Colorado early rifle out...thoughts on 61, 66, 67 3rd season?

Ridge Runner

Ridge Runner

New Member
Feb 16, 2014
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My uncle and I have 13 points, and I was hoping to hunt 74 or 82 early rifle, but after a couple high country trips with my son, I've realized that it will be impossible for my uncle. So, I'm hoping for some advice on 3rd season hunts for 61,66,and 67. My uncle has been my hunting and fishing partner my whole life, and I really want us to have a good hunt. I've scoured the internet, and was hoping for a PM with better info. I struck out on info from this forum for a muzzleloader hunt with my son...but still managed to be successful. Appreciate any advice or help...I also know there is the possibility of winter kill this year. Even though the tags were cut way back after 07,08 storms...success rates still look good in these units. Thoughts? Thanks!
 
MuleyHunter

MuleyHunter

Active Member
Mar 23, 2011
347
49
Fruita, Colorado
Unit 61

As far as unit 61 goes, it can be a very tough hunt 3rd season for a big buck. Unit 61 is much better for a big buck during archery season before there velvet comes off.

I can not help you with the other units as I do not know them.

Quinton
 
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packmule

Veteran member
Jun 21, 2011
2,433
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TX
66/67 would be a fun hunt if they cut the heck out of the tags again. I'd skip a year though
 
CoHiCntry

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
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Colorado Mountains
MuleyHunter said:
As far as unit 61 goes, it can be a very tough hunt 3rd season for a big buck. Unit 61 is much better for a big buck during archery season before there velvet comes off.

I can not help you with the other units as I do not know them.

Quinton
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I concur with MuleyHunter on area 61 for deer. Most guy's I know of especially those that don't live in the area walk away from a unit 61 rifle buck tag very disappointed. The mags keep touting it so guy's keep applying then regretting spending all those years worth of points. I had the tag your looking at a few years ago and never saw a buck worth shooting. I hunt every year in units 61 & 62 and don't routinely see a lot of big bucks. Once in awhile I see a really good one but that can happen in any unit in Colorado. Outfitters who have access to private land near fields can probably get you a good buck if you want to spend the money... Never hunted 66 or 67 so no help there.
 
hoshour

hoshour

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May 31, 2012
1,622
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North Carolina
www.CornerstoneInvestment.com
Thanks for the feedback on 61. Always good to hear from a hunter that hunts a unit a lot .One reason it is in such demand is harvest success in the upper 60%s.

Unit 66 is rougher than 66, with about 30% wilderness and gets up to around 12,500. Unit 67 actually goes up to 13,500 but the higher elevation is a smaller part of the unit. The highest part of both units is at the southern end of the units and they slope down toward the north where there is BLM. Success runs around 50% in both units, but for some reason success in 67 has been trending down and was 39% in 2015. Unit 67 has less pressure than 66 and both have a lot of public land.

I love the interactive Colorado hunt atlas, especially the lower left base map choice. That will give you a good feel for what the units are like.

Obviously, there is likely to be some winter kill this year and you won't know the number of tags until after the draw. In 2016, 66 took 15 points for nonresidents, so that is more than you have. Unit 67 took 12.

Unless the demand for tags drops more than the tags offered, point creep could be a problem, but I think a lot of guys are going to look elsewhere this year, especially residents.
 
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packmule

Veteran member
Jun 21, 2011
2,433
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TX
hoshour said:
Thanks for the feedback on 61. Always good to hear from a hunter that hunts a unit a lot .One reason it is in such demand is harvest success in the upper 60%s.

Unit 66 is rougher than 66, with about 30% wilderness and gets up to around 12,500. Unit 67 actually goes up to 13,500 but the higher elevation is a smaller part of the unit. The highest part of both units is at the southern end of the units and they slope down toward the north where there is BLM. Success runs around 50% in both units, but for some reason success in 67 has been trending down and was 39% in 2015. Unit 67 has less pressure than 66 and both have a lot of public land.

I love the interactive Colorado hunt atlas, especially the lower left base map choice. That will give you a good feel for what the units are like.

Obviously, there is likely to be some winter kill this year and you won't know the number of tags until after the draw. In 2016, 66 took 15 points for nonresidents, so that is more than you have. Unit 67 took 12.

Unless the demand for tags drops more than the tags offered, point creep could be a problem, but I think a lot of guys are going to look elsewhere this year, especially residents.
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Shouldn't be that bad for '16 bc of reissue, unfortunately. Last year was bad with 20% increase & 20-30% reissued tacked on, but that's a rant for another day.
 
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