What to hunt in Colorado?????

fuzzyvelvet · Mar 31, 2009

I need some help from some of you who have knowledge of some of these areas. I am looking at finding a resident deer hunt near the western slope that I can hunt as a second chance draw so I can still accumulate points. From my research these look to be the options:

Archery: 43, 31, 60
2nd or 3rd rifle: 33

I know there are other choices that are further from Montrose (home) than I would like and some that are possible but not a great chance to draw. Any info you could share on these options would be greatly appreciated. Or if there is anything I have missed, let me know.

Thanks,

Fuzzy

accubond · Mar 31, 2009

LAST EDITED ON Mar-31-09 AT 07:20PM (MST)[p]I hunted 43 3rd season in 2004 and it was a tough deer hunt due to far below zero temps and deep snow in the area where we were camped. We got a deer and a couple elk down in the limted B.L.M. we could find. The area we camped in looked real good and I bet there are some good deer in there during the archery season. We have hunted 33 2nd season the last 2 years and had an alright hunt i guess. There is alot of people on that hunt but like anywhere else there is areas where they can be avoided and we have seen some nice deer come off the mountain but not with any regularity. Good luck this fall.

COarcher · Mar 31, 2009

I've never hunted any of the units as I hunt my parent ranch in SW CO but I do know of a some people that have drawn Unit 60 as a second choice. There is even some roadless areas in there as well.

AWHOLELOTTABULL · Mar 31, 2009

I do know of guys that hunted 31 and 33. They said that last year was a very tough hunt for just seeing deer much less killing a buck. Also, because of the tag cuts even some of the units that traditionally were good second choice units didn't have good odds of drawing. Look at the odds close. You may want to go 2cnd season on some of the units up near meeker. Those have traditionally been good 3rd season but I think they got hit pretty hard during last years winter. I know JakeH on here knows quite bit about the Craig area but I think they got hit hard too. It's a guessing game this year. I think it will be a few more years before it starts to get back to normal.

It's always an adventure!!!
www.awholelottabull.com

fuzzyvelvet · Apr 1, 2009

Thanks for the help guys.

Accubond, what type of bucks did you guys kill last year on 33?

Coarcher, what type of deer numbers and buck size did they see in 60?

AWHOLELOTABULL does 31 have some higher country where the deer are during archery season or is it better when they get pushed down after rifle season?

Thanks again,

Fuzzy

accubond · Apr 1, 2009

I personally didnt get a shot at anything bigger than a fork in 33 but as a group we had some deer that were typical of a second choice unit (small 3x3's and such). If you have your heart set on good 4x4 or nothing it can be done but the odds are stacked against you. I'm not trying to discourage you because a sub par hunt is better than no hunt at all but I dont want to sugar coat anything either. Good luck this fall no matter what you decide.