2018 Colorado 2nd rifle info

[Texdeerhunter82]

Could anyone please give a little info on GMU 54, 71/711 or just altogether some decent knowledge on mule deer hunting 2nd rifle season on these units or any other we might have any luck seeing deer and not rude people on ATV's. There will be 3 of us guys hunting deer if we get drawn. We have 2 NR points a piece. I am bringing my 10 year old son along for his first Colorado experience also. We are not scared to hunt for the deer and stay away from roads, we just haven't had the luck I think we should've had hunting elsewhere. We hunted unit 72/73 in the past and had way to many encounters with crazy rude road hunters. We don't mind camping in the back country either.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I live right next to 71/711 and it is a zoo during 2nd & 3rd rifle seasons as you can get otc elk tags....and they sell unlimited numbers of them. It is hard to get away from all the hunters, but it can be done. Go over to new member and introduce yourself also.

 

[Texdeerhunter82]

Thank you any little bit of info sure helps.

 

[Texdeerhunter82]

Should my group of 3 put in for 3rd season I know that's closer to the rut and will be in the new moon phase also for the first week of Nov.

 

[cmbbulldog]

Yes, to me 3rd season is better than 2nd season. Just a fair warning though, as was mentioned above, 2nd and 3rd seasons in CO are an absolute zoo, because of all the OTC elk hunters in many of the units. First weekend is always worse than later in the hunt as well. If you can only say do 5 days, hunt the last 5.

 

[Texdeerhunter82]

Yes, to me 3rd season is better than 2nd season. Just a fair warning though, as was mentioned above, 2nd and 3rd seasons in CO are an absolute zoo, because of all the OTC elk hunters in many of the units. First weekend is always worse than later in the hunt as well. If you can only say do 5 days, hunt the last 5.

Thank you it's highly noted now on getting away from weekend hunters. It's like that down here with city boys shooting everything in site. I believe we have decided to stick to our roots and hunt 73 for the 3rd season. I actually know a few spots to get away from people there.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I actually live in 73 and think it's better for deer than 71/711, but there is a lot more private property to deal with. If you have experience there, I would hunt it too. Good luck.

 

[Texdeerhunter82]

Well thanks for the info we have always loved that unit. I took my first mule deer buck there and he was pretty nice. We just seem to have more confidence being in an area we know. How is the weather there in 3rd season. We have always hunted 2nd season but in 2016 it was hot hunting archery elk even though we called in a nice 6x6 just didn't get the job done. All I can say is what an experience that was having a screaming bull nearly running over ya in the brush. He came off private property to the call.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

No way to predict the weather!! Some years there is snow and it's pretty cold. This dry and warm!