Help me decide on whether to apply for LE hunts in different states.

npaden · Feb 25, 2010

Sorry in advance for the novel. About 1/2 of the purpose of me posting this is to help me sort my thoughts out on the subject. If anyone has any insight that could help I would appreciate it though.

Okay, I've been doing some thinking (which is pretty dangerous to my pocketbook sometimes).

I'm 41 and grew up in Montana, but we pretty much just hunted deer and antelope and really didn't hunt trophy versions of either of those. Moved to Texas for college, got a good job and didn't hunt for 20 years other than an occasional skirmish back to Montana to go out with my Dad after a mule deer or cow elk. My Dad is gone now, but I keep his memory close, especially when I'm out hunting.

After my son was born I thought about the memories of hunting with my dad, and I got back into hunting and enjoy it more than ever. I'm hoping that my son will grow up to enjoy it as much as I did.

I Got my first bull elk (245" 5x5) hunting with a friend in Wyoming a couple years ago and have been going back with a general tag since, and have been lucky to draw the last 2 years. I bought some land here in Texas that I hunt whitetails, pigs, turkey, predators, etc. on, and do a lot of habitat work on that land. Was very lucky to trade a hunt with some friends in New Mexico in 2009 and shot a 180 class mule deer there, which was my best ever.

It seems that the natural next step is starting to apply for the hard to draw elk units in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, etc. and start to build up preference points, but I'm debating that course of action.

First, it is going to cost some money. Some of the better units in Utah take 15 or more points to draw and that would cost me $500 or so in buying hunting licenses and application fees to build up those points. New Mexico is a $27 fee each year, not sure on Arizona. I can afford it, but it is still a lot of money when you start adding it up over the years.

Also, by the time I draw a good unit in Utah I will be over 55 years old and who knows if they will even be good units anymore or if I will be in good enough shape to hunt them effectively.

Another thought is that I don't have friends in Utah or New Mexico that I would go hunting with. My son is 3 years old now, so in 10 or 15 years he will be able to go with me and hopefully he will want to, but I enjoy hunting in Wyoming as much for spending time with friends as for the actual hunting.

On the other hand, I've seen some folks post that their dad started putting them into drawings in some of these areas before they even knew about it, and as a result were able to have quite a few points built up by the time they were in their 20's and got a great hunt as a result. Maybe I should start putting in for myself now and then for my son as soon as he is eligible.

Lastly, I would be 100% happy with a 360" bull. I would probably be 100% happy with a 340" bull. Do I even need to be applying for some of these LE hunts or just keep plugging away with a general tag in Wyoming and eventually I might fall into a great bull?

Oh well, I know that no one can help me make up my mind, but if anyone has some thoughts one way or the other I would appreciate hearing them.

Thanks, Nathan

Iowan · Feb 25, 2010

I know if I grew up in Montana I would hunt Montana and build on the contacts that I have there. If you have contacts in Wyoming, same thing. I am six years ahead of you in this bonus point game and I sometimes wonder whether Utah is worth it - with the change to allow bonus points for all species, I would skip Utah (look at the spike in applications in 2009). New Mexico is easy, yes. Toss in Colorado and you have a couple good things going. Grew up in Montana and moved to Texas? - ouch. I elected not to pursue Arizona years ago when I was in your shoes for no other reason than I could not afford all of them. Sometimes I think it would be better to bite the bullet and buy landowner tags and enjoy it while I am still 'young'. The other advice that many have given me is don't wait for the ulitmate tags, use your points to draw good units opposed to the super units and enjoy more quality hunts versus one lifetime premium hunt.

scoutdog5 · Feb 25, 2010

I would purchase deer, elk and antelope points in Wyoming every year, also deer points in Colorado. There are some Utah LE elk hunts that can be drawn in the first 10 years of applying, I would also go for that.

Whatever you do, stay away from Oregon, Washington, California. I don't like Montana because you have to buy the license before you can put in for a limited entry hunt or get a preference point. If you have access to private land on a general tag, Montana is a good choice. I won't apply in a state without preference points, so Idaho and New Mexico are off my radar. Arizona is a little far from Oregon, so I don't apply there. I do apply in Nevada, but it is expensive, almost $ 200.00 for prefence point for 3 species.

