Upcoming 2012 Colorado Mule Deer Hunt

[picwik79]

Hello all:

Myself and a group of close friends are planning an unguided public land rifle mule deer hunt this fall in Colorado (west of I-25). One of the guys in our group has hunted unit 36 several years in a row. He has had decent success and also passed on some bucks several years early during the hunt. Besides the knowledge/experience of unit 36 our group has no Colorado hunting experience. We are all whitetail hunters from the east. Oh also we have no preference points.

With this being our first trip we have plans NOT to camp which I know greatly limits how deep into the public land we can trek and also reduces our chances of scoring big. We are ok with that and understand the implications/limitations. Our first thought was to rent a house/cabin that had 4 wheeler/4x4 truck access to public property and let that be our staging location.

Some units we are considering:

1.) 35/36/45/361 (It looks like the draw for unit 36 includes units 35,45,361)
2.) 75/751
3.) Suggestions? Pros/cons etc. ?

We really like the looks of unit 62 and unit 70 but both require preference points.


Any of you guys hunted these units? Suggestions? Pointers? Tips? We have been studying the topo maps of the above units but without seeing them we are having a hard time getting a handle on the types of terrain. We would welcome any photos or firsthand descriptions.
I'm not asking for your "honey hole" locations by any means. We are just looking for a unit where we can enjoy a nice hunting adventure.

By the way my trusty model 700 30-06 with 180 grain nosler partitions will be making the trip.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[oneounceload]

One thing you can do is pull up the areas on Google Earth and look at the sat photos of the areas and correspond them to your too maps

Scouting really helps. You might want to consider a guide if hunting in areas no one knows anything about.

I used to live in Rifle, CO and we had areas where private and public land intermixed. It was not posted and up to you to know where you were so you weren't trespassing

Good luck on your hunt

 

[sage5907]

Your trip to Colorado can be whatever you make of it. If you go with the idea that you are going to have a good time no matter what and you will probably enjoy the hunt. Back before the drawing system started I made 10 trips and brought home 6 mule deer bucks and 1 bear. I personally would stay away from areas with black timber which is spruce and furr trees on steep slopes and limbs that go all the way to the ground. I like to hunt areas with pines, pinion, juniper and oak brush, and I also like to hunt the lower elevations closer to farming areas. BW

 

[Cranky CJ]

Haven't hunted any of those areas. I'll ask around and see if anybody I know has hunted around Kremling. I'd imagine you'd have good luck around there. Down southwest by Durango? I doubt anybody I know has hunted down there. Depending on which season you hunt, it gets cold, really cold around Kremling. If I come up with anything I'll post back.

 

[exbiologist]

Given the difficulties you're going to have with the handicap of staying in a cabin instead of camping, I'd focus on 36, as at least one of your party knows the area and has had some success

 

[sage5907]

Out of curiosity I looked to see where Unit 36 is located. My initial reaction is that Unit 36 is not very far from the population centers around Denver so there will probably be a ton of hunters. In the higher elevations an unplanned heavy show could play havock with a short deer season. My favorite love for hunting Colorado is in the southwest counties because their weather comes from the west instead of the north which makes a big difference in predictability. Instead of staying at a motel I would look to finding a rustic lodge near the hunting area. BW

 

[exbiologist]

I also prefer to get as far away as possible, but 36 starts after Vail Pass, which is where hunting pressure begins to die off from the OTC bull hunters hunting in units 18, 28 37 and 371. Also, deer tags are entirely limited. It's a solid area.

 

[picwik79]

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you for your prompt response. All the information has been helpful, keep it coming! If we enjoy the hunt as much as we are enjoying the planning process it will be great.

 

[borrowedtime69]

As mentioned, there's some hunting around Kremmling. HOWEVER, last year we were completely rained out. the roads around there turn to "snot" cause its all clay. we barely got out, many did not, without a serious tow. we could not make it from camp, 2-3 miles in to the "trailhead" where we hunt. was a total loss.

being from out of state, you are paying quite a bit, too much to risk on a possible "rain-out".

I would suggest being up in the higher mountains away from any lower, clay filled valleys.

35/36/45/361 look to be fairly good. ive never hunted there, but at least if you get some rain/snow it wont ruin your trip.

Good luck