2016 Plans

cmbbulldog

Active Member
Jul 18, 2011
264
21
I have been thinking that the Gunnison Basin would be a good choice. I know there are so many factors that go into a successful hunt but when you only get one chance at it you want as many things in your favor that you can get. Of the 4 units that you suggested what in your idea of the best for a good hunt with the chance of a good buck. Thanks for the input.
Well, if it were me I would look long and hard at the 44 4th season :)

To be fair, I have not hunted any of the units in questions, but know people who have and have done a tremendous amount of research around the area. I too plan to hunt the Gunnison Basin next year, just not sure what unit yet.

A couple things to consider. A 3rd season hunt next year vs the 4th is something to think about. 9 days vs 5 days. I would think 9 days with the dates next year is where i would lean vs a 4th season. Now, if you can get there 4-5 days early and do a ton of scouting, then maybe the 4th season is better.

I would also consider access. How much public land is available. Some 4th season hunts have lots of deer moved down to the private.

It also probably comes down to your expectations. Will you be happy with a 180 buck? or is it 200 inch buck or bust? If its 200 or bust, then thats never a guarantee, but again from my research you have the best shot with a 44 tag.

I think your best bet is as follows:

Become my best friend. Pick any of the following tags. Draw the tag, then turn it in and get your points back. I will then go pick up the tag on the leftover list.... that way I can fully scout the unit of your choice for the following year. Win/Win for both of us :)
 

kesand72

Active Member
May 5, 2013
373
8
Joliet, Il
New Mexico and Idaho primo elk draws (somebody's gotta get those tags)! Possibly fallback on Colorado otc elk. Kinda on the fence about loaning my money out for primo New Mexico antelope also. And of course, my staple, W Illinois white tails with gun and bow in my home state!
 

Extractor

Active Member
Jun 7, 2015
351
93
Appleton, Wisconsin
Go_deep, the deadline for bear in Wisconsin is December 10th as I'm sure you know. Bait hunters first in 2016. I put my son in for zone B to draw. We have property and a cabin near Florence, WI. In 2012 with my last bear tag we were running 2 bait sites and I had over 45 different bears on camera, boars ,sows and cubs. I took a 275lb bear on my first afternnon. If you decide to apply for a kill tag let me know if I can help in any way.
 

go_deep

Veteran member
Nov 30, 2014
2,650
1,984
Wyoming
Go_deep, the deadline for bear in Wisconsin is December 10th as I'm sure you know. Bait hunters first in 2016. I put my son in for zone B to draw. We have property and a cabin near Florence, WI. In 2012 with my last bear tag we were running 2 bait sites and I had over 45 different bears on camera, boars ,sows and cubs. I took a 275lb bear on my first afternnon. If you decide to apply for a kill tag let me know if I can help in any way.
Appreciate the offer!
 

Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
Going to try and find this guy for my son in 2016.. He has a good chance at the OR unit. Terrible pic, but I hope you can see enough to know why we really want a chance at him.




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Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
I should draw my elk tag in Or, general deer in Or unless I get lucky in the 25% pool. Points in Wy and Nv for deer elk and antelope.
 

raadland

New Member
Nov 20, 2015
34
0
Galt Ca.
I am just getting going and I am laying out a 5 year plan. My ultimate goal is to accumulate enough points for elk, deer, and antelope, in Wyoming, Colorado, and possibly Montana to have a quality hunt every year with 3 to 5 preference points. Meanwhile I will hunt elk unit 551 in Colorado by either getting the over the counter bull tag or sacrificing elk points and getting a cow elk tag. Any advise would be great appreciated.
 

Gr8bawana

Veteran member
Aug 14, 2014
2,670
604
Nevada
My son and I each have 10 points here in NV for Desert Bighorn and Mountain Goat. Even with those point we are quite a longshot to get either of those tags. So I guess it will probably be just deer and cow elk if we are lucky.
 

Ridgerunner

Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
308
0
Cashing in my Colorado deer points for sure, looking for someone with Wyoming antelope points that wants a partner, I drew last year and can't wait to go back! Hit the general season here in WA unless I get lucky and draw a late tag.


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GOSHENGRUNTER

Active Member
Jan 8, 2014
439
127
Clermont County Ohio
Alberta wood Bison in lat spring and Ontario moose last week sept-first week October. I'm gonna be Canadian next year I guess!

