CO unit 21 deer hunt or 22

Cahunter805

Long Time Member
Messages
3,347
Just curious if anyone drew a tag for 21 this year? Looking at possibly drawing a 2nd season tag in 2022. Also considering a unit 22 3rd season tag. Would appreciate any information regarding the deer herd and hunt. Thanks.
 
I hunted GMU 22 3rd rifle this year. Coming from Alaska, I was only able to scout two days before the hunt. The local biologist had pointed me to three potential areas. While scouting, I saw a couple large bucks and several 2-3 point bucks. I hunted hard, glassed a lot, and logged miles on foot and in a truck. I saw only small bucks for five days. When it cooled off on day five, we started seeing more deer and I missed a chance at a large buck. On day six, I settled on the 2x4 in the photo. Bottom line for me - a bunch of small bucks with the potential for some big bucks for someone more familiar with the area. With all the doe tags and elk hunters, hard to get away from people. Also, roads everywhere in 22, tough to get away from roads. Being from Alaska and not having hunted mule deer for 25 years it was not quite what I hoped for my 13 preference points.

rr0a7faWTKaOVubNfpUTEw_thumb_f03.jpg
 
They gave out hundreds of doe tags in 22 this year. There were doe hunters everywhere. Even more doe carcasses left laying in every ditch, road side, campsite etc. It was slickening! Between increasing the number of buck tags, added does tags, elk hunters, and the sale of prime hunting land now closed the public it is no better than any other 0 point unit.
We used to love the unit, But if you want to see a classic example of how CPW can totally destroy a unit take a trip to 22!
 
They gave out hundreds of doe tags in 22 this year. There were doe hunters everywhere. Even more doe carcasses left laying in every ditch, road side, campsite etc. It was slickening! Between increasing the number of buck tags, added does tags, elk hunters, and the sale of prime hunting land now closed the public it is no better than any other 0 point unit.
We used to love the unit, But if you want to see a classic example of how CPW can totally destroy a unit take a trip to 22!
It’s essentially all the NW units now days. Sickening to see. Growing up in Meeker I have many fond memories of the good days of mule deer hunting in places like 11/211 and 22.
 
We drew five GMU #21, 2nd season tags this year. Fun hunt, but didn’t see any monsters. Lots of other hunters there, especially elk hunters that were everywhere.
 
I hunted GMU 22 3rd rifle this year. Coming from Alaska, I was only able to scout two days before the hunt. The local biologist had pointed me to three potential areas. While scouting, I saw a couple large bucks and several 2-3 point bucks. I hunted hard, glassed a lot, and logged miles on foot and in a truck. I saw only small bucks for five days. When it cooled off on day five, we started seeing more deer and I missed a chance at a large buck. On day six, I settled on the 2x4 in the photo. Bottom line for me - a bunch of small bucks with the potential for some big bucks for someone more familiar with the area. With all the doe tags and elk hunters, hard to get away from people. Also, roads everywhere in 22, tough to get away from roads. Being from Alaska and not having hunted mule deer for 25 years it was not quite what I hoped for my 13 preference points.

View attachment 63596
same story. hunted second season and it was a struggle.
 
Boy I get sick of seeing all these young Bucks being killed
I honestly don’t see 21 or 22 ever coming back to what it was 15-20 years ago with its current management practices. Very few bucks live past 3 years old in either unit. The last tag I had in 21 was in 2009 and it was practically the same way it is now. Piles and piles of 2-3 year old deer in the 140-150 type class. Where as in 2002 when my dad had it there was slugs standing on every well pad it seemed.
 
it's the overlapping doe season and otc elk hunters that really made it a hard pill to swallow. waited 10 years for a marginal (at best) hunt quality. I'd put my experience in 22 at a 0-3 point unit.
 
Anymore with the increase of hunter numbers I support tag limits. Enough of the OTC BS. Every swinging diqk going with their buddy has a bull or cow tag. Or now a doe tag. I am hoping that with the reduced animal numbers that habit and feed quality will improve. We have seen PJ/sage edge habitat hydro-axing projects happening in several units along with some great burns. I am striving for hope here...
 
Take into consideration that with the later season dates this past year and CPW giving out Hundreds of additional doe tags the herds are really going to suffer. I am sure many of those does that were slaughtered were already bred.
 
