Planning 1st Backcountry D7 Hunt

[YoungBuck559]

Hello All,

So my buddy and I are planning on hiking into the back of D7 from the North Lake area. This will be a first for us in this area. I was looking for any tips on areas to focus on so we can make the most of the trip.

Does any one have any past hunts that went well or Would have done different stories???

 

[Red 1]

Check out my thread on D7 There is some good info.

 

[YoungBuck559]

Thanks Red1.

There is some really good info throughout the convo. When going in there for archery, is there a healthy number of deer? Or is it more of just the occasional group of Bachelors??

I was thinking about focusing our time west of the Golden Trout Lakes area? Seems like most of it is all granite before that?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Havn't spent much time in that corner of D7, hiked thru there a long time ago when I hiked the complete Muir Trail. Remember one thing about this high country, there arn't as many deer here as you might think, not as much food as in the lower elevations. Also a lot depends on the type of winter they had. The get out of that high country and migrate down pretty quick after it starts snowing. Some migrate west and some east. depends on the drainage. If there is a really heavy winter and the snow stays late, they might not get up high at all. When I was in high school and college, I worked at Red's Meadows Pack Station near Mammoth and almost all of my free time hiking and fishing. In the backcountry I saw lots of deer around the lakes in small pockets of cover/feed. Spend lots of time glassing and looking.

Good Luck.

 

[YoungBuck559]

CC,

Thanks! Those are great things to know, especially since this will be our first into this area. We arent setting any standards for this hunt, but ive heard of some guys having some good success hunting this eastern side.

I appreciate all the great information guys!

 

[Shaun]

CC I had a friend that worked at reds meadow pack station about the same time you are discribing. Did you work with a Bob Soni

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Name doesn't sound familiar. it was in 1957, 58 & 59. Now you know how old I am, was a long time ago.

 

[Shaun]

Haha that was about the same time he was there

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I spent the 3 summers working in the store.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

Any good spots mentioned on the fourm will most likely be swamped with people now! A buddy from work went to a spot he has been hunting for year's, and has always had success. He seen it on a fourm this year and sure enough there were hunters every where, good luck. I think people should use pm's to give info instead of public posts. Just my opinion.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Name doesn't sound familiar. it was in 1957, 58 & 59. Now you know how old I am, was a long time ago.

Dang CC !
I thought I was old ! LOL ! I was born in 57. I have hunted D7 twice, yrs. ago. Saw deer but not a lot. Didn't shoot anything either time. We back packed in but I don't remember the areas. My friend I went with knew the area well.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Yep....like my son says..90 days older than dirt! Celebrated my 70th birthday last year on a wilderness elk hunt in Wy to Thorofare, 33 mile, 9 1/2 ride into camp. Showed them youngsters a thing or two!!!

 

[HuntWYODon]

Yep....like my son says..90 days older than dirt! Celebrated my 70th birthday last year on a wilderness elk hunt in Wy to Thorofare, 33 mile, 9 1/2 ride into camp. Showed them youngsters a thing or two!!!

CC
That's pretty awesome. I've always wanted to hunt the Thorofare but have to have a guide. Haven't talked my friend in Cody into it. He has about 8 horses. We were on them when I got my elk in 121 but had to pack it out next day after we found an easier way in. Was glad grizzlies didn't find it . I've read that the Thorofare is the longest contingent wilderness in the lower 48. Awesome. Did you shoot a bull ?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Nope...Too many wolves. Saw wolves every day. Had one nice bull located, but just couldn't get close enough for a decent shot. He was 700+ yards away across a canyon with some cows.
My guide cow called and he started grunting and within 5 minutes there was about 10 or 12 wolves right there. All in all, was a great trip and awsome country, just too damn many wolves.

 

[HuntWYODon]

Nope...Too many wolves. Saw wolves every day. Had one nice bull located, but just couldn't get close enough for a decent shot. He was 700+ yards away across a canyon with some cows.
My guide cow called and he started grunting and within 5 minutes there was about 10 or 12 wolves right there. All in all, was a great trip and awsome country, just too damn many wolves.

That sucks... Need some wolf tags given for that area pronto. I've seen wolves in the South Fork of Shoeshone near Cody all the way back to 2001 ! They've killed some there that were going after rancher's cattle. Didn't take them long to get from the Park to there...That's a shame CC. Sorry to hear.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

If I'd have had a tag or 2, could have filled them easily! The really sad thing is that in 6 days of hunting and the rides in and out, only saw ONE deer. Guide told me that they had really taken a hit from the wolves.

 

[Neal78]

Is there any bucks around Mt. Tom?

 

[Red 1]

Ya I have freinds that kill some bucks out of there from time to time, usally alot of hunters around there.