Colorado mule deer question......

[BlackDog]

Deadline is approaching and I can't decide which unit to put in for. Have zero points so I may not get drawn anyhow, will go for elk anyway. Looking at units 75/751 and 80/81. Backpack hunted 78/81 for elk, so I am a little familiar with that area.
  The area above Durango looks rough. I have been up to Silverton and to Vallecito Lake, it all looks straight up from the roads (I think that describes half of Colorado). How is access to 75/751?
  Any advise appreciated.

[Gehrke145]

shoot me a pm and we can talk I hunted 75-751 last year im prolly trying for 74 this year

[BlackDog]

Anyone else hunt mule deer in the high country? I know deer are where you find them and most older deer like to be secluded, but typically what do you look for terrain wise? Seems like there would be more browse in the aspens and south facing slopes vs. the north sides. In a new area where do you start looking?

[Puma Tom]

In general look for places people don't want to go.
 Most big bucks will be in the dark timber.
 About the only way is to still hunt it, very tough stuff to hunt.
 They will also stay up high above timber line.
 Areas where you can spot far away, but difficult to stalk.
 They also like the quakie stands, I,ve seen some big bucks come out of little quaike patches.
 Spend alot of time behind some good optics.
  Best of luck.

[Nate Fikkert]

The high alpine is certainly a good place to start.  It usually deters a lot of people to get there and the high country is definately awesome.  That said, it is quite "trendy" to hunt the highcountry now and I am sure many people ride, hike, or drive right past big bucks on their way to the "good spots".  Biggest problem in the timber is how hard they are to hunt there.

Nathan

[bowdude]

Not familiar with that area, but 161 seems to crawl with mule deer when I am there for elk.  They come right into camp.  Got pics to prove it.  Notice how that 4 wheeler is just scaring the beejeessus out of him.  This "wild" muley was shot by a youth during the early wilderness rifle hunt.  He ended up hanging from a meatpole not 100 yards from where this pic was taken.
 
 

[BlackDog]

Thanks for the comments. Maybe I could leave my pack at home, go with bowdude and be camp cook.