High Altitude Muleys
Full Draw
6/23/11 10:27pm
Hi guys - I'm a flatlander from IL but I've really got the itch to get on some mule deer out in the mountains. I'm fairly comfortable with the southern portion of Unit 37 in Colorado and will most likely try to pick that as my 2nd choice unit in the 2012 draw. I have a few questions and would really like to hear what you guys think about these issues with the area I'm considering:
- This area receives a lot of weekend hiker, biker, and some atv pressure on the trails, I think there are still a lot of deer in the area but will having so many people around make it not worth hunting?
- In early archery season (late Aug/early Sept) will you typically find the larger bucks up near the timber line? If so do they typically stay in the same drainage for an extended period of time if they aren't pushed out?
- What types of food sources should I be looking for in scouting trips? I'm planning on going out in early August this year to try and locate some specific areas to target for next fall.
I'm also slightly considering trying to go after some elk up there (it's an OTC unit) but the same issues make me nervous that it would be a very difficult task and I know pretty much nothing about elk hunting at this point. Anyways, any info you guys can shoot back to me would be appreciated. If anyone is interested, I'm looking at the area between Hoosier Pass and Red Mountain as well as the area around Mohawk Lake. Thanks!
- This area receives a lot of weekend hiker, biker, and some atv pressure on the trails, I think there are still a lot of deer in the area but will having so many people around make it not worth hunting?
- In early archery season (late Aug/early Sept) will you typically find the larger bucks up near the timber line? If so do they typically stay in the same drainage for an extended period of time if they aren't pushed out?
- What types of food sources should I be looking for in scouting trips? I'm planning on going out in early August this year to try and locate some specific areas to target for next fall.
I'm also slightly considering trying to go after some elk up there (it's an OTC unit) but the same issues make me nervous that it would be a very difficult task and I know pretty much nothing about elk hunting at this point. Anyways, any info you guys can shoot back to me would be appreciated. If anyone is interested, I'm looking at the area between Hoosier Pass and Red Mountain as well as the area around Mohawk Lake. Thanks!
17,633
Good luck and keep us posted.
Thanks.
Your question about hikers, etc. is a good one. While most mule deer prefer solitude in bowls or cliffs far away from folks, don't overlook areas near wilderness hiking trails. Believe it or not, some of the best bucks I've seen in the high country have been within 300 yards of the trail. They may not "hang" out there, but if that's where the best feed is, they could frequent the area. If you're not hunting wilderness, but ATV trail type country, I have seen them push deer out of an area.....but generally they're within 1/2 mile.
During the archery season where high country exists, I've always found the majority of the bucks above timberline.......all the way to 13,000'. Remember, there is NOTHING too steep, "cliffy", or lifeless looking for a big buck. Once you locate bucks (during scouting) in a basin, they will generally summer there. they may utilize adjacent basins, but most often they stay put as long as they have food, water and shelter.
If you're wanting to hunt bucks above timberline in CO, the food source you'll want to concentrate on is alpine willow brush. That will be their primary food source that time of year.
Generally, during the archery season, elk are no longer above timberline.......rather they tend to hit the timber just below timberline (which is generally 11,300') to start their rut traditions. You may catch glimpses of them moving through, but for the most part, they'll be in the heavy timber.
Lastly, try and keep this in mind. Some of the most gorgeous bowls with food and water will be void of deer. I've found several like this over the years and could never understand why there weren't bucks in them. Generally, they weren't too far away but not in the bowls I thought were perfect. I've simply learned what type of terrain and vegetation they prefer and understood, "they are where you find them".
Here's a photo of "alpine willow"......it's the ankle high shrub next to me. It's short in this photo......but I've seen it grow 3-4' tall as well. It grows generally above 11,000'. This photo is taken at 11,800'........still another 1000' of elevation to go.
Once you locate some bucks........keep a far away eye on them. In 2007, I spotted this bachelor herd early on in the hunt. The top buck was a last couple of days "shooter". When I got to the end of my hunt, I re-located the bachelor herd and was able to take the top buck in the photo. It's tough to see them, as it was taken through a spotting scope from almost a mile away.
Hope it helps. Good luck on your hunt.....but most of all have fun!
I'm just getting into the high country, spot and stalk type hunting myself. I'm looking forward to this season! I have picked up a couple books that have really helped me in my efforts to understand the high country mule deer.
High Country Mule Deer by Mike Eastman
Backcountry Bowhunting by Cameron Hanes
Public Land Mulies by David Long
Hunting Open Country Mule Deer by Dwight Schuh
These are all awesome books that have taught me a TON! You might be able to find some of them at a public library.
Regarding the elk tag, I would say get one but don't try and hunt both animals at once... That's a sure way to go home empty handed IMO. Although both animals are ungulates they both have unique lifestyles and trying to find both will most likely result in finding neither. Focus on one at a time! Good luck out there, hope you outsmart one of those awesome high country bucks!
I actually have the David Long book and that is what has kind of pushed me into wanting to actually get out there and give the high country a shot. I'm pretty excited about getting out there and doing some scouting now.
The rewards make it worth it. This is my buddies buck from last year....
My buck last year...
Also never know what else you will see...
One thing that I would like to mention is the weather can be very unpredictable in the high country and I always like to camp in a place that provides some natural shelter from high winds and lightning. I don't like to camp on top of a ridge for these reasons, although some guys do. I had high winds rib a tent wide open on the 2nd night of a 7 day trip. Not fun.
some other pics of some of my high country hunts...
