Idaho Mule Deer Hunt with David Long

[ScottR_EHJ]

Hope one of them turns out to be the one. Any snow yet? Rained on us a bit and got cold.

 

[flatlander51]

goo luck out there today!

 

[robby denning]

David,
you're going to get up to about 4 inches of snow above 8500 feet by the last day, Wednesday. The storm is coming in in pieces so there should be some clearing at times so maybe you won't be fogged in the whole time.

As you know, first snow of the year can really catch those bucks off guard, hope it tips the scale in your favor.

 

[MOHunter]

Griz,

We are glassing both summer and transitional areas on this hunt. Deer are inhabiting both areas right now.

I rarely get to hunt in November, but when I do, I almost exclusively hunt the quakies. They are absolute deer magnets when there is snow on the ground during November.

Basically I have two ways I hunt them. If the terrain is relatively flat, I prefer to still-hunt through them. I will move relatively quickly until I see fresh deer tracks. At that point, I slow way down. Even while walking through the quakies I use my binos a lot. A guy can see a lot farther than you think in the quakies with binos.

When hunting steeper terrain, I will get on an opposing ridge and glass across the valley into the quakies on the other side. I honestly think that bucks feel they are hidden in the leafless quakies but little do they know they stand out like a sore thumb. In 2003 I killed a 197 gross B&C typical buck using this exact strategy. It is extremely effective.

Okay, I've got to ask a dumb question. I hear lots of guys talk about quakies, but don't really know what they are/look like. For a midwesterner, does anyone have pics of this type of country?

 

[robby denning]

"Quakies" are short for Quaking Aspen, or the Aspen tree. I think in the upper midwest they call them "popples" which is short for Poplars. Different trees, but look similar.

In this picture, the tip of the gun barrel is aligned with a patch of leaf-less quakies on the opposite hillside.

 

[david long]

Thanks Robby. Rain this morning. Visibility not good.

 

[david long]

Light dusting of snow on top.

 

[david long]

Raining pretty good now. We are kicking back drinking Starbucks VIA right now. Good stuff.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Via is awesome. So much better than the instant stuff that I used to have to pack in, and bring enough creamer and sugar to make it ok. The flavored stuff is a good change of pace as well.

Hope that rain turns to snow soon!

 

[2rocky]

David how do you overcome the urge to see what is over the other side of the hill?

I am constantly fighting my head that there are deer or other game animals somewhere I can't see and that I should be covering ground to find them.

Does it take spending 6 months worth of Salary on Optics and tripods to sit your butt down and glass?

 

[DWarcher]

David how do you overcome the urge to see what is over the other side of the hill?

I am constantly fighting my head that there are deer or other game animals somewhere I can't see and that I should be covering ground to find them.

Glad to see I'm not the only one fighting that affliction...

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Here is my short answer Rocky, if I am hunting deer you stay put. Especially if you have done your homework and scouted an area well during the summer. If I haven't scouted an area then the patients is even more key. Scouting is when you can cover more territory looking, but patients is still key. I am still learning(ask Robby...) about the most productive or bucky, areas to glass or even what parts of the season to glass where.

Deer blend in a lot better too, so it just plain takes more time. A buck I watched all summer bedded in an area the first time I saw him that hid him very well. When I went back to look at him again later turns out all I could find was part of his leg sitting out. Well sat there watching and eventually he showed me his antlers and it gave it away that he was a monster. A buddy ended up killing that guy.

If I am hunting elk, well they don't hide nearly as good and you can glass smaller pieces of real estate with better success. If they aren't in the 'elky' spots well you can move on a bit quicker. I glassed up 5 bulls last weekend, by moving from one opening to another and glassing into the trees where I know the elk bed down.

Elk also tend to move in larger areas and also pop out a bit more. Scouting is also key here too because if you know where the Elk are ahead of time, well they will likely be in those same spots sticking out like sore thumbs.

 

[robby denning]

MOHunter
there is an upclose pic of quakies in the thread below, post #7, and a deer to boot.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?3743-CO-Elk-Camp-2012&p=47414#post47414

 

[david long]

We are heading to town to get a jalapeño cheeseburger. Oh yeah! Hopefully the fog will clear out by this afternoon.

 

[robby denning]

jalepeno cheeseburger?
glad I'm not sharing a tent with you

 

[david long]

Rocky,

Years ago I was the same way. But I can honestly say, once I disciplined myself to plant my ass in one spot and be more patient, that is when I began to kill bigger deer. Like I said previously, most people would be absolutely bored hunting the way I do. I love glassing! I find it very enjoyable.

 

[david long]

Robby,

They are my favorite! Mmmmmm.

 

[HellsCanyon]

Been on hunting forums for over a decade, and this is one of my favorite threads for sure.

David, do you ever start a warming fire? My biggest issue with long term glassing is staying warm and comfortable...

 

[MOHunter]

X2 on a great thread. Thanks Robby for the pics.

I love Rocky's question about staying put. That's one of my biggest hurdles ever, and why I love to still hunt timber when at all possible. Doing in in the aspen groves w/ snow on the ground sounds like a great hunt to me. I've been struggling with whether to upgrade glass to help me stay put longer. I'd like to think it would at least give me more confidence in finding animals, which is huge.

On HCA's comment about staying warm. This thread reminded me of a hunt I saw on video (I think maybe Eastmans) where they were hunting in snow and glassing from fairly high (similar to Robby's pic). I distinctly remember them building a fire up near their glassing point. I never would have dreamed of doing such a thing! I think it was on the back side of a little ridge, but still. They ended up shooting a nice buck - in the quakies!

Any more info David can provide is certainly welcome. I love following these things!

 

[david long]

Never do have fires on the mountain. Something I have never done. I pack lots of layers to be prepared for all weather conditions.

Just got done eating lunch. It is flat out dumping rain. Glad I am in my truck

Just stopped along the road and glassed a small opening. Saw a small buck and a doe.

If this weather keeps up, I may just have a relaxing afternoon hanging out in my truck. Might even spoil myself with a nap