Backcountry Bowhunts
- Thread starter Haisen
- Start date
sjsmallfield
Veteran member
jenbickel
Veteran member
Elkcrazedfrk
Active Member
- Feb 21, 2011
- 232
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jenbickel
Veteran member
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Hey guys,
I hate to be a party pooper, but we might want to swing the inside joke stuff to pm, so the OP can get some info on his question.
To the OP,
I had a tag for CO GU43 this year but never made it there, due to some unexpected family events. It seems like really cool country with great trophy potential, but all you hear about it is how it is still on the downswing (and some overexposure on Eastman's TV). 44 seems like a pretty good option, and one I am looking into myself.
There are also some good backcountry options for high country mulies in MT, believe it or not.
I hate to be a party pooper, but we might want to swing the inside joke stuff to pm, so the OP can get some info on his question.
To the OP,
I had a tag for CO GU43 this year but never made it there, due to some unexpected family events. It seems like really cool country with great trophy potential, but all you hear about it is how it is still on the downswing (and some overexposure on Eastman's TV). 44 seems like a pretty good option, and one I am looking into myself.
There are also some good backcountry options for high country mulies in MT, believe it or not.
hoytnut
Member
Haisen. I've hunted 43 and 55 recently - simply put, the Gunnison Basin herds are struggling. Before the recent harsh winters, 43 was a great sleeper tag that was always undersubscribed, but still held some great deer. However, the unit has been both discovered as a overlooked unit and the deer herd has been hit by several harsh winters making it a tough go. There is always potential there for a great buck, but I would say there are much better units in Colorado right now to kill nice bucks. I hate to be a downer, but I have also hunted 75/751 in the past 4 years and it is not nearly as good a draw as it once was. IMO deer numbers are also down, in fact last year they cut tags in the area. Again, there is potential for nice deer as there is in a lot of places on the west slope, but IMO there are still better units than 75/751. Good luck with the search!
Graylight
Active Member
Keep in mind even with the winter of 08, there will be a few large bucks in every high country unit. If you have the balls to go where they are, you have the opportunity to come out heavy. Each of the units you had suggested will hold a few bucks of the caliber you are looking for and even with the exposure of a few of these units, there is a line in the sand... Many will try to hunt them but few will return once they realize what it takes to get it done.
Anyone who has done it knows this for gospel. If you hunt above timber, you will pay for the buck dearly in sweat equity, don't let anyone sway you away from hunting those units as most are biased and don't want competition. If you are determined, you can achieve your dreams up there... Have fun and be safe...
Anyone who has done it knows this for gospel. If you hunt above timber, you will pay for the buck dearly in sweat equity, don't let anyone sway you away from hunting those units as most are biased and don't want competition. If you are determined, you can achieve your dreams up there... Have fun and be safe...
hoytnut
Member
Graylight is right. All your suggested units have the potential to produce nice deer - as many Colorado units do. Also, I hope you did not perceive my post as self-serving. I have received a lot of help over the years from others on this and similar sites so the last thing I would do is intentionally sandbag to protect my own interests. Again, good luck and much hunting success.
Thank You Bitteroot Bulls, Graylight, and Hoytnut. The information each of you have provided is helpful. I will most likely hunt GMU 48 in Idaho or GMU 44 in Colorado. No matter which hunt I choose, I will gain valuable experience. Good luck on your hunts and thank you for the advice.