What is the best use of 9 Colorado deer preference points?

[xtreme]

I am trying to decide how to use my Colorado deer preference points. Colorado outdoors preference points edition will be out soon and will give some more up to date info to help decide. Looking at 09 and 10 unit 55 3rd season looks like
7 points. Unit 61 2nd requires 7, 3rd needs 8. Unit 66 2nd needs 7 3rd is 9 and unit 67 3rd is 7. I am thinking unit 67 3rd rifle might be a good choice for me.

There is an early season nine day hunt in the north park that might be better yet for me, though there are not a lot of deer there and they are below objective. I will be 70 by the start of the season so I won't be climbing the tough mountians, however I can make a pretty long shot and that helps. Btw I have been trying to use these points but if a unit required 8 points with my information by the time I apply it requires 9, that just an example.
I would like to see how some of you with knowledge of these units would choose.

 

[CoHiCntry]

I am trying to decide how to use my Colorado deer preference points. Colorado outdoors preference points edition will be out soon and will give some more up to date info to help decide.

You don't have to wait for Colorado Outdoors pp edition... the info is on the division of wildlife web site now.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

No matter what unit you want to hunt, the 4th season is the one I'd hold out for. It is the one nearest to the rut and usually the bigger bucks are looking for the does. The deer tend to be more concentrated and usually there are less hunters because DOW issues fewer tags for that season.

 

[CoHiCntry]

No matter what unit you want to hunt, the 4th season is the one I'd hold out for.

Keep in mind some units don't have a 4th season though...

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

That is true...ever wonder why? Too many bucks with one thing on their mind!

 

[CoHiCntry]

That is true...ever wonder why? Too many bucks with one thing on their mind!

LOL! I guess so...

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

Early timberline rifle.

 

[CoBackcountry]

i think the dest thing you can do is give them to me
with your age being a factor 10 is a easy hunt a lot of glassing a couple hundred feet if you were gonna climb anything
mostley sage the pic of the deer in my avatar is from 10
so if you get serious about that unit let me know

 

[xtreme]

I would have even more age before thay let me near unit ten with only 9 points. If these points would transfer I could sell them.
I am looking aat 551 now.

 

[xtreme]

Just thinking, the best deer I have ever seen was in Jackson county. I had a gun and an elk tag.
I understand there is an early 9 day hunt in unit 6?

 

[packmule]

I'd take into consideration that the Gunnison Basin is still nowhere close to what it was in 2007.

 

[7mmshot]

I have the same deal. I'm not sure where to go. seems like 9 points are alot to save and most places will take 7 to hunt. Maybe it's really worth saving 12 - 15. What i did find is unit 61 takes less than 6 and....

 

[7mmshot]

unit 61 has some real nice bucks. in the lower country. being 70 it will take some walking but not above tree line

 

[nwwa huner]

I know gunnison was hammered but hear 66 is still good as for trophys and deer are in the lower elevations. If this is true and 3rd season takes 9 PTs. I would look long and hard at it.

 

[xtreme]

I have almost decided on unit 66 2nd rifle. I am afraid point creep might get me in the 3rd season. I downloaded the Eastmans MRS, and now I have just about researched everything I know to look at. I did see that the Conejos produced three record book deer last year, just not many to choose from.
Unit 61 low country sounds good, too. I dont have any experience there and I dont like the thick because I am not good at hunting in the thick.
Thanks for all the help, it is about time to fill out the app.

 

[nwwa huner]

I have almost decided on unit 66 2nd rifle. I am afraid point creep might get me in the 3rd season. I downloaded the Eastmans MRS, and now I have just about researched everything I know to look at. I did see that the Conejos produced three record book deer last year, just not many to choose from.
Unit 61 low country sounds good, too. I dont have any experience there and I dont like the thick because I am not good at hunting in the thick.
Thanks for all the help, it is about time to fill out the app.

In my opinion I would not use 9 points on any 2nd season tag without having a lot of solid information. ( points should guarantee you a quality hunt and I believe that any 3rd or 4th (latest seasons on units) would be a significantly better hunt, in addition to being able to produce higher trophy potential. I am assuming by what you have waid that you have non resident points. I did some quick research for you and found that with 10 points (if you wanted to wait another year) you could draw 3rd season in 61 and 66 and they havent had any point creep lately. This year you would be guaranteed or have partial chance at 3rd season in 53,63,66,61,55,54,551(just the units I would be interested in) and 4th season in 42, 68 and I think 4th season in 43 but it has a lot of private. Any unit in gunnison is going to be hard enough with a late season tag after the winter kill but I think a 2nd season tag would make it near impossible. Unless you are guided or know something, even though a couple big ones still exist, the quality deer are hard to come by since they lost that age class. I just want you to get a quality hunt for the years you put in as if I were there I would hope people would help me. I don't know most units but if I had your points I would put in for 66 or 61 3 rd this year and then if I didnt draw put in for 61 or 66 3rd next year when you should draw it for sure. 61 would be a tough hunt but the chance for a monster is there. If I badly wanted to draw this year I would do more research first but I would personally from what my gut feeling is go with in this order 53,63,54,55 all third and then 42 4th. Like I said this is a starting point and once you make a decision on one or two units call the biologist, game warden, etc and try and find someone who has hunted there in the last two years to find out if thier good choices.If you want any more info feel free to personal message me. Good luck and hope to hear the story and see some pictures.

 

[xtreme]

Thank you sooo much for the good answer. Deserves rereading.

 

[CoHiCntry]

Unit 61 (and a few other units) has NO fourth season this year, so my guess is all those guy's who have been applying every year for fourth season will now be applying for third season which could negatively affect your odds of drawing with the same amount of points it took last year... just something to think about

 

[Matthoek21]

Man the point creep has been a killer. I initially was building points to hunt elk in 61 but every year it seems to be further and further out of reach. Then i started building mule deer points in hopes to hunt 61 and serve as a dual purpose/scouting trip for elk but now I am focusing on using my 7 archery elk points next year on maybe unit 76 but who knows. Everyone knows they moved the draw deadline back a month to May 4th...right? LOL just kidding. I need all the help I can get to get a quality tag this year. Good Luck to everyone.

 

[In God We Trust]

I would go for an early high country rifle hunt during the middle of Sept. Check out hunterstrailhead.com, the drawing odds section shows you what odds you have of drawing. 9 points will get you a unit 1 3rd rifle, unit 22 4th rifle, unit 74 early rifle, or a unit 512 Buckley late season air force academy tag.