Monroe Unit

Mikey88 · Feb 11, 2016

My buddy and I want to put in for this unit this year. We have hunted Public land here in Northern California with limited success on small blacktails. We have put in the time each year but the success rate is usually around 6% for the zone. My friend's biggest buck is a 16in 2x2. In the zone we hunt any legal buck is something you take when you get the chance. We enjoy hunting and just getting out there and making memories. I shot a 140" buck in Colorado a few years back which took 6 years to draw so I understand this will be nothing like that.

This unit has high success and I would guess not many mature bucks because of it. Would this unit be much different than our California hunts? Mostly small 2x2's and a 3x3 being a rare sighting?

Thanks.

2lumpy · Feb 11, 2016

"This unit has high success and I would guess not many mature bucks because of it. Would this unit be much different than our California hunts? Mostly small 2x2's and a 3x3 being a rare sighting?"

Your assessment of the Monroe mule deer age classification is pretty accurate, in my opinion. Over the years, even the older bucks on the Monroe seem to have less antler mass and dimension. Neighboring unit's antler growth, for both deer and elk, seem to be considerably larger, regardless of age or weather conditions.

Some units produce larger antlers, regardless of age.

DC

huntinfanatic · Feb 11, 2016

With the description of your California hunts I think you guys would have a GREAT time hunting the monroe. Not as many deer as some other units but enough to have a good hunt. A 3x3 is NOT a rare sighting on the unit.

SlinginLead · Feb 11, 2016

I have taken numerous 3x3's and 4x4's on the Monroe, even when the numbers were way down. Like anywhere else, hunt hard, be patient. But I'm still waiting to draw a bull elk tag
though. 20 points and counting!