Hi all, I'm new to the forum and am going on my first mule deer/elk hunt this fall. I live in WV so won't be able to make it out to do any scouting before season. Im not afraid to walk long distances or work hard for a good hunt. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. I'll be hunting during the second rifle season on unit 36 Colorado.
Unit 36
- Thread starter WVguy
- Start date
Dark Mavis
Active Member
Mike Eastman has books on hunting elk and mule deer. Read those and you'll learn has much as you can about hunting those species besides actually getting on the mountain and doing it.
Buy the best glass you can afford, and use them. Elk are easy enough to spot, but you'll overlook a lot of deer without good glass.
Never hunted 36, so no unit details for you. Good luck!
Buy the best glass you can afford, and use them. Elk are easy enough to spot, but you'll overlook a lot of deer without good glass.
Never hunted 36, so no unit details for you. Good luck!
sheephunter
Active Member
There'll be lots of locals running around up in there so be ready for crowded conditions. Stick it out for a few days and it'll be a lot less crowded.
tenaciousC
New Member
- Jun 13, 2015
- 6
- 0
Can you hunt unit 35 as well? If you can I would look into hunting castle peaks wilderness area or bull gulch on the west side of 35...
sheephunter
Active Member
according to the application brochure your deer tag is good for units 35/36/45/361 (I'm assuming you put in for the draw and did not buy a landowner tag) so yes, you would be good to go over in unit 35. The area around Castle Peak gets pounded as well, same deal though, stick it out a few days and most of the weekend warriors will be headed home. I hunted there one time and waited for a few days after the first day, went out for an afternoon scout after setting up my camp, and had a chat with a couple NR's who said they were all over the unit and there was no game anywhere. 3 hours later I was tagging my buck. Be aware there is (or was, anyway) a ranch I think to the northwest of Castle Peak that runs a hunting operation. At the time I was told they cover the wilderness area pretty well, and they also were pretty tough about watching the property border and arresting anybody who might wander across the boundary. If I remember correctly, I got pretty good information at the time from a lady in the Glenwood Springs BLM office.
tenaciousC
New Member
- Jun 13, 2015
- 6
- 0
Sheep hunter is pretty much spot on, from what I've seen it all gets pounded, but by mid week it isn't too bad. I haven't spent a lot of time in 36, where I was at in that unit it was very thick and hard to glass so I didn't wander around too long hoping to walk up on a buck. Spent a couple days in 361 and there was some country that looked great. There are private land issues in all three of those units so be familiar with the boundaries. They take it very serious. I had a guide come off the private land onto the public to basically tell me don't even look at their land! All in all its a fun place to hunt. Enjoy your hunt and don't get discouraged, there are good bucks to be had.
sheephunter
Active Member
I think that depends on the weather (it would for me anyway). There is some pretty rough and higher elevation country in that unit. If the weather was mild I would consider getting up there and overnighting; if the weather's bad you won't be going up there at all. I like to keep spike camp equipment in the truck, so if I feel the need to stay out away from base camp overnight I'm all set.
eye in sky
Active Member
Like sheephunter said, it's some rough country. It's a great experience. I spent some time in there last year and enjoyed every minute of it. If weather permits, I'd try to pack in a little to get away from the crowds.