My buddy and I (non-residents) are considering Unit 31 for deer this season. We were originally planning a Wyoming antelope hunt but have decided on Colorado deer. Eastman's shows 70% public. The Colorado Hunting Atlas shows the southern half of the unit being mainly public. My concern is that I've read a few comments from folks talking about the access issues due to private. I was hoping someone might have some knowledge (good or bad) about the access they wouldn't mind sharing.
Unit 31 Access
- Thread starter ew2642
- Start date
Slugz
Veteran member
EW,
I've never hunted 31 but I spend a good deal of time in 22/42/421 and would offer you this based upon what I do know..........lots of BLM land requires a good GPS/map/chip combo.......covering a good amount of land area glassing.......and a solid scouting plan. Animals are in there......31/32 make up the Logan Mountain DAU D-41 and usually over 8,000 animals strong with a 30/100 roughly buck to doe ratio. Once could argue thats above average and there are larger deer in there as GMU-22 has proven recently.
I've never hunted 31 but I spend a good deal of time in 22/42/421 and would offer you this based upon what I do know..........lots of BLM land requires a good GPS/map/chip combo.......covering a good amount of land area glassing.......and a solid scouting plan. Animals are in there......31/32 make up the Logan Mountain DAU D-41 and usually over 8,000 animals strong with a 30/100 roughly buck to doe ratio. Once could argue thats above average and there are larger deer in there as GMU-22 has proven recently.
Thanks Slugz, If we end up going with the 31/32 area the first thing I'll do is get the GPS deal. Is there a particular one that most folks recommend ? Are they good for an individual unit or for the state ? I've always hunted the White River close to timberline so navigating around large areas of private land will be something new.
Slugz
Veteran member
http://forum.eastmans.com/showthread.php/12929-HUNT-App-3-0-Now-Live?highlight=apps
Not promoting here......just passing along what Im gonna upgrade to. : ) I currently run around with a Garmin 650 but mainly have those because I need to keep track of others hunting with me and need the waypoint passing function, radio, map in one. When I hunt alone though I'm always dropping waypoints on my phone and using it......this will only make it easier IMO...check it out.
Rollin
New Member
Check out the Backcountry Navigator app for Android phones, I'm not sure if they have it for iPhone yet or not.
I think it was $15 dollars when I purchased it, +$10 for the BLM overlays. I like it because it gives you a wide range of map choices and allows you to download all maps ahead of time. You can use it in airplane mode that helps save cell phone battery but I like to take a power backup as well if you're out for a while. BTW, you can't beat the track feature that actually saves your tracks and has helped me come off of ridges a number of times.
I hope that helps and have a great season
I think it was $15 dollars when I purchased it, +$10 for the BLM overlays. I like it because it gives you a wide range of map choices and allows you to download all maps ahead of time. You can use it in airplane mode that helps save cell phone battery but I like to take a power backup as well if you're out for a while. BTW, you can't beat the track feature that actually saves your tracks and has helped me come off of ridges a number of times.
I hope that helps and have a great season
marksjeep
New Member
Greetings,
GMU 31 has lots of public, but it's either lower-elevation at the south end of the unit or ridge-tops that are blocked out by valley-bottom private land. I've not hunted deer in 31, but have spent a fair bit of time chasing cows there. If you are going to be in the southern part of the unit expect to see lots of trucks and atv's. If you are in the middle of the unit, access to public will be challenging. Most of the private is either outfitter controlled, or oil and gas. North end of the unit is almost entirely private.
I use the Trimble Outdoors app on an android device, and have been very pleased with it. 31 is a beautiful area, good luck.
GMU 31 has lots of public, but it's either lower-elevation at the south end of the unit or ridge-tops that are blocked out by valley-bottom private land. I've not hunted deer in 31, but have spent a fair bit of time chasing cows there. If you are going to be in the southern part of the unit expect to see lots of trucks and atv's. If you are in the middle of the unit, access to public will be challenging. Most of the private is either outfitter controlled, or oil and gas. North end of the unit is almost entirely private.
I use the Trimble Outdoors app on an android device, and have been very pleased with it. 31 is a beautiful area, good luck.
JimP
Administrator
I agree with marksjeep. I have hunted 31 with access through some private property a friend owns and if you don't have access you need to go somewhere else. There are some huge deer in the unit but for some reason their numbers have been dropping.
Well he decided to put in for Unit 11/22/etc MZ, so I just got points and will prob get an OTC archery tag.. With 1 pp it shows there was 53% draw odds last year. Access kinda worried him about 31. We'll get the GPS deal. Thanks for the info fellas. If he gets drawn I'll make sure to let you know how it went.
crzy_cntryby
Active Member
- Dec 9, 2014
- 269
- 0
Hunted 22 last year. Lots of country. Lots of deer. Lots of people. A few elk. Most the people road hunt. So if you don't you will be good. Feel free to PM me.