Upcoming 4th season hunt, what am I missing?

[jwatts]

I was lucky enough to pull a 4th season mule deer tag in CO this year. It's in a unit that I've elk hunted several times. I'm pretty familiar with the area and the trophy potential. This summer I made a trip to scout and spent a few days in the lower elevation portions of the unit where I hadn't previously spent much time. I identified several places that I could access higher ridges and glassing points overlooking sage flats and open areas. I identified open and closed roads, and trailheads/parking spots that would offer access to multiple vantage points. I have my gear figured out. I am bringing my son (who also has an elk tag) so he'll have a spotting scope too. My tire chains fit, my winch is ready, my inreach works.

I plan to get to the unit 2 or 3 days before season opens. The plan is to split the lower elevation portion of the unit into 3rds. I'll look at the southern portion on the drive in, hit the middle and north/west side the next 2 days. I'll be looking for doe groups, looking for signs of rutting, noting what elevation I am seeing deer and going from there.

Am I missing anything? Any last minute tips before I head out next month?

 

[WeiserBucks]

Have you been there during 4th? Be prepared for potential bitter cold conditions.

 

[jwatts]

Have you been there during 4th? Be prepared for potential bitter cold conditions.

No, this will be my first trip to the area during the 4th. Coming from Mississippi I'll have every piece of clothing I own.

 

[5MilesBack]

Hopefully you have a really good heat source for your tent. Also, handwarmers are really nice in the cold, and not just for hands. Keep your water in a good cooler to keep it from freezing.

 

[jwatts]

Hopefully you have a really good heat source for your tent. Also, handwarmers are really nice in the cold, and not just for hands. Keep your water in a good cooler to keep it from freezing.

Even better than that, we're staying in a cabin centrally located to the unit. I am stocked up on Hot Hands and have some rechargeable handwarmers. My only concern is foot warmth. I'll keep plenty of socks handy to swap throughout the day. Good tip on keeping the water in a cooler for warmth. Not really something I usually have to consider. I like to keep several gallons in the truck to fill bladders and cook with.

 

[sndmn11]

My only concern is foot warmth.

Pack boots.

 

[chaza402]

No, this will be my first trip to the area during the 4th. Coming from Mississippi I'll have every piece of clothing I own.

No, this will be my first trip to the area during the 4th. Coming from Mississippi I'll have every piece of clothing I own.

Which part of MS your from?

 

[chaza402]

We all should be praying for the weather these dudes are talking about. It’s been hot AF and dry as hell out here. I’ve got a 3rd rifle and my area in the NW isn’t looking to good for sub-freezing temps.
Let’s hope this storm next week comes in and lays down some deep snow. And we get a couple more in the meantime Either way it won’t be near as biting as the cold we are used to down in the south (atleast the few days it is cold down there anymore)!!

 

[OKHunter84]

We all should be praying for the weather these dudes are talking about. It’s been hot AF and dry as hell out here. I’ve got a 3rd rifle and my area in the NW isn’t looking to good for sub-freezing temps.
Let’s hope this storm next week comes in and lays down some deep snow. And we get a couple more in the meantime Either way it won’t be near as biting as the cold we are used to down in the south (atleast the few days it is cold down there anymore)!!

I've been thinking the same thing and watching the weather. I have a 3rd rifle as well and it's looking better. Like you said hopefully beginning of next week it dumps some snow.

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Puffy pants! If you’re comfortable glassing, you’ll stay out longer and more likely to catch something moving.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Sounds like you have all your bases covered, good luck. Also remember it can get better every day, so if you can hold off the trigger the monsters tend to show up late to the party

 

[jwatts]

Which part of MS your from?

I live in Wesson, about an hour south of Jackson

 

[jwatts]

Puffy pants! If you’re comfortable glassing, you’ll stay out longer and more likely to catch something moving.

I don't have any puffy pants, but I do have some wool overpants that I plan to have in my pack for when we stop to glass. I may pick up some puffies though.

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

Depending on where you are hunting, might be good to do some research on the migration corridors in that unit if you haven't already. Could help concentrate your few days before season scouting.

 

[5MilesBack]

We all should be praying for the weather these dudes are talking about. It’s been hot AF and dry as hell out here. I’ve got a 3rd rifle and my area in the NW isn’t looking to good for sub-freezing temps.

I don't worry about daytime temps so much (I'm always on the move then), it's the night time temps that get COLD. Even first rifle got pretty darn cold this year. I see temps in the 20's at night every year at some point during archery season and that isn't a problem. But first rifle my daughter and I woke up at midnight one night shivering to heck, I even lit my double tank top heater to warm up. I never do that during September even in the 20's. Come third and fourth seasons, nights will be cold. Last year it was around -5 during third rifle in the mornings.

 

[chaza402]

I don't have any puffy pants, but I do have some wool overpants that I plan to have in my pack for when we stop to glass. I may pick up some puffies though.

Camofire has been pushing a couple of budget puffies (Kings Camo & Blackovis) on their site for around $115. I would definitely recommend those since they are super light, pack down to almost nothing, and are easy to zip on and off since the zippers go all the way up.
I’m from Madison- only reason I asked is cause I had a Jwatts I used to know way back in the day. Was wondering if the world was still as small as I remember it being!

 

[RyanT26]

I don't have any puffy pants, but I do have some wool overpants that I plan to have in my pack for when we stop to glass. I may pick up some puffies though.

You can find a pair of military surplus 3/4 puffy pants. They’re usually pretty cheap and work well.

Military Surplus M-65 Cold Weather Trouser Liner (Side Opening) Grade

This Trouser Liner was developed as a layering option for the M65 Field Trousers. This Liner simply attaches to any M-65 Field Trousers via button holes...

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[Savage99]

You’ll want to check out road closures if you’ve never been to the unit in the late season. I live here and it dawned on me last year when I got to place I’ve been before and there were a metric ton of vehicles and horse trailers parked at a closed gate across a FS road.


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[Mountainrancher]

Tire chains

 

[jwatts]

Tire chains

Good call. I have chains, but recently got a new truck. I need to make sure they fit