Early Rifle- Colorado

Elmacho · Feb 15, 2005

I have quite a few points now and have my sights on an early- high country tag.

My question is this--- The hunt starts the first week of September. When do the bucks start shedding velvet. Will all the bucks be in velvet at this time??(yes, I am a non-res- that's why I ask.)

Thanks for your help.

Mark

DeerKing · Feb 15, 2005

Varies somewhat where in the state you are hunting but most usually shed around September 10th give or take a few days. I've seen em peeled by September 1st but I've also seen them with velvet into the 3rd week. Good luck with your hunt!

AntlerQuest Hunt Consulting

spotnstalkID · Feb 15, 2005

From my past experience hunting archery season (September), if you are out there the first and second week of September, you will see approximately 50% of bucks still in velvet. Obviously less as time goes by. I am not in Colorado but I'm sure it is somewhat comparable to Idaho. To sum it up, if you want a buck in velvet, be out there as early in September as you can. A good majority of them are still in velvet the first week.

Jaxon

Ridge_Runner · Feb 15, 2005

Is this a muzzleloader hunt or rifle? In the regs I don't see a early rifle in the first week of Sept. Am I missing it somewhere?

Happy trails
Ridge Runner
"Now Pilgrim,you sure you can skin grizz"

txhunter58 · Feb 15, 2005

There are definately early rifle buck seasons in Colorado. They are only in a small number of units and only issue a very limited number of tags. They are usually in Wilderness areas above timberline. Look up unit 36 our unit 82 and you will see they have an early sept rifle season.

I killed an early rifle buck 2 years ago in the Sangre de Cristo wilderness. I believe it was on September 6th. My buck still had velvet, and I had him mounted that way. 1/2 the bucks I saw still had velvet.

FYI: I used Deerking's service to find the honeyhole I got my buck in. Good luck

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

DeerKing · Feb 15, 2005

David
Hope you don't mind me posting pics of your buck again, it was a real beaut and well earned. Anyone who does a timberline hunt better be in very good shape. Guaranteed to kick your butt!

AntlerQuest Hunt Consulting

flycrewsupe · Feb 15, 2005

Mark,
I hunted the early hunt in unit 43 a few years back and all the bucks we saw and killed were still soft horned. We killed ours on Sept 9th. High country, all above timberline, be in shape or you will pay the price. Be ready for all types of weather. We had sun, rain, hail and snow. Its a great time to be in the woods. All the deer are easy to see and stick out like sore thumbs. Most fun I had on a hunt. Good luck.
Gary

txhunter58 · Feb 15, 2005

Deerking said: Anyone who does a timberline hunt better be in very good shape. Guaranteed to kick your butt!

Anyone interested in a timberline hunt read this again and again and again!!!

But, it was worth every blister! Thanks Jeff!

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)