High or low?

Where I hunt alot depends on the weather. If there has been any significant snow fall, or it has been very wet the deer will have begun moving low. But if it has been hot and dry they will stay high until it does snow.

Most migratory mule deer that inhabit the Rocky Mountains will generally be in the upper end of their respective summer ranges during the archery season. Depending on where you're hunting it can be from 8000' to 13,000'. I know in Colorado where I backpack into, I see them above timberline in the 11,500'-13,000' elevation. On the Uncompaghre Plateau and Kaibab Plateau the highest point is around the 8000' level.......and that's where many of them are at.

Some of the more drier climates will have pockets of deer that live year-round in the sage/bitterbrush areas......around the 6000' level. Again, it really depends on where you're hunting. But one thing remains, if there's higher country around your area, they will generally summer there.

When weather becomes an issue, they will move down for feed. Right now, I suspect you'll find them at the snowline......moving up higher as it melts.

Thanks!!Would you say water is a major key in low and high elevation?

Water is key regardless as you won't find any animals where there is no water. I'd say weather is the key as to how high or low you will find them.

In my experience, the older, wiser bucks tend to lag behind and stay up higher, for the most part, than the rest of the deer. This is not always the case, however.

I guess one could say it depends on so many factors that it could be called a crap shoot, for lack of a better term. I've seen them high with lots of snow and I've seen them low with no snow. Best advice is to get out and scout, find the fresh sign and then you'll know where they are.

I have found the same thing as Abert and Bohntr on this. Depending on weather, hunting pressure, and migratory habits they will be higher early in the year and lower later.
One thing that I really watch for around where I hunt though is the hunting pressure. I try to find the big smart bucks that stay away from all of the heavily hunted areas. That doesn't nessesarily mean they are a long distance away but they have their save havens that hunters try to avoid. Those are the areas I try to find.

It's pretty much been said. High in good weather, and low when the snow falls (more than a foot).

You will find however some nice sage bucks that spend all their time down low since most the hunters are up high and they don't get as much pressure down low. If I'm in a crowded place sometimes I'll slip down low and see if there’s less pressure and unweary bucks.

Thanks for the help guys.From what I am hearing most guys generally start high,so I think I will start low in hopes of less pressure.I'm going to look for ponds,and creeks.Thanks!!

That's good information on high Muley hunting. There is vast areas of Mule Deer habitat that won't have the high elevations, like the sage hills, canyons, breaks and badlands. In these areas the mature bucks tend to be in the roughest areas with the least human disturbance and will hang out alone or in small bachelor groups. Bucks become more visible as the rut approaches.