Teanaway Late Rifle - Heavy Snow Routes

[James Kyle]

Hello All,

New to the sight but not new to the State/Hunting/or Teanaway Unit. Traditionally I try and stay low key about everything to do with Hunting because I know once you have found an area with big bucks and no hunters you have found something special and I like to keep it that way....All that to say I am going come out of the shell and reach out about a tag I drew this year (Teanaway Late Rifle.) 

Teanaway is a unit that is struggling and everyone knows it Wolves/Cougars are thriving and the game is dying but at the end of day even though it is not like it was 10 years ago there are still thriving pockets of deer with killer genetics. I have never put in for this tag as first choice because I was scared about how the deer would act once snow hits (do they all head into Suncadia for a relaxing winter was my though?) Earlier this year I spoke to the game biologist in this unit about how the snow effects this herd/routes and he pretty much said our funds do not cover tracking this herd and that he really doesn't have an idea of where they all migrate to???

I said what the hell I am going to give it a shot put in first choice and actually drew the tag.

Question I have for the folks on this sight is what do the deer do? How do they handle snow 3 feet deep at 4,000ft?

IMPORTANT -  I am not looking for insights about specific roads or drainages, if you want to share that information lets take it into a PM. I am asking about there habits, for example once snow and pressure hits do they head for the resort/private ground in the low land or do they hang in it until it is chest deep....Migration routes preferred but not detailed on sight.

Thanks All for the read and make it a great hunting season!

[Skyvalhunter]

If they are not already hanging at the ranches at the head or the valley they will if snow is deep enough. Suggest just going up the drainages Dickey, jack, etc and cut tracks.

[ShadowHunter]

The depth of snow you're thinking about at the time of your permit (I'm assuming modern firearm "quality deer"?) is more likely than not, not going to be anywhere near that depth yet.  Some bucks will already be on private ground because of hunting pressure, but not because of snow.  If you're looking to catch migrating deer at that time of year, mid Nov., you'd be better off looking further west in the unit.  On a "good" snow year, we're just starting to get some snow in the valley here after Thanksgiving, with "maybe" a foot or 18" higher up in the surrounding hills and peaks.  Congrats on drawing the permit...that I wanted!     

[Jimmy33]

Mature mule deer will stay in the high country much longer than does and immature bucks. In that unit in particular, you will see a push of those big bucks coming down in some form during the rut and then again when they run out of feed in the high country. Keep in mind our high country has much more available forbes than others across the West and they will hang for a while up high as a result. My suggestion in that unit is to get up high and hunt. There are nice deer in the unit for sure. I’ve shot 170” in the teanaway before but they are few and far between. The steeper nastier stuff will hold the nicer bucks. If you get a good snowfall, you’ll be able to track those bucks and find them on an open hillside or spot them easier in the timber.


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[Cleetiswillfeedus]

Following as I drew Teanaway Late Muzzle loader.

[mikelonsford]

Hi James
I drew the tag as well.  I was disappointed to see only 3 bucks taken with the permits last year.  My plan was to start as high as I can and glass a bunch.  I’m planning on scouting Oct and first week Nov.  Aug /Sept I’ll be concentrating on elk.  Good Luck to you!

Mike Lonsford

[Letmwork]

They are there, just have to know where to look.

[James Kyle]

Thanks for sharing, I feel like I have seen that buck before if this is last years picture.

[teanawayslayer]

They are there, just have to know where to look.

that would be a buck in summer range. Little different come November.

[bullchaser]

 Get good at glassing timber, 8’ tall buck brushand small openings.

[James Kyle]

Bullchaser you know I am an expert at that!!!!....Thanks brotha, we should have been on this tag together but obviously your luck panned out!

[teanawayslayer]

They are there, just have to know where to look.

looks a little like Knox creek

[Qaib Thai]

Just curious how many points did it take to draw that unit. I have also been putting in for that unit but haven’t been lucky enough to get drawn yet. GL with that tag I’m sure around that time of year there hasn’t been enough snow to really push the deer down. My uncle drew that tag about 5-6 years ago and they were seeing a good amount of deer.

[James Kyle]

Drew it with 8pts

[bullchaser]

Teanaway, is Knox in 335?