bleedscamo, unit 30 has been producing some excellent bucks. There was a buck that was being watched archery 2008 that was found dead in a field out 8 Rd, during the second week of archery season. I scored the deer at 255 gross, he is a huge non-typical. We think someone shot him with a 22 and left him or did not know they hit him. The only good news about this little story is that there were three more bucks with him that are also going to be giant bucks (one of the guys with the Colorado Governors tag was after the buck in 2008). I feel if you hunt hard and pass up the nice bucks you have a great oppurtunity at a 170 or larger deer.

Also you need to remember during your scouting those deer you find this summer will be nowhere near the area come third rifle season. Those big bucks you see will have moved off the tops and into those rough out of the way areas most people overlook or are not willing to go into. Another thing to remember is many of those big bucks will be hanging not to far off the desert floor in those rugged steep holes most people would not dream they would be hiding in.Good luck and good hunting !

Elk, Thanks for the info. I know there is good deer there--it was a toss up whether to give it shot or not because there are other good hunts for the same or less points. AND, I'm aware that the large chuncks of private land and make it necessary to bail off one of the Cty roads and bushwack into the rough territory you mentioned. You confirmed my thinking about the rifle season and the lower elevations-- was hoping someone could give me some starting points. Ironically, you hit a hot button 'cause I almost did the archery thing since I would have perferred to take my bow to the hills, but since I was blowing the points I decided to go rifle. Nice buck, by the way. Was it harvested on the private or BLM? Thanks again.

bleedscamo thanks! I took that buck on BLM, I could see the desert and the airport in Grand Junction from where I had shot the buck.

I have only had one oppurtunity to hunt on private land, and it was for my dad. We took a great buck, but it ended up we took the buck on BLM (in unit 40).

I have always hunted more on the Douglas Pass side and east all the way past Hunters Canyon. I use to go play (hunt rabbits,coyotes,and prairie dogs) out 2 Rd all way to 13 Rd, and have several friends that have taken great bucks out around Baxter Pass. If you like the Baxter area I have always liked the areas between Baxter and Douglas Pass, also check out the area around Spink Canyon, especially around the first small private area (a lot of oak brush around that area that seems to hold a lot of deer).

Good luck and good hunting!