CO Elk - Thoughts on Options for NR Cashing In 13PP? - Unit 76, Unit 40, Unit 49?

[crock239]

Alright, so I know there's a lot of "how to spend points" posts....so I've done some homework to narrow the field a bit:

I'm a NR hunter, having hunted CO DIY elk successfully twice before on OTC archery tags--now I"m thinking I might try to cash in my 13PP soon since I'm not really wanting to wait another 12+ years to be able to hunt the top 2 or 3 units.

Ideal hunt (like everyone's) would be opportunity to see / hear / or chase elk with some feeling of limited hunting pressure with the goal of harvesting 6 pt or better bull.

Based of of 2018 Draw Results (2017 Bull Harvest %Success) info, it looks like these units might be options +/- a PP or so:

1st Rifle - Unit 49 (49% Harvest)or wait a couple years for Unit 76 (63% harvest)

2nd Rifle - Unit 76 (49% harvest)

3rd Rifle - Unit 40 (62% harvest), Unit 76 (46% harvest)

Muzzle -- Unit 49 (18% harvest)

Archery -- Unit 76 maybe if REALLY lucky or pt creep inexplicably goes backwards (41% harvest), Unit 40 (53% harvest)

Seems I've heard / read that Unit 40 might be tough unless on private land or going with a guide and having looked at the guides there pretty sure that's out of my price range.

Would be great to hear from anyone who may have hunted these units/hunts in the recent past and be willing to share some thoughts on general hunt experience / quality.

 

[Slugz]

My 2 sense.

-Don't use the harvest rates as a determining factor. That data is skewed.
-Determine if you are wanting to go into a opportunity managed GMUs/herd or horn size managed GMUs/herd
- You gonna be able to scout in the summer
-No way I'd be in the woods 2nd /3rd rifle with that many points
-If vacation time is not a limiting factor, archery somewhere
-Muzzle 2019 is later in the month
-1st rifle will have second estrus cows coming into heat so still a little bugling/vocalization going on


There are quality E/E archery, E/E muzzle loader and bull 1st rifle tags to be had with that many points.

If you are set on those three above

76 plenty of public land, plenty of hidey holes for the bulls, big mountains
49 plenty of public land, plenty of hidey holes for the bulls
40 summer concentration area is on private

 

[CODAK]

Ive hunted 76 and 49. You are going to have to scout a ton to justify those points, otherwise be happy with a low caliber bull. They aren't around every tree. Ditto what Sligz said. Big mountains and you have to find where they are at and generally they are no where near high access points

 

[Bonecollector]

My 2 sense.

-Don't use the harvest rates as a determining factor. That data is skewed.
-Determine if you are wanting to go into a opportunity managed GMUs/herd or horn size managed GMUs/herd
- You gonna be able to scout in the summer
-No way I'd be in the woods 2nd /3rd rifle with that many points
-If vacation time is not a limiting factor, archery somewhere
-Muzzle 2019 is later in the month
-1st rifle will have second estrus cows coming into heat so still a little bugling/vocalization going on

There are quality E/E archery, E/E muzzle loader and bull 1st rifle tags to be had with that many points.

If you are set on those three above

76 plenty of public land, plenty of hidey holes for the bulls, big mountains
49 plenty of public land, plenty of hidey holes for the bulls
40 summer concentration area is on private

From one nonresident to another, I echo Slugz comments.

 

[Gerald]

What do you mean by high access points codak? access points in the high country?

 

[JimP]

High access points will be those where most go to camp or park at a trailhead. The more hunters in a area and the further back they will drive the elk.

 

[88man]

I don't think many mid to high point units ever seem worth the points. LOL . I hunted 76 twice once with the tag and once helping friends. Day trip hunting on foot you will have a great hunt if your not expecting a 330 type bull. We saw lots of bulls between the scouting and the hunting. Very very few over 300 inches.

