CO Unit 35 Deer

S

seggie

Guest
Hey guys, I applied for a Unit 35 4th season deer tag with 13 NR PP so im hoping the point creep doesnt creep too much this year, and I should draw it. Ive done a fair amount of research on the unit and have spoken with some ranchers. Just wondering if any of you fellow hunters have ever drawn this tag 4th season or hunted this unit? Wondering what I should realistically be expecting to shoot? Ive been out west several times elk hunting, but ive been building PP and this will be the first muley hunt for this Wisconsin boy. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 
I drew that tag a few years ago with 4 or 5 nr points. Is it to late to change your application? Seems to me you could draw a better unit then that with 13 points.


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It took a min. of 9 points last year. Ive heard alot of good about the area thats why i applied for it. Just looking for someone who knows the area or has hunted it and could fill me on what i can expect out of this hunt. Also any recomendations?
 
180 is possible, but I agree you are spending too many points on this unit. I don't think Colorado allows you to change units, but if they do that might be a good option. Not sure if eating the price of the tag and keeping your points is in the game for you, but Colorado allows that option. I would research it hard and do just as you are doing, find out from those that have done it and see if their results are worth 13 points to you.
 
Seggie,

The hunt is what you make of it. Certain amount of points doesn't guarantee anything. The unit has the proper genetics to produce a big buck. Enjoy your hunt and keep researching

Rich
 
Thanks for the input guys. Just getting sick of watching whst i would call my top unit picks jump 2-3 PP every years as i gain 1. Sitting with 13 PP gives you options for decent units but puts you in no mans land as far as catching up with the top units in the state. Im not going on this hunt expecting to kill a 200" buck, I would just like an opportunity at a respectable buck and have a good time doing it.Again any and all feedback is appreciated.
 
Yes I think you made a good choice. I have some info that may be helpful. I also considered that hunt. I only have 9 pts. and I'm shure its going to take more. Did you make a 2nd choice?
 
Infoman, i would really appreciate any information you have to offer. I did not put in for a second choice. If i was to not draw, which i should, i will take the PP and go back to the drawing board. If you dont mind chatting you can e-mail me at [email protected] or you can reach me on my cell at 608-712-3894. Thanks again.
 
I've spent a great deal of time in 35/36 over the years. The public land gets HAMMERED the 2nd and 3rd rifle seasons..plus unlimiited OTC elk hunters. It is literally a zoo on public land. Obviously most of the smarter bucks get pushed on private land and spend the seasons there.

There are a fraction of tags during the 4th season and some of the bucks may start wandering back onto public..especially with the rut. 35/36 is quite migratory and many of the deer don't show up until snow pushes them. It is pretty much a crap shoot the 4th season depending upon weather, snow depth, rut activity, moon, crunchy snow, etc.

35/36 have some of the best muley genetics in the entire US and it's sad that the CDOW doesn't limit tags more during the 2nd and 3rd seasons! I have sheds from those units I found 30 years ago that would make your eyeballs pop!
 
Tons of private in the higher areas, and the deer tend to hop the fence and stay put. If the snow flies then they will cross the fence again. I would watch the weather forecast. Cannnot see dumping 13 points on that hunt though.
 
My dad and I have hunted that unit for the last 10yrs for elk. We have seen a few nice bucks over the years. The buck do seem to wander on and off the private land. I wouldn't say that it is worth waiting 13yrs for the tag, when you can draw a 3rd season tag with 1 point. Last year we saw 3 160 class deer and the numbers seemed to have improved over previous years. feel free to pm me.
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-07-13 AT 09:54PM (MST)[p]I agree with 4000fps about the weather. The 4th season is best when weather pushes all the deer into winter range and the rut is in full swing. I had a friend with a 4th season 44 tag a few years ago that just about turned his tag in until a snow storm hit the week before. He ended up killing a smoker buck.
It sticks in my mind, however that if you are going to turn a tag back in to keep your points, you have to personally return it to a Division office in Colorado. I may be wrong about that.
I cashed in 18 CO pts. two years ago on a 3rd season 21 hunt. The deer were starting to rut and more big bucks were showing up every day. I was wishing I had another week to hunt, but I was fortunate enough to tag a buck of a lifetime.
I hope you have as much fun as I did.
 
SEGGIE,
I have been reading this post and I have a honest question for you. Are you a member of Huntin Fool? If so is this why you put in for 35/36 4th season? The reason I ask is that they really pumped this unit the last couple of years. But I also know that they get a lot of land owner tags to sell on the unit. So it is in the best interest of HF to rate this as a high unit. Just pointing that out for you.

