Unit 66 VS 67 Mule Deer

tracker12

tracker12

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I have been trying for a Unit 66 3rd season but think I am still going to be a few years away with 21 NR points. I really want to hunt deer in CO this year and am thinking of switching to 67 which I think I can draw. How do these two units compare.
 
I hunted near the border of 67 in 66 last year and I do not think there is much difference between the two. 21 pts should get it this year also. I would not spend 21 points in there however, but most units are like that now as everyone will tell you. But there is always a chance. I was there 16 days total hit it hard dawn to dusk and ate my tag but saw lots of animals, including sheep and moose. Beautiful country and had a great time exploring, after all thats really what your out there for. There is some good trout fishing also. If you want to shoot a two or three year old you can be done before your coffee gets cold, above that is a four leaf clover.
 
Themaddness said:
150" 4x5, spent 3days scouting before the season. Hunted 3 days into the season. Seen alot of deer, lots and lots of small bucks. Had good snow also. Just did not locate any great deer. The locals were telling us that 66 was in better shape for bigger deer.
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You spent only three days on 7 day season hunting a 21 year tag in 66 just to shoot a 150 inch 4 by 5 ? To each his own I guess.
 
I spent the entire 3rd season daylight until dark in 66 last year. I didn't see, or talk to anyone who had seen a buck dead or alive over 170. 150 type bucks started getting shot by the middle of the season and by the end those were getting scarce.

I'm sure a few big bucks are there but I'd call it a 160 class hunt , with the average buck taken closer to 150.

I had a great time and everyone I met was great, I'd love to do it again. I would just need to get my expectations more in line with reality.

From what they were saying in town 67 was probably a little worse. 54,55 hunters were depressed.
 
Honestly this is what I am hearing about most units in CO. At this point the point creep is not going to get any better and I want to hunt. Big bucks are killed after hard hunting, luck, or paying to hunt exclusive private property. After research 66 was what I wanted but after more checking and reports from the last few years it 67 is not much different. I like the idea of good fishing also. Maybe the lucky will happen and I'll kill 180 easy then catch a few trout. lol. I have a coupe days left to submit but am leaning to 67. Anyone that can OM with info to sway me either way Id appreciate it.
 
All I have to say about hunters talking is..... guys killing big bucks aren't gonna say chit so yea the guys you run into are gonna say the same thing. We had a great hunt in colorado a few years ago. Same thing everyone was shooting dinks claiming they couldn't find better. Better was there, their patience and effort were not. We did just fine.
 
Keywords in your post. “ A few years ago”. Yes there might be a couple good ones out of what 400 tags buck tags in 66 last year. We are saying that multiple hunters did not do well, who by all accounts are good hunters. Not three hours a day driving main roads four hour nap guys. I know of five good hunters anyway between second and third season who all failed to find a 170 or better buck. Are there a few good ones there, yes there are. Not getting defensive ( ok maybe a little) but to say patience and effort were not there is BS.
 
wweaver79 said:
Keywords in your post. “ A few years ago”. Yes there might be a couple good ones out of what 400 tags buck tags in 66 last year. We are saying that multiple hunters did not do well, who by all accounts are good hunters. Not three hours a day driving main roads four hour nap guys. I know of five good hunters anyway between second and third season who all failed to find a 170 or better buck. Are there a few good ones there, yes there are. Not getting defensive ( ok maybe a little) but to say patience and effort were not there is BS.
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Yes a few years ago as in year before last and it wasn't in the above stated areas. Supposedly worse areas actually. It doesn't matter the area though you hear the same thing everywhere.
 
We saw a lot of younger deer, sub 4 yo. In 2022. So they’re going to be a year older in 23’… maybe there will be a few more older/bigger deer??? This wasn’t the case in 22…
 
I hunted the area in 2021 and the information above is accurate. I killed a 4 year old buck (teeth aged by a lab) on the last day of my hunt. I scouted 4 days before the hunt and seen one buck that I would say was older than four. During the hunt my buck was the only buck I would have put over three years old. It was a fun hunt but you need to go into the hunt with realistic expectations or you will likely be disappointed. I did not see a buck that would have scored 170” and 150” bucks were tough to come by on the year I had the tag. There was very little weather before my hunt so it made it tough. Like most above, I used my time wisely and hunted hard. I hunted solo so I did not have multiple eyes all over the unit but I did cover a lot of area in the unit. 3x4 and two point bucks were hitting the ground, hanging in camps and in the back of trucks. I only spent 11 days in the unit so I am no expert in the unit but the locals did not seem to excited about the hunt either. Good luck.
 
