I've been collecting Preference Points in Colorado for so long that I'm able to hunt any unit in the state. I've never hunted CO so it's going to be an education. Fortunately I'm retired so time is not a factor. I also have started to slow down and although I solo'd for sheep here in AK the last few years, I don't think I want to pack a deer out 10 miles in hot weather. Any advice regarding units would be appreciated.
There are some monumental bucks in 201. Also elk and antelope, and I've seen bear and mountain lion there, also.
I burned 10 points this fall to hunt unit 61. Although I ended up getting lucky and took a very nice buck, we didn't see anywhere near the numbers of deer I had been hoping for. There are some good deer in 61, but I've seen higher numbers in places that don't require near as many points to draw.
I've heard that 76 is a decent unit. Coincedentaly, like unit 61, it is also a very good elk unit. It almost seems like the units in highest demand are those that are high quality elk hunting units. I wonder if that might be because the people who accumulate elk points do the same thing with deer and then put in for deer at the same time they apply for elk? Doesn't necessarily mean they are great deer units, just that the people applying for them have a bunch of points they have been banking.
Based on experience from other hunts I always thought that the best elk hunting and the best deer hunting are not generally found in the same place. I now wonder whether there are some much better deer units in CO that don't require plies of preference points in order to draw.
Unit 61 does have a very good deer population. For some reason this year was a little off the norm. Whip is not the only one I have seen talk about the low numbers they say this year. The past few years have certainly been a different story. The unit just to the East, 62 has just as good of deer IMO and takes far less points, however the elk hunting leaves alot to be desired.
Unit 10 if you have enough points
I hunted unit 61 back in 71,72, and 73 when it was over the counter. We have a good friend that lives in Nucla that gets up on the mesa almost every week. He talks about how much more elk and deer that are there now as opposed to when we hunted it. Would very much like to hunt it again.
I have enough points to hunt deer anywhere, but with 12 after this year I think 2,10, and 201 which are the very high demand elk units may be out of reach.
I would like to hunt deer first and then elk in the same unit the next year.
Thanks for the advice. Will probably be back with this topic after I find out about WY elk this year.
Larry I recommend you subscribe to huntin fool magazine or eastmans bowhunting journal they offer alot of information on which units would be best to draw now with all those points. You don't want advice from 3 or 4 years ago as it changes often.Huntin fool is best info as far as I'm concerned but it is more expensive. By the way I have a good friend that lives in Wasilla about 5 months out of the year and he trains retrievers his name is Boyd Woodward.Anyway good luck you might also try some of the mule deer fanatic websites. Bill
LKH,
It seems as though you have a pretty good idea on what units you are lookng at, you have some time to make up your mind. I would wait until spring and contact the DOW reps in those areas. Winter can affect populations and they know as much as anyone where and how many Deer are there.
I have always gotten good info from the reps I have spoken with. Just my two cents worth.
I don't know what mgmt area it is but when I lived at Trinidad 11-12 years ago the Pinon Canyon Army training area to the east was the coveted draw.
Unit 201 is great. Lots of deer and elk too.
Thanks for the info. I think I'll probably have to go for the deer and then worry about the elk later. I have max points in WY this year for elk and will probably see how that draw goes first.
I've really started to enjoy some success with spot and stalk muleys the last few years and with age, my desire to solo pack out an elk is getting to be less. Last year I did a deer in one trip. About 2 crow miles and 800 feet up.
Don't think I would have wanted it to be an elk.
Don't know the Woodward fellow.
I think I'll try the Huntin Fool. I've always enjoyed their show. No baiting or any of that.