Last edited:
I hunted 22 3rd season this year. Not at all disagreeing with any of the local and knowledgeable guys posting here, they know more about the unit than I ever will, I'm not from CO, also never hunted it or even stepped foot on it prior to this year.

That said, likely depends on your expectations. Living in UT, we have zero opportunity in terms of later season (ie, rut) rifle tags, so even a very depleted unit 22 was still a whole lot of fun. My dad and I killed bucks, neither were giant but both were solid deer for what we expected going in.
 
I will most definitely agree that the unit was overrun with hunters during 3rd season, forgot to mention that. Buck hunters, doe hunters, elk hunters....the sheer number of people out there was pretty wild.
 
I hunted 22 3rd season this year. Not at all disagreeing with any of the local and knowledgeable guys posting here, they know more about the unit than I ever will, I'm not from CO, also never hunted it or even stepped foot on it prior to this year.

That said, likely depends on your expectations. Living in UT, we have zero opportunity in terms of later season (ie, rut) rifle tags, so even a very depleted unit 22 was still a whole lot of fun. My dad and I killed bucks, neither were giant but both were solid deer for what we expected going in.
Got any pics?
 
Backinthegame, Lets see some pics. I hunted it a few years ago and a fun time. Saw a few giants on private, but besides that, we went 3 for 3, with solid 155-160 " bucks. But that was good for what we saw with everyone else, and especially the last few years. It has been tough for above average bucks.
 
Based on everything I was able to find out going in and what we saw scouting and hunting I felt like we did ok. I know we had a good time! My dad's turned out to be a younger buck that looked a little better from a long ways off vs when we put our hands on him, but a good looking deer either way. Mine won't score but a really cool old buck that was rutting hard.

buck 1.jpg


buck 2.jpg


dad buck.jpg
 
Backinthegame, Lets see some pics. I hunted it a few years ago and a fun time. Saw a few giants on private, but besides that, we went 3 for 3, with solid 155-160 " bucks. But that was good for what we saw with everyone else, and especially the last few years. It has been tough for above average bucks.
They gave out hundreds of doe tags in 22 this year. There were doe hunters everywhere. Even more doe carcasses left laying in every ditch, road side, campsite etc. It was slickening! Between increasing the number of buck tags, added does tags, elk hunters, and the sale of prime hunting land now closed the public it is no better than any other 0 point unit.
We used to love the unit, But if you want to see a classic example of how CPW can totally destroy a unit take a trip to 22!
I totally agree- last really good hunting in ‘21 & ‘22 was- get this- 1972- I was there & saw it first hand, unreal the numbers & quality ! It all went to
hell in ‘73- the monster winter of ‘72–‘73 killed the deer by the thousands in piles, they never were allowed to recover due to tags kept being sold OTC till 1998- $$$$$$$ !!!! I went back 1 more time, ‘74- , only that was worse of course,
a frozen hell & no deer or decent bucks, never went back ! Sad story, but 100 % accurate !
Jerry Gold- In Windsor, Colorado ???
 

Colorado Hunting Guides & Outfitters

Rocky Mountain Ranches

Hunt some of the finest ranches in N.W. Colorado. Superb elk, mule deer, and antelope hunting.

Blue Mountain Outfitters

Unit 10 trophy deer and elk in Northwest Colorado. Guaranteed tags. Call Kent (801) 562-1802

Frazier Outfitting

Great Colorado elk hunting. Hunt the backcountry of unit 76. More than a hunt, it's an adventure!

CJ Outfitters

Hunt Colorado's premier trophy units, 2, 10 and 201 for trophy elk, deer and antelope.

Allout Guiding & Outfitting

Offering high quality mule deer, elk, bear and cougar hunts in Colorado units 40 and 61.

Ivory & Antler Outfitters

Hunt trophy elk, mule deer, moose, antelope, bear, cougar and turkey on both private land and BLM.

Urge 2 Hunt

We offer both DIY and guided hunts on large ranches all over Colorado for archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts.

Hunters Domain

Colorado landowner tags for mule deer, elk and antelope. Tags for other states also available.

Flat Tops Elk Hunting

For the Do-It-Yourself hunters, an amazing cabin in GMU 12 for your groups elk or deer hunt.

Back
Top Bottom