Colorado unit 22

Smokepole · Feb 8, 2006

A co-worker asked if I would interested in going after deer in unit 22 with him. He's talking about hunting the 3rd season. Neither of us have any points, so drawing this year doesn't look very good. However, it would give us more time to research and pre-scout before we did draw. I did some checking into this unit a couple years ago when I was trying to decide where to take my son, but we ended up hunting units 11 and 211.

It looks like there are some places that we could get away from the roads and pack into some of the BLM which less accessable (primarily due to private property that's in the canyon bottoms). I've talked to a Wildlife information Officer in Meeker and she mentioned that there have been a few good bucks taken every year in the unit. I asked her about access to a few areas, but she could only tell me about the county roads and they are already marked on my BLM map.

If anyone is willing to share some advice I would really appreciate it.

Smokepole

COHunter · Feb 8, 2006

You'll see plenty of Oil & Gas workers in 22. I was planning on hunting 22 for deer, but after seeing all the Oil & Gas activity going on last year on a 1st season elk hunt, I've decided to look elsewhere.

sneak · Feb 9, 2006

Yes, look out for gas drilling--we're losing habitat so fast we can't see straight. Now BLM is trying get new categorical exclusions approved so that they have to do even LESS environmental review to approve wells and roads. I've been flying this country for several years, and it is alarming to see all the new roads and well pads.

By all accounts, we're just seeing the tip of the iceberg, and Colorado is not the only place affected. This push is running from New Mexico right up to Montana and every hunter should be voicing concern to their reps in Washington to get some sensible environmental control on surface distrubances caused by this industry. If we don't, soon, there won't be any "remote" areas left to hike into.

FamilyMan · Feb 9, 2006

Will send you a PM.

Mark

snowman22250 · Feb 9, 2006

Mike,

Just out in 22 last week working in the gas fields. My buddy has been working right out of Rifle, CO. He hunted 22 3rd season last year. It takes 1 preference point to be guaranteed, and with 0 points, you have about 1 in 3 odds of drawing. Give me an email sometime, and I'll let you know how they did. I remember my buddy saying there was quite-a-bit private. Which, can be a good thing sometimes(growing older class deer)!!

Snowman