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Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer #7440619 02/21/19 07:27 PM
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Bambislayer17 Offline OP
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Guys,

When I was a kid my dad and his friends would go to SW Colorado and mule deer hunt. This was back in the 80's, well now he is nearing 60 years old and I thought it would be cool to plan a hunt with me and him this Fall for his birthday. I have never hunted out of Texas or hunted on public land. I have looked at what is required for license and public land units. I guess my question would be for those who have done public land hunting in Colorado what units or area would be best to try and knock down a buck. Thanks ahead for any advice.

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7440659 02/21/19 08:17 PM
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This fall will be tough. You’ll need at least one preference point, depending on the unit, to guarantee drawing a tag. You could get lucky the first year, but chances aren’t great.

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7440662 02/21/19 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Bambislayer17
Guys,

When I was a kid my dad and his friends would go to SW Colorado and mule deer hunt. This was back in the 80's, well now he is nearing 60 years old and I thought it would be cool to plan a hunt with me and him this Fall for his birthday. I have never hunted out of Texas or hunted on public land. I have looked at what is required for license and public land units. I guess my question would be for those who have done public land hunting in Colorado what units or area would be best to try and knock down a buck. Thanks ahead for any advice.



Few units you can draw a ML tag or rifle with zero points, you will need to spend some time researching draw odds and success rates.

Epic outdoors and Gohunt are my favorite online tools


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gtgoh/mobile
Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7440816 02/21/19 10:39 PM
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Any decent unit will require 4 or more preference points. If you want a chance to hunt this year without points, you will need to buy a landowner tag for the unit of your choice. GMU 66 3rd season would be an excellent choice for public lands, but it's going to be expensive.

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Gringo Bling] #7440958 02/22/19 12:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Gringo Bling
Any decent unit will require 4 or more preference points. If you want a chance to hunt this year without points, you will need to buy a landowner tag for the unit of your choice. GMU 66 3rd season would be an excellent choice for public lands, but it's going to be expensive.


Disagree, I walked by 5 bucks last year in the 150plus range in a unit it took zero points to draw a ML or bow. It’s CO very few places that won’t turn up a decent buck if you put the work in. I sure wouldn’t stay home for 4 years

But yes if you want a high end tag with 190 expectation like 66 that’s 25points for 4th season, PM rifleman he will know someone who wants your money.


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7447316 03/01/19 04:03 AM
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Send me a PM with what kind of hunt you’re wanting to do(archery, ML, rifle). I know of a couple units that might be what you’re wanting with 0 points.

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7447324 03/01/19 04:29 AM
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I agree with BoBo, there are plenty of units you’ll draw in and have a chance at a decent buck. Are you thinking rifle?

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: BOBO the Clown] #7447916 03/02/19 12:45 AM
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Originally Posted by BOBO the Clown
Originally Posted by Gringo Bling
Any decent unit will require 4 or more preference points. If you want a chance to hunt this year without points, you will need to buy a landowner tag for the unit of your choice. GMU 66 3rd season would be an excellent choice for public lands, but it's going to be expensive.


Disagree, I walked by 5 bucks last year in the 150plus range in a unit it took zero points to draw a ML or bow. It’s CO very few places that won’t turn up a decent buck if you put the work in. I sure wouldn’t stay home for 4 years

But yes if you want a high end tag with 190 expectation like 66 that’s 25points for 4th season, PM rifleman he will know someone who wants your money.


The prob is on those 2 units, there’s a line of folks wanting 3rd & 4th with the main landowner built back up after deed changes to cycle properties & keep the other LOs off those vouchers. 2nd season & ML will be best odds to buy tags. Still had a combined 10 on 2nd tags head up there last year though. Smallest shot was 171, biggest 198...everything else fell in between.

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7447917 03/02/19 12:48 AM
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Can probably find 2nd on 54,55,551 and be good. Just find still water on private close to good cover on public, you’ll kill a decent buck going back and forth.

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7449652 03/04/19 06:16 PM
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I have always had great success in units 77, 78 and 771. So much success that I finally moved up to Pagosa Springs a few years ago. I always put in for 2nd rifle season as it is easy to draw a tag and not as cold for my kids. We seem to always draw with zero points even before we were residents. Here are pics from last season and of course my son got a bigger deer than me.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Last edited by Co-walkabout; 03/04/19 06:34 PM.
Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7449802 03/04/19 08:20 PM
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Great photos of your kid and his big muley and I guess that little one that you took. lol. Looks like ya'll made memories that will last two life times. cheers
FYI: I have a cabin in Pagosa Springs and spend all of June and July there. Maybe we can get together
for Breakfast sometimes.
I noticed that this was just your 4th post, So welcome to the forum.. welcome


Cabin rental in Pagosa Springs, Co.
Sleeps 10, If interested please PM me.
Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Co-walkabout] #7450284 03/05/19 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Co-walkabout
I have always had great success in units 77, 78 and 771. So much success that I finally moved up to Pagosa Springs a few years ago. I always put in for 2nd rifle season as it is easy to draw a tag and not as cold for my kids. We seem to always draw with zero points even before we were residents. Here are pics from last season and of course my son got a bigger deer than me.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


If I could find away to work up there I would already be back there living again. Town sure has changed though


Donate to TX Youth hunting program.... better to donate then to waste it in taxes

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Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7450369 03/05/19 06:46 AM
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We've got some nice ones here in Springs too. This is just one of many I've seen in town, less than a quarter mile from my house. I never seem have my phone handy when I see the really good bucks.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7450685 03/05/19 03:35 PM
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MacDaddy21, can I hunt in your yard? roflmao


"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."

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Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7450722 03/05/19 04:01 PM
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That town buck is really something!!! WOW

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7451120 03/05/19 09:32 PM
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Your Dad and I are roughly the same age and I hunted Colorado and New Mexico hard for the better part of 30 years. He is an old photo from about 1980. Still my biggest Muley to date. [Linked Image]

Last edited by Elkhunter49; 03/05/19 11:06 PM.

A true friend reaches for your hand but touches your heart.
Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Elkhunter49] #7451125 03/05/19 09:38 PM
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That is an absolute stud mule deer!

Re: Colorado Public Land for Mule Deer [Re: Bambislayer17] #7454339 03/09/19 04:40 AM
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Thats a stud elk hunter, also the town deer has to be 175 or more

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