55 third season deer

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idhunters

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Drew out for this hunt. Would love to hear from anyone that has been there in the past couple years, or see some pictures of bucks from that unit.
 
Hype and Hope.... 44 bucks per 100 does! Should be great right? NO...Back when we had 30's fawns per 100 does you would see 9 to 12 2pt bucks per 100 does. But we had 40's Bucks per 100...multiple age class some MATURE ones life was GOOD! now we're running 70's fawns per 100...that means you will see 26 to low 30's yearling bucks per 100....hum you "and everyone else" is now hunting 10 to 14 adult bucks per 100 instead of the 30 we had when it was special...Then throw in the 2016 fawn mortality of 95%..whole age class died. Should be out of that now...Nope..guys killed alot more out of the next generations before they should of IMO....There are alot of "opportunity" guys on here. I AM NOT ONE OF THEM. 55 2022 is going to be better than the last 4 years but it will Not be pre 07-08 or even 2012 to 2017...Where else can you hunt 40's bucks per 100. Come HUNT enjoy...But do you HAVE to kill a deer? Consider a OLD deer only mindset. Or even a personal best mind set. Think of your buddy a few "points" behind you. There are folks on here that don't like MY theory of Don't kill 180's if you want a 190. Don't kill 190s if you want 200..And for hell sake DONT kill a 160s 170s!
That's fine. I'm a OLD buck hunter I don't care what they score I want them OLD..and yes I'm a selfish SOB.I live here and I like to see BIG OLD Bucks all year long..deers are for looking at.. The "quality" of deer hunters is way ahead of the age of our bucks...I think there are an average of 4 glassers per tag now...and be prepared..the galacticly obsolete OTC bull elk tags will be out there top 5 most heavily hunted unit in the state 20 years running...with all that said..I say 55 will be the best GMU in the Basion for 22. Have fun it's YOUR tag put it on what you want...or take it home.
 
Heres a 55 buck from last September

20210906_175325_IMG_4125.jpg
 
Buddy shot a very nice buck 3rd rifle last year, he did pass on roughly 70 bucks before he pulled the trigger. So they are out there, he showed me video of one other buck he passed on that I almost liked better than the one he killed. I will say he has spent a ton of time in 55 and knows it well, dude is also consistently putting big bucks/ bulls on the ground. I think he killed his last day of the season. Anyhow they are out there. Just have to be super picky.
 
Tomichi said:
Hype and Hope.... 44 bucks per 100 does! Should be great right? NO...Back when we had 30's fawns per 100 does you would see 9 to 12 2pt bucks per 100 does. But we had 40's Bucks per 100...multiple age class some MATURE ones life was GOOD! now we're running 70's fawns per 100...that means you will see 26 to low 30's yearling bucks per 100....hum you "and everyone else" is now hunting 10 to 14 adult bucks per 100 instead of the 30 we had when it was special...Then throw in the 2016 fawn mortality of 95%..whole age class died. Should be out of that now...Nope..guys killed alot more out of the next generations before they should of IMO....There are alot of "opportunity" guys on here. I AM NOT ONE OF THEM. 55 2022 is going to be better than the last 4 years but it will Not be pre 07-08 or even 2012 to 2017...Where else can you hunt 40's bucks per 100. Come HUNT enjoy...But do you HAVE to kill a deer? Consider a OLD deer only mindset. Or even a personal best mind set. Think of your buddy a few "points" behind you. There are folks on here that don't like MY theory of Don't kill 180's if you want a 190. Don't kill 190s if you want 200..And for hell sake DONT kill a 160s 170s!
That's fine. I'm a OLD buck hunter I don't care what they score I want them OLD..and yes I'm a selfish SOB.I live here and I like to see BIG OLD Bucks all year long..deers are for looking at.. The "quality" of deer hunters is way ahead of the age of our bucks...I think there are an average of 4 glassers per tag now...and be prepared..the galacticly obsolete OTC bull elk tags will be out there top 5 most heavily hunted unit in the state 20 years running...with all that said..I say 55 will be the best GMU in the Basion for 22. Have fun it's YOUR tag put it on what you want...or take it home.
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Your logic is spot on, takes in the big picture vs just the buck/ doe ratio.