Thanks Twopintdn. For better or worse my application is in so only time will tell. Looks like 40% drew with 20 last year. I'll be in the group with 21 this year so should have a pretty good chance in the draw. I sure hope I draw this tag. At 70 my days afield are getting short and I still have a bunch or deer points in WY and UT to use up. Is an ATV a recommendation or can I get by with a 4x4 truck?
 
I covered everything from the low lands to the Powderhorn Boundary. the weather was great with snow and temps below zero. the hunting was great but the age class just wasn't there.

I ran into outfitters and one had a client with a 150 class buck he was thrilled with claiming it was 170+. it wasn't, but he was happy so whatever.

I ran into a couple guys hunting 67 every night at the Miner's Exchange and we compared notes ,I'm convinced 66 is better than 67. the 6th day they gave up and took 150 type bucks and headed home. locals were saying it was worse than after the big die off, I can't say but they weren't happy.

My wife has 18 points and I'm not sure when or what I'll have her draw but she'll have fun. go in with that attitude not visions of a 180+ buck and you'll have fun too.
 
tracker12 said:
Thanks Twopintdn. For better or worse my application is in so only time will tell. Looks like 40% drew with 20 last year. I'll be in the group with 21 this year so should have a pretty good chance in the draw. I sure hope I draw this tag. At 70 my days afield are getting short and I still have a bunch or deer points in WY and UT to use up. Is an ATV a recommendation or can I get by with a 4x4 truck?
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You will be fine in a 4x4 truck. I took a four wheeler and used it often but it was not necessary for most of the roads. My truck is a rough ride so my four wheeler is typically in the back so I can pull over and unload it when I get tired of bouncing around in the truck. You will have fun and I hope I am still hunting strong when I am 70 years old.
 
What i want to know is why are guys waiting 20+ years for these specific units to go shoot a 150" buck that you could most likely kill on a 1-2 point unit? Honest question as I've never hunted colorado just have a few points built up. Is it because less pressure or what?
 
pauns08 said:
What i want to know is why are guys waiting 20+ years for these specific units to go shoot a 150" buck that you could most likely kill on a 1-2 point unit? Honest question as I've never hunted colorado just have a few points built up. Is it because less pressure or what?
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Just easier
 
pauns08 said:
What i want to know is why are guys waiting 20+ years for these specific units to go shoot a 150" buck that you could most likely kill on a 1-2 point unit? Honest question as I've never hunted colorado just have a few points built up. Is it because less pressure or what?
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Because some people just have to kill something to kill something that’s why
 
tracker12 said:
Thanks Twopintdn. For better or worse my application is in so only time will tell. Looks like 40% drew with 20 last year. I'll be in the group with 21 this year so should have a pretty good chance in the draw. I sure hope I draw this tag. At 70 my days afield are getting short and I still have a bunch or deer points in WY and UT to use up. Is an ATV a recommendation or can I get by with a 4x4 truck?
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Good luck! Yes, an ATV is always good to have. Much quicker and can get you everywhere there's a road. After waiting this long for a tag, you don't want to limit yourself.
 
The only reason I waited so long is my once a year out west trips mostly involved elk hunting. At this point I am now using up my deer points. CO, WY and UT deer hunts are now up. At my age I also can pack out my deer and not need help. It's all about planning for me. I never saved deer points just to kill a boomer. Ive already killed my share of decent bucks. Fun hunt and another trip out west will satisfy me.
 
tracker12 said:
The only reason I waited so long is my once a year out west trips mostly involved elk hunting. At this point I am now using up my deer points. CO, WY and UT deer hunts are now up. At my age I also can pack out my deer and not need help. It's all about planning for me. I never saved deer points just to kill a boomer. Ive already killed my share of decent bucks. Fun hunt and another trip out west will satisfy me.
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Totally understand. Just don’t show up and and smash a 3 year old like everyone seems to on day 4. The locals and the deer herd will thank you
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Because some people just have to kill something to kill something that’s why
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So are you saying if you hold out for more than 3 days in one of the top point units you have a much better chance to kill say a 180+ buck than you do in a 1-2 point unit? So guys are just jumping the gun to quick in the high point units?
 
