Hi All
Did some research online and didn't get an answer to this and didn't want to have to start digging into scientific literature as I figured someone here would have a better answer anyways.
Since Coues deer are smaller-bodied and tend to be restricted to RELATIVELY warmer/drier regions, do they respond to weather patterns more similar to a javelina versus another whitetail or mule deer? In other words, will Coues deer tend to move downslope or seek out warmer hill slopes during a cold snap where a mule deer would just hunker down?
The reason I am asking is I finally got out for this late archery season in AZ and of course the day I leave to hunt is the day it snows in the desert (Jan 1st). Hiked down into the drainage I wanted to hunt and saw tracks everywhere in the fresh powder and at least three sets of buck tracks but no actual deer. I followed as many tracks as I could for as long as I could and they all seemed to lead out of the drainage. Where to exactly? I have no idea.
Spent the next two days hiking and glassing...nothing. Went back up for two nights last week thinking that after things warmed up, they would return. Still couldn't find any deer but again, tons of tracks in the drainage bottoms and washes. Just trying to figure out where the wiley little devils might have gone to (half of me thinks they were still in there and I just didn't see them...they are damn hard to see)
Any knowledge on the nuances of Coues deer behavior as it relates to weather changes is much much appreciated!!
Did some research online and didn't get an answer to this and didn't want to have to start digging into scientific literature as I figured someone here would have a better answer anyways.
Since Coues deer are smaller-bodied and tend to be restricted to RELATIVELY warmer/drier regions, do they respond to weather patterns more similar to a javelina versus another whitetail or mule deer? In other words, will Coues deer tend to move downslope or seek out warmer hill slopes during a cold snap where a mule deer would just hunker down?
The reason I am asking is I finally got out for this late archery season in AZ and of course the day I leave to hunt is the day it snows in the desert (Jan 1st). Hiked down into the drainage I wanted to hunt and saw tracks everywhere in the fresh powder and at least three sets of buck tracks but no actual deer. I followed as many tracks as I could for as long as I could and they all seemed to lead out of the drainage. Where to exactly? I have no idea.
Spent the next two days hiking and glassing...nothing. Went back up for two nights last week thinking that after things warmed up, they would return. Still couldn't find any deer but again, tons of tracks in the drainage bottoms and washes. Just trying to figure out where the wiley little devils might have gone to (half of me thinks they were still in there and I just didn't see them...they are damn hard to see)
Any knowledge on the nuances of Coues deer behavior as it relates to weather changes is much much appreciated!!