CO units 2, 61, 201 deer
Mule Deer
61, 2, and 201 are at the top for required points for mule deer. I have heard all of them discussed greatly for how good elk units they are. Not so much with mule deer so what drives the high point requirement???
Big bucks in 2, but after they shed velvet they seem to vanish. I could have shot several in the 170-180 range during our '13 elk hunt and the one deer hunter near us was hunting a legit 200. He knows BIG deer. Then by about Sept 6 they all went away.
I would not burn your points on 2 or 201- but they are your points not mine.
I think a major reason 2 ,201 takes so many points is the extremely low number of tags given, due to the lower number of deer. Also the desire to hunt a limited elk unit generally means less hunting pressure from the uncontrolled massed of OTC elk chasers ruining your deer hunt.
I don't know what's up with 61. I hear about good deer killed on private land, however the many years I have spent there hunting elk on public with friends I have only seen 1 good (180") buck with most in the 120-130" range. I think people want to hunt there just to experience it, and see big elk, however the hunting pressure there is still pretty high, at least on top with a lot of 62 hunters , and a ton of rifle bear hunters the month of Sept.
I hunted Unit 61 for elk in 2010. I saw some low-end P&Y bucks , but it did not impress me to the level of it's reputation. Admittedly, I was only hunting in one area on the north end and it is a huge unit, but I was not encouraged enough to burn my points. But then again, everyone talks about the number of bears there and I saw only one in 21 days.
I hunted Unit 201 for deer last season. I spent 2-3 weeks hunting and scouting. I saw some very nice, high-end P&Y bucks, but not in the numbers I was hoping for. I did see some photos of some great bucks taken the last few seasons with bow and muzzleloader. I had a great hunt anyway. I would say the attraction of 201 is the low number of hunters and the unique beauty of the area. And the bull elk which is partly why I hunted it.
Don't know about Unit 2 for deer. If you have any questions about 201, PM me. I got some good help from Bowsite on my tag and would hope to return the favor.
