How much snow????

[huntingdad]

I’m headed out this week for second rifle in Colorado chasing mule deer for the first time. No real high expectations since it’s a left over tag. I’m just going to be happy being in the mountains. That being said, I’m going to give it my all in order to harvest the most mature buck I can find. My initial plan was to drive and park around 10k and hike higher up to 11,000 and runs a few ridges glassing across the high plateaus and down some giant basins and drainages. I’m hoping to be there by Wednesday afternoon although it may be Thursday (17 hour drive). I wanted to give myself 2 days to make sure I can access the area I wanted and to be able to scout for a few days and locate deer (hopefully) even if they are a mile or more away. Obviously I will be taking mental notes of what elevation they are at and if there is any type of pattern/similarities between groups of deer I’m seeing (forage, cover, slope direction, etc).

With that being said, I came across a website called mountain forecast. I was able to type in a mountain that is 4-5 miles away at the same elevation 11,500 and this is the forecast this week.

It is calling for 28 inches of snow in this weeks forecast up high with half coming Friday.. So, my question is how much snow before deer drop to lower elevations? I anticipate some of this melting off but with the temps it may not be much. Has anyone else used this website and if so is it accurate? Any other websites I can use for accurate forecasting?

I guess I should also be aware that while I do have a slightly lifted 4x4 truck with new bf Goodrich ko3 all terrains I don’t have snow chains and if the snow is deep enough this may not matter anyways. lol

Although I would be around 10500-11000 in elevation the drainages and basins drop down to 9000 and even lower miles to the south east. This unit has elevation from 12,000 to 6500.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! I’d hate to burn 2 days freezing my butt off in an ultralite tent looking in an area where deer are not.

Thanks!

 

[Hnthrdr]

Hmmm if they are getting 28 inches up high I would plan on hunting quite a bit lower…

 

[HighUintas]

I have chased Bucks in 18". But not 28".

For forecasts, I used to use that one and it's decent. I now use NWS point forecast where you can select a spot on the map. For me, it's extremely consistent in providing worst case mountain weather and generally not terribly far off

 

[huntingdad]

I have chased Bucks in 18". But not 28".

For forecasts, I used to use that one and it's decent. I now use NWS point forecast where you can select a spot on the map. For me, it's extremely consistent in providing worst case mountain weather and generally not terribly far off

Thanks!!!

 

[huntingdad]

I have chased Bucks in 18". But not 28".

For forecasts, I used to use that one and it's decent. I now use NWS point forecast where you can select a spot on the map. For me, it's extremely consistent in providing worst case mountain weather and generally not terribly far off

NWS point forecast has a total of maybe 4” for the week of snow. That’s a huge difference. Lol

 

[huntingdad]

I have chased Bucks in 18". But not 28".

For forecasts, I used to use that one and it's decent. I now use NWS point forecast where you can select a spot on the map. For me, it's extremely consistent in providing worst case mountain weather and generally not terribly far off

Can you explain what snow level (X1000’) means?

 

[HighUintas]

Can you explain what snow level (X1000’) means?

I believe that means the elevation at which the precip will be snow. 8.5 being 8500ft.

 

[kota]

I use the NWS forecast as well.

And would recommend picking up a set of tire chains. I have them for all 4 tires, and actually use them in mud as much as I do snow. They have saved more than 1 hunt…

 

[RockAndSage]

- Get chains and sturdy chocks; practice putting chains on before making your trip while imagining doing it kneeling/laying in mud; put the chains on if there's any snow on the ground and just leave them on, as you will definitely not want to put them on at 5am in the dark driving 2k' higher in elevation or in a foot of snow.

- In some places in some conditions, you can catch herds moving down from a big snowstorm. The biggest bucks will not be with the does, but behind them, letting them essentially scout ahead and using them as an early warning system.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Sounds like you need to bring you snowmobile.