Trophy Hunter Article on CO Deer?

Ryan · Feb 21, 2005

Did anyone see the ranking of Colorado Counties y number of BC bucks that Trophy Hunter did in the latest issue? Supposedly they tabulated all of the BC bucks for the last 10 or so years by county for some of the western states.

It came out like this:

#1 Eagle and Garfield (tie)

#3 Gunnison

#4 Moffat

I was surprised that none of the plains counties made it into the top 4. The first three didn't surprise me but Moffat? I have always thought unit 10 and 201 were over rated for BC bucks?

Any thoughts?

DeerKing · Feb 21, 2005

The eastern plains units are almost all private property and the license numbers very limited. Very few hunters equals very few entries. Eagle, Garfield and Gunnison will continue to be near the top every year for many reasons. Moffat is not to much of secret for producing big deer... and will become more popular in the upcoming years I'd bet.

AntlerQuest Hunt Consulting

Ryan · Feb 22, 2005

Thanks for the post Jeff... Yeah Eagle, Gunnison and Garfield I understand.

Moffat just surprised me. I spent some time on the winter range 2 or 3 years ago and didn't see anything over 175. Lots of 160-170 bucks.

five_point_buck · Feb 22, 2005

I'd give my left baby batter machine for a "10" tag. Seen some mamamamammmmmonsters out in those parts. By the looks of the regs this year, most seasons have been kicked backa week which should mean some gigantrous bucks will be harvested. Is it November yet??

?America is a great country, the harder you work the luckier you get.?

five_point_buck
AKA Larry Pasero Jr.

Nontypical1 · Feb 23, 2005

I'm curious as to whether anyone knows why Gunnison is good. It seems like the winter range is quite high elevation... contrast w/ Eagle, Garfield, plains. You'd think it'd slow their growth.

are the soils particularly good? type of forage? just more older deer?

sneakem · Feb 24, 2005

Mainly two things- Lots of nasty country and great genetics! Also there is a lot of geothermal that warms the ground in spots(warm springs etc.) Feeding programs, farmers haystacks, that kinda stuff.

Nontypical1 · Feb 24, 2005

interesting, thanks for your insights

BUCKSPY · Feb 24, 2005

Its good because they DRAMATICALLY limited the tag numbers in the units for the last few years for deer. You don't kill as many bucks and they grow old and big if given the chance. Its pretty simple.

There is high, cold winter range all over western Colorado and deer survive until the snow gets deep enough to cover the grub. The Gunnison basin actually has quite good winter range compared to lots of areas. It just gets damn cold there.

TheKnack · Feb 24, 2005

Moffat- has many bigger bucks than most realize.
You forgot unit 2,3,part of unit 4,301 and others.
Sure the hunting pressure on units like 3,4 and 301 get hammered by hunters but they are there as well.
Average size of bucks is better in 2,201 and 10 but surprisingly I bet the heavy hunted units produce as many "BC" bucks.
2,201 and 10 by far I believe have more deer in the 150-170 size range due to the limited tags available and most like myself a few years ago find it hard to hold off on decent bucks and come home with the average deer instead for the area.
If you hunt 2,201 and 10 tape your trigger finger to the stock and hold out for the biguns. They are there but you have to be patient and let the decent bucks walk.

The other top three have always been producers of great bucks and produce each year jaw droppers.
Do not overlook other units most shy away from that are not listed in the top 4 counties.
Good luck.
Jerry

rocketman · Feb 24, 2005

The reason Gunnison may be the best deer area
in Colo IS the restrictions of 5 years ago
were the highest of any units in the state(90%).
AND they have countinued these restrictions.
Most of the state had small reductions in tags 5
years ago.Gunnison has good winter range even
though it has very cold temp and great summer fall
range, far better than the NW units. Roy in Montrose

Waygoner · Feb 25, 2005

I agree that the restrictions are the main reason the hunting is so good here. There are so many deer that 4/5 per NIGHT are being hit on the highway. I drove from Gunnison to Salida and back last night and could not believe the number of deer I saw. Every hillside was covered with animals. The temps have been pretty mild this winter, but we've had more snow than in recent years. I have two preference points now and will probably not draw until 2006 (GMU 55). It will be worth the wait though, I expect to drop a monster.

Todd in Gunnison

Ryan · Feb 25, 2005

Thanks for the posts fellas... I am seriously considering the Gunnison units this year. I have 11 preference points that I'd like to cash in.

I am puzzled by unit 10 and 201 though. I spent a weekend on the winter range in unit 10 a few years ago and never saw anything over 175? Perhaps guys just get a itchy trigger.

Nontypical1 · Feb 25, 2005

interesting, sounds like it's a combo of restrictions and year-round range quality, thanks, had wondered given how dang cold it seems to be there in the winter

Ryan, w/ that many pts, are none of the RFW's worthwhile?

Skeet · Feb 25, 2005

Wish I had 11 points, if I did I would consider unit 44 the fourth hunt. November 16-20 will be prime rut regardless if there is snow or not. They kill some 200 inch deer every year in 44.

BUCKSPY · Feb 25, 2005

The two governor tag bucks and one of the raffle tag bucks were killed in the Gunnison basin last year.

cabinfever · Feb 26, 2005

Skeet

You got any suggestions on where to start in 44. I'm pretty sure I'll have a 2nd season tag there this year. How are the drainages coming off the north side of Redtable mountain? What elevations would you hunt during the 2nd season? Please drop me a line.I know there are some big bucks in the unit, but what is the overall deer densities like (i.e. lots of deer or very few deer? [email protected]

cabinfever

TheKnack · Feb 26, 2005

Ryan,
Any unit you decide to put in for make sure you have plenty of time to scout to find a deer of "BC" standards.
Unless your extremely lucky it will take a lot of spotting and reseaching to find a deer the caliber you are looking for.
Heck I am still searching for my ideal as the ultimate buck and have found a few close but not quite what I am looking for.
It is probably better to choose an area known for big bucks and concentrate on that unit and research it till you know it extremely well rather than looking at all of them...That was one of my mistakes for many years was spreading myself and time too thin but I am starting to learn how to use my time more wisely and am becoming a better hunter because of it.
Best of luck.
Jerry

Ryan · Feb 27, 2005

Thanks for the comments fellas. Knack that is very good advice.

jims · Feb 28, 2005

The problem with trying to scout prior to many of the rifle hunts in Colo is that where the deer are in July, Sept, and even Oct are often totally different than where they'll be in Nov. You can still learn access points, roads, etc but if you spot a 190+ buck in July he will likely not be there in Nov.