There are a lot of public land in Wyoming that can be accessed as walk-in hunting areas. I really enjoy this information! The archery season dates encompass the bulk of November, which allows hunters to see the best the area has to offer for mature bucks. Hunting season in Colorado will be open from October 3 to January 31. "We carefully regulate harvest, hence the quality of deer hunting right now" explained Colorado Big-Game Manager Andy Holland. If the fall is warm and dry like in 2021, bucks will likely remain in the higher to mid-range areas of the unit, making them harder to find. While I generally look to my nearby hunting area to submit applications, you may choose another location. SkinnyPop Original contains 30 (0.65 oz) popcorn bags. You must have a Colorado mule deer license in order to hunt them. Those mid-tier units that are taking 10-16 points to draw seem to be the ones with the most point creep the last two years and will likely be so again as hunters try to cash in on the best unit they can draw. The cost of Plains deer hunts continues to go up every year, and the availability of booking a hunt is a bigger deterrent than the price. In Colorado, you can obtain a hunting license online or at any Department of Revenue office. If an antler does not grow normally, it could be due to a stressor. In this blog post, we will explore Colorado's Unit 43, a prime mule deer hunting destination. Utah took advantage of a combination of favorable weather, aggressive habitat management, and strict regulations to increase its mule deer population by as much as 100,000 from 2008 to 2016, pushing the size of the herd past 380,000 animals. . However, if you are able to draw and or purchase landowner voucher you will have very good odds at harvesting a buck of 170"-190.". If youre looking to bag that trophy mule deer, you need to consider a Colorado Unit 21 hunt. As stated above, second, third, and fourth rifle seasons are all mostly in November. On National Forest lands, deer hunting is generally better in early seasons. It is necessary for the clients to obtain a deer license. Our average fee for sci tests is between $150 and 180 dollars. Colorado unit 73 is a unknown gem of a hunt, and the hunts here get you a great shot at some real slammer deer! Northwest Colorado is famous for its large herds of mule deer. Each fall, hunters from all over the country, and around the world, set their sights on the mountains, valleys, and wide-open spaces of the West in search of adventure, camaraderie, a world-class trophy, and the opportunity to fill the freezer with lean protein. This region is teeming with quality deer, which can be found in a region with rich history and a breathtaking view of the Cimarron Range and the mighty San Juans. They offer a variety of resources to assist in hunt planning. It has become more difficult to access land on the Plains simply due to supply and demand. Note: If you would like to make comments on these recommendations, you can do that at the link below by May 1: The May 6-7 meeting information and a link to watch the meeting can be found here. Copyright 2005 - 2022. Our trophy hunts range from 6,000 ft. to 9,500 ft. in elevation. Colorado is one of only a few states that allows hunting of mule deer by nonresidents. The weather is also cooling down, which makes it easier to spot the deer. If you are looking for 180+ velvet deer here is your hunt. 7535 Road 26.1 Loop, Cortez, CO 81321. Plains hunting boils down to pay to play. If you want a trophy mule deer, the Plains has them, its just a matter of getting booked with an outfitter or having an unlimited amount of time to drive around and knock on doors until you find the right landowner with good enough ground to hunt. Big bucks seem to be falling in several units across the state. In the future, we are concerned about the health of the mule deer population as well as the habitat they rely on. Ed Broder, a farmer from Alberta, Canada, set a world record for a non-typical mule deer with a rumpled buck in 1926. Most outfitters are one to two years out, with some being booked indefinitely for the foreseeable future. . Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus International. These camps are much more basic than our main base camp but offer what you will need to stay in the action. Finally, if you need further assistance, CPW's customer service representatives are available to answer questions and help you plan your hunt. Drawing a long-awaited tagor lucking out with a lotto-like winin a coveted area can be the second biggest hunting thrill of the year for most hunters. Call or email us today for more information: 505-801-7500 or info@compasswestoutfitters.com. PA (570)224-2786. Western Colorado has some of the best mule deer habitat in the world with its diverse summer/fall range where deer can be found from the high rocky basins above 10,000 to the lower, more mild rolling sage foothills throughout the state. The best mule deer numbers are found southeast of