First timer help

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum and new to big game hunting. I decided to give big game hunting a try and got a leftover deer liscence for Colorado unit 38. I've been up two days this week but haven't seen a thing. The area I've been at is near empire and it is BLM/ National Forest. Elevation ranges from about 9500 to 12000. I've seen lots of prints in the snow but haven't been able to find any animals. I'm going to head up one more time so if you can help me out in any way I'd be very appreciative. Any tips for what terrain to try at different parts of the day and that sort of thing. Overall the area I've been in is heavily wooded with a few large clearings, and its pretty hard to find land anywhere close to level. Well thanks in advance.
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AGCHAWK
Sparky, Welcome to the site and WELCOME to the very thing that most of us here are severely addicted to!

Can't help ya out as far as the area you mentioned...never been there. Hopefully someone here can though.

Let us know how the hunt goes, regardless of the outcome.
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MuleyMadness
I've seen lots of prints in the snow
I don't know CO or that unit, but if there is prints in the snow then there is deer there.

I assume these tracks are fresh, that elevations is high so they may be moving through the area to lower ground. Thus you'll have to catch them moving and if it's thick and wooded could be tough.

Maybe you need a couple of buddies to drive the deer to you?

Good luck!
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bigbuck92
ya what Brett said. they are probaly moving down into the lower elevations and for the best time to hunt is usaully early morning or the evening
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Hiker
Sparky, ::wel to Muley Madness!

I haven't hunted 38 before but if you have good, fresh snow, get on a good set of tracks, bucks tend to drag their toes a lot more then does and track em down. Keep your eyes open a few hundred yards ahead of you and glass a lot and look for parts of deer, i.e. ears, legs, their off white rump, etc. Once you find a really good area with lots of fresh sign, ie bedding area, feeding or where 2 or 3 trails come together you might want to get down wind and watch it a while. I like to trail deer and learn what areas they tend to like and in particular where they bed and feed. I keep those areas in mind for future hunts.
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