D5 hunting in the weather

**jvle95** · 10-12-2009, 10:00 AM

Just looking for some opinions or past experiences from any of you that have have D5 in the weather. I have been hunting there the last couple of years but usually early on without weather being an issue. I hunt around 7000 to 8000 ft. I know it has snowed up there already and I am curious if you think that one snow would push deer down. With rain in the forcast the next couple of days I am thinking of taking a ride up there for one day. My big question is do I go up tuesday or wednesday while it is raining or wait until thursday after it clears out? What do you think?

**fishnhunt** · 10-12-2009, 10:11 AM

Having never hunted D5...But having hunted migratory deer in snow country. Generally it takes a quite a bit of snow to get deer really moving out of the high country. At least 3-5 inches of snow that actually STICKS, we had a foot in the high country here a week and a half ago and its mostly gone!! This was enough to push the deer down a little, it's still another month before they'll move down to their winter range. But what you'll often find is if the snow doesn’t stick they will often move backup although usually not back to the really high country. What I've found with storms and deer is when the storm is blowing in (cold temp drops and high winds) is that the deer find thick cover and hang out. But once the storm has settled and the snow starts to fall they will become really really active!! At this time they will often be out in the open even though your visibility is limited. And then right after the storm passes (the next morning) is also a really good time to hunt!!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com

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**soupr** · 10-12-2009, 11:13 AM

I hunt D5. Been there during storms and such. It will take a good snow storm to push them lower. I normally hunt between 8000 and 9000 feet. This storm coming in tonight will most likely not push the big bucks down. It will be a warm storm and snow elevations will be high. So the elevation you hunt at should not be an issue but watch out for the winds. There will be strong winds and those branches and week trees can give you quite a headache. If I were you I would head out early wednesday morning after the main wind is dying down and take advantage of the lighter weather. Wish I were going up this week. It should be a good hunt. Good luck.

**MuIeDeeR** · 10-12-2009, 02:56 PM

With a foot of snow possible above 9000 feet off the weather report from weather.com it will move some deer down just like last year with the high elevation snow and the hunting sucked last year between 7000 feet and 8000 feet after these types of storms. They moved down pretty fast with me and my dads experience for the 2008 D-5 hunting season. Hardly any deer were seen between those elevations.

**Fatboy18** · 10-13-2009, 01:42 PM

I hunt D5 as well. I agree with fishnhunt and soupr. Ive had light snows on a few occasions but unless its enough to blanket the ground with 6 inches or so they will move down a little but wont migrate. If all goes right I'll be up around Lake Alpine from Thurs. till Sun. Maybe I'll have more luck up there then I'm having in D14 right now. Good luck

**jvle95** · 10-13-2009, 02:46 PM

I decided I am heading up there tomorrow for the day. I am heading to the Lake Alpine area too. It is snowing there right now and hopefully will let up by morning. If it is too nasty I will head lower but for now that is my plan. Good luck to you.

**soupr** · 10-13-2009, 04:21 PM

JV I wish all the luck. I am hunting tomorrow down near the sac river. It will be a quick hunt for the afternoon. But I will take what I can take. Wish I was hunting up higher but I do not have the time as of now. My buddy got a 4x2 yesterday where I am going tomorrow in less than five minutes in the field. Second year in a row he pulled that off. Good luck to you.

**jvle95** · 10-13-2009, 06:50 PM

Hey Soupr,

I would gladly trade you locations, lol. I love being up in the mtns but something about gettin one close to home excites me, lol. You on public or private land?