Would I be crazy?

[ck]

Reading some other posts got me to thinking about a DIY hunt. Would I be crazy to pick up a voucher and head to Colorado for a solo, DIY rifle mule deer hunt? 2 things that make me hesitant: bad road conditions I might encounter on the unit and getting in "over my head" by heading into a huge unit with no prior knowledge of it. I guess the main thing I'm hesitant about it the unknown. Can a guy from 15 hours away, come up by himself and really do this? Sure it happens, but do I have a decent chance at actually putting it all together and coming home with a nice buck? These questions make me hesitant, but determined at the same time.

I'm not new to hunting by no means; this will only be my 4th trip out of state hunting big game but this would be my first non-guided. I was planning a scouting trip in Aug and then head back there for the start of the hunt.

I think it's time to send in the funds for a deposit on a voucher. I might not be successful in taking something this year, but I bet over the years it can be done.

Your thoughts???

 

[BeanMan]

The only part you would be crazy for would be buying a voucher (unless you can get one cheap without using a Tag Pimp). Vouchers tend to be WAY overpriced. You would be better off earning a point or two and hunting on a drawn tag. There are units where you can draw every year and have a chance at a decent buck. If you are able to walk a few miles you wouldn't have any worries about road conditions unless there was a big storm. Having a four wheel drive vehicle with chains would eliminate any worries about getting stuck unless you do something you shouldn't with your vehicle.

 

[oilcan]

I have never bought a voucher but half my out of state trips are solo.It's usually about 15-20 hour drive depending on where i go.I have no problem going by myself and actually enjoy it.Just do your research,don't take any risks and enjoy the hunt.

 

[Rem308]

I have done a DIY hunt alone several times.I like the early muzzleloader season as the weather is much warmer.I have been out in Colorado in bad snow storms and hope it never happens again.Frm now on it is muzzleloader or archery for me in the mountains.

 

[sageadvice]

I don't see what the big deal is. It's just hunting!!

I don't mean to say that there aren't things to be aware of but i've done this myself in Colo lots of times in the past, long before i ever heard about DIY. Some times i went in and stayed over, sometimes i just get up a couple hrs early and plan for a long day hunt. Despite what you may have been told, you don't need to get that far away from available access areas or roads to kill a very good or even monster muley. It's very rewarding hunting, just do your homework. Doing it this way is no big deal, really!

Now, Elk, that's another story but still doable. Big animal to consider and it's NOT worth killing one and then not being able to get him out without the meat spoiling!!

Joey

 

[REDDOG]

If you are comfortable hunting western big game..no biggie. I do it every year, not always new area's, but i ain't skeered of them neither.

If you are posting this, I guess you have some doubt about your ability? If you are the type who cant be away from home or people and by yourself for 7+ days (I've met many, that wouldn't admit it, until they come home on day 3 of a 10 day hunt) I would look into other options.

 

[oakbrush]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-31-09 AT 07:23PM (MST)[p]How about for your first DIY hunt apply for a hunt that you can draw as second choice. That way you still build a point and get to try hunting on your own without the huge upfront cost of a landowner voucher. You might not see the trophy quality that you did on your guided hunts, but after all you are just seeing how you like it. Weather you harvest an animal or not, if you had a good time, it was a success.

oakbrush

 

[ck]

I like Oakbrush's idea of finding a hunt that I can draw as a 2nd choice. I don't doubt myself or capabilities, but when you couple it being a first time DIY hunt with spending a pretty good chunk of change on the voucher and all, it adds up and makes you start to thinking. I do think I'll go somewhere though where I don't have to have the voucher. I do have 1 point in Colorado or could always draw a 2nd choice unit.

 

[accubond]

P.M. sent.

"If a nation expects to be ignorant and free... it expects what never has and never will be." -Thomas Jefferson

 

[mulebuck]

Go for it CK. I can assure you that your DIY kill will be more rewarding that anything guided. You don't need a 'deer pimp'. Go test yourself.

 

[Buck]

>Go for it CK. I can
>assure you that your DIY
>kill will be more rewarding
>that anything guided. You don't
>need a 'deer pimp'. Go
>test yourself.
+1. Get a buddy or relative to go with you if possible. Just makes it that much better.
As for bad road conditions, take the quad if you have one. And use it.
I made the mistake of using my F-250 to scout some new areas two years ago in CO. It was really muddy. Good times going up. 4 hours of butt cramping, slip and slide going down. My quad was sitting in camp.

"The value of any trophy from the field depends not on its size but on the magnitude of the effort expended in its pursuit." ~ Aldo Leopold