Help a new hunter - CO Mule Deer

[GabeHunts]

Looking for some input from folks who know Unit 11.


I’m a newer hunter here in Colorado—last year was my first ever big game hunt. I hunted Unit 20 and was fortunate enough to punch my tag on a smaller mule deer. Awesome experience overall, but this year I’m hoping to take a step up and target something a bit more mature.


Right now I’m planning on focusing on Unit 11.


I’ve been digging into maps, harvest stats, and doing the usual e-scouting, and I fully plan on getting boots on the ground and putting in the work. Not looking for anyone to give up spots or anything like that.


That said, I’d really appreciate any general insight on the unit:

• Overall deer quality—realistic expectations for a DIY guy still learning
• Buck age structure—are there decent numbers of 3–4 year olds around?
• Pressure during rifle seasons
• How much the deer move with weather / migration patterns
• Anything that surprised you about the unit when you first hunted it

Coming from Unit 20, I know what heavy pressure and lots of eyes can look like, so just trying to get a sense of whether Unit 11 gives me a better shot at finding a slightly more mature buck if I put in the time.


Appreciate any insight. I’ll be doing my own due diligence regardless—just trying to learn as much as I can going into this season.


Thanks in advance.

 

[Maverick1]

. I’ll be doing my own due diligence regardless—

If you were doing your due diligence you would have read the Rokslide forum rules.

 

[GabeHunts]

If you were doing your due diligence you would have read the Rokslide forum rules.

Yeah I did. Maybe you should refresh your memory... Here you go, "Our forum posting rules are very simple: no whining, crying, sobbing, sniveling, sulking, bickering, slandering, name-calling, complaining, smart comments, or pouting!"

 

[270Hunter]

I would recommend changing your title to “Help a new mule deer hunter” then you’ll get lots of helpful advice and tips!

Unit specific advice isn’t discussed publicly

 

[GabeHunts]

I would recommend changing your title to “Help a new mule deer hunter” the you’ll get lots of helpful advice and tips!

Unit specific advice isn’t discussed publicly

Thanks. I didn't consider that. I got inspired to join the rokslide forum because I saw a post that did talk about a specific unit, but the information was outdated.

I actually dont know how to change it. do you?

 

[LongWayAround]

This is the rule that he was referring to.

3. Now unfortunately we aren't letting FNG's (new guys) post up unit specific questions. Any unit question/answers remain out in the world wide webs forever, which can doom some really great spots.
The expectation is that all Rokslide members will understand and support this concept and take all such conversations to private message.
Yes, it's a hassle to join and be part of this community but the rewards are worth the effort including the ability to send and receive private messages.

I would suggest editing your post and asking for PMs. That unit should be quite a bit better than your previous experience.

 

[2Stamp]

Here's your answer.

 

[robby denning]

Thanks. I didn't consider that. I got inspired to join the rokslide forum because I saw a post that did talk about a specific unit, but the information was outdated.

I actually dont know how to change it. do you?

Welcome to Rokslide.

I fixed your title. Mods still might axe it or ask you to fix it-- they're the ones who have to deal with the complaints day-to-day...I'm just here to explain the reaction you got.

No ones trying to run you off, we all just got so tired of the unit burning (most often with new members with a post or two) that we had to do something. It seemed like members who'd been here a while weren't causing the problems, hence the rules.

Imagine if you'd been contributing for months on the forum, helping others and then you asked for help.

Much more likely to get it and you'd probably know by then who to approach with questions through a Private Message, which protects the info you're getting too.

Spend some time getting to know the place and it'll likely pay off.

 

[robby denning]

oh and on your question

sometimes I just look up the total tags offered for two units and compare them to the units' square miles--gives a quick-n-dirty idea of overall hunt pressure. You gotta think it through because one unit might have move huntable ground than the other so even with more tags, still more elbow room.

and then do the same compare with tags for the season I'm hunting.

And then look at % success in each unit. Do it jive with what the other two numbers gave you?

Then I try to talk to people and that might just be the bio if no one will talk or I don't know anyone.

It's a start.

 

[270Hunter]

My advice to a new mule deer hunter would be

1. Scouting is your friend. Even if you have a later tag where the deer move into the unit just taking a weekend during the summer to go really see what the terrain looks like, to see how the roads are, to find a camp spot, to find the closest gas station. All of these things will help you when it comes time for your hunt.

2. Get away from the roads, it’s said a lot but practiced little. Deer respond to pressure and there’s always pressure on the roads.

3. Don’t get discouraged, hunting for mature mule deer is tough. I’ve had some great hard to draw tags and I’ve had a lot of easy to draw and OTC tags, the thing they had in common was that big bucks were still hard to find and kill.

4. Gray light in the mornings and evenings are CRUCIAL for finding big bucks. They don’t like the sun. Lookup graylighthunter for more info on this lol

5. Glassing is important, as a good rule of thumb I always try to glass with the sun to my back, especially in the mornings.

6. Keep going back to the same area, just like what Robby said. Keep hunting the same area and learn as much as you can, and you’ll start seeing and harvesting more mature bucks.

7. Be open minded and willing to learn, there’s so much great information available about hunting big bucks. The RokCast, The Huntian, GoHunt all have amazing podcasts, Robby Denning, Walt Prothero, David Long and others have written incredible books

8. Hunt in a unit where there can be big deer, look at deer herd composition numbers, tags numbers, state record books etc… all of this stuff is online for free

9.Learn what mule deer eat during the time of year that you’ll be hunting them. Theres a whole forum pinned to the top of the mule deer section about this.

10. Have fun. Enjoy the hunt, there’s so much more to it than shooting a big buck.

 

[Chris in TN]

It cannot be overstated that nobody likes seeing specific units mentioned - the internet is forever - but it is WORTH IT to stick around and get to know a few people here.