Hello. I am heading to Colorado for mule deer this year. My goal is any buck. I generally prefer National Forest hunts for deer and elk because I enjoy the effort, scenery and roadless areas. Is a 3rd rifle hunt possible in those high elevation units, or do I risk losing the whole hunt due to weather?
Colorado 3rd hunt weather
- Thread starter CdnHunter
- Start date
Usually snow by third, but nf is at all different elevations, higher you go more snow you'll have. It's a 9 day season, hard to lose a whole hunt. The snow increases effort for sure. I'd pretty much cross out access roughly above 11k ft without a sled, tracked wheeler or hard hike.
Without more details hard to say more. If you pm I'll give what info I can on units you're looking at
Without more details hard to say more. If you pm I'll give what info I can on units you're looking at
It is a total crapshoot, but there will have been snow by then, just depends on how much that would shut down high country areas. My friend lives and hunts in an area with a lot of high altitude wilderness that was essentially cutoff because of a huge snowstorm during 3rd rifle. If you're after any buck, they should be scattered throughout elevation bands. I'd have a number of different plans in case weather does come in.
CoHunter1991
Well-known member
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- Jan 18, 2021
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Yeah it is a total crap shoot i agree. Last year third was pretty dry and 50 degrees where i hunt and this year there was 2' of snow and temps were low.
Carnage2011
Well-known member
There are bucks on the NF third season every year. Pick a unit that has public land covering a bunch of elevation bands and there will be deer to hunt.
Good advice. In other words, find a unit which contains my plan A, B and C.
RealMuddyboots
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- Dec 28, 2021
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+1^^^
I have had multiple 3rd seasons ended fast at higher elevations by heavy snow. Be smart to bug out otherwise, they will pick you up in spring. Having a back up plan at lower elevations is an absolute must. Having a flexible camp that is easy to tear down and reset is also big deal. Do scouting at multiple elevation locations just to have the ability to hunt. You plan for maybe couple years, finally draw the 3rd season tag, gear blah blah. You need to maximize the opportunity with areas prescouted at least on computer. Call local CO's. I've had good luck with them.
I have had multiple 3rd seasons ended fast at higher elevations by heavy snow. Be smart to bug out otherwise, they will pick you up in spring. Having a back up plan at lower elevations is an absolute must. Having a flexible camp that is easy to tear down and reset is also big deal. Do scouting at multiple elevation locations just to have the ability to hunt. You plan for maybe couple years, finally draw the 3rd season tag, gear blah blah. You need to maximize the opportunity with areas prescouted at least on computer. Call local CO's. I've had good luck with them.
WildWill
Well-known member
If being in the high country is most important stick to 2nd. Got a bunch of snow in the unit I hunted this season the couple days before 3rd season opener. Year before that they didn't have any snow during 3rd.
If you like high country 2nd can be pretty great. Hunting with a friend a few years ago he shot a giant at close to 11k on halloween. It was snowy and cold and that buck was fired up. There are more tags during second typically, but hunters are generally more concentrated during third, because of limited access to higher elevations and deer moving toward winter range.
Justabirdwatcher
Well-known member
Yup. Every year is different. I've had great weather that late, and terrible weather. My approach was to have spots scouted at all practical elevations. Last 3rd season CO Muley hunt I went on was in a unit from 5k to 11k in elevation. There was snow above 8k and below 6k it was sunny and downright balmy. But again, every year is different so it's hard to plan. Worst snowfall I ever dealt with was 1st season.
Eaxctly. This is the first time I am applying for a limited tag, so I am having to shift gears in my head. I am used to a general tag where Plan B,C,D can be in other units. But I am not complaining. Just thinking aloud I suppose.
WVmike
Well-known member
We hunted 2nd this past year and we didn't go below 9,000 feet, but after the first few days it was calling for 5-8 inches down at just below 6,000 feet and we didn't have service to see how much it was calling for up where we were. This was a few days before Halloween. It was 60's during the day but down in the teens at night followed by that snow storm that came in.
Kiwi
Well-known member
I'm in the same situation as you, that is deer hunting CO this year, happy with any buck and prefer NF. I have thought long and hard about 2nd vs 3rd season and decided to apply for 3rd. If the weather allows I'm climb but the unit I'm looking at should allow lower hunting if the weather packs in.
Enjoy the research and hunt.
I used to live in Colorado. It depends on what part of the state you will be hunting, at least that was my experience. Colorado weather seems to be very hit or miss depending upon the year. Personally, I wouldn’t be overly concerned with losing access to the entire unit due to weather. More snow equals more active deer though so hopefully you will get some snow.
TheGreek
Well-known member
Same unit, NW CO, 3rd rifle 2021:
3rd rifle, 2024:
You don’t really know what the weather is gonna be like until 3-7 days before the hunt.
3rd rifle, 2024:
You don’t really know what the weather is gonna be like until 3-7 days before the hunt.
