colorado unit 21

Simo42 · Feb 16, 2009

WAS WONDERING IF I COULD GET SOME HELP WITH AN UPDATE.HUNTED 21 FOR COW ELK AND MULE DEER SCOUTING PURPOSES IN 07. WE DID SEE SOME GOOD BUCKS BUT WITH WINTER KILL AND MY REAL CONCERN THAT I HEARD MORE DRILLING WOULD START FOR NATURAL GAS IM A LITTLE WORRIED.IM READY TO BURN MY POINTS(13)JUST LOOKIN FOR YOUR GUYS 2CENTS.
THANKS SIMO

longshot349 · Feb 16, 2009

sent you a PM....

oldmossback · Feb 16, 2009

Im in the same boat and wondering if its worth burning 9 points on this year as a resident? let me know thanks

BUCKSPY · Feb 16, 2009

No winter kill to speak of for those deer. There just isn't a nice equation for # of preference points and expected quality of deer. Really big deer can come from anywhere but even where there should be alot of them, theres not alot of them. 21 has been managed for quality for quite a few years and should continue to produce a high number of older age class bucks. There are just too many variables to guarantee anything and its a gamble.

The closest thing to a slam dunk big buck was a 4th season buck tag in the Gunnison basin 3-4 years ago. Now, its back to reality and its all about hard work and some luck, even in the best units in the state.

HiMtnHntr · Feb 17, 2009

I agree. Big bucks come out of the higher-end units, but they also come out of areas that don't take a lot of points to draw. My advice is to hunt an area you know well. It sounds like you know 21 from hunting there. Knowing a spot well, especially knowing where bucks will be when the pressure is on, is half the battle.

just_a_hunter · Feb 17, 2009

I'm from Rangely, and last year was a fluke In my opinion. I still managed to see a couple 170+ class bucks.

You have a real chance at a 180+ in 21, but it takes work.

Good luck,

Todd

P.S. If I had the points, I would use them in 21.

littlebighorn · Feb 17, 2009

So what about 15 NR points? That is what I have and at this point I am thinking there isn't a unit in the state worth 15 points. I have tried to get a late tag in 21 for the past three years, without drawing. ( I have been putting in with a friend with one less point)
Any suggestions?

oldmossback · Feb 17, 2009

you do realize they are going off your friends points and not yours . They go off the party member with the lowest points. but I would think you should be getting close to drawing. check the draw odds chart at the top of the home page

oldmossback · Feb 17, 2009

little bighorn, I checked for you and it looks like there is no 4th season in unit 21 this year only 3rd. and with 15 nr points you should be right there. check it out

HiMtnHntr · Feb 18, 2009

With that many points I'd also look at 61 4th season or 142 late on Pinion Canyon, both of which you have a chance at drawing with 15 points. Both of those could kick out a nice buck, 142 being a bit more complicated to hunt because it is a military manuever site.

littlebighorn · Feb 18, 2009

Yes, I am aware that my friend's points are dragging me down to his level, but I thought that even with his points we would draw.
Actually 21 has never had a 4th season to my knowledge. 10 does, but for some reason they have not issued a 4th season for 21. So my question is----Is it worth spending all those points, or should I just wait for when the herds rebound in the basin and then be guaranteed a hunt then. I only have one more chance in Colorado in my lifetime for a super hunt, and I want to make the best of it. From what everyone says, 21 may not be that place for a super hunt?

Simo42 · Feb 18, 2009

THANKS FOR THE INPUT GUYS. LISTENING TO LITTLEBIGHORN SOUNDS LIKE I MAY BE BEHIND THE 8BALL ANYHOW.LITTLEBIGHORN YOU SHOULD BE THERE I TALKED WITH A GUY IN 07 THAT DREW WITH 14.GOOD LUCK!

tailchasers · Feb 18, 2009

I am from Rangely and you need to look around at a couple of other units as stated earlier. Unit 1,2,201, and 10. Anyone of these can yield a sow bellied buck and likely more so since they have a 4th season. If you have 13 points you may want to look at a Ranching for Wildlife or 4th season hunt in one of these units. 21 has some real monsters but they can be tough to hunt with all the general season elk hunters tearing up the countyside at the same time.

Good luck with your choice,
Tail

longshot349 · Feb 18, 2009

I talked to some guys that hunted 21 in 2008 and they were not impressed. Saw very few deer..

whipknot · Feb 18, 2009

I was in 21 last year with a few friends that had tags. It was nothing like expected. Granted, it was a wierd year... but I felt like we were hunting the UT general deer hunt.

littlebighorn · Feb 19, 2009

Tailchaser, are their more big bucks in 21 or the other units you described, and do they not have general elk hunts in those areas?
What are the chances of finding a 190 buck in any of those units?

DougW · Feb 19, 2009

ditto for unit 30 (adjacent south of 21), 3rd season last year. It was tough.

Simo42 · Feb 19, 2009

TAILCHASERS,
SENT YOU A PM
THANKS 42

tailchasers · Feb 19, 2009

>Tailchaser, are their more big bucks
>in 21 or the other
>units you described, and do
>they not have general elk
>hunts in those areas?
>What are the chances of finding
>a 190 buck in any
>of those units?

The general elk season is limited to unit 21 and the additional units I mentioned are all limited draw for all species. 21 has a large number of 160-170 class bucks but they get bumped and moved around so much from the general season elks hunters that it makes them much more difficult to hunt. My son saw a real wopper during the second season that would have bettered 170 and then I saw 2 others that would have been rigth at the 170 class. I imagine there are 190 inch buck in nearly all units and the trick is finding them. 2 and 201 are known for big bucks but it is still a tough hunt. Just cuz the unit is limited draw does not mean it will be easy and that big bucks are running everywhere. Truly big mulies are big for a reason. If it were my points and I had the choice off all the units, I would pick unit 2 or 201 with 10 being 3rd choice. BTW we did seeand get pics of one buck in unit 10 during the 4th season that would push 200 inches. My 12 yr old son seen him too and argued with me that a deer don't get that big and it has to be a screwed up elk..lol.. Saw him 2 days running. What an animal. Hope this helped...

Tail