HuntFishCamp
FNG
I am deep into planning my first mule deer trip out west. I have backcountry camped/hunted on rifle and archery elk hunts in the past. My tag is 3rd season rifle in NW Colorado. The unit has national forest and scattered BLM land. I have been e scouting spots from the higher country in 8-9k to the lower BLM in 6-7k ft range. I have goals of hiking in 3-5 miles and hunting from my hot tent, solo. I am eager to put my new 14x binos/tripod to use. I have a couple drainages highlighted that seem harder to access that I hope will get me away from people in country I can hopefully glass up some bucks. Discussions with the biologist have confirmed that these areas should meet that description.
Now, my question is in regard to picking a spot to set up camp. The attached pictures are de-identified but not within the unit I will be hunting. Rather, they are a representation of the country I hope to hunt with numerous glassing knobs, creeks, mix of dark timber/aspens/brush/openings and tighter canyons that might enable stalks and cross canyon shots. Where would you ideally set up camp to be close to the action but avoid spooking deer out of the country? Factors I am considering are being close to water but not in the low bottoms (to avoid excessively cold nights). Looking for general suggestions.
I am prepared to arrive early morning 1 day before the hunt. Like I said, I have romanticized hiking in deep, setting up camp and hunting within a several mile radius for most of the hunt. I do realize that the spot I ultimately venture into may be desolate of game… I would have to pick up and move a day or two into the hunt. Committing to a basin in 3rd season could be a gamble. I do have road accessible spots I could revert to and I will try to scout those areas on the day before the hunt to get an idea of where the deer are. Would you prefer to stay mobile, with the truck? Or commit to a backcountry tent based hunt?
The red azimuth on the sample map is 1 mile for reference.
I appreciate anyone’s input.
Now, my question is in regard to picking a spot to set up camp. The attached pictures are de-identified but not within the unit I will be hunting. Rather, they are a representation of the country I hope to hunt with numerous glassing knobs, creeks, mix of dark timber/aspens/brush/openings and tighter canyons that might enable stalks and cross canyon shots. Where would you ideally set up camp to be close to the action but avoid spooking deer out of the country? Factors I am considering are being close to water but not in the low bottoms (to avoid excessively cold nights). Looking for general suggestions.
I am prepared to arrive early morning 1 day before the hunt. Like I said, I have romanticized hiking in deep, setting up camp and hunting within a several mile radius for most of the hunt. I do realize that the spot I ultimately venture into may be desolate of game… I would have to pick up and move a day or two into the hunt. Committing to a basin in 3rd season could be a gamble. I do have road accessible spots I could revert to and I will try to scout those areas on the day before the hunt to get an idea of where the deer are. Would you prefer to stay mobile, with the truck? Or commit to a backcountry tent based hunt?
The red azimuth on the sample map is 1 mile for reference.
I appreciate anyone’s input.