the Panhandle region of Idaho. The Gunnison basin deer herd is managed to produce older age . In addition, the state should protect the shrublands of big sagebrush, mountain-mahogany, and bits- terbrush, as these plants provide the best habitat for mule deer. There are many areas of the state that offer great mule deer hunting, but some of the best spots include the San Juan Mountains, the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, and the White River National Forest. Gamekeeper Magazines Editor-in-Chief gives us a quick rundown on when a land manager should plant their soybeans and protein peas to produce the best yield and green leaf value. Muzzleloader and Early Season Rifle Sept 12 - 20 Right in the middle of early-season archery comes the infamous muzzleloader season. Go on More Hunts with Better Information, Join Huntin' Fool Today! We will pack you and your gear into your location horseback or mule back and drop you off. Please call me on the phone, its really the only way to help you understand the points and landowner tag system in Colorado. This side of the state is also primarily private land, and deer harvest is regulated more by landowners than CPW. Second, youll need the right gear, including a rangefinder, binoculars, and a knife. These very basic camps are located very remote in the wilderness areas of unit 68. The landscape is big. There are still some good opportunities out there to hunt a trophy mule deer, but they are getting fewer and farther between every year. That's an average of 20 record mule deer per year over the last 11 seasons, and the World's record typical was taken in 1972, scoring a 226 4/8. Mike Schoby takes his nephew, Mitchell, on his first-ever whitetail hunt in Nebraska. Hunters applying for limited tags in Western states have lamented in recent years about preference point creep. Day hunting from the spike camps will be entirely on foot and at 11,500+ feet in elevation. Wilderness spike camps: La Garita Wilderness, Colorado Unit 68 mule deer hunting. One thing we cannot predict is what Mother Nature is going to do this fall, especially during application time. There will be 2 people in each 1012 tent or 4 people in a 1417 tent. For a look at other license recommendations for 2020 (elk, antelope, moose, black bear) you can see the summaries on goHUNT here. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. There is no reason to believe that warmer weather contributed to the difficult 2019 season. The deer are scattered and will move in response to hunting pressure and weather. These camps are right in the middle of the migration routes as well as in the wintering areas and the home range to year round resident herds of Colorado Mule deer. When combined with non-typical harvests, Colorado stands at 222 records. Statewide, rifle buck licenses remained nearly the same at 55,400. This part of Colorado is less susceptible to winterkill, and in most of the regions, it has an abundance of agriculture crops that are high in protein quality feed. During the third and fourth rifle seasons, these hunts can be conducted in late September/early October and early November. In addition to insects and small animals, they are thought to eat plants. Especially if we are talking about a 7-10 day out west type hunt for big game. With this information in hand, youll be ready to start planning your next mule deer hunting adventure in Colorado. The Colorado Unit 21 Mule Deer is an incredible species of deer native to the area. In DAUs where CWD prevalence is greater than 5%, management actions were taken to reduce prevalence, including buck license increases for several herds.
For even more reading, you can always check out the herd management plans for each DAU. Kevin Steele of Petersen's HUNTING is with Dawn Wehunt of Rock River Arms INC. learning about the new Ascendant platform. All in field transportation for hunting, all meals, fully guided hunting days, tent lodging, and field work of elk including caping, quartering and packing out to trail head. Some good trophy bucks are seen in the southern portion. You and your guide will be the only residents of these camps. An antler on a deer or elk would have symmetrical points, and these points would occur in typical locations. mule deer Over 18" of snow will move the Deer. A recommended decrease of 1,700 licenses in the Northwest Region was balanced out by increases of 2,600 deer licenses in the Northeast and Southeast Regions combined. Below are all the license recommendations CPW could make in 2020 and the percent change. Bordering unit 61 it offers the same quality deer and diverse terrain to hunt them in. Colorado is still a good place to hunt big mule deer bucks on a regular basis and will most likely always be given the amount of habitat and lush alpine basins, but mule deer hunting is starting to resemble Colorado elk hunting more and more. Archery is one of the most common hunting methods used to kill deer. Our camps on this hunt are a mix of wall tents