Colorado Scouting Help this Summer

[TEmbry]

Newbies Plea...

I want to learn Mule Deer. Elk too for that matter, but definitely Mule Deer. I will be living in Shiprock, NM this summer for an internship at an IHS Hospital. Driving over from Alabama, so I doubt I will have much at all to do on the weekends at all besides get out there in the mountains and try out gear/learn the ropes of scouting for mulies...

So here is my question, anyone willing to take on a partner for a weekend scouting trip to show me how you go about picking areas to glass from, what type of basins to look for, basically Mule Deer 101. I have done a similar style hunt in Alaska for Sitka Blacktails, but the "alpine" there was more around 2-3k feet. I've watched videos. I've read books. I've scoured maps. All of that is great, but it doesn't quite connect until you put the boots to the ground as you guys are well aware.

I am currently just building points so am no threat for stealing a spot, and will even choose a spot/unit myself if you are uncomfortable with me tagging along at a spot of yours. I am hoping to check out some of the units in the SW corner of CO, although I would drive about anywhere for a full weekend of scouting.

Just hoping to fill up a few weekends with plans and meeting new friends rather than killing time in a small desert town of 8k or so. lol

I'll also be heading down to the southern AZ desert units scouting for a unit to make a return trip for desert mulies in rut in January. I'd be more than happy to swap info or help out in return in any way possible.

 

[TEmbry]

And to further clarify, I am far from a "newb" at hunting, just with mulies in particular.

I am 22, in decent enough shape (probably not compared to some of yalls mountain legs), bowhunter only, and have every piece of gear known to man I feel like with an ever growing list of more to buy. I'm not looking for someone to teach the basics of stalking/hunting/etc.... just what to look for when scouting an area and your approach to summers out west prepping for hunting season.

 

[robby denning]

Hey man,
great questions and you're near some good country down there... The San Juans north and east of Pagosa Springs would be a logical place to look. Those bucks will summer around 11-12K depending on the terrain. A bowhunter could summer scout and those bucks would be close by come opening day in August. Just hit Google Earth and look for the green rocky basins, not so rough that only a goat could live in it, but not "smooth" either. Bucks like rocky country but it has to have feed.

Find country you can glass from about 1-2 miles away (usually means you can see lots of country that way) and spend a weekend watching it. You might be glassing a completely different mountain than the one you're on, but that is how you can glass a lot of country. Usually have to figure out how to access it another day, but those bucks will be close by where you spotted them. Early August is the best time to start...

God bless your hunt

 

[TEmbry]

Cool thanks for the tips, I will definitely keep that in mind. A trip this year will be out as I have to head back east for one last year of grad school before season opens up, just looking to get out and get accustomed to their terrain. I'll pour over google earth looking for the types of basins you are describing. Sounds like I may have to move a more quality spotter up on my list of "needs" although I'm sure the Vortex Nomad will do for now.

 

[robby denning]

That Vortex will do you just fine and scouting a year in advance is very smart. You'll be so glad you did, even if you're just eliminating country not to hunt. Keep us posted and if you photograph some country, post it up, we'll give you some opinion. If you go to the Rok Blog and look at the pic of the mountain on the "Thinking Too Big" post, you'll get a feel for the rocky green stuff I'm talking about.