3/301 v 70 3rd season?

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BigPig

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I have an opportunity to pick up UW tags for either of these two units, 3rd season, for about the same cost. I know neither are trophy hunts, but which would provide a better experience/chance at a decent 150+ buck and the ability to hike away from the worst of the crowds? Do both have OTC elk hunts going on at same time?
 
I hunted 3/301 in 2010 and saw two slammers, both on other ranches. It wasn't all that crowed and BLM was in abundance. PM if you want the roads and ranch I hunted. I don't know anything about Unit 70. Good luck.
 
Sako76 said:
I hunted 3/301 in 2010 and saw two slammers, both on other ranches. It wasn't all that crowed and BLM was in abundance. PM if you want the roads and ranch I hunted. I don't know anything about Unit 70. Good luck.
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Go look at the difference in tag numbers from 2010 to last year, and they increased tag numbers this year. Its not even remotely the same unit as it was back then.

Edit, just looked it up, 2010 there was 700 tags, this year there will be 1100 3rd season tags.
 
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3/301 Has some decent bucks still but they are all on private ranches. Unless the HEAVY SNOWS come and drives the Bucks off the mountain it's not what it was ,You will definitely see deer but not many good bucks.
 
I hunted 3/301, 4th Season last year. I spent 9 full days (4 days scouting, and hunted Daylight to dark). Hunted mostly 3, from top to bottom and east to west. Had 2 buddies along to help glass (Just to paint the entire picture).

I’d guess we looked at 1,000+ deer and quite a lot of bucks. I saw a total of 5 bucks in that 150-165 class, and the rut was going well, IMO. I ate the tag, looking for something better.

The number of gut piles out in the sage, after the slaughter of the 3rd season was more than impressive. The DOW is openly managing this area for a lower age class in the name of CWD. From what I saw, they are doing a great job to their objectives. I, personally wouldn’t consider participating in the War during the 3rd Season, nor would I go back for 4th if I were looking for a great buck.
 
El Gringo said:
I hunted 3/301, 4th Season last year. I spent 9 full days (4 days scouting, and hunted Daylight to dark). Hunted mostly 3, from top to bottom and east to west. Had 2 buddies along to help glass (Just to paint the entire picture).

I’d guess we looked at 1,000+ deer and quite a lot of bucks. I saw a total of 5 bucks in that 150-165 class, and the rut was going well, IMO. I ate the tag, looking for something better.

The number of gut piles out in the sage, after the slaughter of the 3rd season was more than impressive. The DOW is openly managing this area for a lower age class in the name of CWD. From what I saw, they are doing a great job to their objectives. I, personally wouldn’t consider participating in the War during the 3rd Season, nor would I go back for 4th if I were looking for a great buck.
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Yup you nailed it there... NW units are in grim shape as far as any sort of quality goes.
 
Over the past 10 years 70 has gone down and it was never great then. The only real way to get away is if you have private access. There are no “honey holes” with as many tags as they give you have people everywhere and many have the same thoughts about hiking away from the crowds. Most guys are killing 1 1/2 to 2/12 year old deer.
 
Ultimag said:
Guess,I'm one of guilty ones.
if its legal and. I Have the tag its,dead. horns truely dont impress me I've never shot a big game animal because of the head gear I killed it because I had the tag.
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That is totally cool and I am fine with it. If you want bigger bucks, you have to cut tags. Just curious why you hang out on a site called monstermuleys then?
 
nripepi said:
That is totally cool and I am fine with it. If you want bigger bucks, you have to cut tags. Just curious why you hang out on a site called monstermuleys then?
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Didn't say I haven't killed big deer I've killed my share, what I said,was I didnt kill them for their horns my father,grandfather always stressed you can't eat horns & .If you don't shoot it somebody else is going to its,advise I've used for the 40+ yrs I've been chaseing and killing critters.
Monstermuleys, has,a,lot more content then just big mule deer and I enjoy the different points of views
More to growing deer then cutting tags
Cutting tags is,1tool they can use ,but there are many other things that need yo also happen along with it
 
The question was about 150 class deer so I just wanted to be upfront about what the unit held. Never wanted to offend, just want people to enjoy their experience and not be surprised in a negative way to what they are seeing in the field.
 
There are 150+ Bucks in every unit in the state. Some 2 year olds get to be decent 4 points. Either unit can and does produce bucks that size and bigger. I’ve spent some time in both, and, if it were me, I would choose 70. I THINK it would be less crowded, and it’s cool country. Just my .02
 
Will be hunting deer in Unit 3, 4th season this year. We will see if it's any better...or worse! I've heard those who hunted last season that the rut was pretty much over by the time they started hunting. Hope that isn't the case this year!
 
Are you on private ground? There are some decent bucks out there 4th season and if the Snow drives them off the Mountain you should see some nice bucks, good luck.
 
oljc said:
Are you on private ground? There are some decent bucks out there 4th season and if the Snow drives them off the Mountain you should see some nice bucks, good luck.
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Thanks!
Planning on sticking to public, not really interested in paying trespass fees but definitely not opposed to it. I am really hoping for some snow to get em moving. Excited either way to see some new country and hopefully some nice deer.
 
I get there is overcrowding in most units and I know guys say there are people around ever bend, but my experience is if You go through some deadfall, cross a creek, or gain 1200 ft of elevation, it really seems to thin the crowd. My OTC elk spot for several years has had 20 trucks at the trail head and I don’t see any other hunters back where I’m at, just something to think about, also I get that Co is not what it used to be but I have also seen over 180 inch deer in one of the most over hunted units in the state. Hunting the rut can still be magical. Good luck on your choice, sounds like 70 is the easy winner. Let us know how you do
 
BigPig said:
I have an opportunity to pick up UW tags for either of these two units, 3rd season, for about the same cost. I know neither are trophy hunts, but which would provide a better experience/chance at a decent 150+ buck and the ability to hike away from the worst of the crowds? Do both have OTC elk hunts going on at same time?
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The possibility is there. The 301 is mostly private land around Craig. 003 is mostly public. If you are looking for larger deer the 301 on private land is your best bet. Even though I have hunted both units many times and have some 180's and 200's on the wall, it is not the best unit it is the best ground you are walking on. On the public ground for either set your sights lower. in either unit you can set your sights higher. If you want big deer, I will never hunt public land. No matter what anyone tells you, with over 150 mule deer under my belt, some over 200, if you want big deer hunt private land, otherwise you are wasting your time with odds that are worse than Las Vegas or the lottery. It makes the news because in reality big buck on public land is outdated.
 
The bucks that get big enjoy the low hunting pressure of private land and soon learn to stay there until migration. The ones that don't find that safety never find it and have a truly short life span. I hear people say they shot this big one here or there on public land all the time. In my research I find them too extremely seldom to be truthful. They are measures with their excited eyes, not a tape measure. They get a good buck do you really think they are going to tell you which mountain they shot it on so you can go there, I think not. With fewer big bucks today than in the 70's look at reality, odds, your time, your life, and don't think big bucks are a reality in your dream world. I don't mean for this to be a downer; I just want you to know reality. At the end of the day you must meet with reality. Good luck on your hunt.

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