With that being said I was on the unit last year and no way in hell would I drop 13 points on the unit. Yeah you could kill a good deer but that can be done about anywhere in CO. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
Hooner,
I am a member of Huntin Fool, Eastmans Journal, ect... and I would NEVER base my decision off of what a magazine says alone. Im begining to think so many of you guys may have the wrong impression of what I am looking for out of this hunt. I am not going to be going to Colorado this fall expecting to slap my tag on a 200" mule deer. Unrealistic in any unit. 13 PP in Colorado is nothing anymore and gets you in the runnings for a possibly slightly above average unit. Another thing is that many of you are commenting on, which i appreciate it, the 3rd rifle season. Well i dont know if the state of Colorado and its mule deer are anything like the state of Wisconsin and our trophy white-tails, but the difference a week makes when you start approaching the rut is the difference between night and day, not to mention the tags are cut from a few hundred to around twenty. Now I wasnt posting on this website asking you fellow MM members if i should "turn in my tag", I was simply asking if anyone had any information they would care to share with a fellow hunter who is looking for some help. This tag was a 9 point hunt last year, and from talking to a few of you "GOOD OL' BOYS" who e-mailed me or called me, I should be in for an awsome experience. So thanks to you guys for the pictures and info, I will definitely be keeping in touch with all of you. Again, I appologize if im comming accross as an ass, just a little sick of hearing how im "wasting" 13 PP. Im not using yours so what does it matter. I would be extremely happy to take a 170"+ deer. Im not looking to wait another 15 years to draw one of the top units in the state, that are also over-hyped. So thanks to all that e-mailed or called me, I will be in touch with you when the draw results come out if I draw. I think you guys have done a great job pointing me in the right direction.

Seggie
 
Thanks Aaron. Im not asking people to paint me a picture of something beautiful that isnt, its just that sometime enough is enough with the negativity. The way some guys are talking youd swear i stole there PP and was using them. They have no comment other than "there is no way i would waste 13 points on that hunt".
 
Seggie.

You asked for advice and the majority that responded recommended to turn your tag back in and pick a different unit next year (that was their and my advice). Some did it more respectfully than others, but you have to at least respect their opinion as you were the one asking for advice from them on your first mule deer hunt.

You should have an enjoyable hunt, the deer should be moving onto the winter range and should start rutting. I would be prepared for snow, but it could be warm and tough (you never know). This will be far from a slam dunk hunt, you will have to hunt hard that's for sure. I would root for a big snow right at the end of the 3rd season, you definitely don't want it earlier than that or a lot of good bucks could get shot before you get there. I'd say 170-180 is definitely possible and I wish you luck.

Nino
 
FYI, I looked at the 2012 stats and there were over 3,200 rifle elk hunters in units 35 and 36. Also, around 800 buck hunters the 2nd and 3rd seasons. Obviously there are a fraction of deer tags the 4th season and with the right conditions it could be a good hunt. I would call it a "quality" hunt just from the stand point there aren't that many hunters compared to the prior 2 deer seasons. It is somewhat of a gamble because the unit is so weather and snow dependent. You'll probably be waiting along the same private fencelines that several hundred guys dressed in orange vests and hats have been waiting for several weeks prior to your hunt! If there is little snow, crunchy snow, full moon, warm temps, etc after the deer have been pounded for 2 rifle seasons it could be pretty difficult.
 
Seggie,
No reason to get all worked up. You are right they are your points and you can do whatever you want. However if you get on here and ask for opinions and then hear something that you don't agree with don't get bent out of shape.
It is cool country and I am sure you will have a great time. I think that the point that I was trying to make is that I was there last year. I know the value of 13 NR points in CO. But like you said they are your points and you can do what you want. I hope that your gamble works out for you. Like I said in my original post good luck.
 
Personally, I prefer the nine day 3rd seasons over the five day 4ths. Four more days of 3rd season hunting that ends just a few days before the 4th starts is a huge factor in my book.
 
Good for you seggie. The private land and excess elk hunter argument your hearing applies to probably 95% of the west slope GMU's. I've only been in 35 during 4th season twice and think a 170 buck is a pretty reasonable goal. I would still look at Bull Gulch regardless of how much snow there is. It's pretty remote country in there and few hunters which means it will hold good bucks. I don't see there being a migration out of that area unless there is a freak blizzard. Good luck.
 
Coloram, Many of the guys are saying that w/12 pts there are a number of units that don't get hammered the 2nd and 3rd deer seasons,,,,,or have gobs of OTC elk hunters.....or are weather dependent....or....have private land where bucks may spend the season....or..... It's wise to do some research to stack things in your favor when you finally do draw a tag! 12 years is a long wait for a tag and hopefully Seggie has a great hunt! Yes, as many of us have been saying all along 35 "can" be a great hunt but if conditions aren't right it "can" be pretty frustrating!
 
Best of luck on your hunt. Just a few more items for consideration. This post is about 35, but it a 4 area unit, so be sure to check out other areas. I've seen some studs in areas besides 35, and shot a 30 incher in another unit on the 3rd season a few years ago.

Be sure to have a set of tire chains. Odds are 90% or better you'll need them. ATV's are OK, but it is darned cold on them before daylight in November if you have much of a ride.

I assume you've hunted the west before, but this area is like most of the west. Good optics are a must and knowing how to spot critters is really important. Get good binos and a quality spotting scope with a great tripod to set it on (if yo don't already have them). That is the #1 key to finding and taking a big buck.

Best of luck to you. Hope you get a trophy.
 
Hey Seggie,

I live a couple of hours down the road from that area, and I'm interested in learning the unit. I have all the Optics, and I know how to use them. I'd be happy to come out with you, at very least for the weekend and help you glass up a big buck. Chasing big Mulies is my favorite thing in the world, and I'd be more than happy to help you out.

Chris
 

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