Colorado unit 43

[Musket Man]

I drew a muzzle loader tag for units 43,47,471. anyone have any advise on the area? i plan to backpack into the high country. i am thinking about trying the part of the raggeds wilderness in unit 43 because there is no overlaping rifle season there. i have hunted 3rd season lower in 43 before but never been there in september. thanks!

 

[Graylight]

43 will be a ZOO this year... Good luck!

 

[Musket Man]

I guess that means to pack in farther. i didnt think there were very many tags for the early september season? i know the later seaons can be a zoo with OTC elk tags.

 

[Graylight]

The unit was recently blown open and there will be a ton of archery deer hunters in there this year... Realistically, you can only go so far in... You will be within 5-7 miles from a road no matter where you go and unfortunately, there's a lot of core hunters that go there to hike in, so you won't see many lazy people in those parts... Thus, no matter where you go, there will be competition in the basins... There are good animals all over the unit though, you just gotta focus on where they get bumped to, not so much where they are comfortable on their undisturbed summer range before season... You will have fun, just be prepared to hunt with others and remember that during the week will be a little better than the weekends...

 

[Rob P]

Marlon, why do you believe that 43 will be a zoo this year if archery tag numbers are the same as last year (275)? or is it that 43 is always a zoo?

 

[hoytnut]

43 has definitely been discovered. It used to be a great second/third choice archery deer unit, but the word is out and I suspect it will be hit hard the next few years until many discover how hard it is to hunt that unit.

 

[Graylight]

Rob, If you take a look at the tag allocation for the unit and realize that all of the tags were sold out this season, you know you're in for it... Sure, there are a handful of elkhunters that get the tag to have it if they happen across a muley and they won't be an issue because they'll most likely be hunting the timber anyway...

The real issue is the attention brought to the unit and most every basin will be covered up come the opener... Realistically there is a ton of high country but there are not that many basins... All I am saying is that if you get back into the far recesses of 43, chances are you will still be sharing the same group of deer with a few other guy's... It is big country and there is a lot of it but there is little of the good stuff and far between, so it could get a little frustrating... hoytnut is right...

 

[Rob P]

gotcha. I considered putting 43 as my second choice this year but didn't. despite what you're saying i wish i had. at least I'd be hunting colorado.

 

[8750]

I have a muzzleloader cow tag for that unit. See you there! I think I am going to pick up a cow tag for second rifle and an OTC bull tag too. If its brown, it goes down!

 

[Musket Man]

thanks for all the info!! i drew it on my second choice. i wanted a point mostly. are 47 and 471 pretty much the same story? my tag is good in all 3. my main reason for picking 43 was to scout it out and decide if i wanted to try and draw the rifle tag later on.

 

[Graylight]

I believe they are all together... You should double check to make sure though... I know they are together for archery... There's some good bucks in there and someone's gotta kill one... May as well be you Good luck!

 

[In God We Trust]

Stay optimistic!

I hunt a unit that receives a fair amount of pressure as well. I see other people in the basins I hunt occasionally, the
key is to be more patient and glass more effectively than anyone else. It is hard to find a unit that will allow you to hunt the back country for a week and not see another person unless you can magically draw a trophy unit every year. Just hunt hard and you will have your chances. I'm sure this is common knowledge on this forum but I firmly believe if you start glassing at the first hint of light and stay out glassing until it is totally dark you will see and kill more mature bucks. Good luck this year.

 

[sjsmallfield]

Great buck weewa! What did he score?

 

[huntinman87]

does anyone know where and who I can get in contact with to rent a pack mule for this unit ?

 

[Musket Man]

Never expected to see this. My first thread, where I made my first post looking for info and planned on contributing nothing to the forum. Guess I decided to stick around. lol. Never saw a big buck or pulled the trigger but it was 1 of the best hunts I ever went on!!!

If I remember right I think there is an outfitter in Marble you might look into.

 

[EBOLAVIRS]

Way way too many people in 43...not my idea of fun hunting.

 

[Work2hunt]

Never expected to see this. My first thread, where I made my first post looking for info and planned on contributing nothing to the forum. Guess I decided to stick around. lol. Never saw a big buck or pulled the trigger but it was 1 of the best hunts I ever went on!!!

If I remember right I think there is an outfitter in Marble you might look into.

I knew you were just a short timer...but admitting it wow!!!!!

 

[hoshour]

MM, did you end up hunting 43 or did you go to 47, 471?

Why was it such a good trip?