The deserts of the Southwest tend to get in your blood and leave you longing to return.
December 29, 2024
By Zach Bowhay
By the time elk and deer seasons wrap up, I’m usually ready to kick back on the couch and relax. But it doesn’t take long before that familiar itch creeps in, and I get the urge to get outside and do something. The problem is that winters where I live tend to be brutal. The snow piles up, and getting out in the cold can feel more like a chore than an adventure.
About a decade ago, that changed when a couple of good friends invited me on a January deer hunt in Arizona. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Hunting in the middle of winter, but in warm weather? It sounded too good to be true. Long story short, I decided to go. Not only did I have an unforgettable hunt, but I also tagged my first javelina. The thrill of bowhunting in mild weather, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Southwest, was all it took. I was hooked!
Since then, winter bowhunting in Arizona has become a regular part of my calendar. Whenever the opportunity arises, I jump at the chance to head south, shake off the winter blues, and chase Coues deer, mule deer, and javelina in the desert. It’s a welcome escape from the snow and a way to keep the hunting season alive.
What Are Your Options? Arizona undoubtedly reigns supreme in winter bowhunting in the Southwest, considering it has long been the go-to destination for hunters looking to extend their seasons. Arizona has offered over-the-counter (OTC) deer tags for years, making them incredibly accessible to bowhunters. While part of a draw system, Javelina tags have been almost guaranteed in many units. Although the OTC deer system changed a couple of years ago, tags are still obtainable, and we’ll dig into the details later.
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That said, Arizona isn’t the only game in town. New Mexico also offers some solid winter bowhunting opportunities. While it may not have the same level of accessibility as Arizona, it’s worth a look for those willing to explore.
Coues Deer Growing up hunting mule deer, I never gave much thought to chasing Coues deer. It just didn’t appeal to me. But something shifted as I’ve gotten older and spent countless seasons chasing muleys. Now, it’s the Coues deer that draw me south every winter. These little deer are a challenge, and it’s easy to see why they’ve earned the nickname “The Grey Ghost.”
Ryan Lampers with a great coues deer buck. Coues deer are small and inhabit some of the most brushy, steep, and unforgiving terrain imaginable. They’re incredibly wary, with almost zero tolerance for human disturbance. Put everything together, and you have the perfect recipe for a low-success bowhunt. But honestly? That’s what makes it so rewarding.
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Over the years, I’ve done plenty of research on where to hunt Coues deer in both Arizona and New Mexico. After all that digging and many conversations with seasoned Coues hunters, I’ve realized something: there are no “secret” spots. Wherever there’s Coues deer habitat, you’ll find them scattered throughout. Densities are rarely high, but the deer are there if you want to do the work.
I’ve hunted the Southwest several times and never returned to the same area twice. Every trip, we manage to turn up Coues deer, but never in big numbers. Hunting these deer requires a mindset of “they are where you find them.” It’s all about effort, persistence, and preparation.
The first step is to talk to wildlife biologists or the state game department for good starting points. Next, focus on areas with steep, brushy terrain — prime Coues habitat. There are what some consider top units like 22, 24B, 29, 31, and others, or you can head further south to the border and hunt units in the 35s and 36s. But honestly, for most bowhunters, most any of the Coues deer units will hold what you are looking for.
Once you’re there, the real work begins. Find solid vantage points and start glassing. Slowly and methodically scanning the terrain with quality optics is the name of the game when it comes to spotting these elusive deer.
I’ll be honest: my first trip after Coues deer was humbling. I thought I was a decent “glasser,” but I was quickly proven wrong. It wasn’t until I spent time with experienced Coues hunters that I realized how much I needed to slow down. Their methodical, patient approach to glassing taught me to pick apart the landscape in ways I never had before. Once I adjusted my technique, I started seeing deer that had been invisible to me just moments earlier.
Those lessons didn’t just make me a better Coues deer hunter — they’ve improved my glassing ability across all my hunts. Hunting Coues deer is tough, no question about it. But it's worth every effort when you finally spot one tucked into the brush or silhouetted on a distant ridgeline.
Mule Deer Like Coues deer, mule deer are abundant across the Southwest and can often be hunted in the same general areas. That said, mule deer tend to favor flatter terrain in many places, which surprised me initially. After years of chasing muleys in mountainous regions across the West, I found it hard to believe they’d gravitate toward flat country. But in the Southwest, it’s often true.
The author took this handsome mule deer buck on a January bow hunt in Arizona. Some of these expansive flatlands are covered in dense mesquite, which has an uncanny ability to swallow up deer. Outside the rut, spotting mule deer in this habitat can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, winter bowhunting seasons coincide with the rut. During this time, mule deer become far more visible as they’re actively on the move, seeking out does. It’s a night-and-day difference; the rut can make or break your success.
