Unit 54 or Unit 68 (Colorado)

[prhunter]

I have decided to burn some CO deer points in 2019. I have 3 points and wanted to get some input from the CO members or others who have hunted either unit 54 or 68/681 during the second season.

If you have information you could/would share, please feel free to PM me. Thanks!

 

[lastlight]

I am in the same boat with points and these units (Plus 45, 77, 481/48). All seem to be good choices. If anyone feels like commenting or PM just curious on which of these units would have the least amount of orange in the back country/off trail spike camp.

 

[Thomas11]

I think both are solid choices. 54 has more backcountry and is way bigger country if that matters to u

 

[Redman]

Good units. Look for the bigger bucks up high.

 

[3855WIN]

Will there be a big winter kill this year? Seems to be a lot of snow.

 

[Pelican]

Will there be a big winter kill this year? Seems to be a lot of snow.

I was in Gunnison a couple weeks ago and there was still open hill sides on some south facing slopes. Hopefully the snow arrived late enough in the year to not cause a lot of winter kill. It is starting to warm up also. Usually the high winter kill years occur up there when you get a lot of snow early in the winter and then it gets -20 for two months. There is hope for this year yet.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

Will there be a big winter kill this year? Seems to be a lot of snow.

I don't think so. If you drive between Montrose and Gunnison right now around 5 PM you'll hundreds of deer and 50-80 elk. They look like they are doing good, lots of open hill sides like Pelican said. Also, we are getting alot of snow, but temps are warm and it's melting quick. That being said, I still think deer numbers are way down.

 

[nrpate05]

I don't think winter kill will be terrible this year. It was bad a few years ago because there was a thick layer of ice underneath all the snow and the deer and elk couldn't get down to eat. This is my understanding of the issue at least. I hunted 54 for elk 1st rifle last year and saw a total of 3 deer. 2 does and one buck that made my jaw absolutely hit the floor.

 

[OverlordBear]

I have hunted 54 twice during elk archery seasons. i have seen deer there every time and every day of the hunt I was there, but I did not have a deer tag with me. They liked to hang out on the top of the ridges below tree line and in aspen stands on North facing slopes. 54 is a beautiful unit, but very desolate. If it snows you could be there for a while.