Advice for Northeastern Utah Buck Mule Deer

Hey everyone -

I drew a buck tag for the Northeastern region here in Utah and this will be my first season hunting out West (grew up hunting whitetails in Missouri). I'm trying to narrow down areas to go in this hunt boundary, I have lots of experience with wilderness backpacking, so I'd ideally like to head deep into the Uintas, possibly the high basins due east of the Mirror Lake Highway or into the Kings Peak region. Will the deer still be hanging around these elevations in late October?
I've also been looking at the high areas around Strawberry Reservoir but am a little concerned it will be flooded with hunters or all the animals will be out of there after elk season.

If I have to hike a ways to beat the crowds I have no problem with that, so any good alternatives to further pursuing these options or other advice would be much appreciated!

Been reading Schuh's Hunting Open Country Mule Deer, any other pertinent reads people recommend?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Andy
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"DoubleA" wrote:If I have to hike a ways to beat the crowds I have no problem with that
This is the key to getting a nice buck. All of the areas you described have deer, so pick an area that you will be able to visit a few times before the hunt. Find a good vantage point and glass a lot.

Bucks will move around and become hard to find in October but if there are does in the area then you can bet there are bucks within a mile or 2. The areas you mention would be good places to start. Strawberry has a lot of roads but you can still find inaccessible ridges or draws if you study maps. Pay attention to your hunt boundaries though because it runs right through that country.
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In researching that tag last year the biologist told me that most the deer have moved out of the higher elevations of the uintas by mid october. I could be wrong. Give the biologist a call. He was very helpful and knowledegable.
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sawsman
Alot will depend on the weather.. a couple of good storms may push deer to lower elevations. I agree that doing some hiking will help get you away from the crowds. Some big 'ole wiley bucks will head for the thick and nasty stuff where most hunters wont go. If your'e willing to attempt the thicker stuff, it'll pay off. More work, but worth it IMHO.
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stillhunterman
It's definately beautiful country to hunt up in the high Uinta's, and there are some monsters up there as well. But, it can be heavily dictated by the weather. I would for sure give the local biologist a call, they are really helpful as previously said. Like the sawsman mentioned, hunt the nasty stuff and you should do well. Best of luck!
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