Struggling with Area 10!

[Calbuck]

So I'm back from opening weekend (and part of week) in the Ruby Mt area. Hunting with my late 60's aged father, we went to an area suggested by NDOW employees for access. Wasn't to be. We looked around on Fri before season and decided based on access to hunt around Harrison Pass with the other 8000 hunters down there. Surprisingly, we saw a few bucks (although not to our Nevada mule deer standards) but didn't see anything special. What ticked us off immediately was the fact that USFS or whoever had let sheep herders run their animals through the entire area only 2 weeks before season opened. Ridiculous!
Anyway, I had read everything I could get my hands on regarding hunting this area. All the information I could find unanimously suggested "going high and finding water". OK. Water seems to not be in shortage in the Ruby Mts, so high is what was left. I had planned to hike up high, but my father said he couldn't make it, so off I went to see what I could see. This I did (apparently not high enough) up near Green Mt. I hiked up the Crest trail to approx. 9000K feet, where I set up my spotting scope and spent the better part of a day scoping and binocularing. I picked everything I could see apart. I didn't see any deer. Sidenote, I did glass up ONE decent buck on a different ridge the night before. I do know where to look and how to find deer in a spotting scope! I looked in every shady area, opening, pocket and quaky patch I could see and nothing. Anyone care to critique? I could definitely use a little insight, as I plan to go back later in the season. This is my first year bowhunting, so I know I have some growing pains. We'd have our tags filled if it was rifle! I feel obligated to stay with my dad and spend the time with him, which is worth it. But I do want to fill my tag and his!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Sorry for your troubles. As you now know there is not a shortage of hunters in that unit. As for where the deer are I have no idea. But I would say your doing something rite, your seeing some deer.

Question you said you spoke to NDOW employees? Did you speak to that areas biologist?

 

[tdub24]

I would get as far away as possible for Harrison area. That is mostly BLM land (especially S of Harrison Pass) so everybody and their ATV, UTV, and/or truck are going to be in that area. I have yet to see deer or elk not be bothered by sheep, so that is another reason to get away. If you could, walk up the trail farther N than Green Mt, you should run into more deer and less hunters.

You could also look into other trails:
http://www.nvtrailmaps.com/search.php?page=1&keyword=&region=8&activity=&length=&elevation=&ada=&search=true

Oh, and if you run into any bull elk, shoot me a PM of the exact coordinates!!!! Got a late depredation tag over there starting in October!

 

[Fatrascal]

Get into your glassing spot before daylight. Sheep push deer into pockets, hike more and look harder. fatrascal

 

[Calbuck]

Thanks for the replies fellas. IKIC, yes it was the biologist that told me I could access from a certain point, but when we got there, it was gated off. Game warden checked us out and told us the deer hadn't moved due to sheep, but we are certain they did. The biologist also said the sheep don't affect deer behavior (not buying it). Believe it or not, S of Harrison there was NOBODY. I'm talking 1-2 drainages over. But there were very few deer in there, only one 3 point that we saw multiple times. I think you're right FR, I just need to get further, earlier and higher.

 

[BossBrott]

Leave in the early am, intending on finding a spotting site by nightfall. Spot in the late evening far from anybody. Find a decent buck and put him to bed. Wake him up with an arrow. Best of luck, they're in there!

 

[hardstalk]

Thanks for the replies fellas. IKIC, yes it was the biologist that told me I could access from a certain point, but when we got there, it was gated off. Game warden checked us out and told us the deer hadn't moved due to sheep, but we are certain they did. The biologist also said the sheep don't affect deer behavior (not buying it). Believe it or not, S of Harrison there was NOBODY. I'm talking 1-2 drainages over. But there were very few deer in there, only one 3 point that we saw multiple times. I think you're right FR, I just need to get further, earlier and higher.

Gates with "no trespassing" signs or just fence and gate? There are alot of gates in the area that guys run their cattle and sheep just to keep the animals in a certain zone. If its not posted no trespassing its fair game. Just shut it after you go thru or some ole cowboy will be cussing you when his cows wander out on to the highway.

