I was thinking of doing an early season high-country hunt in Colorado, whether with a bow, muzzleloader or rifle. What advice can some of you guys give that have been there and done that. Are the bucks somewhat easy to find, but hard to approach? Do they move well all day? Will velvet be removed by mid-September? Or is a hunt like this just extraordinarily difficult physically and I would be better off hunting in the later rifle seasons where harvest is much higher and the deer are much lower in elevation? I almost cringe to ask, but any particular unit advice? I know the obvious 54, 55, 61, and a few others, but they take an abundance of points and I have none. Thanks for the help.
Advice for early season high-country hunts
- Thread starter ToddT
- Start date
sjhgraysage
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 2,290
No points.
Think archery, maybe high areas of the San Jaun NF, SW CO.
Think archery, maybe high areas of the San Jaun NF, SW CO.
ridgerunner
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,957
Haven't hunted CO, but the high country is pretty tough hunting, get in the best shape possible and glass glass glass.
mickeyelk
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,894
I had a High Country Rifle tag last year in Colorado and it was great but very phyical. Every buck that was something was at the top of the mountains. At one point I saw Mountain goats real close to the muley's. Pick the highest point, even if it has nothing but rocks, and you'll find muleys there. Get in great shape and be prepared to do some rock climbing. Good optics will save you some time and effort. Plus get everything that is lightweight and easy to store in your backpack. Good luck and happy hunting!
PleaseDear
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 10,431
I hunt the Holy Cross Wilderness bow (2nd choice most years) until I have the points for the HCB tag. #45, #44, #444. it is a pack-in trip with my llama packstring but could be done on 'day hunts' with a little travel in the dark morning hours.....from a trailhead access and then just bushwack out off the trail. Be in shape for that kind of hunt!! ha
It gets cold enough at night in those 10,500 to 12,000ft basins that you could bone your buck out and leave what ya couldn't take out that day till the next day without any real worry of meat spoilage.
OTC bow elk tag too..........
It gets cold enough at night in those 10,500 to 12,000ft basins that you could bone your buck out and leave what ya couldn't take out that day till the next day without any real worry of meat spoilage.
OTC bow elk tag too..........
PleaseDear
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 10,431
Okay.............
HunterHarry
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 5,001
High country wilderness hunts aren't for everyone.
You had better be in the best shape possible, not only to get in, but should you shoot something, you are bringing it out on your back unless you own livestock.
You can face whiteout blizzards in August, which means you had better pack the extra weight of proper clothing.
Be careful.
Hh
You had better be in the best shape possible, not only to get in, but should you shoot something, you are bringing it out on your back unless you own livestock.
You can face whiteout blizzards in August, which means you had better pack the extra weight of proper clothing.
Be careful.
Hh
