Colorado unit 55 second rifle mule deer advice

[D_Dubya]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum but have been reading it for a while, some great info here. I drew my first Colorado mule deer tag this year for unit 55 second rifle in the gunnison basin. Just got back from a week long vacation/scouting trip in the area and found some good bucks above timberline. does anyone have any advice on where to start looking for them in October? I've hunted the unit for elk in the third season for elk twice ('08 and '10) and have seen the deer are generally down lower by then. Not looking for specific area as much as insight into what types of terrain/habitat the deer are in that time of year. (probably anywhere they can dodge the elk hunters?) thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Sawfish]

It has been a few years since I hunted that area, but at that time, the big deer (and elk) tended to stay as high as they could, for as long as they could, depending on the weather, which has pretty been my experience on most Colorado hunts. I am sure there are others with more Colorado experience than me, who might think differently. But that is my two cents worth. Congratulations on drawing a tag, and good luck.

 

[D_Dubya]

It has been a few years since I hunted that area, but at that time, the big deer (and elk) tended to stay as high as they could, for as long as they could, depending on the weather, which has pretty been my experience on most Colorado hunts. I am sure there are others with more Colorado experience than me, who might think differently. But that is my two cents worth. Congratulations on drawing a tag, and good luck.

Thanks Sawfish, I appreciate the info. With a little luck maybe I'll find one of those big boys still hanging out up high. Two months to go, I can hardly stand it!

 

[muleymaddness]

Altitohunter - send you a PM.

 

[D_Dubya]

Got it, sent reply.

 

[Old Hunter]

I'm stuck hunting that season for elk this year in 55. I busted up my rib for my muzzleloader hunt, and I had to make a fast decision while I could still turn in my ML tag. I went for a 2nd rifle OTC tag. Something i've always avoided before. I see 1200 hunters in 55 from just the draw. Add to that all the OTC hunters, and it'll be a zoo.

I'll find a big piece of deep timber, and hunt that. I doubt any critters will be out in the open.

 

[D_Dubya]

It looks like it will be crowded, I think the 1200 hunters includes OTC elk hunters too. Either way a lot of road hunters and probably half of them riding atv's 60 mph, walking 20 feet from it and wondering why there aren't any elk, at least that's the way it's been the times I've hunted elk there in third rifle. We managed to find elk almost everyday by getting back off the road in some steep country, of course we also saw a guy who killed a great bull 100 yards off the road in the Almont triangle - go figure.

 

[Old Hunter]

The 1200 hunters doesn't include the OTC hunters. If you look at the tags offered for the draw it's 1200. Plus OTC tags are good for all the units that are OTC. So, there's no way to keep track of where the OTC hunters are hunting.

I wouldn't be surprised if unit 55 has over 2000 hunters for 2nd season. The good part is most of them will be gone by Tues. If I do decide to hunt 55. It will be Tues to Fri. Hopefully, the elk/deer will settle down by then. I wouldn't even consider hunting the first weekend if I were you.