Mature mule deer bucks and snow conditions?

[Paul in Idaho]

I have put several miles on my boots this season in search of mule deer, but have found none. On opening day I saw bighorns, and yesterday I saw elk. So far my focus has been in the 8000 - 9600 elevation range. In this area, elevations higher than that are just rock.

On yesterday's evening hunt, I walked up to about 8800' in powder snow ranging from 7-9 inches. It was overcast, about 30 degrees, with occasional snow flurries. Closer down to where I had parked, there were tracks near the road probably from a group of does, and a little bit higher two single deer-size trails sidehilling toward a brushy draw. The snow had fallen the day before so likely there were a few deer in the area.

At sunset, I was watching a herd of elk 300 yards away. I found a great glassing spot that allowed me to watch an aspen stand, open sage, and timber. No deer.

As I was glassing, I started wondering more about what snow conditions will push bucks lower. Probably a heavy crust on a few inches of snow would do it. Since the deer trails I saw were sidehill, not descending, probably the current snow conditions aren't pushing them down.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on how much loose snow would be enough to make the mature bucks start heading for lower country. Seeing elk at my elevation made me think maybe I was too high.

Here's a couple photos of yesterday's spot. I think it's one of the best muley spots I have found, but after so many seasons of not seeing deer I doubt my judgement on what makes a good spot.

 

[HighDesertSage]

I think it's a combination of cold and hunting pressure. I don't remember where I read it, but I swear CPW said that here in CO alot of deer will begin moving down mid-October.

 

[BrianID]

I think the day on the calendar has more influence on deer migration than snow. There have been a number of studies on this and show that deer tend to migrate around the same time every year regardless of snow conditions. Snow does make deer much more visible and makes it easier to spot/age tracks.

 

[Bulldog0156]

Looks like some beautiful country to hunt. I would bet if you see a deer, it will be a good one. Keep at it!

 

[belly-deep]

SW Idaho is some of the best deer country around. If you’re not seeing any deer, quit burning daylight in that spot.

I’ve seen bucks tough out some fairly deep snow, like a foot or more. The thing is, does/fawns will love down, and at some point the bucks will follow in rut. So much like how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop, the world will probably never know. The two events seem to coincide around here.

 

[ida homer]

If your near the units I hunt in SW Idaho, the deer have moved down.

I agree with belly-deep, move on.

 

[hank4elk]

If they get enough snow or cold they will move or die.
They are not dumb & are not as big or tall as elk. They know they can get stuck & will move. Overnight the high mountains can be drained of them.
The trails worn to dirt in 2 ft snows. Saw it every year in the Sierras.
I learned from experience and they move down earlier than I ever thought my 1st 20 yrs hunting them.

 

[squirrel]

There is no set rule, it depends on where they were and where they need to be and what is in the middle. Each population has it figured out what when and where, or they wouldn't be there. If they have a long way to go they get a head start, if they just head down 4000 ft and can see the ridge they will winter on all summer as they feed they might (and often do ) wait till it is 2' or so deep.

If the scantiest snow cover is over your knees they either start leaving or start dying, depending on if there is any more "down" left. And some make mistakes and get trapped, sometimes terminally.

If you are ever in the migration it can be amazing, making you wonder just how big of a world record you are going to take if you just hold out long enough then you wake up and not a deer to be seen, and those 185's you passed start looking better...

 

[Elkmagnet]

I'll just guess that is south Central ID, it looks like 39,43,48. A lot of the resident 43,48 deer have left the unit by now. If it's 31,22,24,32A look mid mountain in heavy timber.

 

[JWhunter]

Big bucks and bulls in high pressured areas will start to move down when they are pushing snow with their chest... I've seen it happen in 54 with both species. I realize maybe not anywhere but, if you aren't seeing the numbers you want to hop over to the next drainage.

 

[ida homer]

I'll just guess that is south Central ID, it looks like 39,43,48. A lot of the resident 43,48 deer have left the unit by now. If it's 31,22,24,32A look mid mountain in heavy timber.

+1

Relatively early migration in these units, in my experience. You'll hear and read lots of stories of guys pounding it above 8k in 2 feet of snow. But each time I've tried to be billy badass and stick it out up high in a foot of snow in these southern ID units, I didnt see a deer

 

[Irrelevant]

Looks like good country. Keep at it, explore, explore, explore.

 

[Paul in Idaho]

Thanks everyone. Looking back on the deer season I'm certain my biggest problem is lack of confidence in my judging what is a good buck area.

I hunted 3 units this season, starting with 37. I moved to 36A and 36B after 37 closed. I had opportunities for good conversations with local hunters this year, and learned a lot about the area. Some of my theories were confirmed. I saw many deer, both mule and whitetail, on agricultural land. Bucks were sighted there nearly every day, but they rarely leave private land. One day I saw a buck dozing, resting against the fence around someone's garden. I had to hit the brakes hard to keep from hitting a whitetail buck crossing the road. Another time there was a bedded group of 4-point muley bucks halfway between the road and a house. They're smart, and stay where they are safe.

The deer population that doesn't rely on human-raised food lives high and stays there until weather pushes them down. One local person I spoke said he and a friend both killed good bucks in the high country during the time I was there, so they hadn't moved down yet.

I hunted the area in those photos based on a memory from about 20 years ago. We had November elk tags there, and could see big bucks up on that ridge from our camp some mornings. I don't recall how much snow there was on that trip though. Now having walked that ridge, it seems to have plenty of food, cover, and easy escape routes.

My plan had been to make trips this summer to explore all the areas I found on maps since last season, but circumstances didn't allow that. Traveling between 3 units checking spots wasn't an efficient use of hunting time, but overall I think it was worth the time and gas to cull my list of possible spots. Next year I'll narrow it down to 2-3 places and try again to do summer scouting. The ridge in my earlier photos will be on the short list.

 

[ida homer]

Thanks everyone. Looking back on the deer season I'm certain my biggest problem is lack of confidence in my judging what is a good buck area.

I hunted 3 units this season, starting with 37. I moved to 36A and 36B after 37 closed.

That's all we needed to know. Pretty damn low deer densities in those units, dominated by elk. Move south or southwest and you'll find many more deer. Especially in draws similar to the one you posted a picture of.