and campers on early season hunts and hotel on later season hunts. Units 62/65 in southwest Colorado are ideal for spotting mule deer and have numerous breeding grounds. The combination of shorter days and cooler temperatures make it the ideal time to track and hunt them. With a combination of proper harvest regulations, habitat management, and public education, the Unit 21 mule deer population has been able to remain healthy and stable, despite a decrease in the overall deer population across the state. For now, there are at least two more years of later season rifle hunts in Colorado for hunters to capitalise on. CPW doesn't maintain a database of landowner resources. Each of these units is worth the wait and gives the hunter an amazing opportunity at Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett bulls, he said. Mike Ornoski has bowhunted in Arizona for more than 35 years. Fall is the optimal time of year to hunt these elusive creatures, as they are most active during the colder months of October and November. Becoming successful in the draw may take multiple years. Western Outdoor Adventures is pleased to offer big game hunters like you some of the best Colorado Mule Deer Hunts to offer in the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Rifle seasons. To ensure a successful hunt, brush up on your hunting strategies. This is because the mule deer are in their peak breeding condition and the bucks are in their prime. For draw hunts the remaining 50% deposit is due within 30 days of the posted draw. All payments will be made to him and we are hired to manage and guide this great hunt. I'm never going to catch the premier units and I've got too many points for lesser units (tongue in cheek statement). Welcome to the world of Colorados Unit 21 Mule Deer. (505) 801-7500. The hunt will last until the end of the season in late January, after which it will begin in early October. The only bright side is that if you can get a spot booked with one of the reputable outfitters, it typically only takes a few points to draw in their area, and the harder to draw areas are only around 4-6 points. Share This Story. We should be talking about this incredible hunting area, we limit the space here to just a few guys a year. So naturally, I was hanging off the edge of my seat in anticipation. With this, there has been a 5% decrease from 2018, when 30,114 were taken. The majority of deer winter at elevations below 8,000 feet. Deer herds will be scattered from 6,500ft to timberline and will move down to the lower elevation pion-juniper areas as heavy snow arrives. They are broken out by weapon. This is a backpack sheep style hunt for hardcore hunters! This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Cedar City, UT 84721 Migratory deer winter at low elevation areas often mixing with residential deer. There is also a dining tent that has a wood stove as well as tables and chairs to relax and enjoy dinner or a game of cards at night. Kevin Steele from Petersen's HUNTING speaks to Jordan Egli of Burris Optics about the all-new Veracity PH Riflescope. How many preference points are be required for a hunter to draw the license. Mossy Oak Long Sleeve Fishing Tech Hoodie, Mossy Oak Fishing Inshore Short Sleeve Shirt, Biking for Bucks: 5 Reasons the Bike Works Best, Colorado Elk Hunting is a Top Choice for All Levels of Experience, Colorados Mike Miller Tells Us about an Opening Morning Elk Archery Hunt, Tailgate Talks: The People You Meet at Bear Camp, Understanding a Whitetail's Summertime Nutritional Needs, Soil Sampling for Successful Food Plots and Wildlife Plantings, When to Plant Beans and Peas for Whitetail Deer, How To Identify and Effectively Fish A Thermocline. We are located in a haven for giant trophy mule deer. We will be hunting on foot and moving from area to area with ATV and trucks, looking for your buck. The guided only option with camping or hotel and meals at your additional expense will be priced to reflect a discount of $700 from the list season price. CPW seems to be happy with the harvest of mature bucks on these late season hunts as they are already discussing late season rifle dates again for their five-year plan beginning in 2025. We are pleased to be outfitting in the beautiful La Garita Wilderness, of the Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado unit 68 as well as permitted in the San Juan National Forest units 73 & 74. In the deer hunting statistics report, you will find the number of available licenses in each hunt code. When I got my client in the position where he could see the herd, I said, Okay. Finally, if you need further assistance, CPW's customer service representatives are available to answer questions and help you plan your hunt. and reports! The good news is that the same philosophy that has always applied still applies today there is potential for a trophy buck in any unit in the state. In 2019, there were far fewer deer than in any year I have ever seen in Colorado. Our main drive in