>66 is overrated - that said,
>a 180 is possible there
>on public land. Personally,
>I would favor the 3rd
>season with nine days to
>hunt over the 4th with
>only five days to hunt.
> You're going to need
>those 4 extra days, more
>than likely. If you
>have the patience, the dates
>will be better in 2016.
>
Everything thing is overrated if you don't find what your looking for.... There is no golden unit in this state. I have grown up, guided and still live in western colorado and I've seen large bucks in about every unit that has been tossed around monster muleys whether it be a coveted draw tag, "overrated unit" or 2nd choice unit. There is no "golden" unit in this state and we all know its hunting in the end. Those who know it will place 44 high on the list but its still no cake walk. Especially this past year with the lack of snow and unfavorable moon phases. Ive seen the rise and fall of the Gunnison basin and along with places like units 21 and 10. And even 44 with that being said. Mule deer are on a downward trend statistically all across the western US and its bothersome to many of us. I am a young buck and have seen many less moons than many here. The few I have seen, have been spent in the heart of Colorado's mule deer mecca and reaching back in my memory bank into the 90's and early to mid 2000's things are not even close to what they used to be as we all know. Hopefully its something that will cycle back but it seems doubtful at times with history of mule deer populations being so strong throughout the west for so long leading up to the last decade. I often times cant contain my jealousy when my grandfather, dad, and uncles sit around and talk about the "good ol' days" when going out and killing a 180ish buck wasn't that big of a deal on opening weekend of season.
Coloradoboy