Colorado Mule Deer help

[dkbaird]

I live in North Idaho and finally getting back into the hunt, instead of just watching Eastmans....and saying someday. I'm finally making it happen. I grew up hunting in Utah with family and have killed a few bucks but nothing very mature. Willing to put in the time and money to get something a little bigger. I have been looking at CO and have found what looks like reasonable units for a non-resident with no points.

I can't decide on whether to put in for CO units 18/28/37/37 for 3rd rifle or units 181/27 for the same hunt. Looks like both don't require any points. I have done about as much research as I can from home and plan on making a trip out this summer to get familiar with the area as I have never been there before.

I was hoping someone could give some advice on which one of these hunts to apply for...April 3 is deadline. I'm leaning on the 18 hunt as it seems to allow for more diversity in terrain, summer and winter ranges with corridors as well.

Thanks for any advice. My boys and I appreciate it.

Dirk

 

[Huntinandfishinfool]

I'm not able to help you at all but have a question for you. Are you planning to hunt Idaho as well? I thought you guys had some nice mule deer hunting. Asking because I'm looking at other states to hunt mule deer because my home state of Washington isn't a very good option.

 

[Slugz]

Out of all listed I'd go with 18. May also want to look at last years left over and put in for a point then either second choice or via the leftover get the deer tag. Two birds with one stone mentality.....build points while still hunting

 

[CODAK]

18 3rd there is 1485 tags with a 37% success rate, 27 3rd there is 460 tags with a 40% success. Take it for what it is worth to you.

 

[JimP]

There is usually a reason why these units can be drawn by a non resident with zero points for the later seasons. Most of them are bad reasons.

A couple are, the deer migrate off of the area so no one puts in for it. Lots of private where the deer migrate to with very little access. Or very little access across private land to start with.

What I would do is to call the Colorado Hunt Planner. The number is listed in the book, but you better do it now since you only have a few more days to get it figured out.

 

[dkbaird]

Huntingandfishingfool,

Idaho does have some nice Mule deer, but most bigger bucks are in the southern part of the state, either southwestern in the Owyees or southeastern, neither of which I have hunted. Ya I know, I'm driving past a lot of good mule deer hunting to go to Colorado. I have family in Utah and a brother who doesn't hunt who lives in CO.

 

[graybird]

I'm not familiar with 181/27 but I have spent quite a bit of time in the units listed with the 18 hunt code. All of this time was completed during earlier seasons, except for when the snow is flying, aka skiing season. There are several popular skiing resorts within this area, which means high country.

Keep in mind, some of the Forest Service roads can/will close at any time due to winter weather. Many of the deer will migrate out of the country to lower areas once the snow hits the slopes.

Good luck!!!