Colorado Deer #10

Salmon · Mar 26, 2007

I have a friend who has a good chance of drawing this unit this fall. I know it is a great unit but am concerned about private property issues. Has anyone hunted it before and would be willing to offer any info? Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

HiMtnHntr · Mar 26, 2007

Check the western slope hunting guide on the CDOW website, that might give you a few areas to look into. Pick up all of the BLM maps of the area so know where the private land is. Talk to a biologist in the area about possible areas to concentrate on. I have never hunted there but I've heard to concentrate high unless bad weather hits.

GHOSTINTHEWOODS · Mar 26, 2007

Not tring to scare you off, but I live not to far from this unit it is my main stomping grounds.We used to own a bunch of ground on that unit. The unit is in a severe slump. If you just want to go and kill a 160-170 inch deer then its still ok. Granted there are still a few good bucks, but few and far between. I've hunted it for 5 out of the last 6 years with family, friends, and myself, it's getting harder and harder.don't know if I'd burn 11 or 12 points on it or not..

Lawrence · Mar 27, 2007

Ghost, what do you think has caused the slump? Increasing elk numbers, drought?

Squirrel · Mar 27, 2007

I know 2 guys that have hunted it one last yr . He killed a 150" buck and only saw one bigger the whole 3rd season which last yr was very hot weather -wise. The other guy saw a whopper 6-8 yrs ago but someone else got it while my friend got a dink late in the season.

tradarcher · Mar 27, 2007

ghostinthewoods is right. i live not far from there and spend 2 to 3 days a week up there. big bucks arent like they used to be. my opinion is because of the elk. they have taken over. there are units that would be a better choice unless your friend has a lot of time to spend. i have hunted it twice of my own and taken numerous people. this said i dont apply for that unit anymore. just my opinion.

littlebighorn · Mar 27, 2007

Not trying to change the subject, but how about 21 accross the road? For you guys that live in the area, is 21 having the same decline in deer numbers and quality?

utahheadgear · Mar 27, 2007

I had an archery tag on unit 10 about four years ago I guess. When I researched the area I heard alot of the same that guys are saying here....."Lot's of decent 150" class bucks, but no great ones", "not what it used to be" etc. I applied anyway, got the tag and had an awesome hunt. I found on scouting trips and during the hunt a number of bucks that would have easily grossed in the high 170's to low 180's and a couple that I think were even better than that. Not too bad if you ask me. I hunted the northern part of the unit and finding public land wasn't a big issue. It's easy country to hunt(physically) and has lots of access. Now if you hunt later, and further south I wouldn't know about access and such, but early on (september) it was a great hunt. If you have the points to draw it, do.

tradarcher · Mar 28, 2007

utahheadgear is right. four years ago there were good bucks and still are. i hunted it for deer four years ago and killed a 176 archery buck. in the last four years the elk have began to take over. all the little out of the way hotspots that used to hold great bucks are now infested with damn elk. do what you want and there are good bucks still there but like i said i hunted the best piece of private and had all season and best i could do was 176.

GHOSTINTHEWOODS · Mar 28, 2007

lawrence,tradarcher, Ya I'm sure the elk might have a little to do with it but the #1 factor as usual is poor management. they killed way way to many does in that unit over the last 10 years. before in years past you used to be able to go over there in the winter and see hundreds of deer, can't do it any more. It's sickening to see what it is now compared to what it used to be. they did however shut down the doe hunts. too little to late????? we'll see I guess..

Colorado_Ryan · Mar 29, 2007

There are better units... 21, Gunnison units, 61, plains units...

tracker12 · Apr 1, 2007

For you guys with experience with this unit how do ypu think this area is for archery elk. I am looking for a place to burn 15PP. Is this area worth the points?