Unit 23 (3rd Rifle Deer)

Interested in trying a new unit to hunt in Colorado. Want a good experience for my boy as he is just getting into hunting. I have done some research on this unit and have some questions out to the biologist.

I was hoping someone could give me some general feedback on the unit. Specifically what should you expect to see on public land vs private on this unit, how did the deer herd look last year and what kind of hunting is this. (my research shows that they will be moving out of the higher country and you should focus on the middle ground (sage/pinyon).

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

I live 10 miles east of town in 23, I've lives in this spot ten years now and last year is the worst year for bucks that i have seen. The CPW only giving out 10 doe tags for the last couple of years is starting to help the numbers of does and fawns! The snow hasn't pushed anything down during hunting season for a few years now. Its a pretty tuff hunt unless you just want to shoot a tiny buck!
Honestly for someone in your situation, looking for a fun hunt for your kid, I'd go to unit 3. Deer population is doing real good up there and you can look at multiple bucks per day! Mostly average bucks with the occasional bigger buck, but your boy would have a ball! My son guided deer in unit 3 third season and he was able to fill 13 guys on their buck tags himself in a 9 day season! You would be lucky to see 13 different bucks on the public in 23 all season!

Thanks for the info. I will take a look at unit 3.

>I live 10 miles east of
>town in 23, I've lives
>in this spot ten years
>now and last year is
>the worst year for bucks
>that i have seen. The
>CPW only giving out 10
>doe tags for the last
>couple of years is starting
>to help the numbers of
>does and fawns! The snow
>hasn't pushed anything down during
>hunting season for a few
>years now. Its a pretty
>tuff hunt unless you just
>want to shoot a tiny
>buck!
> Honestly for someone in your
>situation, looking for a fun
>hunt for your kid, I'd
>go to unit 3. Deer
>population is doing real good
>up there and you can
>look at multiple bucks per
>day! Mostly average bucks with
>the occasional bigger buck, but
>your boy would have a
>ball! My son guided deer
>in unit 3 third season
>and he was able to
>fill 13 guys on their
>buck tags himself in a
>9 day season! You would
>be lucky to see 13
>different bucks on the public
>in 23 all season!
>
>We hunted SE of Meeker on private during 3rd season and it was the best year for deer we've seen since we started hunting there. We killed 3 150-160 class bucks and saw a dozen more of similar size and 1 huge one. However, we saw few elk and no bulls, the worst year we've had. Purkey's in Meeker told us the same thing, great year for deer and a poor one for elk.
I agree that winter migration is not much of a factor during the hunting seasons. As you say, unit 3 is top deer country, probably one of the best in the state.

LAST EDITED ON Jan-11-18 AT 04:08PM (MST)[p]I agree, private property in 23 is pretty good hunting! Buck numbers overall are down in the unit! Glad you found a good spot! Better hunt it while it lasts!

This is probably where I was confused; sounds like private land holds plenty of deer, public land may be a challenge. Thanks again everyone.