Hunting Next weekend on Crater Mtn

[ravensfoot]

Heading out next weekend with a hunting buddy over to Crater Mtn looking for some high up bucks. Going to be staying down at the Ashnola river campsite. (is it an OK spot?) First time hunting there and was wondering if anyone has any insight for roaming the hills. Should we try to go as high as possible and what is better? open grasslands, spot & stalk or still hunting in the patchy forest? Not looking for honey holes, hope to find some of my own. Thanks for any possible tips for the area.

[jeff]

theres snow up there now . atleast up at 5400ft was up last weekend maybe its melted but doubt it . probably more now

[ravensfoot]

Jeff, what do you think is the better option when walking in: Patchy open grassy hill sides or a bit deeper in the forest?

[Rodd]

Grassy areas early and late in the day, and the timber is where they are bedded during the day... my 2 cents! I've hunted there early season Sept. (juniper crk side) and all the big deer were fairly high, feeding in open alpine areas early and then late in the day.. but that was sept.. may be different now.. Find the sign, and you've found the deer! I have seen some really nice bucks there! Good Luck, and shoot a whopper!! Cheers!

[SHAKER]

Hit and miss but can definatlly can be productive. Don't forget about the road closures up there.... the signs are there for a reason!

[ravensfoot]

Thanks Rodd, great tips.
SHAKER, what roads are closed, I didn't find anything in the regs. Are they roads that are in Rez-Land or is it parks.

[SHAKER]

Neither.... they are forestry closures so they aren't in the regs. The road that goes to the top will have a very large and un-missable sign saying CLOSED!, the road network at 7 k is basically open on the main road and the spurs and trails are closed. Since it's under the forestry act it is open to the commercial operators up there(G\O, ranchers, mine.) so don't assume you can follow were other ATV's have gone.

[David Heitsman]

I heli flew that Crater area on the sheep count two years ago and kicked up dozens of deer in the trees nearer to the top than the valleys. It was later, January as I recall but there wasn't anything of any size observed by any of us in the chopper. Probably wouldn't be my choice of places to go.

[aggiehunter]

Heitsman....good out....

[ravensfoot]

Heitsman....good out....
Does that mean I really shouldn't bother with going up there or am I missing something?

[ravensfoot]

Is the road with the closures the one that leads to Red Bridge Lake?

[treeclimber]

I hunted up there before, not much for deer sign, I would focus closer to princeton more hunters but also way more deer

[SHAKER]

Is the road with the closures the one that leads to Red Bridge Lake?

Nope left fork going up. You won't miss the sign saying NO VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT! Theirs even pictures for the people that can't read large bold letters. Treeclimbers right, their is way better ground west of Crater then hunting up with the Sheep.

[The Dude]

I hunted there 3 years ago with my buddy on a sheep draw. We had the last draw, and everything had been blown off by the other hunters, some of whom ignored the no ATV rules and tore up the alpine anyway. Messy camps up top, burned tarps and lawn chairs, crapped in the open around "camp", made me sick. Never saw ANY sheep, NO deer, nada.
Filled our limit every day with grouse on the road up, camped on the river, that part was good, but forget the deer now up top. Hunt the bottom roads along the river, where they've been pushed by the yahoos up top.

[ravensfoot]

Sounds like Heitsman's got the area staked out. His efforts to deter are kinda working because it sounds like the area is now a BUST. I'm second guessing the spot now... It just looked so nice on the maps and I was so looking forward to a high-up mule deer hunt right about now. That really sucks that "the Dude" had to witness such hideous remainders from AssHat hunters and campers.

[dino]

Sounds like Heitsman's got the area staked out. His efforts to deter are kinda working because it sounds like the area is now a BUST. I'm second guessing the spot now... It just looked so nice on the maps and I was so looking forward to a high-up mule deer hunt right about now. That really sucks that "the Dude" had to witness such hideous remainders from AssHat hunters and campers.