pauns08 said:
So are you saying if you hold out for more than 3 days in one of the top point units you have a much better chance to kill say a 180+ buck than you do in a 1-2 point unit? So guys are just jumping the gun to quick in the high point units?
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Yep.. majority of the biggest deer that I know of that got kill last year were during the last couple days of season. Looking back on it, I’ve killed and helped kill more big deer on the last day of season than I have the first..
A lot of what it is, is people start feeling the pressure “to kill something” after a couple days of hunting because they have all these years of preference points invested. So they just throw in the towel and kill a young deer because they can handle the thought of potentially eating the tag. Where as in a low point unit it’s 50/50. Some guys look at as, “it’s not a good unit” so they smash the first 4 point they see. Where other look at as, “I don’t have 20 plus years invested” so their more liable to stay of the trigger unless they see something big and eating the tag won’t sting as bad… just my thoughts on it
 
little info about Gunnison Valley
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Blue Mesa Reservoir is predicted to be 10 feet (3 meters) shy of full (full pool elevation = 7519’) by July and the drainage basin’s snowpack is 160% of normal. That is good news for the river basin.
Bad news is that due to the heavy snows this winter there are a lot of deer and elk grazing along the highways. Many are being hit by vehicles.
This week alone, five deer and elk are being hit daily in Curecanti.
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Yep.. majority of the biggest deer that I know of that got kill last year were during the last couple days of season. Looking back on it, I’ve killed and helped kill more big deer on the last day of season than I have the first..
A lot of what it is, is people start feeling the pressure “to kill something” after a couple days of hunting because they have all these years of preference points invested. So they just throw in the towel and kill a young deer because they can handle the thought of potentially eating the tag. Where as in a low point unit it’s 50/50. Some guys look at as, “it’s not a good unit” so they smash the first 4 point they see. Where other look at as, “I don’t have 20 plus years invested” so their more liable to stay of the trigger unless they see something big and eating the tag won’t sting as bad… just my thoughts on it
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Makes alot of sense, I think I'm going to burn 4 points next if I can research a unit enough that I feel good about going to before I get to many points and start feeling that pressure as I've never hunted colorado before I don't want to burn to many points.
 
pauns08 said:
Makes alot of sense, I think I'm going to burn 4 points next if I can research a unit enough that I feel good about going to before I get to many points and start feeling that pressure as I've never hunted colorado before I don't want to burn to many points.
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Don’t ever let yourself get more than a handful of points in Calirado is the best advice i can give you
 
If you draw 67... send me a pm... I may be able to steer ya in the right direction.... the hunting is only gonna get worse because of the wolf plan.. so get your hunt in now because the Gunnison Valley is on the clock.
attached is a couple photos of my Unit 67 muley from a few years ago... There are some deer out there worth your 21 points as long as you can be patient.

67 muley v2.jpg


67 Muley.jpg
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Let’s be honest with ourselves… the only reason anyone comes to here to hunt the Gunnison Basin anymore is to come experience something that was amazing 15 years ago, shoot a 3 year old deer on day 4 and tell war stories at ol miner after dark over a ribeye.
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And you think this is a bad thing. Have a cold one with friends, lying all the time how big the one that got away was. Top it off with spending time in the beautiful MNTs of Calirado!
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
I used to. Now I hangout at Piezans
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That place is amazing! Ate there several times. Yea I know the basin lives on past reputation but really where else is there to consider that could be better these days? I Know there’s lots to consider but outside a couple other high profile units where do u think is better? I’ve got 8 pts and will be using them somewhere in the near future. Was gonna apply this yr but I’ve too many other hunts lined up
 
Thomas11 said:
That place is amazing! Ate there several times. Yea I know the basin lives on past reputation but really where else is there to consider that could be better these days? I Know there’s lots to consider but outside a couple other high profile units where do u think is better? I’ve got 8 pts and will be using them somewhere in the near future. Was gonna apply this yr but I’ve too many other hunts lined up
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Hell of a question that me nor anyone else knows or is willing to share on the WWW. I used to envy guys that were sitting on a pile of points in Colorado, now I just feel sympathy for them
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
Hell of a question that me nor anyone else knows or is willing to share on the WWW. I used to envy guys that were sitting on a pile of points in Colorado, now I just feel sympathy for them
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Yea I get it trust me. Honestly I mainly elk hunt CO but since I apply there I always get a deer point. I’ve been wanting to do a mulie hunt but I always seem to have other hunts lined up. Still the consensus is CO has the best mule deer hunting in the west outside of some outlining units in other states. Whether that’s true or not idk. I’ll use them at some point somewhere there. I’ve saw some great deer in the basin units but it’s been a few yrs
 
From what I've seen CO does still have the best deer hunting, you just have to put that in context compared to everywhere else.
 