 

[CODAK]

In these units, it is both high and highly used

 

[Hilltop]

I don't think many mid to high point units ever seem worth the points. LOL . I hunted 76 twice once with the tag and once helping friends. Day trip hunting on foot you will have a great hunt if your not expecting a 330 type bull. We saw lots of bulls between the scouting and the hunting. Very very few over 300 inches.

I would agree with you. Most of the mid range hunts provide somewhat lower hunting pressure with better opportunity at slightly above average animals. To get into the high % trophy areas almost always takes being in the higher point classes.

 

[elkocd]

You didn't really say what style of hunting you do and or like, but if you're not afraid to get in the backcountry those Muzzy dates next year with only 70 tags in 49... I'm not sure how you couldn't kill a great bull. I've never really understood some of the muzzy harvest stats in CO. My only thought is it's guys who think it will be eiser than archery so they don't hunt very hard. As said above I don't think you can use the harvest stats, at least related to 40 as something to go off. 40 guided is probably close to 100% so what where does that put the DYI guys if overall it's 53%? If you can throw down $10,000 that would be a no brainer I think, but of course that is more about just goind out and shooting a bull than the hunting experience. If you're not too experienced in the backcountry, maybe a middle ground would be some sort of drop camp in 49? Could get you into some great hunting and save some $$.

 

[jimss]

I've been pushing hard in Colo to go to all limited units for elk. When Colo switched over to all limited deer the muledeer quality plus quality experience dramatically improved. If you think about it, having all limited muledeer units spread out applicants over all units in Colo. There are really good muledeer units that can be drawn on a regular basis and it's possible to pick up left over deer tags every year.

The reason I bring this up is because converting over to all draw for elk would do the same thing. This would help those that are currently sitting in no-mans land. As you mentioned in your original post, there currently are only a hand full of limited units available to those in "no-mans" land. This would dramatically change if Colo went to all draw. Rather than elk hunters hunting OTC units and building pts each year....hunters would burn their pref pts.

Another huge advantage would be the CPW would FINALLY be able to manage the elk population and hunting pressure (the orange army in OTC units). This is currently impossible with the current OTC system.

If Colo doesn't convert to all limited there is the possibility of going to cap tags......OTC until a cap of tags is reached. This would likely do nothing for the point leaping that is taking place in the few limited elk units that exist in Colo. More and more Colo residents seem to be complaining about how tough it is to draw the few limited tags that are available. There is always the chance that Colo could offer a higher % of tags to Colo residents which would only make it even tougher for nonres to draw tags.

I believe Colo is following suit to other states and will be dramatically increasing the price for nonres to apply and gain a pref pts. This may impact draw odds for limited tags. Some hunters may start applying in hopes of drawing tags rather than aimlessly applying for pref pts. My guess is that nonres pref pts will jump in response? Some hunters may drop out but I have a feeling a lot of guys that have invested years into the pref pt system will try to draw tags.

I'm pretty sure things are going to change in Colo in the near future. I would advise all of you to contact the CPW and voice your opinion with well thought out comments. The CPW has 5 year structure plans where they offer public input. Believe, me nonres comments are just as important as res comments. If you sick and tired of poor experiences hunting crowded conditions in OTC and/or have been waiting years and years to draw a quality limited elk tag....let the CPW know!

Your guess is as good as mine whether these will benefit nonres and/or res hunters. Usually it is the nonres that take it on the head. I would seriously think some of the things I mentioned over before making a decision.

 

[crock239]

Quick post-draw update. Thanks to all who shared thought and input. After talking w CO DOW and considering the chance of better weather, opportunities to chase elk in the rut, etc. I did put in for and draw a 49 elk muzzy tag. Looking forward to a good time in the mountains. Will post up a hunt recap after.

 

[CODAK]

Good luck.... hope to God they open the burn area back up for ya

 

[crock239]

Thanks, yeah had thought it would be open by now, but it will be what it will be. Will check in w USFS as Sept gets closer, will just have to plan and adjust accordingly