Looking for a sportsman's perspective

[TheWanderer]

My wife was just offered an interview in Pueblo, CO in mid September.

If the job itself seems ok what is that area like? From what she knows a lot of the people in the department she'd be working in actually live in/near Colorado Springs and commute to Pueblo. I'd go with her but already have a fishing trip with my dad planned for SW Montana since I didn't draw any tags this year.

For the important part whats that area like for a sportsman. We'd be moving from southern NJ and I lived most of my life in western PA.

I like deer hunting, turkey hunting and use my bow whenever I can. Also in to waterfowl hunting pretty heavy with my black lab.

I can see driving west puts me into some pretty country but are there easy access opportunities near where we'd be living/working? Or mostly locked up private land.

Thanks for your perspective.

 

[ProjectCO87]

Well,

I live in castle rock which is about 30 miles north of Colorado Springs. I work in Colorado Springs and spend a ton of time there. If I had a choice, I would not want to live in pueblo. If you are looking for cheap housing, pueblo might seem like a good option but I'd tell you otherwise. Traffic north absolutely sucks during prime time which is not the case from Colorado Springs moving north. Also, Colorado Springs, especially the northern part is much nicer, better schools and much safer. Pueblo is a high Latino population and a completely different demographic. Springs is a military town which is mostly Air Force. It's actually the second highest population of military next to a city in Virginia. ( I forget the name of it).

Colorado Springs has a great outdoor population and there are some decent hunting units. You also can drive about 2-3 hours northwest and get into other good hunting areas. If you have more questions, let me know and I could give you more specific info.

 

[hoshour]

I lived in Colorado Springs for 3 years. Locals just call it, "The Springs." You'll love it. Beautiful scenery. You'll be in the rain shadow of Pike's Peak, so not much rain or snow. With 4 military installations, it's a pretty conservative town with plenty of affordable housing. It's right at 6,000 feet but 9,000" feet is a 30-minute drive west.

There is good deer, elk, and bighorn sheep hunting within 1-2 hour's drive, though the best hunting is farther away than that. SW of Pueblo is a good area for black bears. There are a few antelope down that way, too. I'm not a turkey hunter so not sure about that.

 

[hoshour]

Bowhunting in CO is far different than in NJ or PA. There is some waterfowl hunting to the east and southeast but not nearly what you're used to in NJ.

 

[ckink65284]

I live in the Springs. Could offer my perspective as well, but I have a heck of a lot more to say than I wish to type..

Frankly, Pueblo is closer to good waterfowling and turkey hunting than the Springs is, but for me it's worth driving an extra 40 minutes not to live in Pueblo. Too dadgum hot down there. They have tarantulas too.

Anyways, shoot me a pm if you wanna chat and I will give you my phone number. If not, hope the above helps.

Good luck with the upcoming crossroad.

 

[Old Hunter]

You couldn't pay me to live in Pueblo. Way too hot.

 

[CoHiCntry]

You couldn't pay me to live in Pueblo. Way too hot.

My thoughts exactly... I live in the mountains west of the Springs. It's OK but still front range which is nothing like the western slope. Someone said it's pretty conservative. That in my opinion is not the case. I wouldn't call the housing affordable either. Just my opinion. Pueblo is cheaper but I'd definite look for close alternatives.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I don't know the area, but if someone loves to hunt, it would be hard to be more centrally located.

Loads of opportunities in Colorado.

3 hours from SE Wyoming.

3 hours from New Mexico

6 hours from Utah

8 hours from SE Montana.

8 hour drive from NE Arizona.

9 hours from SE Idaho

Living in Western Oregon I drive 1.5 to 3 days to hunt most of those areas.

 

[BKC]

I grew up in Manitou Springs, next to Colo. Springs. If I was to work in Pueblo, I would look into living in Rye. About a 30 minute drive north to Pueblo but much different country. A nice little town right on the edge of beautiful country. The commute would be an easy one.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I grew up in Manitou Springs, next to Colo. Springs. If I was to work in Pueblo, I would look into living in Rye. About a 30 minute drive north to Pueblo but much different country. A nice little town right on the edge of beautiful country. The commute would be an easy one.

There are quite a few small towns west of Pueblo near the NF that I would really look hard at.

 

[TheWanderer]

I have a feeling that if she gets this job we'd likely live in Colorado Springs area. I may have a lead on a place to look for a job for myself, but her getting the position she needs is the tough part and we could end up almost anywhere in the country and will find out in December.

I've been dreaming of doing more western hunts but the cost and distance are limiting factors right now. I know archery hunting would be vastly different but I'm looking forward to it. I tried to draw CO archery mule deer this year and didn't get it. Was debating ID or CO for OTC archery, but my dad is older and I'd rather take the time to go fishing with him than hunting by myself so MT fly fishing it is in September.

If we did end up there I think I know the waterfowl hunting wouldn't be as good, but maybe some upland hunting? My lab is hitting her prime years and I like to get out with her when I can. We've been to SD for pheasant the last two years as a family.

The deal is if we move it'd likely only be for the 3 years of her training and then unless she likes it we are likely to move again. Pueblo may be hot but that might be one of the things that sells her. She wears a sweatshirt at room temperature. And she considers an area rural unless the nearest town has a Macy's (don't ask how we met and got married, sometimes I wonder myself). Haha what can you do she was raised in north jersey.

All I know is the housing has to be more affordable than here. About the only areas worse are NYC metro, DC, and LA.

I'd sure be excited to move west but it'll be hard to learn all new areas and frustrating to know we'd likely move again in 3 years and I won't be around long enough to take advantage of the resident status for some of the premium draws.

I may ask some more questions. We'll see how her interview goes.

 

[dito]

I might be up to letting you come waterfowl hunt with us if you're willing to make the drive.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I might be up to letting you come waterfowl hunt with us if you're willing to make the drive.

The Alamosa area has some great waterfowl hunting with Sandhills too. Better take them up on the offer if you get here

 

[dito]

The Alamosa area has some great waterfowl hunting with Sandhills too. Better take them up on the offer if you get here

Unfortunately we can't hunt the sandhills. I've always wanted to try one too!