Early Rifle Holy Cross Wilderness Colo.

[JohnH]

Drew a early high country deer tag for the Holy Cross (DM044E1R)
Planning on scouting in July. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction???

Thanks

 

[txhunter58]

Very nice tag. You should do well if you work for it. Never hunted there, but have 2nd hand knowledge that there are some real bruisers there. You better be in the best shape of your life.

That said, asking your question with 2 posts here is kind of like asking a girl to go to bed on your second date: chances are you probably won't get many takers. Where were you a year ago when you were thinking about applying for the tag?

Not trying to pick on you, just trying to get people to understand that the info you want comes with forming relationships over time. If you find a "honey hole" when you hunt next fall, are you likely to share it on a public forum with someone you don't know?

Good luck.

txhunter58

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

 

[Wes]

Who cares if the guy has 2 posts or 2 million posts. If I had the info he's asking for I'd be willing to share it.
Wes

 

[txhunter58]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-04-06 AT 08:56AM (MST)[p]Wes:

People with the knowledge he seeks would have hunted this particular area multiple times, and probably will again in the future. Please post some of the areas you have hunted (and will hunt again) that you consider honey holes. I am looking for a new good area to hunt. Thanks!

What he really wants to find out, regardless of what he is saying, is "where exactly are the big bucks". You don't get that kind of info with 2 posts. Hopefully, someone with give him a starting point for his scouting trip (I would if I knew one), but that is the best he can hope for. He may get some general info from some guys, but he has a coveted, lots of prefrence points used hunt. Again, I am truly not trying to be mean spirited, just trying to give him (and others like him) some real world advice. At least some that has worked for me. I did a high country hunt in '04 and came away with a 29" 8x7 buck. Used 8 preference points. Had LOTS of time to develop relationsips and research where to find the big boys. Without the relationships I developed on this site through time, I probably would not have been successful.

txhunter58

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

 

[JohnH]

txhunter58

Not looking for a honey hole just a general area or range to start looking. It's the first quality tag I have drawn. I've hunted the Meeker area a time or two and I'm fairly familar with unit 19 in Colo. I've also hunted the Hoback in Wy once and would be happy to give you or anyone else what little info I have. I've hunted hard for the game I've taken and I don't have any honey holes. If I did I would'nt post it and would'nt expect anyone else to either. You assume I'm looking for someones honey which is not the case I'm simply looking for a starting point. I've never been in the area before. I hunt hard when I hunt and I'm not looking for a short cut.

 

[mickeyelk]

I wish I knew some info I would be glad to help you out. I thought that was what these web sights were for!!! Anyway, give CDOW a call and contact the biologist for that particular area. He'll be able to start you out in the right direction. As always, get the correct maps of the area your hunting. I hunted unit 36 for early rifle last year and did get a few responses from this web sight and another one that visit. One thing I will tell you, is the deer were at the highest elevations. I found quite a few at 10,500 and above. At one point I thought I was hunting mountain goats instead of deer Remember, its all straight up from where you park your car. Good luck and have a happy hunt.

 

[Wes]

TX
I have shared many of my "HONEY HOLES",past and present, with members of this forum who I've never met regardless of how many posts or how long they've been members and I'll do so again when given the opportunity.
Wes

 

[txhunter58]

Wes: Good for you, I think that is great! However, I would bet you are the exception.

John: Mickey is giving you some good advice. The area we hunted (in another wilderness area) the bucks were at or above timberline where horses could not go. I killed mine at 11,500 ft. 5 miles from the nearest road.

Hope you kill a monster! Good luck.

txhunter58

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

 

[lostinOregon]

Wes,

I also agree and feel that this is what this site is about. I have given out information when requested and in turn have got some important information when I asked for it. John, I have never hunted that unit so I can't help you. Good luck and congratulations on drawing the tag.

 

[fatrooster]

JohnH, welcome to Monster Mulies. Its always good to see new people here on this site. I don't know anything about Colorado but from reading the replies on this thread I would say that going high is where its at. Get away from the crowds and if possible camp out up in the deers bedroom. When you wake up your ready to hunt. Good luck, fatrooster.

 

[PleaseDear]

Yeh, I know some of the Holy Cross quite well. I have also drawn the HCB tag and bow hunt-deer alot in there when I don't draw the HCB tag...

I got no problem helping ya out... with 'intel' on the areas... that I have hunted....

Where ya coming in from to scout?.. state? ya backpack hunting or drop-camp or....

Feel free to touchbase with me at my E-addy.....

[email protected]

Robb

 

[JohnH]

Guys,

Thanks for the respones. I was considering taking the horse's but I'm now rethinking that. I will probably be living out of a back pack while I'm up there. I'm pretty new at the forum thing
but I give you a report next fall and post a picture if things go well.

JohnH

 

[COLO3D]

John,

My buddy hunted it last year in the archery hunt, same time as your hunt. He said that the further he got away from the hiking trails and the higher he got the better quality of animals he saw. Sorry, I don't have more detailed info. By the way, bring a fishing pole as there are alot of high country lakes full of trout. Good luck. Make sure you post some pics on here of your successful hunt.