base camp is located at about 10,500 feet right on the wilderness boundary. Movement is also to the west. Its a 5 day sheep style backpack hunt for the most part. Deer herds will be scattered from 6,500ft to timberline and will move down to the lower elevation pion-juniper areas as heavy snow arrives. We will often also offer a guided only options on Colorado mule deer hunts on the 3rd and 4th seasons. The areas with the best deer hunting on public lands are: the HD Mountains, the Piedra River, Florida River and Los Pinos drainages, and lands southeast of Pagosa Springs. A delicious, healthy snack perfect for kids lunches, break between video calls, or just a snack for yourself. Our more rugged back country spike camps are located on the edges of black timber just below tree line. The adventure is big. Those articles will be out this next week. Some large bucks also have been taken in GMU 45 in recent years. Its a 5 day sheep style backpack hunt for the most part. With the right preparation and supplies, youll be ready for a successful Colorado Unit 21 mule deer hunt. and then you can see the final price of your hunt. This unit offers some of the best mule deer hunting in the state and with the right preparation and planning, you can increase your chances of success. Even if you have 13 points and my hunt takes 6 to draw you should consider it. Delicious Skinny Pop Popcorn has zero trans fat and is peanut free, tree nut free, preservative free and is a good source of fiber. Our mule deer hunts in Colorado take a number of points to draw. The higher range usually becomes available to deer as snowlines recede in mid to late May. The best opportunity to harvest a quality buck in New Mexico is in the northern Game Management Units (GMUs), according to Tristanna Bickford, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.GMUs 2B, 2C, 4, and 5A are quality hunting areas with large numbers of deer, many sporting antlers that will make the Boone & Crockett (B&C) book. Colorado has millions of acres of public property accessible to the general public, over-the-counter elk tags available for three-fourths of the units, relatively low tag costs, fantastic guides, and a major hub airport to fly into. Well also discuss the management practices that are currently in place to ensure healthy herds. Give a Gift
Scouting trips can also be beneficial to help you find the best spots to set up camp and look for deer. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our private ranches in Rand, CO, host mule deer hunting. Unit 43 Colorado Mule Deer. Whether you're looking for a wild salmon recipe or an easy summer recipe to prepare on the grill, this grilled salmon sandwich is the ticket. Theres good news and bad news for hunters who want to pursue mule deer in the west, however. Draw results will be available May 24 to 28, 2021. Every mule deer tag can be purchased during the big game draw for a limited number of exceptions. It provides them with everything they require to survive, including leaves, stems, and young twigs that they use to browse for food and cover up. And everything about the pursuit is big. There are good numbers of mature bucks, but they rarely reach trophy status found in lower elevation mtn shrub and mild winter areas. Overview Of Colorado Unit 21. There will be no refunds if you arrive without your hunters safety card! Hunting license fees,transportation to and from home to base camps, sleeping bags, towels, pillows, personal items,rifles or ammunition, meat packaging, transportation to Gunnison to have meat butchered, taxidermy, gratuities for guides and cooks, alcohol. All hunts in 80-81 are on your own lodging and meals. A large percentage of the deer initiate north-to-south migration in mid-October. Hunting, habitat loss, and disease are all to blame for this decline. With rocky peaks, deep canyons, and endless meadows, this majestic landscape offers plenty of . Colorado is not only one of the best places to hunt mule deer in the country, but it is also one of the least expensive places to hunt it. Publisher Kevin Steele is in the Beretta booth with Logan Killam, the Shotgun Product Manager, to discuss the all new Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey. As hunters, we shouldnt be as worried about diseases that deer may receive from ticks. If you have 14-16 points call me and we can start planning. The peak rut for mule deer and Coues deer was observed in Arizona in December and January. I have 13 mule deer points and I am thinking about actually coming out for a hunt in 2011. The trophies are big. There are good numbers of mature bucks, but they rarely reach trophy status found in lower elevation mtn shrub and mild winter areas. Our mule deer hunts in here in Colorado take a number of points to draw, or you can also allow us to help you find landowners with guaranteed tags here. Our Colorado deer hunting is conducted on some of Northwest Colorado's finest private ranches on over 20,000 acres. