Muley 101, where should I hunt?

[actionshooter]

HA you guys thought I was asking for a location........
 I do have a question, heres the scenerio.
 Tomorrow I'm leaving for a pack in hunt in Idaho wilderness, its a DIY and we won't have any transportation except our boots  . We will be hunting between 6500 and 8000' in elevation.
 The terain is STEEP and is timbered and timbered with burns, large grassy openings and open hillsides, some places are very rocky. So basically it has everything.
 Right now the weather is cold but dry and some snow is forcasted while we are there but it doesn't look like a lot. From talking to people who have been there lately, the bucks are still or are probably up high.
 I would like the muley profesionals here to throw me a bone and give me some advice as to maybe where to start looking. 
 What elevation, south slopes? In the rocks?
 Whats your idea?
 Thanks!!!

[boneaddict]

Idahos a big state.  Which particular wilderness at least or region are you headed.   Also if you are at 8,000 and you are afoot, bring some wool with you as the weather gets deadly serious real fast that far in and up this time of year.

[actionshooter]

I'm gonna be central, south central and ya its possible we will hit 8000'
 

[big_bucks]

Hunt until you find the does - the bucks will follow now that it's getting to be time for the rut. 

[fc2038]

Get up high were you acn see a couple of valleys and GLASS GLASS GLASS GLASS. When you think you are done GLASS some more. Find some avalanch shoots and glass those there still might be some feed there. If you see some does make sure to check them out it is getting about that time. I have a buddy flying into the Frank next friday. They do good every year, good luck to you.

[grizzlygibbs]

My advise to you and all high county Muley hunters is get David Long's book-Public Land Mulies.  Its got everything your looking for!  If your wondering where to get it look at Eastmans.com or an Eastman  hunting journal Magazine!


BTW  I have read it and it is worth it!

[boneaddict]

That is a good book.   Normally speaking the animals are on there way out this time of year and most of those tactics are more for your Aug-October hunts.  The Sawtooths/Soldiers and such there, the animals are already making their way to the rolling sage and stuff, why 45 used to be such a good hunt.  If the weather hasn't happened then get yourself to an area when it does they will move by you like a herd of cattle coming through.  If the weather has happened it turns into a glassing spot ans stalk type game.  Not sure of your specific area, but alot of that is benchy fairly open country with aspen and brushy draws.   

[grizzlygibbs]

That is a good book.   Normally speaking the animals are on there way out this time of year and most of those tactics are more for your Aug-October hunts.  The Sawtooths/Soldiers and such there, the animals are already making their way to the rolling sage and stuff, why 45 used to be such a good hunt.  If the weather hasn't happened then get yourself to an area when it does they will move by you like a herd of cattle coming through.  If the weather has happened it turns into a glassing spot ans stalk type game.  Not sure of your specific area, but alot of that is benchy fairly open country with aspen and brushy draws.   

If i remember correctly there were migratory habits and certain patterns that would probably help in the situation that Boneaddict states. 

[agchawk]

   actionshooter, I hunted Idaho earlier this month and the vast majority of the bigger bucks were still stickin' to the higher country. Although we got a little snow on the peaks opening morning, temps climbed into the 50s by midday...not enough of a snap to get them moving. The rut hadn't started yet either so the bigger boys were content to sit high, with most of them hanging out below the higher bluffs and in/around various chutes.
   We started out a bit lower but after seeing nothing but does, fawns, and a good number of forkies we headed higher up and almost immediately started seeing better bucks.
    Not sure how much help that is since this was a few weeks ago. I know it was already posted here, but the weather is starting to change...much more than we saw out there. If the weather turns, the big boys will start heading into the lower elevations.