Unit 35/36 Deer Migration

HornedToad · Oct 10, 2018

I saw a nice buck this past July in Unit 35/36 at 10,500 ft. Given the weather experienced to date, and the forecast over the next two weeks, would that deer typically remain at that elevation through the start of the 2nd season on Oct. 20th? When would the deer in that area begin seeking lower elevations? I know ?it depends?, but the current forecast is not calling for any major weather systems to come through over the next ten days.

Any help appreciated!

HT

jims · Oct 10, 2018

You can pretty much count on velvet bucks living at treeline in July will likely head to the trees once they shed their velvet in Sept. Colo is getting snow the next couple days in the high country which also ought to get them heading into the trees.

HIcountryman · Oct 11, 2018

I think in 2nd season he would be in the trees, aspens or timber, around 9000'. If there is more snow than already has happened, maybe lower in 2nd season, hopefully. Easier to find in sage than trees! Look to the quakies!!

Later, I believe regardless of weather, decreasing daylight triggers bucks to start rutting and they come down to seek does. Last year in 3rd season there was one 6"snow on 2nd day of season and i saw 3 nice bucks in a very crowded unit. BTW, i did not see another hunter out that morning until about 10am when snow stopped -they missed the worm... I had doe tag, of course! But they were down at 7500' already.

GilaJeff · Oct 11, 2018

I don't know the answer to your questions specifically, but I remember findings from a very extensive mule deer migration study in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Researchers collared a bunch of deer including mature bucks, younger bucks, does, yearlings and fawns. Their tracing data showed that some deer began their migration to their winter range based on calendar dates regardless of snow or weather conditions, and some began their migration only after the snow drove them down. This was across all age classes and bucks and does. This study went on for multiple years, and the same deer migrated to the same places, and again, the same ones started their migration based on a calendar date, and the same ones that stayed high until the snow shut them out, did that year after year. Another curious finding was that deer that summered together did not necessarily migrate to the same winter ranges, and vice versa.

jims · Oct 12, 2018

It usually takes a foot or 2 of snow to really get the deer migrating in those units. This may or may not happen during the 2nd to 4th rifle seasons. This obviously changes from year to year. Some years it may not happen until after the 4th season. There are a few resident deer that are there year-round and obviously deer that filter down from the high country off and on through the fall/winter. Those units are OTC for elk so the deer/elk usually know the boundaries of public/private. Deep snow often helps movement of deer/elk off the large tracts of private....until pressure moves them back. Be prepared to hunt deep, dark areas away from hunting pressure!

Founder · Oct 13, 2018

I'd be hunting him right where I saw him unless you get a foot of snow. I'm guessing at 10500 he was around pines and aspens? He'll likely be real close on the 20th.

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Coloradoboy · Oct 14, 2018

Founder is pretty spot on. Mature eagle county deer tend to stay up high as long as possible.Typically pressure will move them long before the weather will. Majority of the bucks I've taken in the 2nd rifle season have been not too far from the general area they summered.

Coloradoboy