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Colorado has long been known as the elk hunting capital of the West, but its also got some of the best mule deer hunting around! All tags are drawn, though we also have land owner tags. The northeastern portion of the state has the highest number of pronghorn and provides an opportunity to see a large number of animals during the hunt, while still providing an opportunity at a trophy buck. The mule deer is an intriguing animal with an impressive range of behaviors. The most likely areas to produce a record-book pronghorn are GMUs 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 46, 47, and 48. Pronghorn Area 38, between Cheyenne and Laramie, is a mix of public and private land where landowners typically charge minimal trespass fees and hunters needed only two preference points to draw a tag in 2018, Decaria said. This guided early rifle mule deer hunt in unit 82, unit 861 on the early rifle season will require 15 points to 100% draw, there are no landowner tags for this hunt. Most hunts that take 8 points or less tend to hover around the same amount of points to draw with minimum point creep every couple years. hunting license There are many areas of the state that offer great mule deer hunting, but some of the best spots include the San Juan Mountains, the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, and the White River National Forest. This success demonstrates the importance of conservation efforts to protect and maintain wildlife populations for future generations. If you want to make comments on these recommendations to CPW, I provided links at the bottom of the article. Equal opportunity employer and provider, operating under permits from the San Juan National Forest as well as the Rio Grande National Forest, and on BLM lands in Colorado. $5,500 11 (7 days) plus lodging and meals. There is nothing more annoying during a duck hunt than a dog that whines or barks when birds are working, or more dangerous than when a pup breaks on the sound of gunfire. 70 Location Doral, FL Hi there guys. Freshwater anglers often look at the calendar around mid-June, shrug their shoulders, and put away their fishing tackle until the fall when water temperatures are more hospitable and recreational traffic on area lakes has diminished. CPW wants hunters to be successful and encourages new hunters into the area. Hunters have to roll the dice and hope that the stars will align for them the fall they choose to have a tag in hand. The bad news is it can take decades to draw a coveted tag in some of the premium units. Lydia Decaria, license sales representative with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, said Pronghorn Area 73, north of Casper, is very popular with hunters because it has huge tracts of Bureau of Land Management property. All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. 50% deposit is due at the time of booking; final payment is due no later the 60 days before your hunt date. by Matthew Rosenbaugh, Annual Small Game Hunting License (required to apply), Youth Annual Small Game Hunt License (under age 18, required to apply), Habitat Stamp (required for adults to apply). Compass West Outfitters, LLC
The Grand Canyon States animal population ranges between 85,000 and 100,000. The sound of a bugling bull elk or the sight of two monster 6x6s fighting for mountain dominance is a memory that will stay with a hunter for a lifetime. Eastern Plains hunting is possible. Hot spots are located north of Hayden. In Idaho, 20 of the 20 all-time records for a typical mule deer in the United States have been established. With these tips in mind, youll be well on your way to a successful mule deer hunt in Colorado Unit 21. The buck-to-doe ratios continue to increase as a result of limited buck hunting and . Did prior hard winters finally catch up with fewer bucks making it to maturity? Lastly, dont forget to bring a positive attitude and respect for the environment. Whether the tag in your pocket leads you to a comfortable lodge for a guided hunt on private land, a DIY spike camp deep in backcountry wilderness, or somewhere in between, hunting the West will grab you by the soul and easily can become a year-round obsession. Here we can offer a few more comforts as like hot showers and full time cooks. Non-residents need to be aware of the different licenses and regulations that apply to them, but with a little research, they can have a successful hunt. After visiting with several CPW officials, it seems that 2017 should offer another great season for Colorado public land deer. Archery season runs in September and most rifle seasons occur during October, with some exceptions. I also annually write recommendations for Colorado's rocky mountain goats and an overview on Colorado's big horn sheep units. CPW is recommending similar total deer licenses as last year; all changes result in an increase of 980 deer licenses (+1%) to 101,500 limited licenses. This allows these hunters to capitalize on having