How to choose the right gmu? I'm lost

[flatlander51]

Alright I know theres going to be a lot of help me questions coming up here in the near future with all the draws taking place. I have a different kind of help question for my future co archery hunt. hopefully in 2015. I have no first hand knowledge in co. So I have to select a hunt unit off of my research. I've been sifting through record books and the colorado hunt stats. I've even talked to the hunt planners and biologist. And all have me pulled in different directions. Is it that the deer hunting in co is that good across the entire state?!? The record books point at counties like mesa,Garfield, and eagle. But the harvest stats with bow arnt as good there's as other areas. Then I looks at units that are harder to draw thinking they should be better but end up in other counties then the top producers. Then I read on forums to look at units along the divide. I've tried making maps and overlapping all my information to see if any particular units stick out. But with all of this research I'm feeling more confused. I'm thinking about the old dart at a map trick. I here that works in co anyway lol. But if anyone could give me some advice on how to narrow it down some Id appreciate it. I can promise it's not for a lack of trying. Just feeling like I'm spinning my wheels here. Thanks for any help

 

[tkjwonta]

I'll preface my comments with noting that I've never actually hunted Colorado, but I was in your position for the past couple years and pending the drawing results I hope to be chasing mule deer in Colorado this fall.

I think that any given unit in Colorado has the potential to be good (it really only takes 1 good one right?) and that's probably why you get so many different suggestions and answers. But I also think you improve your chances of success by narrowing things down a bit. Some of the things I looked for were units with relatively few OTC archery elk hunters, relatively little other recreation activity (hiking, mountain biking, quad/utv riding), pockets of tough to access land (far from trailhead, steep) and a variety of terrain (open basins, timber). Hopefully this combination will result in a unit with relatively unpressured animals and several areas to scout this summer and hopefully find success this fall. Best of luck in your search!

 

[MOHunter]

Are you only looking for archery hunts?

 

[flatlander51]

Thanks for the replie.

Mohtr.... Yes I'm looking for a high country archery hunt. And Ill have three points going into the draw. Thanks

 

[Eric Bailey]

It is true that it is easy to draw a good Mule Deer tag during September archery season. Many of them don't require any points so you might "waste" your three points. Best not to worry about that unless you want to save them for an early season or fourth season rifle hunt which is when you'd need them. Just pick where you want to go and do it.

I am not an archery hunter, but I have spent a lot of time in the mountains in September. I happen to think the country in the central mountains is especially beautiful. If you want to pack in to the high country, I would look at DE03501A. It covers Eagle county as well as the Eagles Nest and Holy Cross wilderness areas. And if you want to hunt the same area again, you can draw it regularly. I took a nice buck last year with the muzzleloader version of the same tag (the season overlaps with archery). DE04301A also covers some absolutely gorgeous country and is easy to draw regularly.

If you can afford it, you can get an either sex OTC elk tag covering most of the state as well.

 

[robby denning]

That is the problem with too much research, you're constantly second guessing yourself.

Record books are great, but they span many decades. Unit quality comes and goes more often than that. Hunting where big ones can grow is enough for me.

Decide if you want high-country, that will narrow down quite a few units.

Don't get hung-up on the unit as much as does it provide the access, (or lack of) decent buck:doe ratios, and as already said, not a bunch of other recreationists. I did a blog post on this last year if you want to look it up. http://www.rokslide.com/easyblog/entry/thinking-too-big

Then go deer hunting. Nothing trumps local knowledge and your own experience. That is why it takes at least several years to find an area you like most of the time. 2015 will be your starting point.

Have fun!

 

[Bar]

Then when you think you have it all figured out. You really don't. Just throw a dart.

 

[dirtytough]

I would base it off of:

1. What type of country I want to hunt.
2. Amount of that type of country compared to amount of pressure.
3. How inaccessible it is.
4. How often are you going to be able to hunt? If once every 4-5 years I think you could draw a tag for a unit like 66 and you know it will have less pressure since it is limited for both deer and elk.

That is some of the stuff I look at. And you can look at ratios etc on the cpw website. Good luck in your search

 

[flatlander51]

Thanks for the replies. I read your article Robby and you make a lot of sense. I'm gonna take that advice with me to wy this year. Thanks again