Best CO unit for P&Y bucks

BigPig

Very Active Member
Messages
2,781
What is the best unit for good numbers on mature P&Y class bucks? They don't need to be monster 180"+ bucks, just good numbers of mature animals to allow for enough opportunites for stalks. I've been saving points for 61 (now have 4 pts) but is there a better option, or am I unnecessarily wasting my time?
 
That unit is coming back for sure.......high buck to doe ratio, good access, limited bowhunters, and GREAT genetics. When you draw, you should have a good chance at a P&Y buck, IMO.

BOHNTR )))---------->
 
5-6 units come to mind for an archery hunter that require 0-1 points that have a large number of good quality bucks.... you just have to be willing to put in a few foot miles to get there.
 
Thanks to good management by the DOW mosy units have good quantities of P&Y bucks. I hunt pretty close to Denver and have seen lots of good quality bucks. My friends who hunt the Flat-Tops have been seeing more quality bucks each year.

Like DeerKing said, get away from the roads and you will see them in every unit.
 
There are alot of units you can draw as 2nd choice with no points used that have good P&Y buck quality.

This years leftover list will have a few of those type units listed that isn't a real secret anymore. July 19th I believe the date is...website.

Hey Jeff, ya graduated from mzzy bucks to bow bucks now... haha
 
Robb
I think I'll stick with muzz hunting next year. These 2 are close enough for a bow for you but beyond my capabilities...
2timberbucks.jpg

buckcloser.jpg
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-05-06 AT 09:23AM (MST)[p]Thanks guys. I hear ya, I know CO has lots of good units. I was just looking for suggestions on which unit might give me the best chance for multiple opportunites for stalks on mature bucks. I know I could get lucky and have a fair chance in a 0 or 1 point unit, but what unit would give me the best chance regardless of how many points?

Or in other words, if you had enough points to guarantee you any tag you wanted, and if your criteria was lots of opportunity on P&Y bucks, what unit would you apply for?

With all this in mind, I've been thinking unit 61, but without much knowledge of the unit other than statistics and reputation. I just wanted to confirm my thoughts or see if there was a better option.
 
Unit 61 may have the bucks, but you are not going to find your typical spot and stalk type hunting. The top of the unit is at about 10,500 feet, so you don't have timberline or the high country basins that make it easy to find the big bucks during scouting and bow season. I have looked over Unit 61 with the idea of bowhunting and due to terrain I would pick a different unit! I would look for something with timberline basins and access to a few ridgelines to make it easier hiking. Looking at old statistics Unit 54 has not required many points to draw and has had good success. The aerial surveys show units 54 and 74 to have the most adult deer, check the western slope hunting guide at the CDOW website for more info. I would use the pref. points on an early season rifle hunt or start drawing some unit that requires less points. There is great archery hunting in Colorado that doesn't require more than one or two points. Right now I would pick Unit 54 first and then something like Units 76, 74, 55, 53, 62, 65, 66 or something like that second. Check harvest statistics verse pref. points required and get a tag. Good luck.
a3dhunter
 
Thanks a3d. That is good stuff. I know 61 is brushy. Maybe I'll stick to that for elk and start looking elsewhere for deer. I do like hunting open country for bucks. Especially high sage and aspen country. What about 10 and 21? Any one ever hunted archery seasons there?
 
LAST EDITED ON Jul-05-06 AT 11:21AM (MST)[p]I guess I'm a bit different, as I like the terrain for bowhunting in 61. Very managable still-hunting techniques and stalking through the aspens. The area I hunted was fairly easy to glass from one ridge to the other. My encounters were fairly close and predictable.

BOHNTR )))---------->
 
BOHNTR,

SDHNTR here from JHO, in case you didn't know.

That is good to know. I figured the unit was big enough that there would be some variety in terrain. The extent of my knowledge is a quick drive through on a cross country drive a few years ago, and just statistical stuff from studying the procs for a few years. How did you do on your hunt there?
 
BIGPIG, you will find areas of high sage and aspen in this unit, but to me the sage just wasted time. I am more partial to timberline hunting. Almost all of the deer I spotted in 61 were in the mix of aspen and fir forest. I did spot a few in a mix of oak brush near aspens, but they only showed themselves in the sage during the first or last ten minutes of light. The middle part of the unit is very steep dropping away from Divide Road. The northern part of the unit has more high sage and less private land than the southern portion. I have hunted Units 56,4,14,84,62,and 69 and I think I would have a harder time with the terrain of 61 compared to those others. To each their own, I would suggest a good scouting trip to 61 for you to evaluate yourself and see if it has what you like. Good luck to all!
A3DHUNTER
 
Looks like that old buck knew you was there and he stuck his tongue out at ya, great shots
 
Don't know what zone it's in but it's just west of the town of Estes Park about 5 or 6 miles.
go up to the top they have shooting houses up there.
glass the area and go after which ever one you want.
pleanty of nice guys there will help you cary it out.
 
Ya know I can't tell you here but if you want to send me a PM I can give you some info.

AntlerQuest Scouting & Hunt Consulting
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom