Mule deer behavior around Republic

[ganghis]

I was just up at the top of hills around Bonaparte and Republic for three days mule deer muzzy hunting (say 4000 feet).  Saw 30 does and just 1 buck (who I spooked and the only other guy out there shot  ).  Anyway, it was my first time up in that area and my first time out for muzzy buck.  Just wondering about buck behavior in those parts this time of year.  Do the older bucks tend to be up higher in the kettle crest like the migratory ones in the Cascades?  Actual buck:doe ratios can't be that skewed.  Or are they just in hiding out and more secretive this time of year?

[Mudman]

High and hiding... Promise...

[bigmacc]

High and hiding... Promise...

I agree, just being a little elusive. Some big bucks hang in those hills!

[Firedogg]

It is literally poached out up above Republic all the way to Bodie Mtn and down the north side until you hit bottom lands. . All the big respectable bucks hang out right in town.

[CampbellsCamp]

not like they used to. I was up there for a couple different weekends during archery season and there wasn't hardly any deer in the town. there is usually a handful of big bucks in peoples front yards and even walking through town, and there was only two does on two different weekends in town. didn't see nearly as many deer as we usually do. keeping my fingers crossed for late season.

[Mudman]

It is literally poached out up above Republic all the way to Bodie Mtn and down the north side until you hit bottom lands. . All the big respectable bucks hang out right in town.

There is truth in that.  Yet the ones away from roads are always there.  Seen some decent ones but never got one of those bigger guys.  If you want nice rack have to really earn it there.  Wolves are pretty bad there as well.

[kramman]

Was up in the Bonaparte area for muzzy. Out of 4 hunters we all had opportunities on nice mulies, but none of us could connect. There were less deer and more hunters then we've seen in the past.... saw small legal whitetail bucks almost everyday.... ran into a local we talked to and he said he'd never seen so many archery hunters as there were this yr. Maybe that accounts for the lack of does.