How do I narrow down what spot I want to start my hunt at?

[rhendrix]

I've spent countless hours pouring over topo maps, talking to people om forums and via phone, but I still can't narrow down where I wanna start looking for mule deer when I get into Utah on the Wasatch Front. For you guys that have never gotten a chance to scout an area before hunting it, how do you narrow down where to start? I've got 10-11 days to hunt and don't mind burning plenty of boot leather, but I want to be effective and use my time most efficiently, what should I be looking for in an area that should make it a go to place to check out for mule deer bucks a couple of days before the opener? Thanks for any feedback anyone can give!

Ron

 

[shaun]

Go on the blog section of site. Robby broke down this subject well if memory serves me correct

 

[rhendrix]

Shaun, what article are you referring to?

 

[robby denning]

Thanks Shaun, Rhendrix, he's probably referring to "Thinking Too Big," and "Just Tell Me Where..."

What season are you hunting the Wasatch? (Aug/Sept archery, October rifle (outside of extended archery hunt), or late extended archery?

 

[sk1]

wish i had time to do some scouting for ya man, as it is i barely have time to check my trail camera.....i know we talked and im not much of a mule deer hunter as i focus on elk, but feel free to at least reference me for areas as to what the hiking pressure is like. so many hikers on the wasatch front, keep that in mind when searching

 

[realunlucky]

Thanks Shaun, Rhendrix, he's probably referring to "Thinking Too Big," and "Just Tell Me Where..."

What season are you hunting the Wasatch? (Aug/Sept archery, October rifle (outside of extended archery hunt), or late extended archery?

X2 on time frame

 

[realunlucky]

Early or late archery is probably the best

 

[rhendrix]

I'll be going early season, I know deer will be higher than 8,000 feet, there's a lot of places that look worthwhile but not knowing what the foot traffic is like, I just don't really know where to begin.

 

[sk1]

I'll be going early season, I know deer will be higher than 8,000 feet, there's a lot of places that look worthwhile but not knowing what the foot traffic is like, I just don't really know where to begin.

if you want to hunt high country mule deer that's one thing, but don't limit yourself to 8000+ feet, there are bucks all the way down to 5000 in the foothills. they are maybe a bit more nocturnal because of the heat and hikers, but they are there and some decent ones. Also they are harder to glass with so much cover. I'm not saying hunt at 5000ft as here in utah if you come that low you'll usually be in lots of scrub oak, but dont neglect a good looking area that's under 8000.

 

[trdhunter]

+1 on what sk1 said. In some areas where there is lots of hiker traffic up high, the deer seem to be lower than you would think to avoid the people. Not sure what part of unit your focusing on, but I can let you know what im seeing on the southern part of the unit as I scout for my muzzy hunt. Thus far I haven't seen anything to get excited about but I know they are around and I also have been gone a lot for training.

Also if you have 10 days you will be able to get away from most of the crowds just by being out during the week. Also if you get off of the main trails, you will ditch most foot traffic.

 

[Havok]

I agree with what trdhunter said. Also don't let the opener panic you. allot of the guys will kill themselves in two days and wont be back.

 

[Rizzy]

If a canyon has water in it and no trail along the bottom or top, then there will be deer in it. Best way to eliminate foot traffic is to go where there are no trails

 

[rhendrix]

Thanks gents, gonna go back and look at all the areas that I highlighted recently that have canyons with water in them and very little foot traffic.

 

[a3dhunter]

Thanks gents, gonna go back and look at all the areas that I highlighted recently that have canyons with water in them and very little foot traffic.

Remember to look for areas that let you glass several basins or hillsides, or allow you to move between basins easily for glassing.
Let your glass do the work.

Make plans, A,B,C,D,E so you don't feel like you are limited on where to hunt. (and remember, google earth lies!)

 

[rhendrix]

I'm gonna have multiple places that I wanna check out, I'm basically starting from the north end of the unit and working my way down, probably not the best strategy, but it's the only one that will let me utilize the road system to get up high and save myself from humping miles uphill when I don't need to.

What exactly can GE lie about? Water? Terrain?

 

[CaseyU]

It lies on judging elevation and distance!!! Back it up wita topo and good to go!

 

[Rizzy]

The mountains will be bigger and steeper than what they look like on google earth. I used to use it a lot, but now I don't. It's fun and really only useful on a large scale. Topo maps are better for judging access, finding water, and judging contours.

 

[a3dhunter]

What exactly can GE lie about? Water? Terrain?

Like rizzy said, the terrain will be steeper than it looks. It will let you see what glassing locations will look like, so that should be a big help.

 

[robby denning]

rhendrix,
here's the kind of country to look for and not look for. Some of you Utah guys could post up some pics. I just pulled these off the internet.

This country will probably hold more deer in the later seasons, but as the sk1 above said, don't limit yourself to just above 8000 feet. In fact, I often see bigger bucks in country like this than above timberline.

See that big mountain in the background? Most of that is goat country, but some of the lower slopes with the green feed and timber patches would hold bucks. The top is too rocky in most places. This would be your high country stuff.

too rough, too rocky

same as above

here's the winner of our photo contest. See how deep the feed is around that buck? That is the kind of place I find big high country bucks in, no matter the elevation.

If you go to the Rok Blog and look at that pic of the mountain on "Thinking Too Big", that mountain has the right amount of timber, feed, and rock to hold big bucks. Doesn't matter the state, that type of terrain/cover/feed is where I see high country bucks. With much hunting pressure, the bucks leave the open and head for the timber, though.

 

[desertcj]

Interesting...actually confusing! I asked a question along these lines here...http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?9248-High-Country-terrain and it seemed to me like the verdict was, well....might be easier to just read that thread.