2022 “should” be better than 2021, with the 17’ crop being 5.5 yo following the missing 16’ class……but the missing 16’ class results in the 17’ class taking a bigger hit coming up.
You would think a 55 type unit would attract a higher percentage of hunters willing to eat tag soup…after seeing the bucks in trucks in 44/67 the past few years, not so sure.
 
woody622 said:
Hunted 3rd 55 2 years ago while my dad had the tag. Had a great hunt and luckily got some decent weather to move around some of the bucks.. if you can get away from the OTC elk hunters you'll be solid! View attachment 82749
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Not to kick a dead horse. But that’s the classic 3.5 year old deer that gets killed year in and year out in the basin that would be a mega if they reached 5 plus.
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Not to kick a dead horse. But that’s the classic 3.5 year old deer that gets killed year in and year out in the basin that would be a mega if they reached 5 plus.
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Not bashing cause I would shoot that deer in almost any unit in the state, but I think 97% of hunters will be thrilled with a buck like that
 
I can’t fault him taking that buck. I probably would have myself. And I am pretty selective. That is a great buck and he should be proud of it.

The blame for lack of 5yr + bucks lies with the CPW giving out liberal tag numbers. As long as that buck is a good representative of what that unit has to offer (sounds like it is), I am pulling the trigger. And so is most other hunters who saved points for that unit.

Woody has nothing to be ashamed of and the answer is not in shaming other hunters. It’s fighting the CPW. Good luck with that
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Which Is why we hardly have any bucks in the basin that are 4 plus years old
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I can't speak specifically for the basin but here in Utah, we've passed on countless 160" class bucks only to not have them come back the next year. There's something else killing these type of bucks other than hunters. I'm only seeing around 20 percent returning the following year. That's not very good odds while just "hoping" you made the right choice by letting it go.
 
I’d rather give them a chance to get older even if the odds aren’t in their favor to. Then kill a young deer to kill a deer because I can’t handle tag soup.
 
Also, I realize you are a pretty good judge of age, but to state as fact that this buck is 3.5 years is a stretch and really just your opinion. Some really good people who also know how to judge don’t always get it right in out little guessing games. Need more pictures to venture a really valid guess but I am calling him 4.5 yrs.
 
txhunter58 said:
Also, I realize you are a pretty good judge of age, but to state as fact that this buck is 3.5 years is a stretch and really just your opinion. Some really good people who also know how to judge don’t always get it right in out little guessing games. Need more pictures to venture a really valid guess but I am calling him 4.5 yrs.
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I know Gunnison basin’s mule deer and it’s genetics well. Anyone else who knows it well I’d venture to say would also put that deer at 3 to 3.5 years old. It is common to see a deer break a the 180 inch mark at 4 years old. Of course a trophy is to the eye of the behold and shooting a spike is legal. However if we are ever going to see the Gunnison basin get back in on some what shape it once was hunters are going to have to take it upon themselves to do it because CPW sure isn’t going to do it. You can talk to any local who knows a thing or two and they will say the same thing… “we kill way to many young bucks every single year” But to each their own.
 
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The_Coloradoboy said:
I know Gunnison basin’s mule deer and it’s genetics well. Anyone else who knows it well I’d venture to say would also put that deer at 3 to 3.5 years old. It is common to see a deer break a the 180 inch mark at 4 years old. Of course a trophy is to the eye of the behold and shooting a spike is legal. However if we are ever going to see the Gunnison basin get back in on some what shape it once was hunters are going to have to take it upon themselves to do it because CPW sure isn’t going to do it. You can talk to any local who knows a thing or two and they will say the same thing… “we kill way to many young bucks every single year” But to each their own.
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In my opinion the next BIG B&C buck will not come from the Gunnison basin or 44 but we’ll see!
I may be wrong. Time will tell!
 
coloradoman said:
In my opinion the next BIG B&C buck will not come from the Gunnison basin or 44 but we’ll see!
I may be wrong. Time will tell!
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They typically always come from a sleeper unit.. all my biggest deer have came off 2nd choice tags in “crappy” units. Guided plenty of primo unit hunts but never bothered with them on my own time. I’ve had one “good” draw tag in the last 10 years and I never found that next level buck and ate it. Went right back to the 2nd choice struggle.
 
