Looking at 2019

[Colorado Cowboy]

I am looking at 2019 and starting to plan a few hunts. I have been building elk points here in Colorado for awhile as I want to do a wilderness guided M/L elk hunt. Doing a little additional research on a few outfitters. This will probably be my last backcountry hunt (I'll be 78 next year), so I want it to be a good one.

I also will be using all my Wyoming points for deer (I have 13), which I didn't draw this year. Probably do a combo deer/antelope as I have 6 antelope points.

To finish the year, I have enough point to draw a 4th season deer tag here in Colorado for a spot I found last year while elk hunting. I'll have to do a little more scouting on it to confirm what I saw last year.

Hope to have a busy (and successful) fall, especially the M/L hunt. I have never killed a bull with my M/L, so that will be fun.

 

[LCH]

Good luck! I tend to plan out hunts 2-3 years in advance, but usually by the time it rolls around plans have changed so many times that I'm doing something totally different.

I do know that I'll be hunting black bear in Alaska next spring on a LE tag. Other than that will depend on the draws.

 

[JimP]

CC, how many points do you have? I did a unit 61 muzzle loader hunt and it was great. I can recommend a outfitter if you like.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

CC, how many points do you have? I did a unit 61 muzzle loader hunt and it was great. I can recommend a outfitter if you like.

I have 8 points for elk. Tell me about the outfitter.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

Sounds like 19 is shaping up to be an epic season. Best of luck.

 

[JimP]

Unit 61 takes a lot more than 8 points. I drew the tag with 17 when it only took 15-16 for a resident. I know a hunter from Grand Junction that didn't draw that same year with 15 so that outfitter won't be able to help you out unless you wanted to put the money out for a landowner tag and I am not sure if those tags are valid for the muzzle loader.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Been looking at unit 54 and the West Elk Wilderness area.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Good to see you have hunting plans for age 78. That gives me hope that I have few years left as I approach age 70. Good for you, and good luck!

 

[conibear]

You're 78 and an inspiration to us following behind you. I hope I'm still at it when I get there.

If you need help packing your elk gimme a call, I'll drive from Portland.

My major planning involves wrapping my head around solo backcountry camping and hunting for mule deer in intense grizzly country.

 

[RICMIC]

CC; Planning and anticipation is all part of the fun. With all your new body parts, I suspect that you have a lot more adventures ahead of you. Good luck in your hunt for a hunt.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Sounds like a real solid plan. Good luck on the elk hunt and I hope it’s very memorable for you.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The elk hunt will be the one that's the most problematic. I have received several good suggestions from forum members, so I'm still exploring my options. Lots of really good Outfitters in wilderness hunts are booked up several years in advance and the dreaded pref points are an issue in some units.

Stay tuned....I'll let everyone know on the progress I'm having.

 

[conibear]

CC; Planning and anticipation is all part of the fun. With all your new body parts, I suspect that you have a lot more adventures ahead of you. Good luck in your hunt for a hunt.

"With all your new body parts" LOL
I was joking with my buddy at work that as soon if my knees ever go I want everything taken off and replaced with carbon fiber, that way I can steelhead fish the Sandy River in the winter with no waders.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

"With all your new body parts" LOL
I was joking with my buddy at work that as soon if my knees ever go I want everything taken off and replaced with carbon fiber, that way I can steelhead fish the Sandy River in the winter with no waders.

I have total joint replacements in my rt knee (15 years); rt ankle (3 years) & both shoulders 2 years. Hasn't hurt my mobility at all....actually helped a lot. LOL! Too much football when I was young.

 

[Winchester]

Hey CC,
I hunted GMU 61 last year and did pretty well (bull's in this avatar).
Jim's correct it takes a lot more than your 8 points for muzzleloader (16 last year) but rifle seasons 2, 3 and 4 drew out at 9 points.
Food for thought unless you really want to go with your muzzleloader.

 

[johnsd16]

You gotta plan ahead, keeps you going through the offseason.

My 2019 plans as of now
Idaho - will probably put in for controlled deer, elk and PH, no trophy species yet, and then hunt OTC
Montana - will put in for deer/elk combo, possibly LE units too but will hunt the gen tag if need be
Nevada - plan to put in for the first time ever for deer, elk, PH and sheep
South Dakota - will put in for deer if I don’t draw MT, buy PH point
Wyoming - points for deer (6th), PH (1), and elk (4), and try for PH doe tags in the draw
Utah - points for deer, elk, and PH
Colorado - points for all 6 species
New Mexico - put in for elk
Arizona - may start buying points

Probably looking at WY deer in 2020. UT and CO (and probably AZ soon) we are just banking points for a while while we gain experience in MT, ID and WY. Hoping lightning will strike on some good tags in NV and NM in the not too distant future.

 

[billdoe708]

CC,. I look forward to seeing your face on a cover in my mailbox.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Plans have changed a little. Still in for Wyoming, but not sure what I'm doing here in Colorado. I was notified that my high school friends are planning a 60 year reunion in California for late October and it will be our last....so they say! My high school class was unique in that we started a new high school as sophomores with no upper classes. We were always the top dogs. First of everything in sports, activities, etc and we formed a pretty unique bond. There were 220 of us (out of 450 graduates) for our 50th. My wife and I are going so looks like another 4th season elk/deer are up. So we will see what I can draw!!!

 

[Hilltop]

Good luck CC! You hunting alone in Wyoming?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

In Wyoming there will be a couple of cousins and a friend I hunt with from time to time. They are in for antelope and me for antelope & deer.