2 points

[ck2128]

Anything worth drawing with 2 points in CO - rifle hunt? I know you can look at hunt odds, etc, but that doesn't help much when you've never been to CO and don't have a clue as to how much public land there is there AND the quality of the animals there.

It's tough to figure out what units are decent being from Texas trying to make my first trip out!

Thanks

 

[Flatlandr]

No, do not go to CO, absolutely worthless...
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Just joking. Really depends on what your goals are and what type of hunt you wish to experience which you really didn't define. I live 1400 miles or so from CO and forest service & topo maps have been very good for me to learn the lay of the land and to pick a hunting destination and type of hunt I wanted.

 

[CAelknuts]

CK2128, there are tons of resources out there where you can do your research besides just asking for advice on here. You should probabaly start with a call to Colorado Dept of Wildlife and talk to a biologist. That would give you a good starting point, and then you can ask more specific questions and might get some answers that are more useful. Also, there are several good books in print that will give you a lot of objective information about different regions that have kicked out trophy deer.

 

[archeryelk]

As everyone here has said the data and information is out there you just have to mine for it.

Call G&F.
Get a general idea of what region of the state you want to hunt.

Start with the website: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/

Then the unit maps: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/GMUnitMaps.htm

Then read these reports before/after talking to them to determine areas: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/HuntingGuide/

You can look at these stats and know where you can/can't draw:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/BigGame/Statistics/

This is just a starting point. With 2 points you may be better off picking an unlimited area you can draw second choice and building a couple of more points. Pick one near where you would like to hunt with a few more points. Pick a cow tag the 1st year as second choice. A good way to get started and some great eating.

Get maps and call G&F now armed with more info. You can now mark areas they recommend and start to learn.

Then, just make the trip. Regardless of what happens with this plan you keep your points and have a great trip. That 1st year will give you more than you can imagine. Learn from that. What did you do wrong/right. Talk to logals. Outfitters. Folks in Wal-mart...etc. Just try and gain info.

It only takes a few hours on your computer and a few phone calls to get started. Getting started the is hardest part for most folks. I am guessing I have said this same thing to more than 100 folks and only remember 1 that did it.

Bottom line. If you want to hunt then just GO. Plan a year/date/season. Figure out where to go and make the trip. Just being in those mountains every fall is worth 10x the tag cost to me.

Send me a PM and I will to to help all I can. I am NOT an expert on this stuff like some others on here.

Archer

 

[Budrow]

2 points will not get you anything and you probaly won't live long enough to draw a good unit. If you go to an over-the-counter unit, take a tree with you. If you want to be in the mountains go in the summer, the weather is nice and you will not waste $500.

 

[archeryelk]

If he considers ML I think there are options.

I have no desire to hunt out there during rifle season (bow for me) but I know TONS of folks that do and do ok.

You will have other hunters.

Archer

 

[Budrow]

Define tons! Look at the rifle success ratios in the over the counter units! I know there are people that win Lotto!!

 

[Califelkslayer]

Archeryelk gave you excellent advice. First one should be a cow hunt. You could even draw a cow tag as a second choice in a unit you are saving points for. Scouting with a rifle and tag, doesn't get any better than that. Make that tag count when you finally draw the bull/ES tag. Good Luck.

 

[elkdog56]

last year colorado outdoors magazine had info on points and also herd #s , agree go for a cow first learn the land then use points for bull. i think muzzy will be best time of the year. colorado can be tough but if your in shape and work hard you will find elk.