High Country Hunters

[Mike1187]

Question for you early season, high country hunters:
What do you consider High Country? Above 11k? Anything above treeline?

What high country elevation have you found to be the most productive? For example, in the unit I hunt elk, I consistently find them btw 9500’-10,200’. However, I’m sure there are herds above that too, I just don’t have to go that high to find them.

 

[IdahoBeav]

About 7500' and up is what I consider high country.

 

[Bubblehide]

It depends on the area, but generally from 8,500-9,000 and above.

 

[kodyshriver]

Somewhere between halfway up the mountain and the top of the mountain.

Some mountain ranges top out at 7k, but still have alpine features (think cascades).

 

[Poser]

I usually think of "high country" as alpine, so, round here, that's going to start around 11,600 feet. You do get a significant shift in vegetation around 10,000 feet, though -I'd consider that the minimum "high country" elevation in Colorado, but I think of that as more "sub alpine" as the alpine is another delineation. 7-10k is "mid elevation"

 

[theavgjoe]

I always considered above tree line high country, but it's a matter of perspective, I used to hunt with a couple guys that considered above 5000 ft high country, but they were from out east. I would agree with Poser's more technical explanation.

 

[Poser]

I used to hunt with a couple guys that considered above 5000 ft high country, but they were from out east.

Imagine thinking of Pueblo as the "High Country"

 

[Tryin]

Imagine thinking of Pueblo as the "High Country"

Its easier when you live at 684'... (me)

 

[theavgjoe]

Imagine thinking of Pueblo as the "High Country"

That's where I lived for most of my life.

 

[Mike1187]

Thanks fellas! Poser’s explanation aligns more for the areas I hunt. My elk spot certainly wouldn’t be considered Alpine but is higher than some other hot spots around the state.

 

[Poser]

Its easier when you live at 684'... (me)

So, what is Leadville? The Double Extra High Country?

 

[sodaksooner]

I shot my last buck at 12,300 feet, so I guess that qualifies. Above timberline is about 11k where we hunt....Leadville area BTW....

 

[Jimss]

There are a gob of units with "high country" in Colorado with extremely low deer populations. Where I scouted mtn goats a couple seasons ago I spent multiple weeks during the summer covering miles and miles of country and only saw a handful of deer in that time. Where I moose scouted/hunting in a different "high country" unit this year I saw around a dozen deer. I was scouting every weekend this summer. I obviously was looking for moose, but spent hours upon hours glassing high alpine basins. The deer numbers through most of the "high alpine" areas in Western Colorado are at historic lows. Even during banner mule deer years "high country" bucks are distributed over an extremely large area. If you want to hunt "high country" bucks, especially "high alpine timberline bucks" in Colorado the next few years you may want to keep that in mind. It can get pretty frustrating at times.

Another consideration is that there is a gob of high country with few deer. Once the snow starts piling up, the deer tend to migrate and are concentrated more in mid-zones and winter ranges. Obviously a lot depends upon when the snow accumulates. This year is an example of little snow even into December so it was tough pickings with deer distributed through a lot of country during the rifle seasons.

One last consideration is that "high country" bucks in Colorado often go into seclusion once they shed their velvet. Where they hang out in alpine basins all summer long they tend to disappear into the trees in late Sept through Oct. Mature bucks can be especially tough to find during this time period.

 

[Tryin]

So, what is Leadville? The Double Extra High Country?

 

[Pistolpete28]

High country to me is where the trees start to become sparse, and the rock outcrops start to become prevalent

 

[Marble]

I think it will vary by state a bit. Tree line and above is what I consider high country. The deer may be still in some trees, but they are mostly the shrub type of tree and not grouped in to anything considered timber.

Where I hunt in CO, my high country bucks are all above 11k and generally hang between there and 12k until weather comes in. Then the ast majority move off of the open slopes into the Aspen and heavy timber.

Sent from my SM-S938U using Tapatalk

 

[Poser]

They love willow all summer long: Bed in it and eat in it. However, they stop eating it as soon as it turns the slightly bit yellow, usually just before hunting season. High Country deer also love rock out croppings/cliflines. They like to bed in the shade of the rock. You find a North facing rock outcropping with lots of willow nearby, or better yet, a North Facing rock outcropping in a thick patch of willow, you'll absolutely turn up high country bucks in the summer months. The rocks are like magnets for High Country bucks.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Timberline and it varies depending on latitude.

 

[Poser]

 

[J.B.]

I think the logical answer is above tree line. You guys are hunting and killing elk at elevations higher than sheep country here in Alberta. Most of our peaks are only 8-9k and tree line is 6-7k.
If you are E-scouting new country, look for terrain features and vegetation like @Poser said.