The_Coloradoboy said:
The bars not set real high right now when it comes to mule deer. Im slowly transitioning to whitetails at this point
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I wouldn't recommend that. EHD, CWD, and Blue Tongue have wiped out half the herd. Then NRs came in and wiped out all the dinks. Any mature deer were then taken out by outfitters charging exorbitant prices. And since wildlife agencies only care about the money, they auctioned off the remaining deer to the highest bidders, and gave out thousands of doe tags!!

And with the herd all gone, point creep, point sharing, point banking, and point guard will make your odds of actually drawing a tag will, well, you'll have a better chance at winning the Powerball lottery!
:ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

OK, just to be sure. Hope no-one took this too serious.
 
Speaking of whitetails anybody been out around Bonny lately? Shoot me a PM if you prefer, been curious what it's like since they drained it. I'd rather hunt whitetails anyday over a stinky muley.
 
tracker12 said:
Well now that I have the tag on the way it will be time to do some planning. Really looking forward to the hunt. A decent buck in the end would be a plus.
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Tracker12, I have drawn the same tag. I hunted the unit for elk last year 3rd season and went with my buddy on his 4th season hunt in the unit two years ago. Learned a lot about where most people hunt, where a lot of deer concentrate, how to navigate the unit, etc. If you have any questions PM me I can probably help. Ill never have this tag again, no need to take my info to the grave. (this is not an invitation for anyone, just the OP). There are plenty of nice bucks in the unit for us both haha.
 
Thanks a bunch for the offer. At my age this will definitely be my last draw deer tag in CO. I will definitely reach out to you! Can you put me on one like your avatar?
 
Glad you are are getting out there. That part of CO is some of my favorite to visit. I hope you have a blast this fall! Make sure to let us know how it goes.
 
Ya'll saving points for these deer.... I just forked over a lil dough and copped a voucher. Anyways I have the muzzy tag this year I will let you know how I do. Last year in 66 I saw at least 6 or 7 deer over 170 into the 180's on the archery hunt 4 of them were killed by muzzy hunters. Two were bucks I was seriously chasing. I left broken hearted. They need to cut the muzzy tags maybe and rifle tags. Anyways what I hate about these threads is when people ask for help and do not post how it turns out so Tracker help us out with a update ya?
 
I've hunted 66 third season and 67 second season and spend a lot of time in that area in the summer months. I think overall quality has gone down quite a bit in both units in the last five years. There are good bucks but they are getting harder to find. 66 is definitely a more fun hunt and you will see more animals in my experince.
 
Well won't matter since I drew a 67 this year. Quality is what it is. I'll deal with what I can find. Will be hunting with my friend of almost 50 years. It's going to be a great time. Got some pretty good suggestions from guys so I have some starting points.
 
idahohillboy said:
Ya'll saving points for these deer.... I just forked over a lil dough and copped a voucher. Anyways I have the muzzy tag this year I will let you know how I do. Last year in 66 I saw at least 6 or 7 deer over 170 into the 180's on the archery hunt 4 of them were killed by muzzy hunters. Two were bucks I was seriously chasing. I left broken hearted. They need to cut the muzzy tags maybe and rifle tags. Anyways what I hate about these threads is when people ask for help and do not post how it turns out so Tracker help us out with a update ya?
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Not sure what a muzzy voucher costs but the 3rd and 4th season 66 and 67 vouchers are pretty pricey, $12-15k. I may in the future try and buy a 2nd or muzzy voucher but 3rd and 4th season outta my range currently. Ill be hunting 67 3rd season this year burned 10pts, looking forward to seeing how you do! hopefully ill find something worth posting about.
 
I would not pay that much for any tag in 66-67. I could afford it but they're simply not worth that much, was there last year and I know what the quality is.
 
TKMulePacker said:
Not sure what a muzzy voucher costs but the 3rd and 4th season 66 and 67 vouchers are pretty pricey, $12-15k. I may in the future try and buy a 2nd or muzzy voucher but 3rd and 4th season outta my range currently. Ill be hunting 67 3rd season this year burned 10pts, looking forward to seeing how you do! hopefully ill find something worth posting about.
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I bought an archery 66 for 2500 and a muzzy for 67 at 2500 about the max I willl pay..
 
Wolves, over hunting and more... UGH. I have enough points to pull a season 2 tag. Is it worth it or are their better units. I hear a lot of different things.
 

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