Gunnison Basin

[Birdman10]

Looking at buying a 3rd season landowner deer tag for the Gunnison Basin area in a unit I have previously hunted. I have not been back there since the devastating winter kill they experienced a few years ago. I would greatly appreciated any info on how the deer herds have rebounded around this area before I purchase the tag. Thanks.

 

[cmbbulldog]

Good bucks can be found, but its still night and day from before. Not near as many deer. I wouldn't buy one at this point unless you know where there are a couple nice bucks hanging out.

 

[TheSaint]

probably not worth the money in my opinion.

 

[REDDOG]

Hell... its been 3 years why hasn't it rebounded yet?

 

[bucktaxi]

Truth is, the area was probably above carrying capacity when the numbers were so high, especially the buck numbers. There was so much competition between bucks that many mature bucks were dieing before the depth of winter even hit them. Also, when an area gets hit so hard with so many fawns and mature bucks killed, it takes many years for the numbers to rebound. 3 years is not enough. Maybe in another 3 years, with winter cooperating, there will be good numbers there again. The Gunnison area has a lot of good winter habitat, but it is higher elevation than a lot of other areas.

Having said all that, it is still a good place to hunt, just fewer animals to chase. I wouldn't spend too much on a voucher. The voucher prices pre-winter kill was $4,000+, I wouldn't give $2,000 now.

 

[crookedarrow]

I bow hunted it this year for the first time so I can't compare it to the good old days. We were real high and averaged seeing about 3 deer a day with a couple big ones mixed in. Saw some nice deer, but no a lot of numbers.

 

[oilcan]

crookedarrow was that 3 Deer a day or 3 Bucks a day?

 

[llamapacker]

3 years isn't long enough for even the numbers to rebound, let alone the mture bucks. It will be at least 5 years before the numbers get even to 50% of the pre-die-off numbers. It will take another 5 years for the nuber of mature bucks to begin showing up. You don't grow big bucks overnight. A few of the big bucks are still around, of course, but damn few overall.

Bill

 

[dleonard3]

I'm a little confused why they would even allow hunting on an area that was hit so hard. Why don't they just shut it down for a few years, do some predator control and help it to bounce back faster?

 

[colter]

Hi, I'm new here and my father and I will be hunting area 67 for the 2nd season. I was out there in '05 and saw a lot of nice bucks. It sounds like I should be prepared for a lot tougher hunting this year? I will come back here and give a detailed report after we get back. I had planned on holding out for a real nice buck. In the opinion of those more familiar with the area now, is that a bad plan? If I see a descent buck early should I take him if I want to bring home meat? We'll be out there for 5-7 days. Thanks!

 

[eurosbyRT]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Skull Designs: Quality European Mounts at affordable prices

 

[colter]

RE: Gunnison Basin-- RESULTS

Hi Guys, I wrote in this thread that I would give an update from my 2nd season Rifle hunt in area 67. It was tough hunting but my dad and I both got quality animals. Mine on the 2nd day and his on the 5th. Nearly everyone that was hunting with us saw bucks but we were the only 2 that had tags. We saw does every day we were out. I would say they are rebounding pretty well. Certainly not like they were when I was out 5 years ago.

I plan on scoring my buck but I'm interested in any thoughts to what you guys think he would score. Thanks!

 

[colter]

RE: Gunnison Basin-- RESULTS

Here is another picture of mine. He had another point that broke off some time before he crossed my path.

 

[colter]

RE: Gunnison Basin-- RESULTS

And here is a pic of my Dad's buck. I think you all would call him a 3 point.

 

[leonard]

RE: Gunnison Basin-- RESULTS

Colter - Really nice bucks. I bet your buck would be in upper 170's or 180's. Just a guess, and I've not got anything close too that size. I have 5 points for next year and considering putting in for unit 66 or 67 for next fall either the 2nd or 3rd season. Your dad's buck is a nice one too.

Leonard

 

[treedagain]

RE: Gunnison Basin-- RESULTS

sweet bucks...

 

[Waygoner]

Colter - It looks like you were on the east side of 67, is that right? How was the hunting pressure?

 

[colter]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-02-10 AT 03:40PM (MST)[p]>Colter - It looks like you
>were on the east side
>of 67, is that right?
> How was the hunting
>pressure?

Man you are good! It was the east side of 67. I didn't think it was too bad. We saw people but didn't have any issues with anyone. There was some people that we knew out there that were elk hunting that had some trouble with some boys from Denver telling them to go back to where they came from and tried to get them to flip a coin for a cow that they killed out right. But we had no such experiences.

Thanks for the congrats and the guesses guys!

 

[massey_muley]

Congrats on two awesome bucks Colter.

 

[leonard]

Colter - I sent you a PM.

 

[orion23]

Great bucks!

your buck looks to be right around the 180 mark to me.

Travis
www.RidgelineOutdoors.com
Blacks-Creek Pack Dealer
Havalon Knife Dealer

 

[HalfAce]

Both those deer are very nice, the 3 point has some awesome mass!

 

[Tomichi]

Patience Guys Patience, From 84 to 98 we had less than 10 bucks per 100 does!!!!
After going to limited licenses in 98 it was 2004, before it got good.
The winter of 07-08 took us back to the low 20?s .
For 2010 the license numbers are within 10 of what was issued for 1998 through 2000
It worked then it will work now. 2012 is the soonest we can expect a good year.
We learned 50 + buck?s per 100 does is way too expensive for a mountain deer herd.
Our new herd objective of a (range) between 40 to 45 is still on the high side biologically.
I am in favor of the new objective.
The Gunnison basin will be one hell of a fine resource to hunt in a few more years.
Have some PATIENCE!!! I HAD to have it for 20 years.
Over the counter licenses are obsolete!

 

[colter]

Just to update you guys that guessed the score are pretty darn good! According to my measurements he is 179 5/8 without the deductions. 168 6/8 after the 10 7/8 worth of deductions. Thanks!