Pawnee National Grassland

[chasingcoues]

I was wondering how hard it is for a non-resident to draw a pronghorn tag for this unit. Also, should I be looking at diff areas that yield bigger goats? If so, which would those be?

Thanks!

 

[Colorado T]

The Grasslands are broken into two units, 87 and 88. Unit 87 in the Pawnee Grasslands usually requires 5-6PP to draw a tag. I hunted the unit a few years ago and was really disappointed in the quality of bucks in the unit. I am not sure how many points you have but if you have a few it would be worth looking into another unit. Unit 88 takes more points, around 8-9, but I am not as familiar with this unit.

 

[MountainHigh]

87 and 88 have lots of goats and good access, but I agree with Colorado T about the trophy quality. There are a few really good goats but they usually end up on the private ground. Driving around and asking permission to hunt is an option on some ranches.

 

[Orion/CO]

If I read the statistics right (http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/Pronghorn/2014PronghornHuntRecap.pdf) there is not a quota for non-res in unit 87, so I think that means you have to compete with the residents. In which case it takes about 5pp as previously mentioned. There are a lot of antelope in 87 and a lot of public land, but taking out 250+ bucks each year keeps the size down. Back in the 90's they gave out 400 buck tags in 87 each year (which only took about 2pp), but a 12" buck was a big buck. Then the population crashed and they dropped the number of buck tags down to about 125 per year, which also caused the points to jump up to about 7pp. However, the size of buck also went up. I drew a tag in 2005 with 7pp and there were 14" bucks everywhere (which is what I ended up shooting). The number of tags have slowly crept back up, and are now around 250 per year. I drew again last year with 6pp and only saw about a half dozen bucks in the 14" range, and ended up taking a 13". A friend drew there this year with 5pp and again we did not see a lot of good bucks, and he also took a 13" buck. I think if you really want a good buck (14"+) then you either need to look at the units in nortwest CO or go to WY.

 

[JPSeveland]

I had the oppurtunuity to take my brother and friend on a hunt in area 87 last year i live 15 minutes from the area and drive threw the area 3+ times a week. There are some great antelope in this area but i have to warn you there is a lot of tags given out and there is people everywhere. If i was to hunt it again i would honestly sit in one place and let everyone run them around. Its going to take you 5 pp for you to draw this tag and some times 4pp. If you are set on this area i would suggest you buying a garmin gps with onXmaps because this area is solid checker board. I would also talk to landowners and try to get on private. If your not set on this area i would suggest area 4 and includes area 5. Its North of craig not as many tags given out the quality of antelope there i a little better then 87. I have family that has shot 83 80 78's in 4,5. Area 4,5 takes 5pp as well. Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to message me.