Colorado Units 77/78/771

[Black Bear]

Hello. I am planning a DIY Mule Deer hunt in Colorado for next year. Units 77/78/771. I have hunted mulies in Idaho and Montana but have yet to hunt in Colorado so I am really excited. Was thinking about the South San Juan wilderness area and was wondering if anyone has any good advice or maybe a better area they would recommend.

 

[Black Bear]

Hello. I am planning a DIY Mule Deer hunt in Colorado for next year. Units 77/78/771. I have hunted mulies in Idaho and Montana but have yet to hunt in Colorado so I am really excited. Was thinking about the South San Juan wilderness area and was wondering if anyone has any good advice or maybe a better area they would recommend.

Hello. Is this this thing on?

 

[Finsandtines]

It is on.......... My best advice after being on here for several months now and sort of learning the ropes would be to go to the new members intro section and introduce yourself to all the folks on here. Once you do that, in time I'm sure you will find a incredible wealth of knowledge amongst them! I would guess that there are quite a few folks on here that would have better areas but I think out of selfishness they would be keeping that to themselves! Good luck and welcome.

 

[Black Bear]

Thank you very much for the advice. I truly appreciate it..

 

[Black Bear]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I also forgot to mention that if anyone intends to hunt Maine for black bear or moose please let me know I would be glad to share any information. Non-residents tend to stand a fairly good chance with the moose drawing. The eastern moose are pretty good size with mature bulls over 1000 lbs.

 

[Slugz]

Black Bear,

Welcome! So to help ya out a little a few questions.

Are you up for the ruggedness of those areas? Why did you choose those? How many points do you have? Pm me if you like and I'll help out as much as I can. I'm ex military lived in Brunswick ME a few years and have family in Waterville ME.

All the best and Happy Holidays!

 

[RICMIC]

Black Bear; Welcome to the forum. How are the Maine moose doing? I have applied for a Minnesota moose tag for 30 years with no luck, but their numbers have fallen so much that we no longer have a hunt. They have been researching this issue for years and still don't have a complete answer other than a perfect storm of "climate change", ticks, brainworm, wolves, etc.
I have hunted mule deer in CO, and hope to do so this year with 9 points. All deer hunts are limited, so you have to start in areas where you can draw a tag with the points you have. You can go to the CO state G & F website, and look under the "demand index" or "statistics", and see what was required to draw last year. If you do not have any points, then your options as a NR will be very limited, except on private land.

 

[Black Bear]

Thank you. We have seen some decline in the moose herd as well over the last few years. There has been some recent concern with ticks as well so time will tell. I should clarify I mentioned that non-residents had a pretty good chance to draw but I really meant was that they hold a certain amount of non-residents tags aside so the it depends on how many folks enter the drawing for that year. But they are at least doing preference points now for the drawing. Last year they issued around 2700 permits. Success typically runs around 70%. Obviously that number does fluctuate year to year due to weather etc.

 

[Slugz]

True......although don't confuse limited with there not being any at all......study up on the leftover draw and you will find areas that consistently have deer tags every year.......some of those areas are also OTC elk GMUs.......for the people trying to maximize a western hunt you really cant beat the bang for the buck ( no pun intended). There are spots you can 2nd rifle hunt with a bull elk tag, cow elk tag and horned deer tag every year.......and see animals.......at the minimum you could have a doe tag in hand to go with the elk. Take it from someone who does it every other year. Many many options here. Happy holidays!!

 

[jaxdialation]

The vast majority of people seeking "what's the best" information on this and other big game hunting forums seem to come away empty.

So I do as I always have: maps, harvest info and draw odds info.

 

[Black Bear]

I will definitely do that.. Thank you

 

[Slugz]

JaxD,

Sorry you feel that way. Lot of good dudes on this one that "share" info and really do help each other. Lots of PMs go back and forth behind the scenes. All the best this fall!

 

[Black Bear]

I have to echo what Slugz has just stated. I have already gained some invaluable information in the short time I have been participating in the forum. One particular member has been extremely helpful. Best of luck in your pursuits this fall..