GMU 82/86 above timberline

fallguy · Nov 28, 2017

I'm getting old and am kicking around burning my deer points. Actually I have tried to burn them the past two years but am always a point or two behind so I am looking into other options.

I have the points to draw the 82/86/861 above timberline tag. It is close to home and I have hunted 86 down low in 3rd season. I've been reluctant to apply for the high country tag due to low buck numbers, OTC archery elk and a bunch of archery deer hunters. With that said, it holds some big boys and I could put in my time scouting it. I also know it is rough country and physically tough.

Anyone on here do this hunt in 2016 or 2017? If so, what are your thoughts on it? Thanks!

songdog · Nov 29, 2017

Hey Fallguy,

I sent you a PM...

songdog

264mag · Nov 29, 2017

I also was thinking about that or another above timber hunt ,I have 13 points but does it take that many to draw that tag?

txhunter58 · Nov 29, 2017

Last year it took 14 points for a NR to guarantee a tag in 82/86 and 8 for a resident. 60% of NRs drew with 13 points.

txhunter58

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

00rowe · Nov 30, 2017

I burned 14 points in 2015 there, 1st time muley hunter saw lots and took a nice upper 170s velvet buck on opening day. I wasnt in as good of shape as I thought and didn't know how many stalks I would be able to make, and to be honest they look a lot bigger in a spotter than a scope!! Went back in 2016 with a muzzy and everything was gone, exact same area and a couple little bucks and a couple does. I'd love to go back with some patience and another set of lungs. PM me if you want any other details.

Mike

huntnut · Feb 27, 2018

pm sent

txhunter58 · Feb 27, 2018

Sometimes a week later makes a lot of difference above timberline

txhunter58

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

SedaliaJay · Aug 28, 2021

Hi guys, I've got one of the early rifle tags this year. I've helped about 5 guys on this same hunt, and put them all on really nice bucks in the past 7 years, but I'm coming up empty scouting all my usual spots. It's like the deer have vanished from where I always found them.

The first 2 guys I helped in there in 2014 and 2015, we'd see 5 to 6 bachelor packs a day. Literally, 40 to 50 bucks easy every day. I just spent 3 days in there and turned up 2 total bucks.

If anybody that's been successful in here in the past couple years could PM me, I'd be grateful. I just burned 9 points.

SedaliaJay · Aug 28, 2021

txhunter58 said:
Sometimes a week later makes a lot of difference above timberline

txhunter58

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

I hope so. I'm going to head back this week and try to hit my usual spots and maybe a few new ones. The last couple years, we've been successful, but haven't seen near the numbers we did before.