DIY muzzleloader Mule deer CO

I’ve never been out west and this is my first trip out west, I’ve been looking to do either elk or mule deer and figured I would give Mulies a try first. Due to they are a lot smaller and I plan to backpack in several miles from the road. But I was wondering if I could get any pointers on where they are they time of year. I’ve done my research and found they are usually above the tree line. But wondering what I should be looking for on the maps. Looks like I should draw in 74 due to having zero points. Also wondering what the weather is like that time of year so I can start planning my gear list accordingly.

Weather can vary a lot but if you want to know the average temps look it of for the nearest town and elevation to where you are planning, you can find this on wunderground.com or other various weather apps. Its the typically early September weather in my opinion. Cooler at night but mid 60's during the day. I'd bring some good rain gear, thunderstorms like to role into the high country in the afternoon. Remember that forested areas don't always provide the best browse, hence why they like to go high to the lush green meadows of the high country. Willows are hard to see on aerials but they sure do love to browse on them. Get the book Hunting High Country Mule Deer, a great publication for the first timer. Not to long ago was my first trip and that book was a good first starting point. I'm sure others with a lot more experience than me on this forum will chime in... I only have six years of experience heading west, with 3 to Colorado's high country... I'm sure you will find deer. Just get some decent class and tear apart the mountain side.

Thank you for the response. But I’ll def have to check out that book when I get home from my deployment. So plan on lots of rain so just get a lot of rain gear ready when I go up there. But yeah so should I invest in a good spotting scope for when I’m up there cause I’ve heard you just have to glass cause that’s the only way to find them. Is there any areas that bucks tend to flock more to then does or do they kinda mix in together

I don't know that unit, but in CO MZ season you could encounter any kind of weather in mid-September. Bluebird, horrible lightning, snow dump, you get the idea. Search for other folks' layering systems on here. September I take a base layer, puffy coat, and rain gear in addition to my pants and light jacket. Hunting deer up there is a blast though. Get yourself a tripod for a pair of 10x binos at minimum if you're going to do the high country deal. In the units I used to hunt you could find deer from the alpine down to where the aspen transitioned into the sage. Some good scouting would really help you out. Find areas where you can put the glass to work and bed the deer, then stalk in. I pretty much struck out hunting the thicker stuff, too noisy unless its raining.

pocon2 said:

I’ve never been out west and this is my first trip out west, I’ve been looking to do either elk or mule deer and figured I would give Mulies a try first. Due to they are a lot smaller and I plan to backpack in several miles from the road. But I was wondering if I could get any pointers on where they are they time of year. I’ve done my research and found they are usually above the tree line. But wondering what I should be looking for on the maps. Looks like I should draw in 74 due to having zero points. Also wondering what the weather is like that time of year so I can start planning my gear list accordingly.

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The hunting in 74 for ML is best around timberline, which is 11,500 ft. If you're from the East, that elevation is a serious matter, especially if you plan on hunting solo.

Be sure to take a water filter and drink as much water as you can on your way and when you get there, because it is dry and you'll need to watch out for altitude sickness which hydration helps with. Take it slow ascending. If you can get your hands on something like Cialis, it will help. I know, it sounds strange, but it works.

If you start feeling strange, lightheaded, get a bad headache, get nauseous or lose your appetite or especially coughing stuff up you need to descend ASAP, especially if you're hunting by yourself. I would highly recommend taking a SPOT or satellite phone. You can rent one. Eat protein and high energy stuff even if you don't feel like it.

Also, that country in the north of 74 is STEEP. Take your time and remember, you've got to haul out meat and that means multiple trips. Don't get yourself into trouble. Also, pay attention to weather. Lightning in the high country, and storms move in fast in the PM, ought to scare you and get you into the trees at the first sign.

You can have a lot of fun, but high altitude is no picnic and people not used to it can easily get into trouble. Be smart and make sure you make it back to whoever will be looking for you when your Colorado dream trip comes to an end.