High Mountain Deer?'

[Nape.257]

Just got back from back packing trip went 24 miles round trip, found what we were looking for so my ? is.

We saw a Mule deer buck each evening a little after the sun set far enough to shade the mountain side.

So what is the possibility that he will be there a month and a week from know?

Thanks Nape

[300rum]

Really, no one knows.  Not what you want to hear but it is the truth.  The good thing is that if it holds a deer like him, it will likely hold others too.  You want to be there opening morning.  Good luck!

[300rum]

Just thinking back, I once found two good bucks in Mid-August.  They were together and all I got was a short glimpse of them.  They were also together (for a couple of moments) on opening morning of the modern firearm season, two months latter.   

You need to be there on the opener.   

[Nape.257]

I agree that know one knows, just wondering what others experiences are thanks for sharing yours.

We will be there the day be for the opener.

[deerslyr]

Ill agree with you'll never know. But I will say if you cant find him the first day, be mobile, move to the next drainage and glass hard. You'll turn him up sooner or later.

[Kowsrule30]

Scouted our butts off for ML deer last year.... Got there a couple days early and set up camp.... Yep same group of 3-5 bucks doing the same thing.... All legal and Dad and I weren't gonna be to picky.... They must read the regs cause we never saw them on the opener and finally found them or some of them in totally different areas miles away split up for the most part... And they wouldn't stay put.... Bed in different spots daily as well as feed.... We walked circles around ourselfs chasing those sneaky *censored*s and never got a shot off the whole season.... Only saw 2 other hunters on a drive to another drainage.... Good luck and have fun!!!   

[Nape.257]

The best part about being a long range hunter is that if I can see them and they will stay put for about 5 minute's they are in the bag.

But I still think it will be a long shot to actual see him and then actual get him.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[hillbillyhunting]

OR stay put and glass for a couple more days.  Sometimes it takes days for them to show themselves.  From what I can tell this is mostly dependent on the weather/moon.  Also, all it takes is one other hunter to pressure these guys into changing locations or going on lockdown (nocturnal).  As said before there will be more bucks in the area.  We have actually never shot THE deer we were after.  We scout as much as possible and go after the biggest buck we find during the preseason, but we usually shoot a different one.

Ill agree with you'll never know. But I will say if you cant find him the first day, be mobile, move to the next drainage and glass hard. You'll turn him up sooner or later.

[highmuley]

I see my biggest deer during my august and september scouting trips (seen many in the 180+ range). Very, very rarely do I see these bucks in october. Sometimes the biggins will linger a bit till they get pressured but, for the most part, these old (and very smart) bucks; 1. Move to private land, 2. Become nocturnal, 3. Begin their migration early or 4. Are poached/harvested prior to the october opener (note: were I hunt on the "other side" of the hill.....poaching is a very popular sport). Typically what we see are the 2 to 3 year old bucks. The 4+ year old bucks are wiley and tough.......in short, they are were they are and normally they are were you ain't.

[HighCountry10]

My answer would depend on how close your seeing him to a main trail (are others seeing him or might find him the days before it opens?).  If normal travel of this trail has a chance of disturbing him you might have to look around where you where seeing him.  My other question would be:  Do you feel like you were seeing him close to his main bedding area? 

Based on my experiences you have a very good chance of finding him close or exactly where he was if the two above factors fall in your favor.  Not having to get within 250 yds to close the deal is also a huge advantage if not a neccessity in the high country.

Good Luck!

[SWHUNTER]

Don't forget to consider that there may be better feed in other areas when the season rolls around.
The best feed in early August isn't necessarily the best feed from mid September on.
Just something to keep in mind. Good luck, hope you connect.

SW

[Branden]

I would be surprised if he wasn't there the beginning of September. He would even be there middle of September if the area doesn't get any high hunt traffic. I've seen bucks use the same beds in September that they used in July.

[Nape.257]

Thanks for the input guy's we are hoping he is there or at least some wear along that ridge.

This is a new aria for us so I don't know how many other hunters will be in the aria in September though I do expect there to be some.

Just hope we can shoot longer and faster.

Thanks again.