Suggestions for 2018 NR deer 8pts

opbuckslayer · Apr 8, 2017

Hey guys just looking for some suggestions on where to target my research for cashing our CO points next year. Here's a little personal info to help you narrow it down.

We are a group of 4 that have never hunted CO. We got started building points due to some friends that have hunted it several times but we have yet to apply for a tag and kinda feel like we just need to get out of it. My father-in-law is gonna be 72 at the time of the hunt and just got diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple months ago. Doing well but it puts this hunt to the forefront and the hunt will center around him. He would be tickled to death at a chance at a 150 or better buck. Ground to sit and glass and accessible by truck or 4 wheeler would help him. Early high hunts are out for us.

So with all that said here are the units/seasons to choose from: 2nd season: 21*,22,44,66*,67
3rd season:11-211,22*,40,62,63,68,70,76
4th season:5,6,25-26,33*,60,71-711*,72-73,80-81
The *units may require more points and a year or 2 wait.

Less hunters and seeing more deer are always a plus but we just want to go and have a good time with a chance to get gramps a decent buck with as much effort as he can provide.

Thanks for reading and any suggestions, OP

2f350s · Apr 14, 2017

I'd put in for 68 or 80, I've seen dandy deer in those areas over the years elk hunting. Area 40 has too little public land and NW CO deer populations have declined in recent years. 66 has big deer up high, like up above 12K and go early. 76 has big deer too but you have to go in farther off beaten path to get to the more game.

Realistically the deer/elk populations change in those designated "trophy" areas every several years due to hunting pressure and environmental effects. So don't second guess yourself - pick a place, make a plan, and hunt hard there.

Best of luck to you all!

2f350s: Hunt hard, hunt ethically.

COLOhunter · Apr 14, 2017

Best of luck and prayers to your father in law!

21 could be a nice hunt from the standpoint that you can drive a lot and find glassing points. Depending on how you hunt it doesn't have to be that "taxing" on him. We've taken several deer in the size range you mentioned.

They cut back tags pretty significantly in the Gunnison basin so you might see how the deer are doing after this season.

2f350s said it well...pick a place, make a plan and hunt hard. Good luck!

opbuckslayer · Apr 16, 2017

Thanks for the responses guys. I forgot to include that we have 8 pts. Hoping that point creep doesnt foul us next year when it comes time to choose a hunt and apply.

oilcan · Apr 16, 2017

Wish I could help Vernon but I'm not familiar with any of those units. Hopefully you get some good info.

tx_packmule · Apr 16, 2017

My advice would be to apply your FIL only for one of the Southern Basin units. If your FIL doesn't draw, bite, scratch and claw to come up with a landowner who'll reserve a voucher for that man to hunt. There shouldn't be a crowd for a few years and there's enough to see/ground to cover, to make a lot of memories regardless of how bad the health falls off between deadline & hunt.

nripepi · Apr 17, 2017

I hope you can find a good unit for him for next year and he is up for going. It sounds like a 4th season tag would fit this situation the best, but the problem with many of those are there are a limited number of tags. If the four of you put in as a group for a tag that normally takes 7 or 8 points it might put you over the needed quota. I guess you already know that from the units you are looking at. You would have to go for a 4th like 80 which has 10 tags.

Do you need to all put in together?

How long do you plan on hunting? Any chance a few could go 3rd and others 4th in the same or neighboring unit? You would have a chance to scout for his 4th tag then.

Any chance he could go this year if you could get one good tag?

opbuckslayer · Apr 17, 2017

>Wish I could help Vernon but
>I'm not familiar with any
>of those units. Hopefully you
>get some good info.

Thanks Bruce. We will get it figured out. Guys have been generous with ideas and opinions here already. We've been putting this Colorado thing off for a while now as you know but like I said it is hopefully gonna happen next year as its now a priority. We thought about this year but a trip with all of us including 4 grandsons to Montana was planned instead. He's feeling better after treatment and he is looking forward to the Montana hunt.

opbuckslayer · Apr 17, 2017

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I"m pretty sure he would want us all hunting the same unit and everyone with a tag. He enjoys the camp and comradery as much as killing a buck. We are coming from NW Wa so a unit in the nw may be better to cut down the travel for him but will consider any & any season to have a great hunt. Thanks again, Vernon

Lawrence · Apr 18, 2017

Great advice, the only thing you forgot was to start a Go Fund Me account or lining up a bank loan for the $5-10k the voucher is gonna cost...

tx_packmule · Apr 18, 2017

2nd shouldn't be too bad and there's 4 to help chip in.

wytex · Apr 19, 2017

That 4th area 6 tag gets you 4 areas and a migration hunt. May not be on anyone's radar but there are nice bucks there. Lots of access.

WiscoKid · Apr 19, 2017

Pmd with a wacky suggestion

Westernhuntingresources · Apr 21, 2017

Couple of things for your situation: If you all have 8 points each, you can definitely have a high quality hunt in CO. Not sure exactly how you came up with your potential units, but one thing to look at when narrowing your potential units (other than draw % vs. preference points) is the number of tags actually allocated. One that stood out to me right away was GMU 6 - 4th season. In 2016 CPW allocated exactly 4 non-resident tags for that hunt, and although that tag is drawn out at 6 points, there could be someone next year that has 9 points that would draw ahead of you, leaving you with only 3 tags. That being said, the number of NR tags for that hunt has been increasing the past 3 years (2014 = 1, 2015 = 2, 2016 = 4) but estimating the number for 2018 will be difficult if not impossible as CPW bases their allocations on a lot of factors from the previous year including the weather and winter kill.

One other thing to note - given potential mobility restrictions, and since you have never hunted in CO, you may consider either hiring an outfitter or trying to find a private land owner who will accept a trespass fee for a private land hunt. Generally speaking, public land areas with excellent vehicular access does not consistently hold game for that reason (there are some exceptions, but very difficult to find).

Good luck to you!

Clint
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