Colorado GMU recommendations for 72 year old dad's hunt

Cotten · Dec 11, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Dec-11-17 AT 03:16PM (MST)[p]Long time listener, first time caller. My dad has built up 9 nonresident preference points for deer in Colorado. Over the last year or so his knee has started to bother him and I think it's time to cash in those points before something happens and he can't get out and hunt hard like he does now. He would be happy with any buck, but I would prefer that we get to look at a lot of deer (because I love watching mule deer) and him have an opportunity to shoot a high quality buck. He's hunted elk with me in units 18, 19, 20, and most recently unit 10 (all for cows). This past season in unit 10 we hiked 5 miles in one day and nearly 8 miles the next day. He's not afraid to put in some miles or climb a steep hill, and we are willing to backpack in and camp if that makes sense. We both would prefer to get away from roads and ATV traffic if possible. Roadless areas and Wilderness Study Areas are a positive in that regard.

In addition to the above referenced units, I've also hunted units 21, 28, and 30. I'm thinking a 3rd or 4th season tag is the way to go. Unit 30 would be nice, but it takes more points than he's got to draw that 3rd season tag. Same with 10 or 21. I've been looking at unit 22 3rd season as an option, though it looks a bit road heavy for my personal preference. Any other recommendations for spending 9 non resident points? Feel free to PM me.

Cotten · Dec 28, 2017

No one has any information, even just general information, they are willing to share to help me facilitate a quality hunting experience for my dad?

DirtyTough · Dec 28, 2017

A couple thoughts. First you aren't getting any help because its your first post. And everybody seems to be saying help my dad, wife, daughter, nephew, etc. It's never the people asking for the help that need it. It's always a relative lately.

Anyway I would look at the units he can draw. Toprut is a good source for draw odds. Then I would see if any of those units are also a draw for elk during the season he can draw. That will cut down on hunter numbers if its not otc for elk. Then see if it has areas to get away from people during the season you want to hunt.

Once you find a few units you are interested in then search for that unit and send a PM to the guys that have hunted it before. Call the Bio's about them and the GW's.

It should only take a week or two and you should be able to have it narrowed down to one or two choice units.

Regards,

Twoshooter · Dec 28, 2017

9 non res points for a 3rd or 4th season deer tag kinda puts you in no mans land. You are a few points shy of the better units and wasting points for lesser units you can get with 0 to 4 points. 2nd season tags gives you alot more options. 68 looks like a decent tag that might work for you, but having been there myself, probably not worth spending 9 points on. I love Colorado and hunt it every year. It seems that the tags are twice as hard to get and half as good as they were 10 years ago.

ColoradoRam · Dec 28, 2017

4th season unit 18 or 28. You've already hunted those units so you are familiar with access and such. They pull some nice ones out of those units. Good hunt to see good numbers of deer. Good numbers of elk hunters too. Like mentioned above I'd start by calling the local biologist. 28 has bigger deer but more private land. 18 has more deer but more elk hunters. Good luck!

Cotten · Dec 29, 2017

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I had GoHunt for a bit and used it to look at draw odds, trophy potential, etc for his points. My research lined up with what everyone is saying, namely that my dad's in no man's land, that deer numbers and quality have dropped dramatically when weighed against the number of points to draw, and that the "top" units he can draw for 3rd season will have a lot of OTC elk hunters. I think I'm mostly just wondering if I've overlooked something. I've spent a lot of time combing through posts here and on several other sites and am finally in a place where I'm wondering what's left to pick up, in general terms, short of spending a weekend in a unit. Ideally I would have spent a few days of 3rd season last year scouting GMU 22, and any other units I was considering, but I was trying to fill tags of my own during 3rd and 4th season last year in other units. I would just take a pass and have him accumulate another preference point while I go look at units this year, but his knee continues to deteriorate. Nothing about this is ideal, and I'm sure it sounds like a pile of manipulative shite. I guess when it's all said and done, I don't lose anything by asking.

johnk · Dec 30, 2017

Hello Im John from Wi I don,t want to horn in ,but in same boat. 2 of us 71 72 years old . have 20 non res. points worked like 7/11 all life. I saw you hunted in unit 10 would you rate it for nice deer? Been looking at unit 2 /10/201 Would love a privet ranch but nest egg is not that big.We can use all the help we can get wishing your dad great luck Hope his knee holds out for hunt.Thanks Again
John

TrophyDeer · Dec 30, 2017

Are you willing to go guided? If so a great and easy hunt that you could draw is Unit 61 second season. But I would only do it if you can go guided. The public land has very low deer numbers. Guided gives you access to a lot of private ground and it is an easy hunt and you will see a lot of deer. Garvey Bro. Outfitting is the way to go if you can do this.

El Gringo · Dec 30, 2017

4th Rifle in either 15 or 33. I think you should be right on the cusp. There are a few great bucks that come off of both.

Don't burn 9 points on 18/28. Only takes 2 or 3 to draw either 4th Season

Prime_Beef · Jan 4, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Jan-04-18 AT 08:01AM (MST)[p]63, third hunt. PM sent.

Cotten · Jan 5, 2018

Yeah, I have no intention of burning his points on a hunt in GMU 18 or 28, though I personally intend to hunt those units, along with a few others, once I burn my own stockpile of points here in a few years. I've hunted on 2nd choice and leftover tags every year since moving to Colorado, but there are so many 0-4 point units that would make for a better overall hunting experience. I'm actually looking forward to burning my points and moving on to those type hunts.

Any other suggestions for units to look at for 9 NR points?

Anybody have any current experience or info on the mule deer in unit 30? Again, feel free to PM me. I saw very few deer during 1st elk season there this year.