I drew my first out of state tag!

Mikey88 · May 14, 2013

I'm new to this forum and out of state hunting. I have experience hunting blacktails but never have had the opportunity to hunt mule deer before.

After 5 years of gaining points I finally drew Colorado unit 22 3rd season. I have done some research, but would like to ask if any one is willing to share some info or suggestions? I know OTC elk will be open during that time so I understand there will be alot of hunters about.

My goal is to gain some knowledge and experience while enjoying the new terrain and hopefully taking home the best buck I can. Thanks Mike H.

just_a_hunter · May 14, 2013

You are going to be crowded. That is one of the biggest natural gas fields in the nation and hunters will only be a fraction of the traffic. I have seen some big bucks there and you will have a good hunt.

No if ands or buts about it, get a Garmin GPS with the colorado hunting maps chip. You are severly handycaping yourself if you don't.

The DWR leases a bunch of Piceance Creek off County RD. 5 that you can hunt.

Another good area is the 22 side of Calamity ridge but if you kill a deer in unit 21, you'll get hung by your toe nails. There are a lot of bucks that feed on the White River but will spend the day in Unit 22 off of HWY 64..

Spend the mornings and evenings glassing sage brush bottoms in between the small cedar/pinion ridges.

Like I said earlier, the roads are going to be crowded but there is good access.

It would be silly to pass up a 4 point but there are some nice bucks taken.

If you can poney up the funds, there are a lot of elk in the unit as well.

Good luck,

Todd

nk84 · May 14, 2013

Lot of roads thay can get bad if it snows if you see a 4?4 on you better shot it or the next hunter will when I had the tag hunter had 2 and 3 point

Smokepole · May 17, 2013

We've had fun on this hunt a few times. Even though there are a lot of roads, you can get away from the other hunters and hike into some places. Most people just road hunt (does that surprise you?) so, just hiking up a canyon and around the corner can put you where most people can't see what's there and it doesn't necessarily need to be that far.

The Biologist over there is really good to talk too and he can help you out with suggestions and places. The deer migrate through so, just because you aren't seeing much the first couple days be patient and something will show up.

Smokepole

Mikey88 · May 17, 2013

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Got just under 6 months to get prepared. I'm excited and enjoy hearing info about this hunt! Thanks again guys!

terriejohnston · May 17, 2013

A blacktail is a sub species of a muley deer. Get in shape if your are not already....humping thru the mountains you will be doing. But the rewards are worth it in the long run....

elks96 · May 17, 2013

>Thanks for taking the time to
>reply. Got just under 6
>months to get prepared. I'm
>excited and enjoy hearing info
>about this hunt! Thanks again
>guys!

Sent you a PM did you get it?