CO unit 74 2nd rifle?

[oldcp]

I have a deer tag for 2nd rifle in unit 74. I would really appreciate any advice anyone would be willing to give.

[bh107]

I've spent some time in that area elk hunting, but that was years ago. According to the alminac, its supposed to be a pretty warm year, so the deer will still be up pretty high in the second season unless there is a good storm to start pushing them down. We hunt third season a few units away, and even by then the migration is usually just starting.

[oldcp]

What do you consider pretty high? The biologist for unit 74 said concentrate on the transitional range between 8K and 10K'.

[bh107]

Like I said, it all depends on the weather. I've been there second season where its warm and dry, and they haven't even started to move down. We had to go over 10k before we even started seeing sign. Obviously there are areas lower that hold deer year round, but the bigger deer will be holding high until they are pushed out. Don't worry, there is plenty of very high country in that unit, be ready for lots of walking.

[TheHardWay]

I live in this unit, and let me tell you it has been DRY so far. We haven't had significant rain since April. I live at 8400' and much of the grass is brown. There are fires popping up all over the place. I will say this however...a couple of weeks I took my rock crawler up La Plata Canyon around 11k' and it is pretty green up there yet. I didn't spot any bucks, but I am sure they are there.