Archery Colorado Unit

[WiscoKid]

Hey guys,

Thank you first and foremost for all the information thus far. I'd like to pick the brains of some bow hunters as to what they think is the best early season unit for archery mule deer. I'm currently planning for 44, and have received some good information and good tips from a few guys.

I'd like it to be high country or an element of true spot and stalk. Any information is great and would love to talk other places you've enjoyed chasing mule deer with a bow.

Dan

 

[dhoshauer]

Options......Do you have any pref points? Or do you have access to landowner tags? If So, are willing to purchase one? There are some units that will give you a chance to draw with 0 points. Colorado has some awesome high country mountains. Expect to hunt 11 to 13k. Some units are better then others, but all can cough up a stud.

 

[WiscoKid]

I'm planning for 2018 so I will have 1 preference point. A good friend shot a few nice ones in 37, but I'm just curious about others' experiences around the state

 

[sticksender]

I've bow-hunted that unit for elk & deer many times. Don't assume that the legendary success of the rut rifle deer hunt translates to the early season archery deer hunt. Those are two completely different hunts.

There's a reason the archery hunt can be drawn with 0 or 1 point. While at the same time, many other quality deer units on the western slope require 6-15 points to draw the archery tag.

You might take a look at the west slope hunting guides published on the CDPW site, and look at the archery success rates on bucks for the higher-demand archery units. This would be a good starting point for sure.

 

[WiscoKid]

absolutely, and I'm not expecting it even trying to put down a 190-200" buck. I'm hoping to just see deer every day, low pressure, a unit that has some true spot and stalk opportunity and have a chance at seeing a 150-170" buck.... Sounds like a lot to ask right?!?

 

[dhoshauer]

sent you a PM

 

[elks96]

>absolutely, and I'm not expecting
>it even trying to put
>down a 190-200" buck.
>I'm hoping to just see
>deer every day, low
>pressure, a unit that
>has some true spot and
>stalk opportunity and have a
>chance at seeing a 150-170"
>buck.... Sounds like a
>lot to ask right?!?

I think stick sender was not referring so much to deer size, but some of the top units in CO hold almost no deer at all during the early archery seasons. They are units where the deer migrate to. If I was archery hunting I would definitely focus on mid range and high elevations. I would not be looking much into units lower simply because most of there deer in those units are on private

 

[WiscoKid]

I actually think I've decided on 47...near independence pass. I'm going to give it the old college try.... Hike, hunt, hike some more, learn the unit and take in some breath taking views.... And hopefully see A buck.

 

[cantclosethedeal]

I am glad to hear you changed your mind. 44 is almost exclusively timbered tops in the high country. Very limited spot and stock opportunities. You can be successful on that unit, but spot and stalk would be tough.
I have never hunted 47, so I cant offer much advice.
Good Luck

 

[tkjwonta]

Be prepared for significant hiker traffic in 47, especially around the trailheads. Hunted in 2014 and 2016, deer hunting was decent but run-ins with other recreationists this last year has us looking for alternatives.

 

[WiscoKid]

Tyler, Pmd you. Thanks

 

[DIY]

Like some have said in this thread already, hiker traffic is somewhat a concern on the Independence Pass option. You get all the "Tree Huggers" from Aspen beating up the trails, though mostly on the weekends. Having watched the bucks interaction with the day hikers, as long as they stay on the trails they do not really bother the bucks. As for the hikers, most are oblivious to the presence of deer in the area.
A couple of pictures of what you are looking for. Big Colorado above timberline studs.

 

[CATMAN]

Stud Bucks for sure