2B

BMosh

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Headed out Tuesday for my buddy's mule deer tag. Season dates are Oct 29-Nov 2. Anybody have any current conditions or info for the unit? Both never been so we're getting in there a couple days early to see where we can and can't access. Weather doesn't look very favorable for migration.
 
They will migrate regardless of weather. Many of older bucks from Colorado migrate after the rifle hunts. The Colorado bucks that migrate early, end up getting killed before they get old enough to grow big antlers. Hunt resident bucks if you want a better chance of killing an older buck.
Beautiful country, and Rio Arriba County has a strong argument for the best mule deer genetics in the country. NMGF doesn't manage these rifle hunts in a way that allows many bucks to reach 5+ years of age required to reach their genetic potental. 2B is managed for more opportunity and a large majority of the bucks killed on these rifle hunts are 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old bucks.
I'll send you a PM with more information.
 
You're going to be hunting local deer.

There is a lot of country between Pagosa Springs, Eul, Peters Canyon, and Bancos.

The migration corridor is from Wolf Creek down through Pagosa and finally into Arboles, Allison, and Tiffany Colorado.

Without significant snow, any migrating deer will hang between Pagosa and Arboles.
 
I was up there from the 13th through the 20th and saw less than 10 does. There were very few tracks up around Eul Point, but we saw a lot of tracks south of Gas Buggy.

I would imagine the October 22 through 26 hunt did not see much in the way of migration.
 
That sucks man! I’ve said for 15 years . MOST OVER RATED UNIT IN NM!
Agree, yet its still so hard to draw. My co owrker was there last 5 days in Sept for the archery hunt and never saw a single buck, a few doe and fawns but not a single legal buck..
 
What causes all the hype for 2B? Looking at the proclamation it is labeled a standard hunt with some high demand. I'm guessing it was a good unit before my time and still pulls the application numbers based off of a bygone era.
 
Had the tag a few years ago and even though there was heavy snow in Pagosa Springs, the deer didn't make their way down that far south during the hunt. I saw 2 small forks the day before the opener and no bucks the following 4 days. I left for my 3rd season hunt in CO with the tag in my pocket. I was very disappointed.
 
Had the tag a few years ago and even though there was heavy snow in Pagosa Springs, the deer didn't make their way down that far south during the hunt. I saw 2 small forks the day before the opener and no bucks the following 4 days. I left for my 3rd season hunt in CO with the tag in my pocket. I was very disappointed.
I drew the 3rd rifle in 2017 . I saw one pencil antlered 4x4 (145ish)and one 20 or so inch 2X2 and many smaller bucks on opening day hunting up along the Rosa. The next 4 days was many deer found just all pretty small bucks , but I remember on one of the days about mid day we drove up FR310 towards Carracas Mesa and wow the amount of deer hanging in camps was unreal. Its definitely a pretty good hunt area (FR310) for meat and that area would be a good one for a young newer hunter and or older person still wanting to get out and hunt with a chance to harvest a deer.
 
Is 2b what it used to be? Definitely not. In my opinion, the influx of Elk, cougar and now black bears are only a few of the factors that have had an impact on the deer herds there.
But having said that, 2b is a huge, huge unit and what those that draw that tag for the first time may not understand is that it's like any other unit... certain parts of the unit hold more deer than others. You've got to be hunting in the right areas.
I've had the fortune of drawing that unit about a dozen times and have seen as many bucks in the 175 to 210 range.

It took me a lot of years to figure out where and where not to hunt.
Just my two cents.
 
The big bucks are around but the crunchy, frozen snow makes it really difficult to get within 100 yards of them.
Having said that I did offer some advice to a fella that drew the late archery and he ended up connecting on a 180 class buck. The bucks are there.
That’s an awesome deer in your profile picture!
 
That is one of the most symmetrical frames I have seen.
Wizard, here's a funny story.
I met a guy on here, and when I shot that buck he said "No Way!!"
He went on to say he was planning to hunt that buck and went on to tell me the area where he had seen it.
Not only was he correct but he had a shed from that buck. We met in person and he gave me the shed.
True story!
 
Was that buck in a magazine years ago? Thought you and it looks familiar. Very nice & distinctive buck.
 
I have the late archery this year. Been gathering what I can but keep hearing its not like it was and how tough it can be.
 
I have the late archery this year. Been gathering what I can but keep hearing its not like it was and how tough it can be.
It's not like it was, but you should still be able to find deer. If you're not too picky, you should have some shot opportunities.
 
It's not like it was, but you should still be able to find deer. If you're not too picky, you should have some shot opportunities.
Yeah I understand. If course I drew it this year and also drew az archery elk and had a invite to whitetail hunt some great private land in Missouri so hard to swing a third trip west from my home in South Florida. Didn't help a hurricane decided to tear up my lively hood here.


Hopefully I can make it work and get out there just hard with driving 2+ days on either end and by the sounds of it the roads in a rental wouldn't be the best idea.
 

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