Saw the biggest buck I’ve ever seen on the hoof in a 2nd choice unit. My good friend lives there and I was helping him on his neighbors land and out of nowhere a monster 5x5 rolls in… checks the 8 does we were watching and instead of bedding and letting put a stalk on, rolls right back out. Didn’t hear of any locals getting him, I just hope he spread lots of his seed around before he left
 
MrDoe said:
Honest question Cole.. What's the difference between this buck and the 61 bull you posted above? Both come from "trophy" units.
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Elk numbers aren't in the crapper and the elk around here even in the "trophy" units don't have the genetics compared to mule deer. If you need the meat or whatever other excuse guys make for shooting young deer go shoot a cow elk.
 
Again, just because it’s not a trophy to you, doesn’t mean it wasn’t to him. It’s not all about score or even age. Father/ son hunt at any age is golden.

Sorry, if you want to make a separate post about this issue and discuss, have at it. But to pick out an individual guy and tell him “you shouldn’t have shot that buck”. Very poor form from a guy I have come to expect more from.
 
Lol, wow didn't realize we'd have a few butt hurt dudes after I simply posted a pic of my dads hunt saying we had a great time. Going into the hunt we knew the potential of 55, But our goal was just to have a fun experience as a father and son in a unit we had never hunted, and to kill a buck that got my dad excited. He wanted a buck that had a little mass and some character.. score meant nothing. We had a fantastic hunt on 55, saw some great animals and left super pumped with the memories made. I think a few of you need to take a break from the internet and head to the mountains.
deer.jpg
 
woody622 said:
Lol, wow didn't realize we'd have a few butt hurt dudes after I simply posted a pic of my dads hunt saying we had a great time. Going into the hunt we knew the potential of 55, But our goal was just to have a fun experience as a father and son in a unit we had never hunted, and to kill a buck that got my dad excited. He wanted a buck that had a little mass and some character.. score meant nothing. We had a fantastic hunt on 55, saw some great animals and left super pumped with the memories made. I think a few of you need to take a break from the internet and head to the mountains.
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I am guessing 4.5 if this is a guessing game! Congrats to father and son. Did you tape him, just curious. The only way to grow bigger bucks is to give out less tags.
 
ORIONTHEHUNTER said:
Elk numbers aren't in the crapper and the elk around here even in the "trophy" units don't have the genetics compared to mule deer. If you need the meat or whatever other excuse guys make for shooting young deer go shoot a cow elk.
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Oh I thought this was about letting 3.5 year old animals grow up to be "trophys" not about populations in general. Unit 61 has the genetics to produce 370++ bulls. What's your definition of a trophy elk?
 
MrDoe said:
Oh I thought this was about letting 3.5 year old animals grow up to be "trophys" not about populations in general. Unit 61 has the genetics to produce 370++ bulls. What's your definition of a trophy elk?
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I would consider 350+ a trophy elk. Which you will have a hard time finding even in the NW units. There are numerous 8+ year old bulls getting killed in all the "trophy" units that are barely above 300 so I still say Colorado doesn't have great genetics for elk
 
txhunter58 said:
Again, just because it’s not a trophy to you, doesn’t mean it wasn’t to him. It’s not all about score or even age. Father/ son hunt at any age is golden.

Sorry, if you want to make a separate post about this issue and discuss, have at it. But to pick out an individual guy and tell him “you shouldn’t have shot that buck”. Very poor form from a guy I have come to expect more from.
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There’s validity to what was said, and yes, I agree, it didn’t need to be said, or could have been wrapped in different packaging…

IMHO, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with guys shooting whatever legal buck that gets them excited, or that they’d be happy with. Nothing at all..

