Hunting season is over for big game in my area, but I drove about an hour away, and then snowshoe hiked into a region that is open for another week or so. 4 pt mule deer and any buck WT. Lots of snow, past my knees, snowshoes are a must. I found tons of snowshoe hare and bob cat tracks, but also deer and moose. I was up around 1600 m (5250 feet), hiked up some elevation to the treeline and still saw tracks, but no rubs. The trees were WAY too thick to walk through, but I wonder if it's worthwhile to hike up here one morning and sit. Lots of open spaces to glass, and draws where I saw tracks come up to feed on small trees.
I had a blast just hiking in snowshoes for the first time! But how do I hunt this type of terrain. For sure they are going to hear me coming. I'd love to run into a 4pt muley, WT buck, or black bear.... or should I just bring the shotgun and hunt hare? I can bring a heavy parka and sit at a vantage point if that's a good strategy. Or should I just hike around and explore looking for definitive sign: beds, rubs, skat....all I saw were tracks so far?
Thanks for any advice!
Josh