Good luck up there,
Oakbrush
Altitude is a bit intimidating since I'm used to 2,500 feet. Any tips on acclimating to 11000?
Also, in areas like the one I'm hunting in gunnison district, where there have been such high kill offs due to weather, would the majority of bucks still be at the highest altitudes?
Thanks
I live at 3000ft, so not too far off from you. I don't know about everybody, but for me it seems that I need a combo of decent cardio workouts and hiking with weight on your back. One year, I mostly just ran to build up my cardio, but that wasn't enough. My muscles were not used to packing the weight and it was tough. So now I make sure I gets hikes in with a weighted pack as well as jogging for cardio. You don't have to be able to run a marathon, but you get the idea. You still will need a couple of days to adjust to the altitude. I’m usually good on the hike in, then kind of tank the second day while my body adjusts, then by the third day, I usually feel pretty good.
And yes the bucks will still be high that time of year, but in that unit I bet there is a lot of resident deer lower as well. You have a good tag and I would be looking at the highcountry if I were you.
Archer11,
Yes it was Colorado.
Oakbrush
right now I'm working out 1-2 hours a day, hiking up and around our mountain (currently with 30 pound pack but working my way up), doing the eliptical at the gym and weights. that earlier post about not being able to get into good enough shape for high altitude hunting has really been an inspiration for me to keep pushing it.
I've given up on trying to get ahold of the biologists out there. But will concentrate on the 11,000+ foot range and basins. I'm curious about what your pack list looks like??
Thanks
That workout your doing sounds like it should have you covered just fine. I'm working out about the same amount of time as you, but every other day. Plus a big several mile hike once a week. So you are ahead of me.
I will be getting my pack together soon and I can make up a list, but it might be better to list what you are planning to take and see if anyone might have some advice on how to tweak it or elimate some weight that you didn't think of. I remember the first time I backpack hunted I took some things that I just didn't really need. And by now you realize packpacking gear is expensive as heck. And if you want quality plus light weight, it is going to cost you. I've tried to find ways around it, but it is just part of the deal.
The unit that I am hunting this year is really close to yours and I have been studying a lot of aerial photography and I saw some awesome looking stuff on your side. Do you have some leads?
oakbrush.
I weighed my pack last night, minus food/water/clothes/bow, it was about 33 pounds, so figuring 50 fully loaded?? need to cut some weight somewhere.
Here's a general list of what I'm considering bringing (please feel free to comment). I don't have the individual weights with me for items so just guessing now.
pack 10.5 lbs (cabelas guide)
bow 5 lbs
bow gear (release/arrows)
scope 2.5 lbs
tripod 1.5 lbs
binos (8x42 nikon monachs) 1.5 lbs
bivy bag 1.5 lbs
sleeping pad 1.75 pounds
sleeping bag (20 degree) 3 lbs
tarp 2 lbs
water purifier 1 lb
stove and gas cannister 2 lbs
pan .8 lb
fork/spoon
knife .8 lb
down vest/stocking cap
pocket saw cable
matches/lighter/first aid
water container
game bags/plastic bags
compass/gps/maps
parachute cord
head lamp
clothes and freeze dried food for 3-4 days
what do you use to take off the antlers/head?? do I bring the spotting scope/tripod on backpack trip? Wish I had money to buy a nice pair of 10x42 binos......
Thanks for any input
Paul
Sounds like you have what you need. And yes you need the spotting scope and tripod. Probably the most important items. I usually don't cape out the face of my deer, I'm afraid I'll mess it up :) I always plan on 2 trips, one with meat and head, then one for my camp. I used to carry a wyoming saw for that, but now I will only shoot a deer that is at least big enough for a euro mount so I need the skull intact, thus I don't pack a saw anymore.
One thing on clothes, I only wear one set of clothes the whole time. Probably not the best for scent control. But if the wind swirls on ya, your busted weather your fresh out of the shower or been in the same clothes all week. Plus im hunting with a muzzleloader and can stay back out of the risk zone a ways. I do know for sure that you don't want to pack a lot of extra sets of clothes.
The tarp is a good idea, but do you really need it? If your tent has a good rain fly, and room for your gear, that should be enough. There are some out there that weigh under a pound though, so pretty good thing to have. Now you got me thinking I should pack one (???) The one in my pic of one of our camps we found rolled up and stashed in the bushes from a previous hunter, so we used it as a ground cloth.
Plus is the Cabelas pack really 10lbs? That seems heavy.
There has to be other people that can give you some good advice as well. Hopefully Roy will get back on this thread and give you some intell on what his pack has going on. How about it Roy?
oakbrush
You mentioned seeing some good stuff in my unit, any particular areas???? I feel like I'm looking for a needle in a haystack. Sure, I've read the books, but it's tough when you've never even been to the area or hunted where you're not sitting in a treestand all day long.
I usually take one pair of pants, and two hunting shirts, and a jacket......They'll last an entire 10 day trip for me. If I was only going for 4-5 days, one pants and shirt would do.
Might want to think of some lightweight/packable rain gear. You don't want to get wet to the core in the high-country.
If you're taking a tarp......Intregal Designs sil-tarp is the only way to go......weighs ounces for an 8x10 tarp and packs the size of a pop can.