Archery Mule Deer - Colorado Unit 61

[inarcher]

Good day.

Paul Vice from Indiana here....new guy on the site. Monstermuleys.com was recommended to me after posting a similar thread on the Bowsite.

I've bowhunted Colorado three times for elk. All hunts were DIY on public land...so I do have some experience in the mountains. That said, I have zero experience hunting mule deer. I've been buying mule deer points in Colorado for the past eight years and figure this might as well be the year to burn them.

Looking over the online statistics, Unit 61 seems to be one of the better mule deer units in Colorado....and I have more than enough points to draw that tag. Any advice I can glean from the experienced mule deer hunters on this site is appreciated.

Since this will be a solo bowhunt, I'll likely be flying to Colorado....it appears Colorado Springs might be the best bet? From there, I'll need to rent a vehicle that will likely remain parked the majority of the trip. Timeframe will be early September and I assume 4-wheel drive is a must to reach most trailheads?

I have not researched the unit itself enough to know exactly where I'm headed yet....but will be looking for an area where I can hike a few miles in and bivy for 4-5 days at a time for spot and stalk bowhunting (and I hear it may be more stalk than spot?). I'm assuming the deer should still be pretty high that time of year?

Being a mule deer rookie, I need to do some homework on field judging. Size matters to some extent, but I doubt I could pass a solid P&Y animal if the opportunity presents itself.

So, what do you guys think? Does this plan sound reasonable? Anything you would change in these initial stages? Any ideas, advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated. I've been bowhunting close to thirty years....but mule deer are definitely a new challenge for me.

Thanks.
Paul

 

[COBUK]

Paul,

Welcome to MonsterMuleys, you've come to the right place to ask about mule deer hunting.

I'm assuming from the info you've given us that you're set on a bowhunt and not considering any other methods of take. I ask, because 8 deer preference points offers you a lot of possibilities for rifle and muzzleloader buck tags, as well as archery tags.

Assuming that you decide on a bowhunt in unit 61. Look into flying into Grand Junction instead of Colorado Springs. Unit 61 is south out of Grand Junction and would save you travel time and cost. You won't be able to get an archery elk tag for unit 61, unless you have quite a few elk preference points. But, do buy a black bear license if you have any interest in harvesting a black bear. The Division of Wildlife sells them over the counter, make sure and purchase one as soon as they go on sale, they go quick. As long as your renting a vehicle, do get a four wheel drive, no sense limiting yourself to a two wheel drive.

September is a great time of year to be in unit 61. You will see a lot of game and it will be an enjoyable hunt.

Good Luck,
COBUK

 

[clifhunter]

inarcher pm sent

 

[inarcher]

Great info COBUK.

Yeah, I've got my heart set on a bowhunt. I have a safe full of firearms...and love to shoot, but I've only shot one big game animal with a gun in the last 18 years. That was a nice 150" whitetail buck with a ML on a special hunt with my Dad using his buddy tag. Just something about big game hunting with a bow...I love it.

The Grand Junction tip looks like it will definitely save time...and the flight costs are comparable to CO Springs.

I was hoping somebody would mention black bear. I'll see what I can do about getting a tag, but like you said...they sell out pretty quickly.

I burn my elk points every two or three years on a decent unit, so it is likely I'll never elk hunt in 61....but it will be great to experience those animals without a tag.

It is only February....but this kind of talk already has the juices flowing!

Paul

 

[Waygoner]

Look into the Montrose airport too. They have commercial jet service. A 4x4 isn't necessary, but I would suggest it in case of bad weather. Snow and rain can turn the roads on the Plateau into a slippery mess.

 

[inarcher]

OK, being new to mule deer hunting, one piece of equipment I don't have is a good set of big glass. Don't need them here at home. I usually hunt elk during the bugle and locate by sound more than sight. Just never had a need for quality optics around my neck...until now.

The saying I always hear is "Buy the best glass you can afford."
Question is, will big glass be a major plus in Unit 61 in the early season? I've heard the unit is somewhat thick for glassing? I've done some research on glass and came up with what I feel is a good choice in the $1,000 range....but if I'm not going to need them for this hunt...that's money I don't need to spend.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[elmore]

Unit 76 ran 100% success in 2007. Success on 61 was around 30% for bucks. 76 takes more points to draw but with 8 you should be able to get it. I've been in both units in August and September and 76 is better suited to bowhunting. Just thought I would give you more options.

 

[inarcher]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-12-09 AT 06:51PM (MST)[p]I looked really hard at 76. Talked to a guy that elk hunted there in 2006. Said he didn't see great numbers of deer, but saw some great quality.

Two things steered me away, and maybe you could shed some light?

- 76 dropped from 25 archery tags to 20 (20%) following the 2005 season. Those tags have yet to recover.

- The reports of winter kill in the Gunnison Basin last winter are scary...and 76 is just across the divide.

Other than that, I love the high country. When you say "better suited for bowhunting", you definitely get my attention.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[elmore]

76 is high alpine country suited for spot and stalk. 61 is very thick oak and aspen. Both good hunts, good luck in the draws.

 

[BigPig]

Interesting discussion. I'm considering the same unit and have researched it thoroughly. Everyone says the same thing. It's thick but there are good bucks. The interesting thing is that it all seems to be hearsay. I've yet to actually hear from anyone who actually personally bow hunted deer in 61 in the last couple years. I'd sure love to see some pictures too.

 

[cabinfever]

++1 elmore

You have a big choice to make. Do you want spot and stock type hunting, or wander around and hope you find a good buck type hunting. Unit 61 no doubt has as big a bucks as any unit in CO but unless you know it well, it could be a real crap shoot. Hunting a timberline unit would be a lot more productive, but they are also mentally and physically tough.6-8 points is a lot of points to burn on an archery tag IMO......nothing against archery.No matter what unit you choose buy the best glass you can afford.

Mike

 

[elmore]

I bowhunted 61 in 2008. Believe me when I say it is thick. It is not hearsay. Did not shoot a arrow.

 

[zekers]

What unit or units did you elk hunt? A hell of lot can be said about knowing a unit. There may be great deer in the elk units you've already hunted. Regardless if you go with 61,76, or wherever, you're on a steep learning curve just to get to know the area, let alone kill a good buck there.

 

[inarcher]

That's sound advice, but my experience in the mountains is very limited. I didn't even see the Rockies until I was 40 years old....what a loss. I've bowhunted elk on the Western slope south of Gunnison three times...all DIY trips on public ground. Walked hard for six days before I found the "spot". Shot all three of my bulls within a two square mile area.

While I have been into elk every trip, mule deer sightings have been very low. Best buck I've seen was probably in the low 140's. See a few does and yearling bucks every trip. For the amount of ground I cover, especially that first hunt, I would have expected to see more. Because of that, I really never gave that area a second thought for mule deer.

Guess what I'm saying is, even if I hunted mule deer in the same unit....it wouldn't be in a familiar area.

 

[midwest]

Sent you a pm, inarcher.