Colorado Timberline Bucks

leonard

Active Member
Messages
364
Just was wondering if anyone has spent much time later in the seasons (mid-Oct or early Nov) chasing bucks in the high country above or at timberline? I also was wondering if the deer stay high until rut and/or snow pushing them down? I have a 2nd season tag and was interested about the possibility of coming across a big deer in the higher up areas? How much snow usually snow normally pushes the deer lower? Good luck to everyone out this year and thanks for the comments.
 
Unless there is 2 feet of snow, there will be some deer at timberline during the 2nd season.Just make sure your prepared for anthing if you go in after them.

Mike
 
Cabinfever,

Thanks for the information. I thought the same thing and it might be a good way to minimize the hunting pressure.
 
Don't be so concerned with locating yourself at timberline....instead concentrate setting up along where the snowline ends. I hunt the high country in Unit 55 and it has its fair share of timber, but in second season it always seems that a particular elevation will get and hold snow for a while. I have found the most consistant success by setting up along the general elevation where the snow line ends...you will be watching a highway of activity. Too many people head down to the lower sage brush country when it snows instead of just dropping down to snowlines general lowest point...which could be up in a treeless high country basin or well within timberline. Concentrate on that general elevation of lowest snowline and you'll see them all big and small.
-CB-
 
Thanks CB -

Do you normally mostly glass and locate deer and then stalk? Or do you mainly still hunt through areas that hold game? I never have got a big mule deer buck yet, but I have the fever. I mainly wanted to hunt some isolated terrian and remote from the crowds. It makes sense what you have said. BTW, Crested Butte is a great area for outdoor activities, I really enjoy the Gunnison basin.

Leonard
 
Leonard,
I mostly glass, locate'em and then set up in the area the next day. However I killed a buck in 2005 while stalking thru the snowline edge inside dark timber. I had been sitting in a basin above the timber where I could see the snowline as it meandered thru the timber. I had seen deer going into the timber as light broke, but it was too early to tell what they were. The thing I noticed was they never came out of the timber, because from my vantage point I could see all of its perimeter and lower back side. At about 2 p.m. I got up dropped down and started stalking thru that timber along the snowline to see if I could put a sneak on a bedded deer. As I was going thru a buck heard me and rose up out of his bed, but looked as if he was still shaking off the sleep. That gave me enough time to drop him. At the sound of that shot...the woods exploded with deer that were bedded with him and on down the trail from him...but all of them were right along that snowline. Do a search here on the site by typing in Gunnison as a keyword search. It will show you a few past topics posted. Find the one titled "Who Applied For Gunnison." Find my post within that topic dated 4/9/07. Attached are pic's from that hunt I just described. My two buddies that hunted with me also got their bucks along the snowline edge. I shot mine at 10,600 elev., the one in the middle was shot at 9,800 elev. and the one on the far right was shot at 10,400 elev. all from (3) different areas but within 5 miles of each other. -CB-
 
CB your 110% right they like to stay right on the snow line, I think they can then move back up if the snow melts or move down if it snow more, they don't have to travel for water And with that thick winter coat if might be to warm farther down the mountain. Hunt the snowline is what I would do too.
 
Thanks so much for the insight. I will plan to hunt the snowline. That makes a lot of sense. I went scouting today and realized how difficult the high country can be on the body, but I love it. Good luck gentlemen on the upcoming season.
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom