What's a deer hunter to do in Layton Lakes between Midnight and 5:00 a.m.?

[jjs82xx]

Yes, I know there are bear, duck, rabbit, and coyotes about... and deer/elk resting. And I have used that time slot to go exploring and uncover lookouts/outposts. Any other ideas for passing the dark watch, besides sleeping it away?

Thank you.

[leighton]

In the north/central area of the map there is an island that looks sort of like a fish. To the east of the fish's nose it looks like water on the map, but is actually land and is a major crossing point for elk, moose, and deer. They cross there 24hr. a day from all directions and is non-stop action all night and day.

[jjs82xx]

Oh, yes, sir! I know that spot. I've brought down (literally) tons of deer, elk, and moose. Seems to get quiet after about 1900 hours, though.

Hey, while I have the opportunity to hijack my own thread: You know of any other spots like that? That land bridge in the south-central part of that huge spindly lake in the Balmont district (but, oddly, NOT Balmont Lake) looked promising, but nothing but duck and a lone bear...

[Mr L]

Could you give more details where this island is? What outpost is closest? Thank You

Originally posted by leighton:

In the north/central area of the map there is an island that looks sort of like a fish. To the east of the fish's nose it looks like water on the map, but is actually land and is a major crossing point for elk, moose, and deer. They cross there 24hr. a day from all directions and is non-stop action all night and day.

[leighton]

It's in High Lake at the westernmost corner of Norden where the river is horizontal.

If it gets quiet at 1900, it should pick up again shortly. There are occasional lulls, which I use to scout around both sides of the river and track down dead bodies, haha. The same herds will cross and then in a few hours cross back again. Moose and blacktail usually cross later at night.

[Hanuman]

I turn artifact color to red and race around on my atv looking for sheds and artifacts, glowing red in the dark.

[Mr L]

Is that the island by the trail that crosses the river, and there's a stand there you buy to set up?

Originally posted by leighton:

It's in High Lake at the westernmost corner of Norden where the river is horizontal.

If it gets quiet at 1900, it should pick up again shortly. There are occasional lulls, which I use to scout around both sides of the river and track down dead bodies, haha. The same herds will cross and then in a few hours cross back again. Moose and blacktail usually cross later at night.

[leighton]

There is another chokepoint I like to the northeast along the river just west of the Calburn outpost, that also looks like water on the map but isn't. Lots of elk and whitetails cross there, but you have to be there at the right time. There is also a hunting stand across the river and a little to the south that is in a good spot, one of the few that are.

[leighton]

The trail crosses the river by the fish's tail fins, you want to head east to the grassy area off it's nose. Umm, treestand?

[jjs82xx]

@ Leighton --> Thank you for the info on the alternate hunting spot. I'll try it out!

Originally posted by leighton:

The trail crosses the river by the fish's tail fins, you want to head east to the grassy area off it's nose. Umm, treestand?

@ Mr. L --> The closest outpost I see is "Highlake Southern Outpost" From there it is about 600 meters north (slightly east of north) to the "fish's tail" of the (sorta) fish shaped island. The island is by far the largest in that part of High Lake, (according to the map). So the nose of the fish is about 300-400 meters east of the tail (looks like a really large and misshapen fish, swimming east).. If you zoom in on that fish's nose and put a marker there EXACTLY on the tip of the nose, where the map says the land/water boundary is, then look at it in game (but not on the map) you will see that there isn't really water there (just marsh?) Anyway, my tripod is set up 97 meters ESE of that marker. I have been in that stand as I write this, and had 1 F moose, 1 F Elk, and 3 F blacktail cross within 30 meters of my stand (even though the area is hot pink from hunting pressure, it's 10:00 a.m., so no one should be here, and the wind was blowing my scent at all those animals). A really nice Bull moose started to cross but then caught my scent, about 120 meters out, bellowed, and turned away. Same story for a Bull Elk.

Oh, BTW, bring a tent and a tripod, or prepare to die. The area is swarming with killer moose. The only death I have suffered in this game was while trying to get to the area to set up my tripod, about 50 meters from where my tripod is now.

P.S. -- Harvested 2 bull and 1 F moose, 1 M blacktail and 1 M Whitetail while writing this up

Time to get back to hunting.

[Mr L]

Thanks!

[jjs82xx]

You are welcome, sir!

[jjs82xx]

Hey, Leighton: Just wanted to let you know I went to that spot you talked about, and... it is a very nice area to take hunting pressure off of my main hunting ground. Really nice! I was ammazed at the loads and loads of MALE whitetails and Elk! Thanks again!

For anyone else interested: I set up shop (tent+tripod) on the big island WNW of the Calburn outpost There is a land bridge just south of there, of which there is no hint on the map. Scads of deer and elk cross there. There is also an Elk need zone just WNW of the western tip of the big island.

[leighton]

May the wind always be in your face!