first crack at the deer before they realize hunting season is upon them. Please call me on the phone, its really the only way to help you understand this high country above tree line hunt. Its a 150-175 hunt with 180-190+ very possible. The full definition for a DAU is the geographic area that represents the year-round range of a specific big game herd/population. The state offers a variety of different areas to hunt, and the deer population is healthy. Deer Hunting in Colorado GMU 28 - Grand County . During the 2010 hunting season, a total of 210 hunting days were observed. In terms of mule deer hunting, Colorado is generally considered to have some of the best deer hunting in the country. All Rights Reserved. Over the last decade, Ive found that few things allow you to make a stealthier commute than the bike. Colorado Elk Camp Outfitters LLC. When you look through the tables, you will notice that 99% of all archery and muzzleloader hunts on the western side are earlier in the year during September. For a quick summary, in total there are 54 Data Analysis Units (DAUs) in Colorado for deer. The Plains is a totally different style of hunting than the high mountains of Western Colorado. Properly anchoring a boat is more than just tossing out the anchor and tying it to the boat. . Archery is the most effective hunting method, while rifle hunting is more effective in the latter half of the season. The Only Three Guns You Need to Go Hunting, Venison Backstrap with Sweet & Spicy Peach Relish Recipe, Predator Hunting with .17 Caliber Rifle: Pros and Cons, What To Do When Your Rifle Breaks While On a Hunt, Desert Ghosts: Hunting the Elusive Coues Deer, Tested Tough - Modern Zeiss Sports Optics. Clients will enjoy freeze dried meals and bare bones amenities as the only access is horseback or hiking in on foot. Our Base Camp sits at 8400 ft. From this camp you will be hunting some of the best Mule Deer country in Colorado. Summer is the time of growth for both plants and animals. Colorado Mule Deer Hunts Colorado unit 82/861. September offers some great opportunities for archery, muzzleloader, and in some units, early rifle hunts where hunters can pursue mule deer on their summer range and chase velvet bucks before they rub and begin to timber up. With the right amount of patience, skill and knowledge, you can be sure to have a successful hunt. Unfortunately, the days of CPW managing Colorado for trophy mule deer is a thing of the past and the war on mature bucks is here to stay. Most of the deer will be found in the western section of these units. Colorado has some of the best hunting in the country, from the Wilson Range to the Utah border, from Disappointment Valley to Big Gypsum Valley, and from the Dallas Divide to the Uncompahgre Plateau. Below you find a bunch of tables and graphics that showcase 2019 numbers compared to their 2020 numbers/predictions. 2023 Western Hunting Application Deadlines, New feature released on Insider Hunt Planner, Point Tracker: Your first step in researching hunts, How to import waypoints from other sources to GOHUNT Maps, Trail's tips for how to find the best elk habitat, Research your way to big bucks with a tool you're probably not using, Using public land layer map research to your advantage, Jump to: Deer Recommendation Summary Deer Populations License Changes M:F Ratios. Additionally, using the right equipment and techniques, such as using calls or scents, can help you draw in deer and increase your chances of success. Try hunting the aspen, open parks and shrublands. Try hunting the aspen, open parks and shrublands. There were 25,544 deer hunters during the third season of the 2019 hunting season. Camps are easily accessed by 44 trucks and hunting is done on foot with the aid of trucks, ATVs and only if you desire or plan for it, horseback. Our hunt areas for mule deer guided hunts in Colorado are great hunts for solid mature deer. Id been watching this large herd of elk for a couple of weeks that had one big herd bull, about 300 cows and eight satellite bulls. I know overall that the hunting compared to a lot of other states is not great but I am sitting on 20 non res points. You may be able to expect warm weather, but keep in mind that all of that can change if a rare late spring storm strikes. |
Colorado Mule Deer Hunts Colorado unit 73. I've narrowed my choices to these units. Colorado mule deer hunting for non-residents can be a great experience. Until the 1980s, the White River herd in western Colorados Piceance Basin had consistently ranked among the countrys largest and most productive deer herds, unofficially ranking it as the largest and most productive deer herd on the continent. In this article, well give you a rundown of the best places to hunt mule deer in Colorado. Colorado First Colorado Mule Deer Hunt. Two of the most important attributes of a started or finished dog in terms of safety and hunt quality are complete quietness in the duck blind and steadiness to and during flush, shot, and fall.