My 3rd season observations

BenHuntn · Nov 17, 2022

For the last 2 seasons I have noticed the 3rd season bucks are getting younger and younger. I have hunted 3000 acres of private ground in Unit 3 for 7 years now. We always seem to harvest or see bucks chasing doe's in the 170 to 180 range. The past 2 season's the vast majority of bucks chasing doe's are 2 and 3 points. They seem to be 2 and 3 year old bucks. I am trying to figure out what has changed. The season is at the right time for the rut, The same amount of hunters for 2nd and 3rd season on the ranch. I am thinking that with the new 5 year plan most of the older and mature bucks have been taken out. I hope that the CPW in the next 5 year plan goes back to the previous season dates. What are your observations this year?
Thanks,
Julius

Hntndux · Nov 17, 2022

BenHuntn said:
For the last 2 seasons I have noticed the 3rd season bucks are getting younger and younger. I have hunted 3000 acres of private ground in Unit 3 for 7 years now. We always seem to harvest or see bucks chasing doe's in the 170 to 180 range. The past 2 season's the vast majority of bucks chasing doe's are 2 and 3 points. They seem to be 2 and 3 year old bucks. I am trying to figure out what has changed. The season is at the right time for the rut, The same amount of hunters for 2nd and 3rd season on the ranch. I am thinking that with the new 5 year plan most of the older and mature bucks have been taken out. I hope that the CPW in the next 5 year plan goes back to the previous season dates. What are your observations this year?
Thanks,
Julius

I'm assuming your talking about colorado and I agree. I hunt the same unit and have no desire to deer hunt there anymore. Last year most of the bucks I saw were smaller than the b zone blacktails I saw here in CA. We're heading to unit 3 for 4th season elk this year and I'm curious as to the quality of deer we'll see.

Rie bread · Nov 17, 2022

Hntndux said:
I'm assuming your talking about colorado and I agree. I hunt the same unit and have no desire to deer hunt there anymore. Last year most of the bucks I saw were smaller than the b zone blacktails I saw here in CA. We're heading to unit 3 for 4th season elk this year and I'm curious as to the quality of deer we'll see.

damn that’s bad

HntHrdr · Nov 17, 2022

I’m guessing this is about Co… lots of little baby bucks and does at the CWD check and butcher… I think ole Steven rinella did 2 things… made it cool to shoot little deer and brought a lot of new hunters that want to shoot any deer. I think plus the later season dates I think the big boys got hammered for the last 2 years. I’d guess they will get harder and harder to find in Co with these later season dates

D8hntr · Nov 18, 2022

I was really surprised at a few Colorado bucks I've seen taken on fb hunting pages. Very small and no better than these California deer. Mostly small forkies and guys saying that they weren't seeing much. That's alot of money (tags, license, gas, food etc.) just to shoot a buck that you could've shot here in California.