CO Above Timber Muzzy

[tdcour]

Anyone done any muzzy hunting in Colorado above timber for deer? The unit I want to archery hunt will take at least 1 point as a NR to draw, but has a decent chance to draw as second choice for muzzy. Are the deer still up high during muzzy season? I'm assuming it depends on what the weather has been leading up to the hunt? We hunted a different unit this year above timber on the archery hunt and they were flirting with the tree line by September 1, but the couple inches of snow and daily hail and freezing temps didn't help that. Apparently it was actually warmer after we left, which is about par for me. I'd like to hunt/scout for next year in the same area. Hunt dates are getting better this year and next, but in 2019 they will be late so I'm trying to get the hunts in before they get pretty late. PMs are always welcome, but I'm not looking for spots. Pretty sure I know exactly where I want to hunt. Mainly just deer habits above timber and when they move down since I've only hunted above timber once with the bow.

 

[Work2hunt]

I can only speak to my 1 time above treeline for mule deer and it was this past year on the early season high country rifle hunt which was the same hunt dates as the muzzleloader season. Hunting was difficult for mule deer this year at least in all the basins I was checking. It seemed that the warm weather, lack of rain, and dried up forage caused them to move down. I saw some deer before season started but by the time season started the deer had moved to timber. By the time I figured that out they seemed to be hiding pretty good and I had not scouted for a back up plan in the timber.

Don't stay stuck on above treeline. It was a great experience but be ready to move with the animals....that was my mistake I plan to make just this once.

 

[Slugz]

We personally don't like it during muzzleloader in our GMUs in NW Colorado. I don't know if it's like this in other parts of the state but Sept 15th consistently every year we find em on the conifer/ aspen regardless of weather and forage condition. For that reason alone we archery hunt when able.

 

[tdcour]

Thanks guys, I guess I should have added we are looking in southern Colorado if that helps. If they move into the tree line are they feeding above timber or just staying in timber the whole time?

 

[Work2hunt]

Again, my sample size is small, but from what I saw last year once they moved to the timber they did not come back out.

 

[HiMtnHnter]

Generally speaking, yes the deer are still using high country, above timberline during the season. However, they are few in number and which basins/drainage they use can very from year to year. The muzz hunt best serves those who can scout and be on them come the season.

 

[Musket Man]

If you can draw it 2nd choice I would go for it! You will be more familiar with the area for your archery hunt if nothing else!

 

[Rob P]

In my experience they were still up high during muzzy season as they had been the previous archery season. Some were rubbed however so probably not all of them

 

[BKC]

td, I am not very good with a bow or I would be doing what you want to do. I have enough pref points to draw any of the high country buck tags. I think I still want to wait a few more years to burn my points because the high country buck and the ML hunt happen at the same time for the next couple of years. In 2019 high country hunt happens one week earlier than the ML hunt. I know this is a long time to wait but I get into some pretty good deer on the eastern plains so I am willing to wait. You should try and hunt a unit that doesn't have a high country buck tag because then you will have to share the deer with ML and rifle hunters possibly. I would go early before the deer start dropping down and while you have good weather, before the rifle and ML hunters screw it up.