High country bucks?

[Whitenuckles]

  Where are they all? Ive been up there twice, and yes there is still alot of snow. But Im just not seeing the numbers I have in the previous years. There is alot of vegetation and water for them. But still only about 1/4 of the deer I usually see. Does anyone have an explanation for this? Im starting to think there is a lion problem up there. We did see a wolf up there 3 days in a row last year. Maybe they have something to do with it
  Im heading back up there this weekend. Hopefully they just havent migrated up there yet, and they'll be coming out of the wood work this weekend. Or my trail cams will have some goods for me!

[MtnMuley]

I wouldn't be surprised this year if many don't even make it near their normal summer grounds in the high country.

[Skyvalhunter]

The ones I am seeing are alot lower than normal of coarse. So with ample green food lower they seem to stay lower and it's not like we have had warm weather and warm nights so when the snow does melt things can sprout out. Hell my garden is taking a beating between slus, snails and cold nights.

[bankwalker]

i have been seeing alot of bucks hanging around 3000k this year. not to many deer in general higher then that though

[nwalpineguide]

There are good numbers of high-country bucks at or above 5,000 feet elevation, now, where I stumble around from time to time. Yes, it's an odd year weatherwise, but those bucks have years of tradition in them. They'll return to traditional habitats.

[pjb3]

NUCKLES
I think if you saw a wolf, that might be the problem, they can do some damage.

[pjb3]

is this in your "normal" spot or somewhere else. My bear haunt above Granite Falls is under 3-5' of snow still

[GoPlayOutside]

Don't worry...they always show up...maybe just late.

[nwalpineguide]

I tend to agree. They always show up, eventually, and display high fidelity to the same general home ranges and core areas. This, if they make it through the winter bottleneck, spring migration gauntlet, predators etc.

The attached images are of the same buck taken this past week and the week before.

Enjoy!

[deerslyr]

Dam that bucks gunna be a bruiser!

[Goomsba]

Dam that bucks gunna be a bruiser!

[buckmaster_wa]

Thats a good buck. He has a big gut on him also!!!

[Whitenuckles]

Went back up this weekend and same better numbers. Still not what its usually like. Only got one shooter on my trail cam. But it only soaked for 4 days.

[throttlejocky20]

Some nice bucks remember you only need one.