Good day.
Paul Vice from Indiana here....new guy on the site. Monstermuleys.com was recommended to me after posting a similar thread on the Bowsite.
I've bowhunted Colorado three times for elk. All hunts were DIY on public land...so I do have some experience in the mountains. That said, I have zero experience hunting mule deer. I've been buying mule deer points in Colorado for the past eight years and figure this might as well be the year to burn them.
Looking over the online statistics, Unit 61 seems to be one of the better mule deer units in Colorado....and I have more than enough points to draw that tag. Any advice I can glean from the experienced mule deer hunters on this site is appreciated.
Since this will be a solo bowhunt, I'll likely be flying to Colorado....it appears Colorado Springs might be the best bet? From there, I'll need to rent a vehicle that will likely remain parked the majority of the trip. Timeframe will be early September and I assume 4-wheel drive is a must to reach most trailheads?
I have not researched the unit itself enough to know exactly where I'm headed yet....but will be looking for an area where I can hike a few miles in and bivy for 4-5 days at a time for spot and stalk bowhunting (and I hear it may be more stalk than spot?). I'm assuming the deer should still be pretty high that time of year?
Being a mule deer rookie, I need to do some homework on field judging. Size matters to some extent, but I doubt I could pass a solid P&Y animal if the opportunity presents itself.
So, what do you guys think? Does this plan sound reasonable? Anything you would change in these initial stages? Any ideas, advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated. I've been bowhunting close to thirty years....but mule deer are definitely a new challenge for me.
Thanks.
Paul
Paul Vice from Indiana here....new guy on the site. Monstermuleys.com was recommended to me after posting a similar thread on the Bowsite.
I've bowhunted Colorado three times for elk. All hunts were DIY on public land...so I do have some experience in the mountains. That said, I have zero experience hunting mule deer. I've been buying mule deer points in Colorado for the past eight years and figure this might as well be the year to burn them.
Looking over the online statistics, Unit 61 seems to be one of the better mule deer units in Colorado....and I have more than enough points to draw that tag. Any advice I can glean from the experienced mule deer hunters on this site is appreciated.
Since this will be a solo bowhunt, I'll likely be flying to Colorado....it appears Colorado Springs might be the best bet? From there, I'll need to rent a vehicle that will likely remain parked the majority of the trip. Timeframe will be early September and I assume 4-wheel drive is a must to reach most trailheads?
I have not researched the unit itself enough to know exactly where I'm headed yet....but will be looking for an area where I can hike a few miles in and bivy for 4-5 days at a time for spot and stalk bowhunting (and I hear it may be more stalk than spot?). I'm assuming the deer should still be pretty high that time of year?
Being a mule deer rookie, I need to do some homework on field judging. Size matters to some extent, but I doubt I could pass a solid P&Y animal if the opportunity presents itself.
So, what do you guys think? Does this plan sound reasonable? Anything you would change in these initial stages? Any ideas, advice or recommendations are greatly appreciated. I've been bowhunting close to thirty years....but mule deer are definitely a new challenge for me.
Thanks.
Paul