October Book Cliff Rifle Hunt

J

jtnm

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Just got back from Book Cliffs on a scouting trip. Seen more bucks than I could have ever imagined. We saw all these bucks in the highier elevations around 8500 on up. My question is, are those bucks still going to be there in the middle of October for this hunt? Thanks
 
The deer that live in the Books are a funny herd. They will be in the high elevations until about the second week of Sept. then they start to migrate. During the muzzleloader hunt they are in the transition and are fairly difficult to find until they show up at the winter range which is down at lower elevations. Hunt over by McCook ridge or Wolf Den.
 
How big were most of the bucks you were seeing? Ill echo the previous post about migration, but I have yet to be out there, not matter what time of year, and not see bucks high or low. They are pretty much everywhere.
 
Depends where you're at and what the weather is doing? Regardless the deer we'll be moving by the end of the hunt. I spent the last two seasons in the roadless area. 1st year the weather was warm and the deer hadn't really begun to move. Last year, there were very few deer anywhere up high.
 
i'm headed in for the muzzleloader hunt and I will post what happened and where. Meanwhile tell me everything you saw and about the place. I can't get there until the hunt. I can't think about anything else though. I'm worthless at work!!!
 
I spent 2 days up there & seen 50 to 60 bucks a day. We spent most of our time in the roadless area in the burned area's. Lots of glassing. Didn't make it to were you suggested Camo. Several great bucks in the 175 to 185 class.The best buck was a 190's frame with 5 or 6 inch cheaters off both back forks. One that was 26 27 inch with coke can base's. Now I am spoiled after looking at so many bucks. I was happy seeing 3 bucks in my country. I hope them deer are still around when the hunt starts. Thanks guys for the info. Awesome country!
 
How rugged is the country? Obviously it is important to be in shape, but is it rugged or moderate? Were the bucks at the top or on flat ground?
 
The lower elevations (where I expect the deer to be during the rifle hunt) isn't very rugged. At least where I was scouting (along Seep Ridge). As you start to gain altitude, the canyons become steeper and very deep.
 
jtnm

Just reading about your scouting trip and how many bucks you seen has really pumped me up, again. A co-worker returned last weekend from the books, he had an archery permit. He took a very heavy 26" 4x4. Not the biggest he seen but a keeper for sure. He indicated that most of the deer were up high. I'm getting a little nervous about the migration issue, but hey, I'll deal with it and hopefully I'll find them.

I'm doing this hunt on my own but, I'm still looking for some camp company. Any takers?

Smokepole
 
Smokepole,

I'll be out there helping a friend during the muzzleloader hunt as well. I'm not sure where we're gonna camp, but I'm sure you'd be welcome. I'm sure it'll be along the divide somewheres-keep in touch if you're interested.
 
hunted this area 2 years in a row with people who had tags, weather was hot!! both years. Big bucks where in the low country, hunt country you think would not have 1 deer in it. everybody goes up high, hunt low and glass. You'll find the big ones!
 
Keep in touch. Not sure were we will camp.
Can't wait till some hunts start.
Really get pumped up because the elk have
got fired up down here & started seeing a few
great bucks.
 
I think that last advice is good. The biggest buck Ive seen out there was about 10 miles past where I told myself, "Ok, roll up the windows and step on the gas. There's no deer out this far." Then right around the corner jumped a nice 30" buck. We ran/stumbled up the plateau and saw him 500 yards away with 3 other shooters. That was out by Rainbow. . .well past Rainbow.

We saw several nice deer about by Rabbit Mountain in the sage flats. Took a lot of glassing, but you could see them bedded down. There is a big, deep canyon out there that Ive heard good things about too.
 
There are areas in the Bookcliffs that seldom get hunted, if not, never get hunted! It is a huge, vast area. During the archery and muzzleloader hunts 90% of the hunters are hunting high along the Overlook Ridge road from the roadless area on the west to the Colorado border to the east. These higher elevations contain steep ridges covered with mostly scrub oak brush and patches of aspen. There is also plenty of bitterbrush there. About the 2nd week of October the deer begin moving to the mid-elevation areas which contains mostly pinion/juniper and ponderosa. The terrain is also not nearly as steep as it is at the top.
Knowing what is happening on the Colorado side of the Cliffs, I would be hunting near the border. But be careful...they are doing a prescribed burn this year in some of that country. Near the Indian Reservation is also a good place to look. A 30" buck was harvested on Steer Ridge last year that grossed 193 B&C.
Good luck on your hunt. It truly is a great area for deer hunting.
 
I took a heavy 25" four-point with good forks in 03 and my brother shot a 29" buck in 02. Both bucks were in the lower elevations. I'll echo what everyone else has mentioned. Look in the lower areas if you have a rifle tag and in spots you wouldn't think would hold deer. Pull out a spotting scope and you'll find them. One of the funnest hunts I've ever had. You'll have good time and see more bucks than ever imagined there. Just hold tight for a good one. Look forward to hearing about your hunt. Good Luck!
 
So, are you guys saying that even during the muzzleloader season I should spend some time down in the low country? Even the Biologist I talked too said that most of the deer were high, including some really nice bucks that he's seen this year. I have the whole season to hunt but because there is a ton of country out there I'm hoping I can concentrate my efforts in the right place or places. Thanks for the info guys. Less than three weeks and counting!

Smokepole
 
Smokepole: I would spend a day or 2 looking in that low country I don't think you will miss hunting high if you see some of those low country bucks.
 

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