What I have a problem with is, “Trophy hunters” that draw a tag, and set a goal to kill a great buck, hunt out the hunt, and end up killing a young buck, because they can’t stomach the idea of eating a tag. Just HAVE to kill something…. Don’t have the discipline to walk away because they didn’t find what they were looking for.

If this subset of hunters is looking for trophies, then some of us should have the discipline to let a few live. I’ve done it, several times…. It sucks, but it’s what I believe has to be done.
 
I have also heard that the Umcompadre plateau has some pretty good genetics and nutrition. I seem to remember a time when more 350s were killed there. Before they upped the number of tags. Highly suspect if they limited 62 and cut tags, we would see multiple 350s each year from there. What do you think Beanman?
 
txhunter58 said:
I have also heard that the Umcompadre plateau has some pretty good genetics and nutrition. I seem to remember a time when more 350s were killed there. Before they upped the number of tags. Highly suspect if they limited 62 and cut tags, we would see multiple 350s each year from there. What do you think Beanman?
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Elk for the table abound in Colorado…. If you want one for the wall, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming.

I lived on the Unc for several years. I’ve seen a few 340’s in the taxi shops….
 
El Gringo said:
There’s validity to what was said, and yes, I agree, it didn’t need to be said, or could have been wrapped in different packaging…

IMHO, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with guys shooting whatever legal buck that gets them excited, or that they’d be happy with. Nothing at all..

What I have a problem with is, “Trophy hunters” that draw a tag, and set a goal to kill a great buck, hunt out the hunt, and end up killing a young buck, because they can’t stomach the idea of eating a tag. Just HAVE to kill something…. Don’t have the discipline to walk away because they didn’t find what they were looking for.

If this subset of hunters is looking for trophies, then some of us should have the discipline to let a few live. I’ve done it, several times…. It sucks, but it’s what I believe has to be done.
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Question, do you take a realistic look at a unit at set a goal, maturity wise or size wise? Currently I kind of have the opinion if it’s bigger than my last buck, I’m going to shoot. This year I have a 3rd rifle tag in a really over hunted over pressured unit.
 
ridgetops said:
I can't speak specifically for the basin but here in Utah, we've passed on countless 160" class bucks only to not have them come back the next year. There's something else killing these type of bucks other than hunters. I'm only seeing around 20 percent returning the following year. That's not very good odds while just "hoping" you made the right choice by letting it go.
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and drawing a tag again
 
HntHrdr said:
Question, do you take a realistic look at a unit at set a goal, maturity wise or size wise? Currently I kind of have the opinion if it’s bigger than my last buck, I’m going to shoot. This year I have a 3rd rifle tag in a really over hunted over pressured unit.
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I just look for a buck that “trips my trigger”, regardless of the unit. Many times that has me eating the tag, for those, Easy to get, Units in Co. I’ve passed bucks in those kinds of units, that it’s very unlikely I’m going to find better.
 
El Gringo said:
I just look for a buck that “trips my trigger”, regardless of the unit. Many times that has me eating the tag, for those, Easy to get, Units in Co. I’ve passed bucks in those kinds of units, that it’s very unlikely I’m going to find better.
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Totally get it, I wish that I could honestly say my trigger doesn’t get tripped easily, but I might be at a point in my hunting career where I still have a bit of hair trigger when it comes to bucks and bulls haha im sure it will improve with time though
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Ya that was the talk of the town last September lol most of the guys that were crying about it here in town were guys with tags on the wrong side of the hwy
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Any kill photos? Or score on what that dude grossed? We were headed home from hunting elk in 67 and I glanced over in the cemetery from the hwy. I thought it was fake until we drove up to him and he layed there.
 
My buddy and I had 55 third season last year. We had an absolute blast! Cashed in our points we have been building over the years. Our brothers came out to hunt with us and we thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience. Dreaming about hunting Colorado for 18 years was too long! Hoping to get a tag for my son someday to go up and enjoy a fun rut hunt!
CODeerHunt.jpg
 

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