Building points in Wyoming and Colorado for elk and deer.

Might try to draw an Iowa whitetail tag too.

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Horsenhike

Very Active Member
Nov 11, 2015
668
0
Eastern SD
Lots to do. On our antelope hunt this year we figured out that one of our horses is not suitable for hunting. Sold him and bought a mare with experience on trails in Montana. Nowhere close to the animal our other mare is so she will need a bunch of work. Fun stuff. :D

We now have a much better idea on what we need for equipment and are gathering it quickly. We have all our hunting gear other than some clothing stuff and a chip for our gps. On to trailer mods and stuff for the truck.

Plan to scout both SD and WY this summer. Should be able to spend a long weekend going into each to hike and look over the areas we think we want to hunt next fall.

Plan on hunting Y in WY and West River in South Dakota fall of 2016.

No idea beyond that.
 

sodaksooner

Member
Jul 7, 2014
88
0
Utah preference points for elk, moose, sheep and goat.
CO, will put in for elk in two units(1st and 2nd choice). If unsuccessful, go OTC.
Wy preference point.
Hopefully draw SD West river deer but may take one more point for the unit I want. Really want to go back and bowhunt but not enough vacation when I do an elk trip.
Deer in OK, but will put in for once in a lifetime elk as usual.
 

minn elk chaser

Active Member
Jan 6, 2014
332
72
Sounds like a great plan you have. How close to any of these units do you live and how many friends have hunted which one of these units. Actually I have thought that with the dates being later next year that the third season would be my choice of seasons. I actually went on a late cow hunt in unit 2 to see if I would burn my points in that unit. Saw some nice bucks but it is hard to pull the trigger on a unit when you have waited this long. Good thing is I still have a few months to decide. Thanks for all your input.
 

usmc99

Member
Jan 7, 2015
78
0
Buying points in WY for deer, elk, and antelope. Think Im going to try and get a cow tag and try that for year 2 in WY. Had a great time out there this year.
 

tttoadman

Very Active Member
Nov 16, 2012
629
1
Oregon
OR Blacktail
We should draw our fav OR elk tags this year.
We will be hunting ID elk for 2 weeks in sept OTC
We will be hunting Mulies in Nov in ID.
 

Sundowners@5?

Member
Feb 19, 2014
57
7
Northern Wisconsin
Only point's left are in Wyoming, maxed out on antelope, deer and elk. Didn't draw antelope or elk in 2015. 2014 drew moose with 13 point's, short changed, hunt only lasted 13 hours, good bull and close to a road! Hunting buddy has 1 less point then me for elk so will apply together for an area that's good but doesn't require max point's. Need to get that elk behind us as were both feeling father time creeping up on us. Three steps up the mountain and one back if you know what I mean?

go - deep - No BS from Extractor on Zone B bears in NE Wisconsin. I live less then 1 hour from him. I take a couple of hunters every other year, 100 percent success, it's a predator pit here and they need some killen! Weather here has been really mild, snow from before Thanksgiving just about gone but daily see fresh tracks. 9-10 points will get you tag. Let me know if you also need help?
 

go_deep

Veteran member
Nov 30, 2014
2,650
1,984
Wyoming
Only point's left are in Wyoming, maxed out on antelope, deer and elk. Didn't draw antelope or elk in 2015. 2014 drew moose with 13 point's, short changed, hunt only lasted 13 hours, good bull and close to a road! Hunting buddy has 1 less point then me for elk so will apply together for an area that's good but doesn't require max point's. Need to get that elk behind us as were both feeling father time creeping up on us. Three steps up the mountain and one back if you know what I mean?

go - deep - No BS from Extractor on Zone B bears in NE Wisconsin. I live less then 1 hour from him. I take a couple of hunters every other year, 100 percent success, it's a predator pit here and they need some killen! Weather here has been really mild, snow from before Thanksgiving just about gone but daily see fresh tracks. 9-10 points will get you tag. Let me know if you also need help?

Appreciate the offer. Might be looking at 2017. Let you guys know if I do.
Heard there is a bunch to be had. Not going to be picky when I do go because I only would have 5-6 days. First 200 pound plus bear would hit the dirt.

Maybe we can help each other out? I'm in Wyoming.