For folks that know the general area 30 miles east of Montrose. What is the quality of Mule Deer and Elk in this area? Looking at a private ranch that borders the Uncompahgre national forest. Thanks

Stompy my pops hunted Grand Mesa, mulies in mid 70s to early 80s I believe a little north of Montrose and said it was the best for big mulies, better than Gunnison. He hunted public land.

That whole area is a treasure trove of animals, especially during archery season. Spent decades bowhunting the Uncompahgre Natl Forest. In the 70's and 80's the mule deer were ridiculously plentiful and big. It was nothing to see 20 shooter bucks a day. It will never be like that again because of popularity of course but what a place it was. I also lived in Colorado for 15 years and there are elk all over those areas as well, now I assume you are talking about next year, this time of year they migrate to lower ranches and bunch up.

Just wondering what the quality has been the past couple of years in that area. Friend of mine acquired a 4800 acre ranch that has 6 MD and 6 Elk landowner tags for next year.

Think good Stompy, known for big mulies and good elk. Would think a private ranch with both high and prairie land should be good.

I would not pass up that opportunity.

Sounds like a good friend.............

Depends. I was sent pics of 180+ deer that died last year, 170s that just weren’t quite right and a cpl over 220 standing on private. In that area you just never know what you’ll find.

Yep

I lived outside Montrose, one way to see whats around, is to be up around the lowlands right now, but I'd have little doubt you'd do well out that way. The valley is covered in AG, a lot of alfalfa fields that get hammered in the winter, bad enough most outside hay storage is HF.

Nice perk in the winter, the ski places and other bidnesses in Telluride and other areas some how have a couple major airlines fly the dc10's into Montrose, I know AA does as I have flown in and out during the winter, I also have a buddy who has a home up there and they fly in a lot during the winter. Wear your seat belt, those hills close in quick moving at 5 hunderd MPH

No way I'd pass on a hunting opportunity like that though, many of the better bucks and bulls will still be up there into early November in normal weather. Blue Mesa res. has great fishing at times as well.

I'm not sure I'll be hunting there, got other things lined up...but maybe. He just came across this a little while ago, hasn't ever seen the ranch. Friend of his inherited the property (4800 acres) and knows nothing about hunting. Told him if he wanted to take the tags and sell them they would do some sort of split with the money. He told me it would be an all DIY hunt if he decided to accept her offer. He's suppose to go look at it sometime late Spring.

He just asked me to post the question about the area because neither of us know anything about it. This is all in the early stages so he has nothing to sell at this time.

I hunted quite a few years between Maher and Crawford on BLM land that backed upi to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Actually shot the largest Mule Deer of my life there. Never saw an Elk but have seen Bears there. The area around there was mostly Sage brush and Oak Brush.

Here is that Buck. Me with the cap on 38 years ago.

Can you and I be friends? Hunted elk there several years ago and would go back in a second.

Uh friend!

With those deer tag numbers and assumed unit, you’re going to want to hunt it Archery or ML for

That’s a big buck there Don. Congrats!