How hammered is 1000 Lakes?

bbentley392t · May 21, 2013

How goes it,
Back in 2007 when the Thousand Lakes unit was still LE, I was fortunate enough to draw a tag and had a great experience on my hunt...fell in love with the country and saw a lot of deer, nothing "giant" by any means but a lot of decent bucks in the 18-24" range. I was able to connect with a 23" 3x3 at about 32 yards the second week into the hunt, that buck was my first archery harvest and even though he wasn't a monster and the best buck I saw during my time there I was happy...and left that hunt with high hopes for the units future.

Then as we all know last year the DWR decided to open Thousand Lakes back up to the general season, and based on what I could gather from conversations I've picked up on here & there...the unit just got absolutely slaughtered during the 2012 season? I do know of a handful really great bucks that were taken during the archery hunt, one of which being a beautiful typical with 2 matching cheaters on both sides taken by a friend of mine...but with that being said it makes me wonder just how many of those kind of bucks were taken last year?

Anyway, getting to the point...my CC was hit for $40 and my 1st choice this year after hunting the Bookcliffs last season was Thousand Lakes archery. I'm just curious to hear the opinions of you guys here in the forums, as to what I can expect going back down there after not setting foot on that mountain since 2007...what kind of goals should I be making for myself, take anything that forks or should I hold out & hope??? Obviously I understand that it got hit hard last year, but I'm just hoping to hear from some of the guys who were on that unit last year...what were you seeing, how much competition did you have, etc?

Thanks for your time, looking forward to hearing back form many of you soon.

alpinebowman · May 22, 2013

Not to burst your bubble but with 0 points I doubt you drew that tag. Most are going to life timers and dedicated hunters. if you did have enough to draw it go have fun like you did before. If you were happy with a 3pt last time I don't see why you couldn't find another one.
They made it a general unit for the very reasons you stated not enough mature bucks to keep the LE boys happy so why leave it. with the new unit system it is still a LE to a point just more tags each year.

alpinebowman

>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

Robiland · May 22, 2013

I went with a friend who drew the tag and had it back in the 90's. Back then he saw tons of good bucks, not giants, but good bucks. So he wanted to give it a try. Stuff happened and we didnt leave til late friday day. Set up camp and went out looking at dark. Saw 1 buck, and we knew he was a shooter. Went bask opening morning and found him at 9 am. Only 21 wide, but a great 4x4 with eye guards. Scored roughly at 164.

hogg_65 · May 22, 2013

Go down and check it out. Then you can judge for yourself. Some may say its shot out. You could think it has potential to be a decent hunt. Expect the same as you would on any other general unit in the state. Few deer, Many hunters. Good luck.