CO 3rd Rifle Thread

Poser

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
5,614
Location
Durango CO
I've been out scouting 3 days so far. In this area (Southwest), I haven't seen any bucks with does yet.
I did check 3 different migration corridors this weekend and there has been a good bit of migration activity. With a significant storm rolling through mid week, I'd expect all mule deer to be within their Winter ranges by the opening day. I noticed that at least a few elk have even started migrating down as well.

If you're headed in from out of state, I'd make full Winter preparations. The mountains will be getting about 2 feet this week with the initial wave on Tue and Wed and a round 2 which will mean that it may be still snowing opening morning.

 

Brianb3

WKR
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
731
First time in a while it’s lining up for third n skipped over 2nd.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
P

Poser

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
5,614
Location
Durango CO
Can’t wait to play the public/private game all week..

Unfortunate reality of late season mule deer hunting. I spent some amount of years trying to hunt 3rd rifle in the backcountry. I've since thrown in the towel and hunt close to property lines on the edge of town. -looks a lot more like Whitetail hunting than classic Western mule deer hunting.
 

CoMulies

FNG
Joined
Jan 4, 2024
Messages
64
Unfortunate reality of late season mule deer hunting. I spent some amount of years trying to hunt 3rd rifle in the backcountry. I've since thrown in the towel and hunt close to property lines on the edge of town. -looks a lot more like Whitetail hunting than classic Western mule deer hunting.
Haha yep. Was hoping for a bit less snow so they wouldn’t be quite as pushed down but it is what it is. Good luck out there!
 

sndmn11

"DADDY"
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Messages
10,362
Location
Morrison, Colorado
I'm glad you posted @Poser !

My brother has a bull tag and last I checked the mega extended forecast, it looked bluebird-ish.

Where we hunt, some snow keeps people from nesting the elk, and it plays well into how I like to hunt.
 
OP
P

Poser

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
5,614
Location
Durango CO
I have a (non migratory) herd of does in my neighborhood that I see 5-10 times a week. I noticed last night and this morning that their numbers have doubled which suggests migratory deer have moved in.
 

WTFJohn

WKR
Joined
May 1, 2018
Messages
458
Location
CO
I'm glad you posted @Poser !

My brother has a bull tag and last I checked the mega extended forecast, it looked bluebird-ish.

Where we hunt, some snow keeps people from nesting the elk, and it plays well into how I like to hunt.

We have about 8" on the ground at 8k ft, and more falling now. It was knee deep above 10k last week. Deer are definitely moving down & out of this country heading for winter range.
 

Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Messages
3,533
Location
The West
Looks like it will warm up for 3rd, but fantastic weather leading into it. Setting up for great hunting opening day… if you can get back to your spot haha
 

Ucsdryder

WKR
Joined
Jan 24, 2015
Messages
6,629
Looks like it will warm up for 3rd, but fantastic weather leading into it. Setting up for great hunting opening day… if you can get back to your spot haha

Always looking for reasons to leave my rzr at home. It’s going this weekend…with chains! Let’s gooooooo!
 

Trogon

WKR
Joined
Feb 17, 2015
Messages
1,300
Location
CO
I’m heading to the far NW corner of CO to hunt a limited tag. First time seriously looking for a “trophy” buck, should be interesting. It’s been cold but doesn’t look like a ton of snow has accumulated yet.
 
Joined
Aug 8, 2017
Messages
55
Location
CO
I was hunting elk 2nd season Southwest of Denver and the heat had the elk disappear but the one day the temps dropped a bit to highs in the 30s I saw 30 does and 9 bucks. One buck was rutted up with does and a couple of fork horns in his group, another bigger buck was with 5 does and not swollen up yet, and then there was another bachelor group with 2 big bucks and 4 fork horns rolling together, with a big group of does a few hundred yards away. I think the snow this week will definitely help the 3rd season opener be a good one.
 

WTFJohn

WKR
Joined
May 1, 2018
Messages
458
Location
CO
It will be boots from the FS road for me haha trekking poles going in 4 low


If you don't have these, you aren't in 4 low. Use the snow pads they come with to prevent balling underfoot.
 

Hnthrdr

WKR
Joined
Jan 29, 2022
Messages
3,533
Location
The West

If you don't have these, you aren't in 4 low. Use the snow pads they come with to prevent balling underfoot.
I don’t have quite the deluxe crampons but hoping the yak trax or snowshoes serve me well, hunting by a buddies house so will have a good report on conditions come Friday
 
Top