Colorado Mule Deer Hunt

[gradycoshooter]

I am looking for advice on what units I should put in for in 2013. I have no pp's so I know most of the true trophy areas are going to be out of my reach. If anyone has any suggestions on areas that might be good options for me it would be greatly appreciated! I have family in GMU 55 and good friends that have a place in GMU 77. Thanks

 

[gradycoshooter]

Ok well maybe I asked the wrong kind of question or something! I'm not looking for someones honey hole but just wanting info on units that might hold good animals and is not too tough to draw a tag in!!! any advice will be greatly appreciated!!! thanks

 

[Old Hunter]

I can tell you to forget about unit 55. You'll need points. Tough to get a deer tag in that unit. Easy for elk though.

You need to go to the DOW web site. It has a ton of information. You have a lot of time to research. You'll be very limited with no points.

If you hunt for elk, you can buy an OTC bull elk tag in unit 55. No points needed.

 

[gradycoshooter]

Thanks for the info old hunter! I have talked to my uncle in 55 and he said it seems that most of the elk close to their cabin have left! He thinks there are so many atvs that many of the elk have moved out! It still amazes me how hard it is to get a tag in CO for deer when elk is OTC! Thanks for the insight!!

 

[Old Hunter]

The elk move away from the ATV roads. They haven't left. The Gunnison basin still has a large herd. You need to hike away from the crowd, but that's pretty much true for any unit.

Yes, deer tags are hard to get compared to elk tags. I find it annoying too. It sucks that I can't hunt where I live.

 

[Musket Man]

There are some good muzzle loader and archery hunts you can draw with no points or as a second choice most years if you want to build points and get to hunt as well and there is always the OTC elk tags if all else fails!

 

[gradycoshooter]

Their cabin is near taylor res. and we were there this summer!! As a flat lander i just want to get in that country to hunt!!! If I dont kill fine but at least I tried and If i get lucky and harvest than thats going to be even better!!! During the early seasons the deer and elk stay as high as they can for as long as they can right? Ive heard that the weather has to pretty much drive them down!!!

 

[Old Hunter]

Yes, they'll be high right now. I actually had a muzzleloader tag this year, and today would have been the first day. All my scouting was up at timberline.

I broke a rib last week, and it's not close to healing enough for an elk hunt. So, I exchanged the ML tag yesterday for a OTC 2nd rifle bull elk in unit 55. I just live across the hill in unit 481. Hopefully, the rib will be healed by then. I'm going to hate the crowds, but it's way better than staying home. It was the only option I had. I'll be shocked if i get a shot at a bull, so i'm just going to have fun and not let anything bother me. I have a deep hate for ATV's, but I have to do my best to ignore them this year.

You'll need to get away from the lake if you try 55. Way too crowded.

 

[gradycoshooter]

K when we were there we toook a jeep ride to another park west of there and my uncle said that most of the elk were staying in that area at that time! I just cant remember the name of it! I have figured out if you dont live in the area its really hard to get things figured out! That is really the frustrating part to me!!! but its not anything a lot of try wont fix!! Sorry to hear about the rib old hunter! Thats got to suck bad!!! We are headed out to scout elk here in OK today!!! I'm so ready to chase the bulls here!!!!

 

[Old Hunter]

Here's some info you may not be aware of. When you buy an OTC tag. It's good for all the OTC units. So, you have a lot of options compared to a tag you get from the draw. Those are specific to the unit (s) you apply for.

 

[gradycoshooter]

yeah i called dow the other day and she informed me of that!!! I just was going to try to do mule deer because I'll be by myself and if I get lucky and harvest an animal I could handle getting it out much easier than an elk!!! I still have lots to get figured out!!! but thanks so much for the info!!! well im off work and headed to scout!! thanks old hunter!!!

 

[Old Hunter]

I understand. I'll be 70 this Dec, and getting elk out alone is a chore. I'd like to switch to just mule deer too, but it's getting harder to get the tags. You can't depend on getting one every year.

You should have bought a deer point this year. You'd have a better chance next year. Here's another thought that some guys do as they get older, ot hunt alone. Cow elk tags are easy to get. They get one and shoot a calf. Still bigger than a deer, but not so big you can't get it out alone if you bone it out.

 

[gradycoshooter]

old hunter I did some looking and 55 for mule deer prob wont draw but I think the 77 where my buddies have there cabin could happen with no pps. I think ill put in for 55 as first choice and 77 as my 2nd! If im not mistaken if i do it that way it wil all least give me a pp? Just wanting to tap into your knowledge again! I will go for an archery hunt! What is you take on that?

 

[HuskyMusky]

could buy a landowner tag and then gain access to private ground in the process, as well the tag is good for all public land in that unit I believe, but not certain.