Colorado Muleys

[Jhaury7]

Calling all experienced western CO deer hunters!

My dad, brother, and I have 12 NR PPs and wanna use em up this season on a rifle tag. I’m open to pretty much anything, but my dad and brother need to do a 4th season rifle tag because if there schedule. Was hoping to pick some of your minds on strategy. Coming from Idaho with a nearly statewide general tag, the PP system seems overwhelming. I could help with some Idaho advice as I’ve hunted alot of units with success on a variety of game animals. Shoot me a PM. Thank you

 

[TrinityAlps]

2024-Primary-DEER-Post-Draw-Report.pdf

cpw.widen.net

 

[Hnthrdr]

Just be aware, when you scour the draw out at stats, I would build in a full PP buffer maybe two. You are not the only folks looking to get rid of points before 2028

 

[Jhaury7]

Thanks. I’ve scoured the draw odds on both the CPW website and OnX and compiled a list of 3rd and 4th season tags I can draw. Although, every unit I look into on forums, I’ve found 0 positive things to say about any unit. Not sure if people are being depressing cause “it’s not as good as it used to be in the 70s”. Some 3rd and 4th season tags that require 8-10 points, people are saying it was an awful experience and they saw no deer. Obviously everyone’s skill and hunting style is different but it’s definitely discouraging to read

 

[TrinityAlps]

Age class has slipped in all of the well know units. 3rd and 4th season are fun hunts. If you see "0 deer" thats on you.

 

[sndmn11]

people are saying it was an awful experience and they saw no deer. Obviously everyone’s skill and hunting style is different but it’s definitely discouraging to read

There's a correlation with "most" people who stack points and their lack of ability to find animals. It probably has to do with their perception that more points means easier combined with not actually hunting while stacking.

If you've been hunting deer in ID just pick a unit 2-3 points less than what you have that has the terrain you envisioned as "Colorado" and apply for it. You'll do fine.

 

[Jhaury7]

Well those are more encouraging words haha. Thanks guys

 

[elkhunter505]

Well those are more encouraging words haha. Thanks guys

Right there with you man. My dad and I are going to burn our 4 points and choosing between units is hard especially when most of the information you see is doom and gloom from the people who have hunted there their whole life. Being from NM, any mule deer hunt with a rifle where we see bucks is like a blessing. Hoping to find my dad a 140-150 class 4x4 if possible in whatever unit we decide to go with. He hasn't shot a mule deer buck since 2017 and it would be great to at least get him a solid buck.

 

[JPeters218]

Thanks. I’ve scoured the draw odds on both the CPW website and OnX and compiled a list of 3rd and 4th season tags I can draw. Although, every unit I look into on forums, I’ve found 0 positive things to say about any unit. Not sure if people are being depressing cause “it’s not as good as it used to be in the 70s”. Some 3rd and 4th season tags that require 8-10 points, people are saying it was an awful experience and they saw no deer. Obviously everyone’s skill and hunting style is different but it’s definitely discouraging to read

Yea you’ll get this. My dad cashed 24 pts last year, I talked to 3 people on forums that had the tags in recent years and they all said to turn the tag back in. We had a great hunt and he tagged a really good buck. You just gotta find the unit you like and go for it. If all you do is listen to the forums, you’ll never actually hunt

 

[H8edarcher]

I think that there is a big misconception that the more preference points a unit takes to draw the easier the hunt is going to be. There are so many factors to add in especially when it comes to 4th season. The age class of deer in Colorado is on a steady decline and now most of the state is CWD positive. I would just pick a unit and go for it!! There are only a few years left before those points are basically obsolete.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I hunt deer almost exclusively in 3rd & 4th season here. Keep in mind that the deer usually migrate a lot between 1st season and 4th. A lot depends on the area for sure. What units are you considering? If you don't want to list them for anyone to see, send me a PM.

 

[justinspicher]

I have only hunted deer during fourth rifle here in colorado, and I have two nice bucks that took about four hours total hunting to kill. There are deer a plenty, unless you dont know how to look for deer. If you have built 12 points and don’t have any idea on what you want to do with them, I don’t know what to tell you, but it sure is nice to have this type of first world problem.

I am also not sure why you would leave the deer in Idaho to hunt deer in colorado.

 

[Jhaury7]

Same reasons anyone hunts another state. Just wanna see some new country. I’ve hunted most western states and enjoyed them all. I’ve already applied as the deadline was April 1st. Thanks for the responses everyone

 

[johnsd16]

PM sent