Don't want to rain on the parade, but before you dive headfirst into 44, make sure you get recent info (good advice for any unit ;-). True, 44 has been a "trophy" unit for years and certainly has kicked out some great bucks, but according to the biologists and all the guys I've talked to this year, it is definitely on the way down.
They are having a "real" winter up there this year, and I know 4 guys who live in that country, and every one of them is freaked out because of the winterkill they're seeing already on does/fawns, and between them, they've found 7 good bucks, all clearly taken by lions. Given the press that place has gotten, it's gone from a 2-point draw unit just a few years ago, to 4 points to guarantee a tag in the first two seasons, and at least 8 points to get the coveted 4th season tag. And there's a reason you haven't seen a dozen articles about the place in all the magazines this year--they killed dang few good ones this year, and not many good ones were seen, even by the hundreds of elk hunters that descend on the place.
Seems to be following the same old pattern--a few good bucks get whacked in a particular unit, the press shines the spotlight, then everyone and his dog wants to hunt there and run up the points, then Mother Nature does what she does and the next few years the guys who blow their points get left holding the bag. Could be 5 or more years before it's worth drawing again.
Sorry to bust a bubble, but if you're like me, you burn pref points carefully, and don't get too caught up in the hype.
Good luck
