High Country Mule Deer Hunt 2015

[Mr_steve]

Well my friend Shayne and I just finished our big trip of the year, MT elk and WY antelope. Each year we are able to go on one big trip. Next year we have decided on a high country mule deer archery hunt. I'm thinking the large bowls with no trees and lots of glassing style of hunting. We have gear to backpack in for a few days and will probably have 7 days of actual hunting available. We are physically fairly fit and looking for adventure without hiring a guide. We have one point in both CO and WY but would consider any state. We keep talking about going to AK but I think we are a couple years out from that. Not looking for anyones honey hole just a starting point such as a general area or mountain range so I can begin scouting and research. Growing up in ND we have no concept of high country so we are excited to give it a try! Thanks in advance for the insight. More than willing to share knowledge of our antelope and elk trips as well as ND hunting in exhange.

So the question is: What state or general area would you go to for a high country mule deer archery hunt?

Thanks again for any information you're willing to share. I love hunting but planning/dreaming sure is a lot of fun too!

Steve

 

[Kodiak32]

I don't think you would go wrong in WY or CO for a high country mule deer hunt. With 1 PP in both states you have a lot of options for archery if your willing to get off the beaten path. Checkout Eastmans MRS they have a lot of good info that may help you narrow down your decision. One thing to keep in mind in the WY wilderness areas you'll need a guide or need to be accompanied by a resident, in CO you do not. Let me know what you decide and I'll try and help where I can. I think you and your buddy are making a good choice a high country hunt is tough to beat IMO.

 

[AT Hiker]

Save your point and try for region F WY, unless your scared of the Grizz...which I am , so have at it!

Alternate between WY and CO and in no time you will have points accumulated to go in with a rifle and finish any unsettled business.

 

[Mr_steve]

Save your point and try for region F WY, unless your scared of the Grizz...which I am , so have at it!

Alternate between WY and CO and in no time you will have points accumulated to go in with a rifle and finish any unsettled business.

It does look like I could draw region F as second choice therefore gaining a point. It does look like a good percentage of the high country is wilderness and would require a guide but I feel there may be areas that are good high country and not wilderness. I am not afraid of being in a G bear area at this point.

Looks like We would have a chance at drawing region H with 1 point but it will take at least 4 points for region G.


UPDATE: Looking closely at Colorado Unit 74 and Wyoming Region F. Can I draw 74 for 1st season archery as my second choice so I can gain a point? Looks like it is 100% if I use a point (correct me if I am wrong). Region F General looks like 100% draw. Can you draw this as your 2nd choice to remain gaining points? Is there decent high country opportunities in Region F? Open to other options but this is where I am at.

 

[ScottR]

It does look like I could draw region F as second choice therefore gaining a point. It does look like a good percentage of the high country is wilderness and would require a guide but I feel there may be areas that are good high country and not wilderness. I am not afraid of being in a G bear area at this point.

Looks like We would have a chance at drawing region H with 1 point but it will take at least 4 points for region G.


UPDATE: Looking closely at Colorado Unit 74 and Wyoming Region F. Can I draw 74 for 1st season archery as my second choice so I can gain a point? Looks like it is 100% if I use a point (correct me if I am wrong). Region F General looks like 100% draw. Can you draw this as your 2nd choice to remain gaining points? Is there decent high country opportunities in Region F? Open to other options but this is where I am at.

The MRS will lay all of that data out pretty well during application season.

 

[woodtick]

Steve, look into CO!! I'll give you a direction and you finish the grunt work. Flat Tops, Eagles Nest, Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Raggeds, Uncompahgre and Lizard Head are wilderness areas in Colorado that'll give you what you want. It's up to you to do the research now, Wyoming is a great state for Mule Deer but I still think Colorado is better and has way more options for a guy to gain points and draw second choice tags, especially if he's looking into archery!!

 

[Mr_steve]

Steve, look into CO!! I'll give you a direction and you finish the grunt work. Flat Tops, Eagles Nest, Maroon Bells-Snowmass, Raggeds, Uncompahgre and Lizard Head are wilderness areas in Colorado that'll give you what you want. It's up to you to do the research now, Wyoming is a great state for Mule Deer but I still think Colorado is better and has way more options for a guy to gain points and draw second choice tags, especially if he's looking into archery!!

Challenge accepted!

 

[Musket Man]

If you draw 2nd choice in CO or WY you will still gain a point in either state. There are some good high country archery hunts you can draw in CO with 1 point and Im sure there are some you can draw 2nd choice aswell. I have hunted Maroon Bells. Its awesome country! I didnt see alot of deer and made some great tag soup but I would have some info on it if you decide to hunt there.

 

[CasNed]

2nd to the maroon bells or eagle

 

[hoshour]

The cross-state MRS on deer and elk that I wrote for the current EHJ should be landing in your mailboxes this week and you'll see how the states compare overall. I got my copy Saturday.

 

[tim]

why you are spending time on points in Colorado or Wyoming, go buy a tag in Idaho and go hunt. lots of areas have mid September openings.

 

[kupper]

My vote is to go back to your home state and try for a badlands muledeer. this archery season ive seen quite a few giants on public land. there are a lot of deer 170+ if you are willing to hike off the road a bit. Im putting in for points in both Colorado and wyo but I don't have any expectations of getting a bigger deer than I would on my home turf in ND.

 

[timmyOtool]

Good luck drawing with your second choice, I've drawn it once in the last 10yrs with my second choice. Its a good unit with some nice bucks. The head of Barlow creek, Grizzly peak and La Plata canyon are good spots to start. P.M. if your interested in more specific areas.

 

[Firefighter44]

Working on the same. Good luck!!!!