I hope your not buying into this crap bud. Crater can be awsome to hunt you just have to know when. If there is lots of early snow in late oct into nov crater can be the place to be. Hedly heights can be another good spot close by. If there is no snow the deer are still around just not as many.
Here's a little one I took out of there on the last day of the season. Be prepared for some long shots.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee306/heydino/DSCF2065.jpg

[horshur]

I see Crater as being winter range and so expect the hunting to be a bit slow till late but there is always local deer and deer that move early so I can't see how it would be a wash.......first day look for sign if it is sparse move. Key to success is being flexable.

[ravensfoot]

OK, Hunt is back on. Got some very valuable tips and encouragement from great people like you and am gearing up for some hiking in the high country.
Hopefully the bit of weather we are expecting on Thursday will work in my favour. Dino, that is a nice "little one" -I have my new Vortex TalonHD Binos, 300WSM and my trusty shooting sticks itching for some action!! Will for sure be flexible when out there hunting. Thanks dmace for all your help too.

[ravensfoot]

Are there many whitetail up near Crater? And does anyone have a map of the closed road sections available?

[bcfarmer]

Whities are not on Crater.....odd one in bottom of the valley...basically few and far between.

There is a map at the bottom of the second Crater rd. ( Hargraves )( 8km) detailing the closed area. The small signs that are there will either say "designated motor vehicle route" or "no unauthorized vehicles beyond this point"....unfortunately, both signs are quite similar looking in appearance, so it is necessary to pay attention. Basically, stick to the main road and stop where it says to stop.

The first Crater rd.( 1km) forks at (?). The left fork leads to the alpine where you will find a VERY large sign stating "no vehicles beyond this point".....you are still approximately 1km from the top or alpine area.

A point of interest, I have been told that the CO's are getting frustrated with the abuse of these road closures and that there is very little chance of talking your way out of a ticket if you are in or on a vehicle beyond the road closures. They have vowed to monitor it more closely. Take it for what it is worth.

Enjoy your hunt up there...it is beautiful scenery.

bcf



Are there many whitetail up near Crater? And does anyone have a map of the closed road sections available?

[ravensfoot]

I will definitely respect the vehicle closures. I was just hoping to see a map that I could use side by side with Google earth to plan my hike.

[Islandeer]

Listen to the positive advice, then make your own luck ... and enjoy.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I heli flew that Crater area on the sheep count two years ago and kicked up dozens of deer in the trees nearer to the top than the valleys. It was later, January as I recall but there wasn't anything of any size observed by any of us in the chopper. Probably wouldn't be my choice of places to go.


And how did you make out sheep hunting with your buddy when he had the draw???

SSS

[ravensfoot]

Had a great time up at Crater, saw lots of critters. Deer, Sheep, Grouse, Rabbits, Bear, and of course Ravens, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Cows, Osprey, and Humans.
Not much of a story as I didn't cut any tags but the scenery was unbelievable. Did lots of hiking and glassing, weather was still quite mild, wish I had 3 more days to get a better feel for the area.

Some photos of up at Crater:


http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5191-10.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5182-8.jpg

Found this guy right across the creek from our camp:

http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/_MG_2321-2.jpg


Everyone has to stop at the old cabin in the Aspen Grove, Anyone know the history on this place? Mining? Ranching?

http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_0688.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_0674.jpg

[ravensfoot]

Map at the top of the mine (red rock road) that connects to Placer Mtn

http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5116.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5173-4.jpg

The Smoke Pole up near Crater Lk. Just after first light:
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5178-6.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5180-7.jpg

[ravensfoot]

Below Crater, not sure what this is called but we named it El-Cap-i-tan (Is that sulphur or just yellow lichen?)

http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/IMG_5188-9.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/_MG_2248-2.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/_MG_2247-2.jpg


I LOVE DEER... meat

http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/_MG_2309-2.jpg
http://www.ravensfoot.com/hunting/pics/_MG_2312-2%20copy.jpg

[835]

Ahh hahaha I guess i should read on before pm ing you with help. Looks like im too late!