As to your son, take him on an antelope hunt in Wyoming when he is 12, and he will love hunting. I would absolutely purchase preference points in Wyoming when he is eligible. $ 10.00 each until he is 18. I would also purchase deer point in Colorado and elk point in Utah.

Scoutdog

Califelkslayer · Feb 28, 2010

Scoutdog nailed it. Do Utah and Nevada for sure. You can draw with 0 PPs in either state.(but not likely) And the gold really is at the end of the rainbow when you draw. In your case you should apply for NM too since you are close to that state. IMO you should just apply for units with single digit draw odds. You'll draw a great tag or two over the next 10 years.

You stated earlier that you had a good job. Utah will cost you $65.00 for a license and $10 per species you apply for. I put my wife and I in for everything except goat, $140.00 each.

Nevada $140.00 for the license and $15-$20 per species. Again, put in for everything, Deer, Elk, Antelope, 3 species of sheep. About $240.00 annually but only $40 per point. Wy is $50 for elk so it ain't a bad deal IMO.

Realize!!!! Any of these states can change their regs at any time. Examples in the last 10 years?? Colorado significiently changing the percent of tag they issue to NRs in high demand units. Utah allowing NRs to apply for everything. And price increases in every state. Something you should consider before takin the plunge. THE PRICE WILL GO UP!!!!!!!

npaden · Feb 28, 2010

Thanks for the input everyone.

I just got my "Special" Wyoming General tag in the mail yesterday. I hunt there with a friend who is a blue collar guy and he has to have a copy of my license to sign up as a non-paid resident guide and I'm actually embarrased by the $ amount printed on the tag.

I think I'm going to go ahead and start applying for elk in Utah and some of the premium hard to draw units in New Mexico.

I hadn't even thought of starting to build up some preference points in Wyoming for future mule deer or antelope hunting in some of the better units. That's a great idea. I don't think I would want to go after Wyoming antelope every year, but maybe building up some points and going after them in a premium area once every 5 or 6 years would be perfect.

I may start working on points for Colorado mule deer also.

scoutdog5 · Feb 28, 2010

Npaden, I would absolutely buy the deer, elk and antelope points in Wyoming. Costs $ 120.00 per adult, and $ 30.00 up to age 18. One thing you can also do in Wyoming, in a year you don't draw any good tags, you can buy a leftover antelope tag in Wyoming the first week of July and have a great time. 5 antelope points will get you a great antelope hunt, particularly if you pay for the special tag.

We started getting Wyoming points the first year, and have maximum points for antelope and deer. We have done a lot of research, and have identified the units we will hunt for all three species going forward. In my opinion, Wyoming offers the best opportunity to go on quality hunts (not necessarily trophy hunts) on a fairly regular basis. We expect to go on quality hunts 3 out of every 5 years going forward.

Scoutdog

npaden · Mar 1, 2010

Just applied for my 1st point in Utah!

Actually I applied for Monroe and Beaver but something tells me I will end up with a preference point out of it.

elkantlers · Mar 1, 2010

There are people every year that draw with zero points. you just never know.

bbright2 · Mar 1, 2010

Response

Keep in mind that AZ currently allows you to transfer your tag to a dependents name - ie your child can hunt in your place. I had planned to build points for my kids who are under 9. Happened to draw a primo hunt last year where I had < than 1/2% chance. Let's just say that I had an awesome experience and started the point building project from scratch this year - oh well.

There are big elk in other units besides the LE areas. The LE experience is very special based on my hunt last year so I will always swing for the fences in the draws. In 2008 I took a 330"+ elk from a unit in CO that only takes 4 PPs. Not the norm but there are even bigger ones in the unit I hunted. I will be back to chase them soon.

I am doing DIY backpack hunts, not guided hunts. I do work my tail off to get in deep but I am a rookie just learning as I go. If I could swing it and I was unsuccessful in the draw, I would try to purchase a land owner tag in lieu of a general or OTC tag.