New Colorado hunter in need of advice...

[Alaskabound2016]

Hello fellow CO hunters!

I moved to CO last May so I can officially hunt this year as a resident! The application and applying is definitely different than California where I used to hunt. So I had a few questions for you guys.

Looking through the Big game PDF, it looks like you can submit 4 choices per species? Recieving a preference point for your first choice if you don't draw that unit?

DISCLAIMER: I am not looking for honey holes or gps coordinates to game, just a general direction on my best path forward.

Mule Deer (buck)- Muzzleloader season
Units considered- 43, 581, 45, 50, 18, 501, 58
Thoughts?

Elk (bull)- 3rd or 4th season Rifle
Units considered- 55, 444, 61 CWD there, 49, 48, 551, 66
Thoughts?

These units were based on access, success rates, pressure, water sources, etc, and what was available on the CPW website. I am definitely open to other units! We aren't necessarily looking for trophy game, just a decent shot at seeing game and filling the freezer.

Like stated above, this is my dad and I first time hunting in CO. So I apologize for the long post and multiple questions.

Any help is appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

 

[CoHiCntry]

Some, if not all of the units you listed take points. A few of them quite a few points... got any of those?

 

[Alaskabound2016]

None! That's what I couldn't figure out on the CPW website, whether these were "premium" units. California broke it down by tag counts, the lower the amount of tags, the better the unit. The higher number of tags, the not so premium of a unit. I tried to throw in some units where there were a lot of hunters, thinking that unit may be easier to draw?

 

[dustin ray]

If i was you id id buy points and hunt over the counter for Elk

 

[dustin ray]

congrats on getting out of CA

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

This is pretty much the exact situation that was discussed in the "OTC hunting has ruined Colorado"

My assertions is that a CO resident with 0 points can't get a tag which is comparable to a Montana resident or Wyoming resident general elk tag but several of the CO residents have assured me that Colorado has the best resident hunting opportunities in the West so you should be in for a dandy of a elk hunt according to them.

This will be interesting to follow as far as what specific tags you can draw as a resident in your situation.

 

[Alaskabound2016]

I sure hope that's not the case. There's gotta be some units I can certainly draw with zero points right? While applying for very limited draw units to build preference points?

 

[JimP]

There are a number of units that a resident can draw a deer tag with 0 points and most of them are good units.

I suggest that you pick a few units and then go to the Hunting Statistics page and look up that unit and see what it took to draw a tag.

https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics.aspx

Usually the further away from the front range the easier the tags are to draw.

 

[Alaskabound2016]

Thanks JimP. I was looking in the wrong tab and didn't see that they post the draw recap report. I'll definitely check that out. Do you have any recommendations on a few units?

Thanks again!

 

[Slugz]

I archery elk hunt every year pretty much as a resident on a drawn tag with zero points. I cow hunt every year 4th rifle with a leftover tag. Its easily doable. Some limited either sex hunts have 30-35% chances to draw resident with zero points.
Heed Jims advice and utilize the stats page.......and his deer comment is spot on.

It all boils down to the research and scouting for Colorado. Plenty plenty plenty of opportunity for a resident. Just gotta come up with a game plan based upon your goals.......short and long term.......and execute it.

My example is below

1) (A tag) Archery elk hunt every year if not every other (drew it once three years in a row) not a horn chaser but want bugling bulls and action.
2) (B tag) Cow hunt 4th rifle or late season
3) If I fail to draw my A tag archery my second choice is in my 4th rifle area bull (draw it every year and some on the leftover)
4) If I fail to draw my archery elk hunt I get my A tag bull second choice (3) and grab a (B) tag cow off the leftover.

Either way I'm in the same two GMUs every year hunting something.......foot stomper there.

I set work up around that so I can manage it regardless of the draw. If I get bored with the above....my second choice is a 1st rifle bull tag (second estrous cows and bugling bulls trying to clean up).......once again on the leftover every year ( so I know my second choice will be filled)

That's elk.

My deer plan is simple.
I try and hunt September archery or muzzle loader deer in my primary GMU every year. Any where from 31-43% draw depending on the year, tag location and method of take.

I think Randy Newberg ( You Tube) is doing a pretty good series right now on every state titled how to elk hunt every year. Its worth checking out in my opinion.

As a resident you dont have to OTC hunt with proper planning, education, planning, data diving....and some late night 18 year old sherry casket lined scotch If I was back there now I'd help you out to understand it all but I'm over seas at work till April. Feel free to PM me.

 

[Alaskabound2016]

Thank Slugz! I really appreciate your input! You may be getting a PM sooner rather than later

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I was in your situation 20 years ago. I had just retired to Colorado from California. I am a lifelong hunter and love to hunt deer. It took me about 5 years to narrow down my hunting to several units, which I still hunt today. You'll need to play the point game, so start applying now for everything you want to hunt.

I like to hunt antelope and usually go to Wyoming at least every other year. Took me 15 points here in Colorado to get the unit I wanted.

I like to hunt 4th season deer and I can get the unit I want every 4 or 5 years. I apply in other units using leftover tags, lots of time does tags to fill the freezer.

I'll combine the deer & elk when I can, but use leftover tags a lot.

Cannot stress enough about scouting. Get out as often as you can, you will be rewarded immensely.

Good luck and don't be afraid to PM me.

 

[Winchester]

AKBound,
I'll never claim to have the same level of expertise as most of the fine gentlemen who've already commented, but I've been hunting in Colorado for awhile now and I live near you in Cascade. Shoot me a PM if you'd like and I'll help as much as I can.