Sorry,
I didn't see your post prior to the deadline for sending in applications. If you don't draw this year for the high country permit, try the area SW of the Wet Valley in the Sanre de Cristo Mtns. Especially around the Sand Creek drainage. I haven't hunted muleys there, but have spent alot of time scouting and hunting bighorn sheep in the area. I can't tell you how many huge bucks I saw above timberline there. Made my head spin. Or maybe that was the altitude. During my sheep hunting season, I spent a total of 18 days above 13,000 ft. Its some of the toughest hunting you'll ever do, but its well worth it. Only negative is that you will most likely need to have some horses to get you in far enough and the hiking traffic to the fourteeners is horrible. You'll need to avoid the favored trails to the big peaks like the plague. Weekends will have a hundred people headed up every main trail attempting to get to the summits. Needless to say, the big muley bucks and the full curl rams don't have anything to do with that. They will be three canyons over and stay there till the weekenders go home. A peak to start looking for your big high country buck on would be "Cleveland Peak". Specifically, the "Deadman Canyon" area. I recommend you look at Sand Creek for a good base camp location with spike camps on the peak above 12,500 ft. (You'll need to come down to lower elevation and get some oxygen once in a while.) Also, plan on an extended hunt. It is a long way in there if you only have a few days.

Good Luck, and let us know how you do.

LlindeX,

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate the info. I didn't put in for the tag because I couldn't get enough time off from work (only 4 days). I figured it would be a tough, but rewarding hunt and you confirmed it. I was considering the area around Hayden, not too far from the info you posted. Maybe it will work out next year .

Good luck on your up coming season.
Thanks again

Gary

Ripstop, If you decide on that early season high-altitude hunt next year, let me know. How many preference points do you have?

Roger that Hiker!!

Unfortunately I don't have any preference points for deer. Used them up 2 years ago on a muzzler loader tag.

Gary

Ripstop, Most of the High-Altitude hunts require at least 2-3 PP's. Did you apply for a point this year?

Hiker,

Affirmative, one PP for the upcoming season.

Gary

Ripstop, There's one area that I know of that you might be able to draw with one PP.

if i wanted a big big muley iwould hunt late and still stay high as i could if nothing there try hunting back in the bowls and canyons closer to winter areas them big ones will not come out in open till way after season most of the time hunt dark timber for the monsters or above tree line good luck

Takes at least 6 points for a resident to draw a timberline early rifle buck tag where I live in unit 74.