Colorado LO tags?????

Califelkslayer · Mar 14, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Mar-14-15 AT 05:34PM (MST)[p]My 80 year old Dad called me on the 7th (his birthday) He told me that my Mom told him over breakfast that she had to take $12,000.00 out of her 401 K this year and offered him a African Safari for his birthday, me included.

He said he'd rather elk hunt here since he could get home in less than a day no matter where he was in the US. In Africa it could take 2-3 days if something happened to my Mom. (guess you think of those things when you are ovr 75)

We talked and he really wants a muzzy tag in Colorado, Unit 61. We archery hunted it in 2008, and were impressed.

We argued since he wants me to have a tag also. I told him a Unit 61 muzzy tag would cost well over $6,000.00. I told him I'd just as soon help him the entire hunt including getting there early to scout although we saw good bulls everywhere we hunted in "08."

So I have a couple of questions:

With the changes, how would a guy locate tags this year?

And could you buy a Unit 61 muzzy tag and a Unit 61 archery tag for $12,000.00?

To me, that would be the very best scenario. I could get there a week before the muzzy season, hunt/scout, help my Dad, then hunt the last week (best week IMO).

Califelkslayer · Mar 14, 2015

I just thought, could he get a Unit 2, or 10, or 201 LO muzzy tag for $12,000.00?

I don't need to hunt, and this will probably be his last chance to hunt a really great elk unit.

Or should we consider New Mexico as well?

deerslayer88 · Mar 14, 2015

Utah land owner tags PM me and I will give you intel on some good land owners to call

?If men were angels, no government would be
necessary.? John Adams

azbow · Mar 15, 2015

When you buy a landowner tag in 2 or 201 do you get to hunt the entire unit or just the private ranch land?

jrbCO · Mar 15, 2015

Not sure about 10, but you will not get a 2 or 201 LO tag for your budget. I also think you will not have quite enough to get 2 61 LO tags either, but you will be close.

WapitiBob · Mar 15, 2015

Send your pops to Deseret' cwmu in Utah.

WoodsD9 · Mar 16, 2015

Not sure about 61 but I believe you could find a unit 2 LO tag for around 12k. They are hard to find though as the Raftopoulos's control most of them and their price is like 17k. I knew a guy 2 years ago that had an archery tag and a muzzy tag and wanted 10k for each so I would say it can be done but it will definitely take up all you budget.

For the price you have you might want to look at an outfitted hunt on one of the big ranches in southern Colorado unit 851. They kill some giant bulls and know it is an awesome hunt. Just something you might want to look into.

tracker12 · Mar 16, 2015

I know of a Unit 2 tag archery last year that went for $10,000. It all depends on which landowner wins the lottery. PM me if you want more information.

sticksender · Mar 19, 2015

IMO the 61 landowner tags are overpriced, when compared to other elk hunting opportunities in the west. And especially when considering the average bull size killed in that unit. Consider too that you're only buying a tag. Also to be kept in mind is that starting this year there'll be 1/3 less unit-wide tags given out, so expect the price to be even higher than the 6500-7000 that they sold for in the past.

Some better alternatives (and possibly more affordable) would be: New Mexico LO tags, Utah CWMU hunts, various outfitted private land hunts in CO Unit 40, outfitted private land hunts in CO units 19 or 20 on the outskirts of Estes Park and RMNP, and virtually any elk tag in Arizona's public draw. There are also many other LO elk tags in Colorado that can be had for 1/3 the price of a 61 tag, in which the trophy quality can be just as good. But finding the vouchers is now a real challenge, under their new anti-brokering rules.

Califelkslayer · Mar 23, 2015

I appreciate all of the replies.

The So. Colorado recommendation, Unit 851, is high elevation, right?

He's 80 and lives barely above sea level. He has a hard time above 7000-7500 feet.

I asked about 61 since we hunted it before and he can handle that terrain, or could 6 years ago. On that hunt, if we got more than 1 mile from the truck/quad via my GPS, he was done for the afternoon hunt.

In 2 weeks of hunting I saw 300 type bulls almost every day and the top end was 340. With a muzzy he could have easily killed several 320 type bulls. At his age I'm sure he would be happy to drop the hammer on that type of bull.

With the new regs I'm not sure what will happen. Prices might go down since landowners might have a hard time selling tags. But a buyer might have a hard time locating a tag.

That's why I was asking how/where we should look.

Califelkslayer · Mar 23, 2015

I'd be interested in more ideas.

One plan I have is to put him on a horse and lead him until we get close to bugles. Then tie off, set up and see what happens.

I'll explore the NM option as well. Just know one unit in NM and that's over 10,000 feet which he can't so anymore.

Thanks for the input.

huntinfanatic · Mar 24, 2015

For the amount of money you have available I would look into a CWMU or an auction tag in Utah. You can register as a phone bidder for any of the banquets. If you want to look into the CWMU idea pm me and I can give you some info on the ones I have experience with.

rockn9858 · Apr 1, 2015

PM sent

sheephunter · Apr 2, 2015

The Hill Ranch, Bobby Hill southern Colorado. Good as it gets in this state.

Elkduds · Apr 2, 2015

PM sent

dwalton · Apr 2, 2015

I'd check into the Nevada landowner tags.

Califelkslayer · Apr 11, 2015

Things got a little more complicated today.

I drew a Arizona late rifle tag. That shouldn't really impact any hunt my Dad would do since I want him to hunt in the rut. But the research for that hunt will take some time away from his hunt planning.

tooele · Apr 12, 2015

There is no comparison, for that kind of money scrap colorado its not even in the same league as utah or nevada. Focus on Utah and Nevad landowner or cwmu tags a much better quality type hunt.

nocal · Apr 13, 2015

slayer........think about what tooele posted. I understand your situation well (I'm there too). If the dates won't mess you up too much, get a NV elk landowner tag $ 10K and guide if needed for $ 4K.

bownanza332 · Apr 15, 2015

Look into landowner tags around the Ely, NV area and check out some of the guides down there. Definitely opportunity for some monsters down there and, if I remember correctly, your budget would allow for a rifle tag.