Co Unit 54

Hello all
I have been offered a landowner tag for Unit 54 with the muzzleloader. I wasn't planning on doing a trip this year, but the deal I am getting is pretty enticing. I know unit 54 has produced some great bucks in the past, but I have heard that the 07-08 winter was pretty rough on the herd. I need some honest opinions to help me make my decision. I have a lot of things going on at my house and my business, which is why I wasn't even going to hunt out West this year, but if I get some positive feedback, I might just have to plan the trip. Thanks.
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BOHNTR
As you can see by the chart below.......that particular unit lost 44% of it's deer herd (that's huge and second worst in the state) during the bad winter of 07/08. I would plan accordingly.

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Yep. The deer herd is a disaster there right now. Usually the old and young are selected against the heaviest. This years weather will hurt antler growth too. It's plenty hot and dry so far from what I've heard.
Mark
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"m gardner" wrote:This years weather will hurt antler growth too. It's plenty hot and dry so far from what I've heard.
Mark
Really?? I guess it shows what a difference a mountain range can make. Here in the Aspen area(and the state in general) we had one of the wettest, coolest end of May/June stretches I've seen in a long time. It's starting to dry out these past few weeks but stuff up here is still green that in years past would already be dryed out and brown.
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BOHNTR
Really?? I guess it shows what a difference a mountain range can make. Here in the Aspen area(and the state in general) we had one of the wettest, coolest end of May/June stretches I've seen in a long time. It's starting to dry out these past few weeks but stuff up here is still green that in years past would already be dryed out and brown.
 That's exactly the same I've heard and seen as well. VERY wet spring up in the Rockies and a long green-up. I think antler development will be above average this year.....JMO
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The reports I get are from people on the western slope and they are experiencing triple digit temps and dry conditions (103 in Grand Junction today). I shouldn't assume the whole state is like that. My bad. ](*,)
Mark
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"m gardner" wrote:The reports I get are from people on the western slope and they are experiencing triple digit temps and dry conditions (103 in Grand Junction today). I shouldn't assume the whole state is like that. My bad. ](*,)
Mark
 Don't worry, you are actually kinda right too. My wife and I ran a 1/2 marathon down in Gateway on the 4th and spent the weekend with her folks in Grand Jct. The drive down to Gateway from GJ took us through Unaweep canyon and the north of end of units 61/62. It was way greener than I expected and the top of the plateau looked nice and green. But since then we have gotten almost no rain at all and things are starting to dry out, especially down lower in places like GJ. Here in the mtns things are still looking lush and green for now but the heat and dryness is starting to get back to a normal summer pattern.
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Years like that we expected to see huge bottoms on the elk antlers then they finish skinny and good backs but short main beams and shorter fourths on the mulies. I'm hoping for a better summer but I'll take what I get and be happy. This heat can dry things up fast. Heck it was 90 in Silverton today!
Mark
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Thanks for the input everyone, I am still undecided. Leaning towards going, just for the opportunity.
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