Mention the word snow around a group of big game hunters and the opinions will start to flow. Not enough snow. Too much snow. Dang snow was blowin’ sideways; I couldn't see a thing. Snow’s too crunchy; they’ll hear you from a mile away. I've been a western big game hunting guide for 19 years now and when it comes to the topic of snowfall, I've heard many opinions from clients, fellow hunting guides, outfitters and just about everyone in between. No matter which way you want to argue about snow, there's one thing for certain:
It affects the animals you’re hunting and how you hunt them.
Early Season Snow
Early season snow means the “white blanket” arrives weeks to a month before winter actually sets in. Early season snows typically won’t hang around very long as the daytime temps climb to well above freezing. The impact of snow on game during this period is minimal. Sure, you may see movement slow down for a day or two but that's more associated with the front moving through than the snow itself. During this time, stick to your original game plan and wait for high pressure to set back in. Once it does, the animals will be on their feet and you’ll get a more constant wind direction. The advantage here is being able to read signs in the evaporating snow. Tracks, or lack thereof, are all the proof you need to know that you're on the right path. If fresh tracks are present, keep hunting. If not, get to another area before the snow gets away. Tracks don't lie and are your best source of info, besides physically seeing the critters that made them.
A little side note: Once you get above 10,000 feet in elevation, any snow that shows up may be there for the season. In some locales, that may mean that by the time hunting season starts, there's already a couple feet of snow. The trails may or may not provide evidence that the area is void of game.
The Transition
The transition stage is basically the timeframe when fall turns into winter. I'm not speaking of what our calendar says is winter; I'm talking about when Mother Nature tells us. This timeframe can come anytime from September to December depending on elevation. I recognize this time period as when the snow is here to stay at the mid-level elevations. What are mid-level elevations? Depends on your hunting area, so let's set up an example.
Mountainside:
The top of the mountain we’re building is 9,500 feet while the bottom of the valley floor is 4,300 feet. Our mid-level area will fall somewhere between 6,500 feet and 7,500 feet. Most years, this is where early-to mid-gun seasons take place. The mountain is 9,500 feet tall. We have ruled out hunting above 8,000 feet because there's been several feet of snow up there for weeks. The elk and mule deer will be hanging near the mid-level snowline. It's still not brutally cold at that elevation but they know it's coming. Conserving energy and packing on calories are the main objective. The elk rut is over and the mule deer are a couple weeks shy of it. Many of the cow/calf groups may be heading toward the valley floor to feed on ag fields if available. These groups usually contain younger bulls as well (three years old and younger). Doe/fawn groups do the same thing, though many have lived there the entire year due to the abundance of good food sources. The more mature animals are still up in that mid-level range for the most part. The feed up there is still plentiful. They have no reason to venture out of the security that the mid-level range provides. These animals have a few seasons under their hooves and are content to stay put on the side of the mountain where encounters with man are few. My methods of hunting change very little from season to season. Get to a good vantage point and glass. That may mean I’m at the bottom looking up or at the top looking down. Whichever allows me the best opportunity to glass up game is where I will be. Making sure you’re set at your desired glassing location at first light is crucial. Be careful not to walk or drive through animals in the dark. If that’s a concern in your area, wait until good light to proceed or find a different entry route. I am NOT a fan of walking timber. Bumping elk or deer may send them to the next mountain range. Be patient and have confidence in your glass.
Winter Range
Elk, deer and antelope will head to their winter range as the snow flies and the weather turns brutally cold. This is usually toward the back end of rifle season. In my area of Central Montana, that means the last two weeks of season. Snow this time of year has usually blanketed the valley floor (at least I hope it has). Elk are in an all-out survival mode. Semi-migratory elk will be low in the valley. These are resident elk that change their residing elevations around the mountain range as weather dictates. Ag fields will get pounded as the elk herd up. Herds of several hundred are not uncommon. If the weather gets downright nasty, big bulls will be nearby. If you're hunting for mature bulls and can't glass them up with the big herd, glass the foothills around thick stands of Evergreen trees. You may not spot the elk, but their tracks will be visible in the snow. Get yourself in position for an evening hunt. They will feed back out closer to dark on the open, windblown ridges.
Migratory elk are on the march to their winter range which may involve a 10- to 400-mile trek for them. Young bulls, cows and calves are the first to make the journey. Years where there is deep snow, these trails will stand out like a cowboy at a black tie dinner. Glass these trails for mature bulls as they make their way out. This type of hunting is feast or famine. Hit the migration right and it will be the best hunting you’ve ever had. Be a day late and it's all over. These trails may not see another animal until Spring. The same thing holds true for mule deer. Resident deer will be around ag fields, river bottoms and sage flats. Big bucks will be bouncing around doe groups looking for hot doe as the rut is now in full swing. Cover country glassing groups of doe until you find a buck that trips your trigger. Deer that migrate will constantly be on the move until they get to their wintering grounds. If you are hunting these migrating deer and see a shooter, you better kill him when you see him. He won't be around tomorrow. Glass, glass and glass some more. When you find the right one, be aggressive and don't screw around; he’s likely to be 20 miles away the next morning.
Migratory deer head for river bottoms and sage flats just like resident deer do. These places hold a lot of feed and manageable amounts of snow. The deer will return year after year to the same areas. If luck isn’t on your side with a particular “big buck” on a given year, there's a good chance he will be back the next. All is not lost if it doesn't work out. Chances are, he’ll be even bigger next year!
Closin’ it out
The information above is a very broad look at what happens when the snow flies in our western mountains. Every area and year is different. Local biologists and game wardens may or may not give you valuable information on specific areas. A fellow hunting guide and long time friend gives excellent advice focused on locating big game during rifle season here. Online data and forums may also be helpful but take all info with a grain of salt as some people will purposefully send you in the WRONG direction. If you are a traveling hunter, give yourself as much time as possible to figure out the pieces of the puzzle. If possible, allow two weeks instead of one. Guided hunts give you a big advantage because someone is there keeping tabs on the critters and their movements for you.
Above all else, safety should be your number one concern when hunting the deep snow and cold temps that often accompany them. If you are a DIY person, make sure you are prepared with fire starting tools and a space blanket. One more thing; don't forget tire chains. A good rule of thumb is use your chains to get out of a hunting area, not to get into it!
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