 

[Founder]

John,

That's a pretty good tag you have. I've always wanted to do that hunt, but I could never wait that long to draw. I would probably begin my search at New York Mtn. and go deeper into the wilderness.
Most of that country is black timber and rock. Real rugged and not a lot of deer. If possible, I would definitely spend plenty of time scouting. The biggest plus to having that tag is the scouting that you can do all summer and the bucks should still be in the same areas.
Should be lots of fun.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[kurtski25]

PM Sent...
Kurt

 

[happytohunt]

good luck on yer hunt..i believe i would use brians clues as vald,valid,valid...brian gets an aplus for founding this website and sharing pertinent info...thanks for helping to hunt the hunt..

 

[cohntr6]

John,
I have bowhunted elk in unit 19 for 6 years and could use all the help I can get!!! Crossing the Poudre in a specific spot, Neota wilderness, commanche peak, pingree park, stove prairie, old flowers road? just kidding, hope you do well on your hunt and have been pointed in the right direction. I hunted across the highway last year in 35 during the 2nd rifle season for deer and had a frustrating time. I did meet a few fellas that were hunting 44 and saaw a couple shooters in the pockets of aspen.
Jeff

 

[Hiker]

John, Welcome to Monster Muleys.
That is some beautiful country. I've hunted all around that area but not Holy Cross WA. I do know the advice given to you is really good. If Holy Cross is like the other High Altitude areas, get up on top, all the way on top and scout down. Founder is right, scout it all summer and find out where the big boys are and when your season starts, they shoud be close by. Take Please Dear up on his offer, Robb knows that area.

I hope you have a great time and a exciting hunt.


Hiker

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

[txhunter58]

John: Looks like our plan to use reverse psychology to get you some info worked out great! LOLOL. Just kidding, but glad you have found some guys with knowledge willing to help. I envy you and your tag!

It has also been touched on, but it is also important to remember that there are not large numbers of deer up where you will be. Just small pockets of batchelor bucks and not in every drainage or even in every other drainage. And you can't hike all the country to scout. So, if you don't have a really good set of binoculars, this is the time to invest in them. So many times I wished I had glassed more and walked less (usually just after busting a big-un). It was never more true as in the high country where the deer can see you before you see them due to lack of cover.

There are many others that have more experience than I, but I have always heard to try and locate them from above, or after you spot them, try and circle around and get above them for the stalk. Not always possible, but worth thinking about.

Again, good luck

txhunter58

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

 

[JohnH]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-06-06 AT 08:16PM (MST)[p] Sent you a pm ( might have sent you two by mistake)

 

[chambero]

I don't know if you are an experienced backpack hunter or not. If you are not, buy the best gear you can afford and then some. Those high altidude hunts will whip you and can be a little dangerous with weather if you can't get dry and warm. I learned the hard way in 2003.

Suggest you get a very good light weight pack, tent, and sleeping bag. You will be way up and a long way from help or resupply. Strongly suggest you check out www.kifaru.net if you aren't familiar with their products. They changed the way this Texan hunts. Their stuff is pricey, their tents may sound weird at first, but you can't hardly beat them in my mind. There are other followers of their equipment on this board also. Do a search.

Unfortunately, I don't know a thing about the unit you are heading to.

I commend those of you willing to help this guy out. We tend to be way to reluctant to share our knowledge. This stuff is supposed to be fun!

 

[txhunter58]

By the way, how many points did it take to draw the tag?

txhunter58

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

 

[Hiker]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-06 AT 04:14PM (MST)[p]Another thing that might help when hunting these High Altitude areas. These deer will usually feed up (above timberline) sometimes 1000 + feet up and bed down (in the timber) and usually on the north face.
Kind of reverse of what they usually do in lower areas.(Feeding down and Bedding up)

I hope you have a time hunting these velvet bucks.


Hiker

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

[JohnH]

I had three points going into this draw.

John

 

[PleaseDear]

That makes sense, 3pts res. and it takes me 5pts non-res..

Let me know when ya get your maps John.....

How exciting for you!

Robb

 

[huntharder]

JohnH -

I also drew this tag for this year (mine took 5 preference points). Yes I am a first time poster to this site, so I can appreciate both the grief you recieved as well as the desire to protect sacred information expressed by some of the long-time, hard-core hunters. I am also looking for general information about the area (access points, past experience, etc.), and would be willing to compare notes with you over the summer if you are willing. Send me a personal email to [email protected].

I have hunted many times for elk in unit 43, and also mulies around Pagosa Springs. If anyone needs info on these areas, I'm more than willing to share!

Hunt Harder!!!

 

[Gator]

sent you a PM

 

[cabinfever]

Never hunted this area, but have looked at some topos of the unit.Rough and rugged is the picture I got!My advice is hunt high, and make sure you are physically and mentally prepared. Find your buck this summer and than go back and kill him. I hope you are set up with some good optics. Glassing is what you should be doing 90% of the time.Have fun!

Mike