Colorado Elk Points - Worth It?

[HuntElk4Fun]

I'm a big Utah, Wyo. and Idado hunter and I'm not rich. I'm planning on buying a Colorado deer point this year, but on the fence for Elk. Is it worth it building points in Colo. for Elk?

To help, I'm on a waiting period in Utah for LE Elk (1st year) - Monroe Archery last year - I drew/put in for Wyoming Elk Gen and usually hit OTC Idaho if I draw nothing. I'm not looking for a huge bull opportunity, but increase my odss for say a 350 bull. Is that doable in the 3-5 pts range or am I wasting my time unless I want to build 10+?

Thanks for any input

 

[Califelkslayer]

Personally I'm frustrated with Co. I've got 11 elk points and thought that when I got to 16 points, my group (16 pts) would start drawing the hunt I wanted. 2 years ago when I checked, there were 124 people with 9 points that put in for the same hunt i did. So when everyone above me burned their points, i would have 16. Then of the approx. 25 tags each year, the 124 of us would be dangerous. Now that they changed the rules to a 80/20 split in high demand areas, I'll probably never see that tag. There are areas in Co. that have good hunting for raghorn bulls that you can get with 0 or 1 point, the quality just isn't there but the success rates are awesome for the first and fourth seasons. Sometimes I draw a tag on my second choice and have had 100% success since 2000. i believe almost any unit in Co. is better than a otc tag in Id.

 

[cohntr6]

Califslayer,
You are right and people change their minds. You cant count on the same 124 people applying for the unit and the number keep wittling down. I have noticed in good units there is a point break where you need say 10 points to draw but you do have a slim chance of drawing with 9 and a lot of others realize that...making the tag tougher to draw. Then there is the folks just applying for points that you never see apply for a specific hunt code. I have 7 points (for what I dont know) and will apply for some trophy unit someday and then no more of the point game for me.
If I were you I would pick a unit you can draw with 11 points and hunt because you may never get unit 10 or whatever you are going after. It seems you do have the 2nd choice thing down.
Jeff

 

[BCHunter]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-06 AT 01:20PM (MST)[p]It's just not the NW corner that is effected by this. It took 8 points to draw unit 61 last year with the old regs. With the new regs, the DOW said I would never draw (I have 6).

Cali is right. There are OTC tags in CO. that have good hunting but the prospects of getting anything over a 320 bull are slim.

 

[DonVathome]

Points are DEFINETLY worth it in CO, it is only $25 and lots of ok hunts that still give NR 35% of tags, if you are willing to bowhunt there are lots of good choices you will draw in under a decade.

 

[sjhgraysage]

I agree to a point. Co does not produce the number of truly big bulls on the Limited entry areas that other states like Utah (up till now anyway!) does. But there are units that are LE that don't take lots of points that hold quality (say 320+ type) bulls. It isn't going to be easy, you will have to work, you will have to arrive early and scout, you may not see as many elk as in a unit that is harder to draw, but it could still be a great hunt. Apply

 

[coloradohunter18]

if you have the money to hunt in colorado you have the money to go for a tag that anyone would kill to have. the gov tag