Best Time for High Hunt Scouting...?

[MichaelJ]

Hey guys, I'm in the same boat as most of you I'm sure as we all realize summer is uppon us and scouting season is here... Making preparations such as going over gear checks, pricing out new equiptment and pondering over maps and trail access areas in search of that honey hole...

I've done the high hunt twice, and have only gotten in a handful of scouting trips.  I got to spend quite a bit of time with my work there last summer, but all the areas we were in weren't far off the trail and that's not what I want for my sept. hunt. This summer I want to make it a point to take 3-4 trips into the highcountry to find an area to hunt (got a very good lead on a good area).

What in your opinion is the best month to get up and scout?  Are the bucks moving back up now to their summer grounds or are they holding out in that mid range waiting for all the snow to melt off the high country?  If you could only have 2-3 trips this summer, when would they be?  Is it pretty pointless to spend the time in mid june on a trip up there, or would I be better to focus our efforts in late July and August?  If everything works out, I'll be in school August 25 and have other things that will take up my weekend time this summer such as finding a place to live, grandparents visiting, two friends getting married...etc  I want to make the most out of my trips.

Michael

[tlbradford]

I like to scout as close as possible to the time I will be hunting.  However, if you are totally unfamiliar with the area, get some topo maps, try to identify areas that may hold deer on paper, and then get into the area to verify or revise your data.  Then as hunting season approaches you can concentrate your scouting to areas that will hold deer if they are around.

I think the best scouting is done during the hunting season for the following year.  If you tag out the first day, spend the rest of the trip identifying areas that are holding deer during the season.   

[DOUBLELUNG]

Late July to mid August.  Bucks are hanging in the open while their antlers are still actively growing, once the antlers harden off they will become much more secretive.  Where you find them in August should be the same general area where they will be at least into early October.

[Skyvalhunter]

But keep in mind the high hunt is Sept. !5th-25th. Good to know the snow level is 3500 ft today

[MichaelJ]

Thanks guys, I think I'll be able to do most of my scouting in July... Might sneek one in the first week in August but just gonna have to play it by ear...

Sky,
When do you think the snow will be gone from those areas?  If I had to guess I'd say that we still got a solid 2 weeks until the high country really opens up... What do you think?

Michael

[bobcat]

When do you think the snow will be gone from those areas?  If I had to guess I'd say that we still got a solid 2 weeks until the high country really opens up... What do you think?

Michael

My guess would be about the middle of July.

[Snowman]

    Thinking along the same lines bobcat.

[shanevg]

When do you think the snow will be gone from those areas?  If I had to guess I'd say that we still got a solid 2 weeks until the high country really opens up... What do you think?

Michael

My guess would be about the middle of July.

  If not longer with another two feet coming up in the mountains. 

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the '.02s' guys.  Do you guys think that will keep the bucks down and hanging up in that midrange or do you think they'll get restless and head all the way up regardless?

Michael

[Snowman]

They are going to be where they can access food easly.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well I would normally say that end of July alot of snow would be gone but if we don't start getting warmer nights and days that might be a little longer. But in any case you can follow the snow line up and the will be feeding on the fresh vegitation. I know alot of the lakes that I hike to probably will have snow around them until late in the summer.

[Little Fish]

This observation isn't based on first hand experience, but I understand they will follow the snow line up...as it melts and fresh grass grows they will work their way up the mountian. Based on past early summer hikes I think you will have quite a bit of snow higher up all the way through July.

[MichaelJ]

That's about what I figured little fish... I guess all I can do is get up there come july and figure out some places...

Michael

[MichaelJ]

Hey guys, one more question, what directional facing slopes do you tend to see more bucks in the high country???  Just curious as because in looking at maps (especially with Google Earth) I'm finding a lot of good country far away from the trails, but not sure in what high country bowls I should be looking at.  Thanks.

Michael

[DOUBLELUNG]

This year I'd probably spend more time on south sides.  In a dry year, move around to the shady side.  It's all about groceries and security.