when do I take time off? chasing mule deer and whitetail deer

[bearheart]

I have place to hunt white tails near Ft St John and mule deer near 100 Mile House. Which weeks would you recommend? Winter seems to come later every year Cold weather has been my friend both times I hunted last time each place.I would sincerely appreciate you old guys chipping in with your suggestions.I need to pick a week for each. Right now Ft St John is looking like last week of October or 2nd week of November. 100Mile House anytime mid October to end of November.

Thanks for all input!

[ElliotMoose]

Last two weeks of November for 100 mile if you want to hit magic time. WT bucks are open at that time too and you never know when you will see one.. They're starting to pop up everywhere

[Daybreak]

Moose.. hunt the rut. Whitetail... late as possible, late Nov, early Dec. JMO. I think you are right about the winter weather being progressively later. Mule deer...2nd week Nov.

[tinhorse]

I hunt for meat and the first week of October when it opens for any buck is always good for the tasty 2 points that are dumber than hell. For the bigger boys wait as long as you can. Last couple weeks in November will be best.

[f350ps]

Don't forget there's a rut closure in Reg.5 from Nov.10th to the 21st. K

[warnniklz]

Late november for sure!! Though the last couple years there's been high pressure systems and full moons. So It's been some work finding them as they're usually bedded down during the day and moving at night. But if you can tough out the fridgid temps and endure the time behind glass... you'll find them.

[Salty]

I thought I read on here before that mule deer migrate out of the 100 mile/lakes area fairly early??

[FortBoy]

I thought I read on here before that mule deer migrate out of the 100 mile/lakes area fairly early??


This was my understanding as well. last few years hunting the area would agree with this, and thats why ill be bow hunting 100 mile sept 1st.

[chris]

Some of them stick around 100 mile all year but yes for the most part they head out fairly early. If you like 4 pt hunting then September can be ok. In October there are still a few around but don't expect it to be an easy hunt.

[Fisher-Dude]

Moose.. hunt the rut. Whitetail... late as possible, late Nov, early Dec. JMO. I think you are right about the winter weather being progressively later. Mule deer...2nd week Nov.

Mule deer are closed in R5 on Nov 10, reopen Nov 21.

[Daybreak]

Mule deer are closed in R5 on Nov 10, reopen Nov 21.

Good to know. I don't hunt 5 so mistakenly made a generalization which really doesn't address the OP's question. My bad.

[ElliotMoose]

They clear out of the high country along the highway 24 stretch. Very few deer around Interlakes, Bonaparte lake, bridge lake etc after the first couple weeks of October. There are still a few residents around but nothing like September. Lots of big bucks hit the ground every November closer to town (100 mile) or just a little ways up the highway..

[bearheart]

So hunting early seems to be the suggestion I am getting. The weather tends to be very warm then, I have had little luck in early deer hunting. Little in this case =0, oh well. Thanks for you help.

[hunter1947]

Third week of Nov and on..

[Whonnock Boy]

If it was me with little time and resources, I would head out for October 1st hitting region 3 and 8. The young bucks get picked off pretty quick, so opening week for any buck is best. If you're looking for mature deer, either opening week, or the last half of November.