a cold rain started falling about 3:00 p.m. The weather looked like snow was getting ready to fall. We found a nice 3-point buck, probably an 85-inch Coues deer. I shot it right at dark. Then we had to cut that deer up and get down that 3,000 feet in the driving rain during pitch-black night. Our flashlights burned out. That's when I learned to always carry an extra set of batteries, in case I ever had to come off those mountains in the dark again. We got home at 1:00 a.m. the next day. We'd had an 18-hour day and more elevation than we cared to remember.

QUESTION: Can you explain the technique you use for glassing? When you're glassing you're not just looking at a mountainside.
ANSWER: When I look at a mountain, I'll actually cherry pick it first. There's always three or four spots that I can pick out where I would be if I were a deer. I go ahead and look at those spots for deer. Then I get those cherry spots out of my system so I don't feel like I have to hurry. I can break the mountain down into a grid -- either by starting from the top of the mountain or the bottom of the mountain. I use a panhead on my tripod to move the binoculars in a dead level line. I move from left to right all across the mountain. Then I move up three-fourths of a frame to still see a little of what I've seen before and start moving back right to left. I cover that and then go up three-fourths of a frame and move left to right again, stopping every half frame. So I'll look at something for about 5 to 10 seconds. You have to give your eyes at least 5 seconds to adjust after the movement. Then your eyes can settle in and actually see movement. Next I'll move the binoculars half frame, and wait 5 to 10 seconds.

QUESTION: So you're always looking at one-half of what you've seen before?
ANSWER: Exactly. Because these deer are so small, they can be standing behind a bush with their heads sticking out, and you won't even notice the deer. Then suddenly you'll see a flicker of a tail and perhaps even an ear.

QUESTION: How do you apply to hunt Coues deer?
ANSWER: The application process is due in June. Unfortunately, the dates for hunting Coues deer aren't passed until April. Then in early to mid-May, the regulations become available. By that time, June has arrived, which makes applying for the hunts a pretty tight window. Arizona is one of the last states in the United States to have the draw process.

QUESTION: When you apply, you get a form to apply with, right, and you send how much money?
ANSWER: You have to send in the full amount for the tag, which for a Coues deer runs about $85. Then you also include money for your hunting license. Arizona has a hunting license that allows a hunter to hunt small game, bears and so on. But you have to have a hunting license to apply for a big-game tag. What they have allowed us do over the years is that you can apply for big-game tag and include the money for license. Then if you don't draw the tag, then you don't have to buy the license either. The state will refund all your money except for $3.00.

QUESTION: When you send both, how much do you send in?
ANSWER: For 2001, the cost was $85.50 and $113.50.

QUESTION: When the state draws, when do they let you know whether you've gotten a tag or not?
ANSWER: Usually the second or third of July.

QUESTION: You apply to hunt a particular area, right?
ANSWER: Yes. Arizona is broken down into about 40- to 42-game-management units.

QUESTION: Which unit do you like to work out of the most?
ANSWER: A hunter can't really make a mistake when he hunts in Arizona. If Coues deer tags are available in a unit, then that means that there are good Coues in that unit. I prefer to hunt all the units in southeast Arizona, generally because that country is a little more open.

QUESTION: Which units are those?
ANSWER: 33, 32, 38, 29, 36 - A, B & C are very popular units. 34, 34 A&B.

QUESTION: If somebody wants to hunt with you, Chris, they need to call and find which units to hunt, right? And your hunt costs how much?
ANSWER: I charge $2500 for a five-day hunt that includes your transportation, your lodging and your food -- once you arrive in Arizona. We'll sleep in a wall tent with heaters and eat really good food. You won't lose weight. This price also includes all your caping but not processing of the meat or the taxidermy. But basically, this $2500 price covers everything you need from the time you land at the airport until you get on the plane to go home. Of course, each hunter is responsible for his personal gear and bullets.

QUESTION: How can folks get in touch with you?
ANSWER: They can give me a ring at (480) 857-3057, or, e-mail me at c.denham@prodigy.net.