Looks like Gunnison might be healing up

[robby denning]

According to the license numbers approved by the Colorado Commission, they must think the Gunnison units are on the mend. Slight increase in deer tags, see Pgs 27,28 here:

http://wildlife.state.co.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/DOW/Commission/2012/May/Ch2-Quotas.pdf

What do you Colorado hunters think?

Anyone hunted in last few years down therer?

In 2004, I flew some of that country and saw more bucks than I've ever seen anywhere in 20 years of scouting. After hard winter 07/08, couldn't hardly find them. Would love to see it come back.

 

[bowhnter7]

I think I know someone who hunted there last year and did mighty fine.

 

[robby denning]

Throw us a bone!

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I've hunted Unit 55 near Gunnison on the third season in 2005 (draw tag). In 2006 I helped someone on the 4th season and they had a crack at the biggest typical I've ever seen (draw tag).

With the prices way down I hunted the third rifle season on landowner tags in 2010 and 2011 but the quality is no where near what it was. Currently it is a good unit for 160 class bucks but numbers and quality are still way down. Obviously that country is gonna hold a few great bucks, but they are way, way down in numbers.

I don't have experience in any of the other Gunnison units.

 

[fire arrow]

There will always be big bucks, especially in CO. But have the numbers, in the herds, gotten back to half of what they were pre 2005? There used to be a hand full of 160+ bucks in ever basin, and 200 inchers in every third basin. I spent some time last year prior to going elk hunting in S CO, and it was very sad at what I didn't see. I really hope that in the next 5-7 years I see some of them numbers back in the high country. I would love for my son's to be able to see what I used to be able to see.

 

[bohntr]

I scouted it last year on a bonsai backpacking trip.........I have absolutely no idea why they increased tags, as the deer numbers I seen were a fraction of what they were prior to the winter of 07/08. Basins that held numerous deer were almost void and those bucks I did see were mid-160's type deer. I think it's a few years away still, and may never return to what it was just a few years ago. JMO

 

[Aerohead300]

I would certainly be interested in any info that's out there.

 

[VANDAL]

My buddy drew 54 3rd season this year. He's a good mule deer hunter that will put everything he has in that hunt...it will be interesting to see how he does.

 

[GJ Dave]

I scouted it last year on a bonsai backpacking trip.........I have absolutely no idea why they increased tags, as the deer numbers I seen were a fraction of what they were prior to the winter of 07/08. Basins that held numerous deer were almost void and those bucks I did see were mid-160's type deer. I think it's a few years away still, and may never return to what it was just a few years ago. JMO

I had a very similar experience last year. I spent 4 nights camping and looking in country that once held tons of deer and some great bucks. Overall numbers were way down, and the bucks I did see need a few more years.

 

[ckleeves]

I spent a ton of time up there this winter lion hunting and it wasn't even close to what it was several years ago as far as big bucks on the winter range. I did see a no joke 200" typical in late august scouting for elk over there. But it still seems down on overall deer numbers.