If you’re set on chasing mule deer specifically, your best bet is to contact local wildlife agencies to pinpoint areas with higher populations. While some regions of the Southwest have solid populations of Coues and mule deer, others are more heavily skewed toward one or the other. Knowing your goals before the hunt is crucial. Are you hoping to target one species, or are you open to hunting whichever presents the best opportunity? Let those goals guide your research and planning.
Research is the backbone of a successful hunt, especially in the Southwest. While focusing on the here and now is tempting, planning well ahead can make a huge difference. For instance, if you’re eyeing a hunt for the winter of 2026, now is the time to start your research. This gives you ample time to learn the terrain, talk to biologists, understand the draw system or OTC opportunities, and ultimately increase your odds of success.
For mule deer hunters, the Southwest offers a unique and rewarding challenge. With careful planning and a solid understanding of the terrain, you can turn what initially seems impossible into an unforgettable winter bowhunt.
Javelina If you haven’t hunted javelina, you’re missing out on one of the Southwest's most entertaining and unique hunting experiences. Simply put, these animals are a blast to chase. Like deer, javelina are scattered throughout the Southwest. While some areas might hold slightly higher populations, my experience has been that they’re pretty well dispersed across suitable habitats. You won’t see them everywhere, but you'll usually find them with enough effort and a good pair of optics.
Javelina might be the perfect bowhunting animal. Spotting javelina is the most critical part of the hunt. These animals blend seamlessly into their surroundings, whether in dense mesquite flats or rocky desert hillsides. They’re most active during the early morning and late afternoon when your glassing skills will be tested. Look for signs like movement, feeding activity, or even their tracks if you’re struggling to locate them.
Once you spot a group, the next step is the fun part: the stalk. Javelina have notoriously poor eyesight, which works to your advantage. If you stay mindful of the wind and keep your noise to a minimum, you can often get within bow range relatively easily. There are no pushovers and spooking one can send the whole group scattering, so patience and precision are key.
Hunting javelina is as much about the experience as the harvest. There’s something uniquely satisfying about glassing up a small herd, crafting a careful stalk, and making a clean shot. And if you’re looking for a fun, low-pressure hunt, getting a group of friends together for a javelina trip is a perfect choice. It’s a hunt that’s as much about the camaraderie and laughs as it is about the challenge. You can create memories that will last a lifetime for a relatively small investment of time and money.
Another often-overlooked option is Texas. Javelina are plentiful in the Lone Star State, and while public land opportunities are limited, Texas is one place where private land hunting shines. The rates for private land hunts are typically reasonable, and the sheer number of animals makes it well worth the cost. You and your buddies can enjoy an unforgettable hunting experience with plenty of action for a relatively low investment. These hunts can be purchased as an all-inclusive deal with housing and meals included or on a daily hunt rate.
Tags and Permits If you’re planning a winter bowhunt in the Southwest, understanding the tag process for Arizona and New Mexico is key. Thankfully, both states offer great opportunities, but they go about it in different ways.
Everything in the desert tries to poke you, so be prepared. In Arizona, over-the-counter (OTC) deer tags are available for both mule deer and Coues deer and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis starting in early December for the following year's hunts. These tags allow hunting during prime rut dates in late December and January, making them highly sought after. Arizona also manages these hunts with unit-specific harvest quotas, so once a unit’s quota is met in a specific unit, the area is closed to hunting for the remainder of the season. Staying flexible and keeping an eye on harvest reports is crucial.
For Javelina, tags are part of the spring draw, with applications due by the end of September. Drawing a javelina tag is relatively easy in most units and adds a fun twist to your hunt.
New Mexico operates differently with its draw system for both deer and javelina. Late-season archery hunts for deer typically coincide with the rut and offer some excellent opportunities. Applications are due in March, and while the odds can vary by unit, there’s usually decent availability for these winter hunts. Javelina tags are also awarded through the same system and have better odds.
Whether purchasing OTC tags in Arizona or navigating New Mexico’s draw process, a little planning goes a long way to ensure a successful and enjoyable hunt.
Closing Thoughts Winter bowhunting in the Southwest offers an incredible opportunity to break up the off-season blues and immerse yourself in a unique hunting experience. Whether you’re chasing Coues deer in rugged terrain, stalking mule deer in the mesquite flats, or crafting the perfect approach on a herd of javelina, the adventure is as rewarding as the harvest.
The key to success is preparation, whether that's researching tags, talking to biologists, or honing your glassing and stalking skills. With mild weather, breathtaking landscapes, and opportunities to extend your season, a Southwest winter hunt might become your next favorite tradition.
