Hello from N. Idaho

[Bugleseeker]

Hey all. Been a subscriber to Eastman's on and off for several years and just now discovered this forum exists. Grew up hunting in WI and moved to N. Idaho 10 years ago. Hunting mostly elk, deer, bear, and wolf. Also killed a Shiras moose in 2014, and got a caribou in Quebec in 2008. So anyways, my dad, brother, and I have 13 Colorado mule deer preference points that we are looking to cash in this year. Never hunted in CO before and only really spent a few days camping in a couple places there passing through. Looking forward to getting into the research on this. Also planning to spend some time this spring researching and applying for other western hunts. My dream hunt is bighorn sheep, which I've been applying for every year in Idaho, but no luck yet.

 

[JimP]

Welcome to the site, its been slow without hunting season going on but if you have any questions ask away. Quite a few members check in every now and then so the questions should get answered.

I've lived in Colorado for 35+ years and have wandered around in units 44 and 35 quite a bit.

 

[Bugleseeker]

Hey there. Understandable that there's not a lot of users on the forum right now. I was thinking about going to the western hunting expo in Salt Lake City next month, but not sure at the moment if I'll be able to, and not sure if its worth a weekend trip for me from where I'm at. Do you know much about it, or have any thoughts on it?

 

[JimP]

Never been to it.

From what I know of them and going to the one in Denver it is a big show for outfitters. There are some booths set up for selling things and food and a lot of mounted game animals.

A number of the outfitter will have chances to win hunts but you have to really look at just what they are offering if you win. A lot of times it will end up costing to what you could book a hunt for on your own.

I turned in a outfitter years ago to the Colorado AG for his practices at the Denver Hunt Expo

 

[Bugleseeker]

Thank you very much. That is excellent intel. I suspected that might be the case. Some of these events are better than others. I’m inclined to do a DYI hunt, but if the price is right would consider drop camp. Expense of a full outfitter hunt is out of reach.

 

[disabled combat vet]

I've heard unit 76 is pretty good for elk, but not sure about deer i pretty sure you could get a drop camp, I would call the warden in Monte Vista and talk to him.

 

[JimP]

One thing with point game.

If you want to make sure that you draw a tag this year look at units that require 1 or 2 fewer points than you have.

I couldn't tell you how many hunters I have seen get disappointed when they find that they needed another point when they put in for a unit that only the year before only required the amount of points that they put in with.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Never been to it.

From what I know of them and going to the one in Denver it is a big show for outfitters. There are some booths set up for selling things and food and a lot of mounted game animals.

A number of the outfitter will have chances to win hunts but you have to really look at just what they are offering if you win. A lot of times it will end up costing to what you could book a hunt for on your own.

I turned in a outfitter years ago to the Colorado AG for his practices at the Denver Hunt Expo

Anyone know when this Expo is? Hope is was not the one that was last weekend!

 

[JimP]

Anyone know when this Expo is? Hope is was not the one that was last weekend!

The one in Utah is February 15-18

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Bugleseeker]

I've heard unit 76 is pretty good for elk, but not sure about deer i pretty sure you could get a drop camp, I would call the warden in Monte Vista and talk to him.

Thank you for your service and also thank you for the the advice. I had not looked at unit 76 but I’ll check into it.

 

[Bugleseeker]

One thing with point game.

If you want to make sure that you draw a tag this year look at units that require 1 or 2 fewer points than you have.

I couldn't tell you how many hunters I have seen get disappointed when they find that they needed another point when they put in for a unit that only the year before only required the amount of points that they put in with.

Thank you very much for that advice. I was a bit concerned about that so I will keep that in mind when I’m looking at units/seasons.

 

[Bugleseeker]

Welcome to the forum

Thank you much!

 

[Lou (Louis)]

Welcome aboard!

 

[idcwby]

Welcome.

Not sure if this will work, but here is the list of who is going to be there.

Western Hunting & Conservation Expo 2024 - Event Map

s15.a2zinc.net

 

[Bugleseeker]

Welcome aboard!

Thank you!

 

[Bugleseeker]

Welcome.

Not sure if this will work, but here is the list of who is going to be there.

Western Hunting & Conservation Expo 2024 - Event Map

s15.a2zinc.net

Thanks and holy cow that is pretty big event. I guess I should have figured. Not sure at this point whether to go or not. I need to do some more research first.