Colorado High Country Mule Deer Units Year to Year

[3855WIN]

I'm looking at a rifle hunt in September in Colorado next year. Do the units change every year?

I have 12 NR deer points. Would you suggest a third season or go on the early hunt?

 

[cedahm]

The unit boundaries don't change. Tag numbers can change annually, season structure 'can' change on a 5 year basis (but usually doesn't change drastically), but most certainly - points required change.

With that point level you have a lot of options - although you are in a bit of 'no mans land' (lots of hunts you're "over-pointed" for and lots that you're well behind).

Those are two very different hunts. If you want to be above treeline and look for a velvet buck (and are equipped to do so), and be virtually by your lonesome, the early season hunts are very attractive. 3rd season (unit and conditions dependent) can be good or it can be bad. Will likely have a decent amount of company. Particularly if the unit in question also supports an OTC Rifle Elk season (there are minor benefits to these. Many more elk hunters than deer hunters so information on nice bucks flows freely).

I'd highly recommend using GoHunt to parse this out. You will find most of the info on the CPW stats, as well, but it's easier with GH.

 

[Bambistew]

I don't think those HC rifle hunts are nearly as good as they used to be. If I remember right they moved the season date forward about 7 days. I could be wrong, but I don't think the big bucks hit the ground like they used to, and its quite a difficult hunt. If you go that route, hunt the earliest season date you can. Pretty sure the dates overlap the muzzle loader season now, so not only do you get to compete with muzzle loader, but you also get to compete with the archery hunters.

I'm not a muley expert by any means, but my experience hunting them early over 4-5 years in muzz seasons, was once they rub their velvet, and the frost hits the high country, many move out of the high basins.

as mentioned 3rd season is a whole different animal. Could be really good if there is snow, or could be so, so, but odds of finding a love sick buck are pretty good.

Good luck with what ever you do. I can't wait for 3rd season this year. Have a great tag and hope to put a nice buck on the ground.

 

[3855WIN]

Thanks for the info. I have to select vacation for 2019 soon, so trying to get my dates right. I subscribe to Gohunt, so I can filter through it. Ready to cash in Colorado points.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

Don't waste your points on the high country hunt. I've said this on here before, If you want to do a back pack trip, do a back pack trip. Take your fly rod, enjoy the country. If you want to kill a big muley buck, hunt 3rd or 4th rifle.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

I don't think those HC rifle hunts are nearly as good as they used to be. If I remember right they moved the season date forward about 7 days. I could be wrong, but I don't think the big bucks hit the ground like they used to, and its quite a difficult hunt. If you go that route, hunt the earliest season date you can. Pretty sure the dates overlap the muzzle loader season now, so not only do you get to compete with muzzle loader, but you also get to compete with the archery hunters.

I'm not a muley expert by any means, but my experience hunting them early over 4-5 years in muzz seasons, was once they rub their velvet, and the frost hits the high country, many move out of the high basins.

as mentioned 3rd season is a whole different animal. Could be really good if there is snow, or could be so, so, but odds of finding a love sick buck are pretty good.

Good luck with what ever you do. I can't wait for 3rd season this year. Have a great tag and hope to put a nice buck on the ground.

Spot on. Bambistew, PM sent.

 

[3855WIN]

Thanks, guys. I’ll start planning for a third season hunt for 2019.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I agree with everything so far, (except muzzle and early only overlap by 2 days) but personally I would go the early season route. 2nd and 3rd seasons can be crap shoots with weather... you have a greater chance with 4th season of definitely having bucks in the lower areas but still not a guarantee. I have seen people get totally hosed in 4th season in 10+ point units.

You definitely have a better chance at a big buck later in the year, but the early season basically lets you go on a sheep hunt. The deer are at the same elevation that time of year and in similar terrain and it's about as close as most of us will get. My wife is building points for an early season deer hunt... she doesn't bow hunt. Definitely not for everyone but certainly a cool experience that I wouldn't dismiss without a bit of consideration. You have enough points for what I think is probably one of the coolest units in CO as well...

 

[Matty B]

Is 4th season not on your radar due to only having a 5 day season? 4th Season has much less pressure than a 3rd season hunt; from my experience anyways. 12 pts gets you into several good units for a 4th season hunt.

 

[squirrel]

Before you burn those points go to your high country unit on an archery tag (2nd or 3rd choice type deal) if it is an option, hunt it and see what you can find, if the 2nd choice isn't do-able go packing in late august, you will not regret it and you will have experience on the actual ground and a handle on critter size/numbers.

Those high basins can empty very quickly once the willows frost hard yellow and the bucks strip off the velvet, but right up until that moment when you wake up all alone it can be a slam dunk with a long range weapon. But waiting can burn you bad depending on the fall weather that particular year.

You can hunt really good areas as a second choice in 3rd, not a wise use of a decade of pointing... Shop 4th's you've got tons of spare points to do so.


Really it depends on what "hunt" you want and can handle, backpacking in stunning country or rolling down the window to glass more sage draws, they couldn't be more different and still be for the same quarry.

 

[3855WIN]

Is 4th season not on your radar due to only having a 5 day season? 4th Season has much less pressure than a 3rd season hunt; from my experience anyways. 12 pts gets you into several good units for a 4th season hunt.

Not against 4th season, but doesn’t appear to be many NR options.