Big snow ahead of rifle opener

[160andup]

First rifle tag in a pretty decent draw unit in Wyoming. Have archery hunted several tags in different states, but never mid October and with a rifle.

How will this forecasted snow in portions of WY high country impact the rifle hunt? I’m sure it will settle and mostly melt off by the time 10/15 rolls around, but 10-18” of forecasted snow must do something?

 

[hiker270]

Make it tougher for you to get around, elk not so much. Possibly move some cows with calves to lower elevations but bulls usually stick around till the snow gets deeper.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Snow will generally improve the elk hunting. About every other year we get something decent ahead of the season. Not looking great this year in a lot of WY. So far…

 

[Steve O]

Increases visibility for sure.

 

[noisy]

Increases visibility for sure.

For real. Makes em stand out like a sore thumb.

My two cents, don't make any stupid decisions but also don't use it as an excuse to be overly cautious and stay in your sleeping bag (speaking from experience here). If things don't look too extreme get out there and use that snow to your advantage.

 

[snowymtnwolf]

During the snow and prob immediately after they will feed heavy - but snow will melt and elk will get back to their routine (still early). Keep eye on the cycles to follow.

Snow cycle x snow cycle

Bitter cold is what really gets em active. And bulls won’t really move/transit until several feet of snow stacks up and stays around


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[Huntnnw]

During the snow and prob immediately after they will feed heavy - but snow will melt and elk will get back to their routine (still early). Keep eye on the cycles to follow.

Snow cycle x snow cycle

Bitter cold is what really gets em active. And bulls won’t really move/transit until several feet of snow stacks up and stays around


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Place i hunt in Idaho all the elk vacate the high country in Mid to late october with any snow. I have ran trail cams over winter for 8 years and yet to get a single elk pic in November

 

[Pony Soldier]

The snow can make travel a bit more of a challenge and it may trigger movement of elk. However it is what follows that makes the differance. If it freezes and the snow is a dry powder - the good times continue. If you get a warm front after the snow and then it freezes, the crunchies can make things tough.

If it thaws, 8-10" of wet snow is a bear to work through. Or the nasty program, the north sides are frozen and crunchy and the south sides are dry and bare or patchy.

Every situation makes hunting a challenge.