Gunnison basin

hntbux · Oct 21, 2008

Got back from gunnison and not sure if I want to go back for a while.We had been hunting the 55 and spent time on 54 with a buddy. We have hunted these units in the past,and can't believe the deer we DIDN'T see?We knew the winterkill was really bad going into this,but never imagined it being this bad or is it? Some say the unusual warm weather, yada yada is the reason no deer are down yet, but we have had warm weather in the past years as well.We just can't imagine a 90% winterkill? Thoughts anyone?

Waygoner · Oct 21, 2008

I tagged along for archery hunting in 55 with my brother. We saw quite a few elk but not a single deer. I did some scouting in 54 two weeks ago and only saw 3 does. I think the deer got hammered last winter, much worse than the DOW would have you believe.

jcmuleys · Oct 21, 2008

A buddy of mine that is friends with a taxidermist in Gunnison said that his buddy had only taken in a few decent bucks when the norm is a dozen or so by now.
JC

mlchaser · Oct 21, 2008

I know this has been debated greatly and we probably won't all know until the seasons are over. Reports I had was people seeing bucks, but some less. I had buddies in 55 for elk that saw no elk, but several 160 and 170 deer.

I hope they are still there, as I have a 3rd season 54 tag and headed there soon. I did most of my summer scouting on low terrain, and might have to switch it up and head for higher ground with the little snow and warm temps. I plan on trying for what I can regardless.
M

dutch · Oct 22, 2008

I wouldn't doubt the winterkill, last year was pretty rough as far as snow depth goes. too bad.
dutch
" Man who excels at putting worm on hook is Master Baiter"

HTG · Oct 27, 2008

I just came back from a second season hunt in this unit. Saw four doe in six days of hunting. I talked to several people and no one was seeing anything. I'm pretty sure the area got hit much harder than the DOW reported. I was told that there was a 50% winter kill and at least 65% buck mortality. Not sure what the final count will be but its not in good shape.

kbuck · Oct 27, 2008

wow what unit 54 or 55

HTG · Oct 28, 2008

I was in 54. Anyone hunt 55?

infinitecircles · Oct 28, 2008

Spent 6 days in 55 and 2 in 551. Didn't see a buck in 551. Bigest buck we saw in 55 was a little 130ish 4 pt with weak back forks. I ended up eating my tag. Dad had the tag in 2006 and brother had it in 2007 and based on my experience I would guess 65%-75% fewer bucks. I hope 3rd season goes better but if I had a tag I'd be looking for a way to get my points back.

jvgunner · Oct 30, 2008

I hunted in the medicine bow (baggs) & would say 60 to 70% of the deer heard was lost,It was a very hard hunt, here & the gunnison were hit very hard, they are seeding the clouds in utah & I think they should stop messing with nature.

MrKrabs · Oct 30, 2008

I just got back from elk hunting in a unit next to 55. We saw over 300 mule deer in the 12 days we were there. We got a brief glimpse of a hawg. I couldn't tell the width, but he had a ton of mass. We also saw quite a few in the 20-24" range and alot of smaller bucks. After all the talk about the winterkill I was surprised to see as many fawns as we did.

Unfortunately we didn't have mule deer tags and almost all of these were on private land.