W. CO Shed Hunting

massey_muley · Mar 1, 2011

I need some help! I just moved to W Colorado and I'm struggling with migratory muleys a little. What elevation do you usually look for muley sheds?
Ive hiked a bunch of miles in some gnarly pinon juniper and sage country and havent found crap! Today I put some good miles on the boots between 6 and 7000 feet. I saw 12 does, 20 elk, and 2 chukar but no sheds. This was at the base of the grand mesa. Am I too low?

massey_muley · Mar 1, 2011

Like .05% of the western slope is 13,500 feet plus, do the elk not shed if they can't get that high (aka the mesa)? hmmmmmmmm

massey_muley · Mar 1, 2011

Also, it WAS short sleeve weather, there was still snow in the shade at 6,500 feet though and could see much more up higher. Thanks for the help,
-Z

patience · Mar 1, 2011

do not listen Fire Marshall A$$lick - he's messing with you and everyone on this site can't stand the guy. He's telling you to go to places the deer and elk don't get to until June.

Start low and work your way up. I don't know the elevation of your valley floors but start there and continue until you start finding lots of recent deer sign.

If you don't see tracks and scat head up 500 feet at a time, and so on.

good luck.

massey_muley · Mar 2, 2011

Yea his "help" was none at all. Thanks for the advice. I am seeing lots of deer sign it just seems that its all doe sign. Thanks for the advice that is what Im planning on. Im gonna keep working my way up til I find a honey hole with some browns!

coyote · Mar 3, 2011

Sounds familer this is the worst start I have ever had in
Western co. I have probably been 10 times and have only found 6 browns and 8 hard whites. should have 50 by now. I know there is not as many deer as there where prior to winter of 08. My best advice to check all the sage flats and the ridges close to them and follow the snow line as it goes up. Sounds like you are at the right elevation. Good luck

massey_muley · Mar 3, 2011

Thx coyote youre doing better than I am.
Went again today and nearly wore the bottom of my boots off. I went all the way up to 8500 feet and that was too high. I found two crappy chalk white forked horns. gahhhhhhhh
Maybe Ill have better luck in the gunnison basin when the restrictions are off. : /

coyote · Mar 4, 2011

Also I have seen several bucks in the cedarridge area and Uncompadre area still packing well into march seems like some areas they shed earlier than other areas. were Im shed hunting I think around 80% have droped. Could be you are in a area were alot are still packing. You should be seeing the bucks. I think if your are seeing alot of deer sign just hang in there and you will start picking some up.