Colorado conversation

[abalonediver]

I have 7 points for NR elk. Like lots of other people, i see a dilemma with Colorado. It appears if you want a great bull, the wait is 15 to 20 years. I know a "great" bull can come out of almost any unit, i am talking about overall quality and genetics. No disrespect to Colorado, its my favorite for deer, but it doesnt seem to be managed well for quality elk hunting. Any ideas on a 5 to 10 point hunt that would produce low to mid 300's. I would love to hunt the NW corner in my lifetime, but the odds are not great. The bottom line is i am questioning my method of applying in CO and wonder if it would be better to focus on a good hunt every 5 years or so and hope for a great hunt opportunity elsewere. Thanks

 

[DoeNob]

Get a NM app in this year, odds will halve after this draw.

And you are right, Colorado manages elk for opportunity, deer for trophies.

 

[Coloradoboy]

I've sat down and thought about it, and the NW units have honestly ruined it for other units. 10 years ago or less unit 61 was a somewhat easy tag to draw, 6 or less points I want to say. But, as everyone knows people jumped off the 2,10 and 201 bandwagon and burnt points on 61 and sure enough the point creep sky rocketed! After spending time in 61 it makes me honestly laugh that it takes 15 plus years to draw tag and probably not even seen a bull over 320. The same goes for 76, used to be easy to draw and then everyone found out about it along with a guy and his dog posting pictures of it all over the internet. My conclusion is, If you truly want a big bull that could possibly go 350 plus, then spend 20 years or more of your life trying for the tag in 2,10 or 201. But honestly, Im absolutely done building points in Colorado. The point creep is ridiculous and waiting that long for a tag is nonsense. There are so many states out there with better opportunities and better draw odds just do you're homework and you'll find out. I've found, killed, and help kill multiple 300 plus bulls in OTC units in Colorado. They are out there I promise you, you just have to work harder and find areas that not everyone and the state of California have too.

 

[Zim]

Definitely pick a 2/3/4 point elk unit and hunt it every few years, getting to know it. Much better use of CO time and points.

Without change it's going to take a lot more than 15-20 years for even a mediocre unit like 61 or 76. It's an exponential numbers bottleneck.

 

[Utah400Elk]

I am also in a bad spot in Colorado for elk. I have 11 points for NR elk and am not any nearer to the units I wanted than when I started. Once I draw my Colorado elk I will be done with that state for elk. I want a 61 archery tag but I am now looking at 76 muzzle. I am still 5 to 6 years away which is what was required for 61 archery when I started. I wish there was a better way but I don't see any changes.

 

[bowelker]

I am a Colorado resident and am building up the points on sheep, goat, moose, and actually have 9 antelope points because I never can fit an antelope in. For elk and deer, I alternate years and get to hunt elk approaching 300 every other year with a bow. I'll bet my 2 point draw, 4 mile hike from the trailhead, solo, week long, high country hunts are more fun than waiting till I'm 70 to hunt the migration in the NW corner. My favorite trophy was a big fat cow. Stalked her for 2 hours at sun up, then waited for her to stand up for 6 hours. Then she went the wrong way and I had to run a mile to get in front of her. Take that point creep!

 

[WhiskeyMan]

I've posted this bull on here before. My 2009 Colorado public land rifle bull.

 

[Coloradoboy]

Totally agree with you. There are good bulls in otc units. Especially wilderness area. Just a matter of having the will to go work for them. Don't get me wrong the nw corner hunts are an awesome hunt and can give you the experience of elk hunting at its best in Colorado. My opinion, build points but don't let it take away from other hunting opportunities.
Coloradoboy

 

[muzzhunter]

Wow Whiskeyman that's an awesome bull! PM sent. Have you scored that beast?

 

[WhiskeyMan]

Actually, I wasn't trying to hijack or brag. I agree with everything you guys have said here, particularly ColoBoy.

This bull came from one of the "Big 3" NW Colo units via a unit-wide landowner tag that didn't come cheap.

Unless you've got the upper hand on the point creep, you'll never draw a tag here. I'll never get there with my 13 points, so I'm looking toward another LO tag.

You can start a savings plan, re-prioritize the things you want in life, get a second part-time job to save, or maybe even rob a bank. But to wait 20 years when you REALLY wanna whack a great bull and have that memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.........wow, seems like doing it the hard way.

 

[ironranger]

I know that feeling of not being sure what to do with points! A hunting partner and I have been playing that game in Wyoming with Max points. In CO, I've got 4 points and next year may just research stats and pick a unit to bow hunt that I can draw with those points. I hunted another unit in CO with just one point (Archery) and really enjoyed the lack of hunters. Not that the quality of elk was that much better but just nice not seeing as many hunters in the woods. I understand that you are talking more about big bulls but thought I'd comment...

 

[cabinfever]

In the many years that my family and friends have hunted CO for trophy mule deer we have seen multiple bulls, in OTC units, in the 300-350 range with one bull that I think was closer to 360. All the bulls I have personally seen were many miles off the beaten path. I have regreted not having an OTC elk tag on more than one ocassion.

 

[Kepper]

I am with the folks who would rather send to a 3 - 4 point unit and work my but off. Last trip I saw 2 bulls that were over 300 in the muzzle season. Didn't get to bag either one, but they are out there and you don't have to wait until retirement.

Nate

 

[GrizlyHunter]

I'm in a similar situation. I've been saving for years and have 18 points going into this year's app and will have 19 when it's done.

I feel like I'm stuck in the middle...between being able to hunt the NW corner soon, or finding a unit worthy to burn all of these points. Still not sure what to do so I'll just stay the course and accumulate another point.

I do know that if I knew the CO-DOW was going to keep screwing with the NR's I never would have started this silly game. It only took 6-7 points for a NR to draw a 201 tage when I started building points. Now it'll prolly take 20-25 points!!! Is that ridiculous or what?

I feel like the faster I go...the behinder I get. :-(

GrizlyHunter

 

[COLOelkman]

Griz - With that many pts, it may be worth waiting. Take heart cause if you look thru the odds, you'll find an amazing number of people that burn lots of pts on extremely low point areas. Just to cause you some optimism, click on the odds for CO elk and don't check a unit or weapon. Then scroll down and see how many people "waste" big time points on low point areas. Quite a few NR's burned 17 pts on 1 and 2 point areas. Several Residents burned 20 on low point units. Makes no sense to me but hopefully it'll give you a glimmer of hope! Good luck on your draws!