Not sure where to post this but wanted future hunters to know of our 2023 experience.
This hunt was an out of state, 2nd season hunt costing each hunter 12 preference points, $6000 in guide fees and $2000 in hotel, transportation and tip expense.
Initial Goal was to shoot a 180 buck but by the end of the 3rd day of a 5-day hunt that was reduced to any decent buck. My guide was told any decent buck ((140-150) would be fine.
This hunt was on public land, 2nd season in unit 66 in the Gunnison Valley. Guide Service Owner Sold his service indicating his guides new of "Honey Holes" and locations where they would be able to locate Mature Mule Deer in unit 66. Unfortunately, 99% of the deer we (buddy and I each had or own guides) saw were does or immature bucks (2–3-Year-old deer). I saw no adult deer and no Mature/Trophy Deer. To their credit the guides worked very hard but over 5 days we covered the same unproductive ground we hunted 1-2 days before. I was told this was a migration area so maybe this is how it should be hunted. Bottom line, the areas we hunted had no age structure to the herd; all deer were immature. I liked my guide, and he worked hard but no quality deer.
Several days after the hunt I called and had a cordial discussion with the owner. At the end of the day, he thought my expectations were too high. Considering his sales claims and the unit I disagree and think they should have been able to get me on a 140-150 buck.
Bottom line, Colorado unit 66 and this guide service did not come close to meeting our expectations and I cannot recommend out of state hunters using their points in this unit or paying to hunt with this guide service.
This hunt was an out of state, 2nd season hunt costing each hunter 12 preference points, $6000 in guide fees and $2000 in hotel, transportation and tip expense.
Initial Goal was to shoot a 180 buck but by the end of the 3rd day of a 5-day hunt that was reduced to any decent buck. My guide was told any decent buck ((140-150) would be fine.
This hunt was on public land, 2nd season in unit 66 in the Gunnison Valley. Guide Service Owner Sold his service indicating his guides new of "Honey Holes" and locations where they would be able to locate Mature Mule Deer in unit 66. Unfortunately, 99% of the deer we (buddy and I each had or own guides) saw were does or immature bucks (2–3-Year-old deer). I saw no adult deer and no Mature/Trophy Deer. To their credit the guides worked very hard but over 5 days we covered the same unproductive ground we hunted 1-2 days before. I was told this was a migration area so maybe this is how it should be hunted. Bottom line, the areas we hunted had no age structure to the herd; all deer were immature. I liked my guide, and he worked hard but no quality deer.
Several days after the hunt I called and had a cordial discussion with the owner. At the end of the day, he thought my expectations were too high. Considering his sales claims and the unit I disagree and think they should have been able to get me on a 140-150 buck.
Bottom line, Colorado unit 66 and this guide service did not come close to meeting our expectations and I cannot recommend out of state hunters using their points in this unit or paying to hunt with this guide service.
