Close to Terlingua, Art?

D

Desertfox

New member
I am lucky enough to have been drawn for a Desert Mule Deer hunt just north of Art at Sierra Diablo WMA in TX.
Art, or anyone familiar with the area, could help me out here. I am wondering what to expect weather wise etc. I know it is around 6500 ft. in elevation with 1000 ft. shear drops to the east.
My plan on this four day hunt the first week of December is to head out early and get on top. Walk and glass and find the ole bucks. Hit the ridge tops during the day and hope to find one sunning close to the top.
Any advice would be appreciated. I will have an assigned compartment, so no problem with other hunters or causing other hunters problems by walking in on them. I have 4 days to find a nice buck and also Elk either sex.
Art, this is your neck of the woods. Thanks in advance for the help.

BTW. Using my winchester 270WSM with Nikon 4.5-16X40. 3rd year with this rifle/scope set up. Over 300 rounds shot,(150gr.) so I am confident in the weapon. I have taken whitetail, hogs, and one ignorant coyote with it. I am also taking my Marlin 30-30. They let us shoot all the hogs we see. Hogs last Mule Deer First and any Elk.
 
You have plenty of gun.

I've been through that area, above Van Horn and Sierra Blanca. Rugged country.

Desert mule deer don't wander around as much as white tails. They tend to lay up more. The bucks aren't as agressive about breeding. But a really serious norther will get Ol' Bucky more ambitious about moving around. Mule deer bucks go ga-ga over food during the pre-rut period, and all that tallow that they build up is an insulator. Like wearing a down jacket on a warm day. So, to a mule deer buck, anything above freezing is pretty much a hot day.

Bucks tend to lay up along the downwind crest--the "military crest"--of a ridge. Commonly, near a saddle in the ridge. That way, they can see or hear anything approaching from below, from downwind. They can hear or smell anything approaching over the ridge. When spooked, they'll sneak or run through the saddle, where the brush is a bit thicker (relative term).

So, work the wind. Try to work along the more downwind side of a ridgeline, quartering into the wind if possible, easing along toward a saddle and watching that military crest area.

Lots of walking. I've done many a ten- to twelve-mile day, down here. I've always worn Russell Birdhunters or RedWing "Twenty Mile" boots.

Commonly, sitting at daylight, you might wear every bit of clothing you own. It easily could be in the 20s. Then the sun comes up, you start walking, and some days you'd be down to shorts and a tee shirt. About three or four o'clock, you start covering up again. A little lightweight daypack is a Good Thing, as are layers of clothing and a down jacket.

Very low humidity, so drink all the water you can before leaving camp. If your lips start to chap, you're falling behind the curve on water.

I've seen temperature ranges from high teens or low twenties at sunup, to 80F and sometimes more by around 2PM. A sixty-degree change is uncommon, but it sometimes happens. Mostly, absent a norther blowing in, 30 to 70 is the most common.

A quick primer...

:), Art
 
Thanks

As expected, a wealth of information. Thanks for that. Any ideas on the elk?
Best I can figure it is a crap shoot weather they are in there or not.
I did plan on walking all day and I am suited for that. ie. layers, extra socks and great boots. I have experienced pack and frame for hauling game out. No problems there.(unless you want to help haul it out)
I will keep tabs on the hydration. Military taught me that.
I will change my approach to creeping along crests down-wind towards the "military crest", keeping the saddles in mind.
They tend to utilize the saddles as access and escape routes? I will try and work that towards my advantage. Thanks for that.
Should be an experience. I look forward to it. Primitave camping for 4 days. I do get to camp next to my truck, so supplies are easily brought to camp. Most of my coolers will have dry ice in them. (posative thinking)
Thanks again Art. I will be happy to post my results.
 
Naw, I'm not really the one to ask about elk habits. I guess get high up, listen for bugling, sneak along and sit a lot. Watch meadows near water?
 
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