 

[Calbuck]

Yeah, no, the gates were clearly marked. We went in one area that actually said "NO HUNTERS WEEKEND OF SEPT 14" or something like that, but after we went past that gate, there was another one with the no trespassing signs. I'm not absolutely positive we were in the area the biologist suggested, so I'm not all that worried about it. I'll be coming back for a second go round later this season. The one area we got the farthest into was at the Ruby Crest Ranch...just past their gate and sign about 100 yds is forest service land! Bummer!

 

[tdub24]

Yeah, no, the gates were clearly marked. We went in one area that actually said "NO HUNTERS WEEKEND OF SEPT 14" or something like that, but after we went past that gate, there was another one with the no trespassing signs. I'm not absolutely positive we were in the area the biologist suggested, so I'm not all that worried about it. I'll be coming back for a second go round later this season. The one area we got the farthest into was at the Ruby Crest Ranch...just past their gate and sign about 100 yds is forest service land! Bummer!

Do you have hunting gps maps installed on your gps? I have found in NV that alot of public land is posted at gates because somebody owns a small section on the other side. Folks basically just trying to keep people out. I noticed too, that a lot of ranches have grazing rights on public land, but they treat that area like it is their property. I don't that is the case near the Rubies, but it definitely is the case in area 7 and area 6. Might be something to have on the next trip.

 

[Calbuck]

I do have the Hunting Maps on my Oregon 450. I'm not particularly thrilled at the level of detail on the maps, although it is good for general idea what property you're on. I did end up passing through some questionable property with no problem, but when the gate says "No trespassing or hunting" I would turn around. I think when I come back it's gonna be the hike in deal.

 

[hardstalk]

Yeah, no, the gates were clearly marked. We went in one area that actually said "NO HUNTERS WEEKEND OF SEPT 14" or something like that, but after we went past that gate, there was another one with the no trespassing signs. I'm not absolutely positive we were in the area the biologist suggested, so I'm not all that worried about it. I'll be coming back for a second go round later this season. The one area we got the farthest into was at the Ruby Crest Ranch...just past their gate and sign about 100 yds is forest service land! Bummer!

Im curious if a guide did that. If so thats not cool.

 

[Calbuck]

Do you guys know what the white areas on Hunting Maps labeled "NonFederal" represent? Is this land open to the public?

 

[tdub24]

The white area on the hunting gps maps represents private land, I do believe.

 

[Calbuck]

On my gps, it will say either "PRIVATE" or "NONFEDERAL" on the white areas.

 

[Calbuck]

I will be hiking in on the Overland Trail for the last week of season. Anybody been up that trail? Looks like you can access several different bowls from that trail. If my mapping software is correct, it says approximately 3 miles to the top. Any input?

 

[hardstalk]

I will be hiking in on the Overland Trail for the last week of season. Anybody been up that trail? Looks like you can access several different bowls from that trail. If my mapping software is correct, it says approximately 3 miles to the top. Any input?

Is your old man coming with you? Its alot faster to go in a straight line to the lake. Its not an easy 3+ miles. Id guess it to be a bit longer if your on the trail the whole time. Its pretty up there and I cant talk for recently but ive seen that place pounded by outfitters in the past.

 

[Calbuck]

Nope, will be solo. There were a lot of rigs parked at the TH during the first week of season. I like the fact that you can access a lot of country from the top of that trail.

 

[Calbuck]

I'm also considering up past Favre lake, but I don't know how much traffic that section gets..

 

[BossBrott]

I will be hiking in on the Overland Trail for the last week of season. Anybody been up that trail? Looks like you can access several different bowls from that trail. If my mapping software is correct, it says approximately 3 miles to the top. Any input?

There's the bowl from Overland, and yes it gets hit by outfitters pretty hard. The outfitters just dump guys off, but from my experience, they don't really get into the steep stuff. The north and west portion hold good bucks. Hunted opening week right there, but harvested my buck on the next bowl north. Hope this helps. Pic was taken 10/08/12.

Overland Lake is in a bowl up to the left, concealed by the tree. It may not look steep, but looks are deceiving! Like I said before, put a buck to bed in the evening, and wake him at 630am with a well placed shot. Sight in at 200, as you can see!

 

[BossBrott]

South facing slope. The grey dots on the upper 2/3, that's what your looking for.