Mule Deer Habits

[idahohikker]

Hey guys, I've been reading up on mule deer and seeing variation between when experts are stating that mule deer bucks move out of their summer patterns and drop into the timber. From my experience, I would think that they head into timber around the time that they shed their velvet, more or less around the middle of September (2nd or 3rd week). In talking to buddies who've hunted Region G's rifle season, which opens September 15th, deer seem to be moving into the timber after the early morning.

Also, do you see mule deer staying up above the timberline in summer patterns later in less pressured remote and trailless areas? It seems like they have less reason to drop into the trees for cover.

 

[Slim Jim]

In Nevada I’ve seen them quite often up above timberline during rifle season. Usually takes pressure, deep snow, and or rut before they come down.


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[bojangles808]

In Nevada I’ve seen them quite often up above timberline during rifle season. Usually takes pressure, deep snow, and or rut before they come down.


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where are they bedding then or using for cover above timberline? bedding behind boulders?

 

[robby denning]

opinions are different because areas are different. In Colorado, those big peaks are over 12,000 and even 13,000 so bucks will vacate earlier. In Wyoming, high country is more like 10,000, so sometimes the buck will be at and above treeline longer. Hunting pressure causes all big bucks to vacate open country, regardless of the elevation.

the trend is that after velvet rub, they get closer to the cover, but if no pressure or weather, they may linger longer. Hope that helps.

 

[Bulldawg]

Not disagreeing with you at all Robby but I’ve also seen some big bucks above tree line in At the end of the 2nd rifle season, with 4 inches of snow on the ground. So those big bucks can be up high later in the year just cause they don’t feel like coming down haha.

opinions are different because areas are different. In Colorado, those big peaks are over 12,000 and even 13,000 so bucks will vacate earlier. In Wyoming, high country is more like 10,000, so sometimes the buck will be at and above treeline longer. Hunting pressure causes all big bucks to vacate open country, regardless of the elevation.

the trend is that after velvet rub, they get closer to the cover, but if no pressure or weather, they may linger longer. Hope that helps.

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[robby denning]

yip Bulldawg, seen that too as 4" of snow isn't enough weather to move big bucks. I've heard of big bucks in two feet of snow up high before the rut kicks in. But also seen them leave country with zero snow once the rut kicks in if the does aren't there.

there really are no formulas you can apply across the West, as every area will have some differences IMO

 

[idahohikker]

Thanks for your insight, Robby.

 

[Idahomnts]

I hunt an area that has a bunch in early season still in velvet and even after it rubs off, semi open country, highest peak around is 10,000’
But hardly any sign in oct or after first snow , I am persistent in finding one of those big bucks I see in velvet during oct rifle hunt , but have yet to find a “pocket” that time of year ....

 

[Foldem]

I think it depends on the vegetation and elevation. Most of the high country I hunt in CO is 11,600-13,000' and that stuff starts turning brown pretty early-mid in September at which point they really seem to move into avalanche chutes and timber around 10,000 to stage until late October/early November.

 

[bohntr]

They'll follow the food!