Chasing the wind?

Servehim · Jan 17, 2019

Greeting MM guys, I would greatly appreciate any words of wisdom on a family deer hunt. Here is my situation, I'm going into 2019 with 16 pp , my son has 9 , and my brother 0 . I'm brainstorming on unit / units where my son could draw a 3rd season and I would draw a 4th season tag in the same unit and then potentially setting camp up where my brother could travel across the highway so to speak and hunt his unit. Would unit 551 for my son and I and 56/561 for my brother be a workable option. Be honest as needless to say I don't want to waste valuable points . Also considering 61 / 62 as a comparable option. I'd be grateful for Any suggestions !!!!

nripepi · Jan 18, 2019

61 and 62 do not have a fourth season and to my knowledge one has not been added for this year (could be wrong). I think your 551 idea is a pretty good one if you have the time to take off both 3rd and 4th seasons and if you both draw. The issue is drawing, last year it took 10 to have a chance at 3rd I think so your son likely won't draw.

elks96 · Jan 18, 2019

I would do it differently. Only look at one deer hunt and then is brothers on want look for a cow tag or an OTC bull tag or a 4th season bull tag. I am not sure your exact situation, but I would be hard pressed to try and hunt 2 units in a season (ie your brother) Not mention with 0 points there are very units a NR can draw at all 2nd and definitely very few on third. At least with high enough odds that I would plan my 9 point or my 16 point hunt around it.

Pick a hunt with only 1 goal. Use sons 9 points, or your 16 points and see about an elk tag for the others.

Or the other option is find a unit your son can draw with 9 and sacrifice your 7 points to hunt deer together.

lostinOregon · Jan 18, 2019

551 would work, but if you look back the 4th season 551 tag going for the points it did was a abnormality. If you draw I can point you in the right direction.

Rich

Servehim · Jan 18, 2019

Thanks MM Team, yes I have the time ( and understanding wife) to hunt both seasons. Appreciate the input 1. Yes I understand my brother only has a 30% chance of drawing 56 with zero pts , I will be looking into the possibility of an elk OTC tag. 2. My son with 9 Pts has a shot at 3rd season if folks apply similar to last year. 3. Really weird what happened last year for the 4th hunt but pretty optomistic I could draw that. 4. Yup, I know the 61/ 62 option would force us into a 2nd / 3rd season.

Any further input guys would be great, just love the idea of setting a base camp up and all 3 of us having quality hunts . My scouting time and money could be more focused. I already have some area knowledge and maps purchased for 61 as I took a decent bull there in 2002.

BeanMan · Jan 18, 2019

You would most likely be disappointed spending that many points for deer on 61.

Hasbean

BluffGruff · Jan 18, 2019

None of you will have a quality hunt if you spread yourself into different units. One tag per group per season. Focus on that one tag, get OTC elk or leftover elk "just in case" if you have $700 to burn.

Antelope? Maybe, deer or elk? Absolutely not.

Servehim · Jan 18, 2019

Thanks Bluff, my plan would have my son and I each hunting different hunts but in the same unit . My brother could share camp but hunt a separate unit but close enough to make it workable in doing camp together . Want to make it work but only if it's feasible and not a foolish decision .

Longshot349 · Jan 19, 2019

>You would most likely be disappointed
>spending that many points for
>deer on 61.
>
>
>Hasbean

+1 I was there this year and you'll struggle to even see deer in 61. The words disappointed by Hasbean are probably and understatement for deer... Elk, are a different matter though.

cmbbulldog · Jan 19, 2019

Tell your brother to come along and help....

Unit 67 fits the bill. Your son can draw 3rd season and you can draw 4th. Your brother could probably get an elk tag one of those seasons too.

Coloradoboy · Jan 20, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-19 AT 09:45AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-20-19 AT 07:18?AM (MST)

I second the punting on 61 suggestion... I'd hunt 67 over 551 but that's me. I honestly wouldn't try to hunt multiple different units at a single time out of a single camp unless you know those units well. Pick one unit, learn it to the best of your ability and focus your efforts there. You will ultimately have more success at that then trying to have eggs in multiple baskets.

Coloradoboy

Nobull · Jan 20, 2019

Just for thought, why not hunt elk with an over the counter Unit so the three of you could camp/hunt together and have some great memories even if you don't kill. Not sure about deer in GMU 65 but may be able to get tags there.
Where ever you decide to hunt enjoy being together.

Ridn9high · Jan 20, 2019

With those kind of points, I'd apply for a unit that would allow your son a 3rd season and you a 4th season as you mentioned. I would not worry about trying to find units close to a 0 point for your brother. Like said above, have him pick up an OTC elk tag. Next year, all three of you apply for a 0 point unit together. That's too many point to try and make it all work around being close to a 0 point area.

buckhorn · Jan 20, 2019

Doesn?t it take more than nine points for a nonresident to draw 67/3rd ?

HiMtnHntr · Jan 20, 2019

It took 13 to seal the deal last year...

cmbbulldog · Jan 20, 2019

I think he is a resident... which is why I suggested 67. If he is a NR, yes that's different.

okbow87 · Jan 20, 2019

Boy that is a tough deal to swing, especially without spending a few extra points. I know the idea of a family hunt sounds like a lot of fun, but I'd strongly consider letting your boy maximize his 9 points and let your brother hunt something near by this year, and consider using your points on a 4th tag in a year or two in a unit you can maximize your points.

Unit 68, your boy will draw but be wasting a point or two. You will have a chance but not guaranteed since there were 12 applicants with 15 points last year and 2 of 3 applicants with 16 points didn't draw. The tag quota was four last year. So that would mean 2 of the guys that didn't draw last year will draw this year with 17, and that leaves 2 tags for you and the 15 other guys sitting at 16 points. Risky at best, but maybe a decent option if willing to wait a year or two. Not much option for your brother other than an OTC elk tag for 3rd season in 68 or a landowner 3rd rifle deer tag in 79 depending on his financial situation. If you guys did wait a couple years to guarantee your tag also, he may be able to draw that 79 3rd season with 2 or 3 points.

52/411/521, you and your boy will both be able to draw your 3rd and 4th season tags, but you will be wasting a point or two and he will be wasting about 4 points. Your brother would have about a 50% shot at 41/42/421 3rd season tag or could OTC elk in 52 3rd season.

Good luck with what you decide.

Servehim · Jan 20, 2019

Love MM team, tons of valued information and thoughtful advice. Okbow87 I was one of those unfortunate folks not drawing 4th season last year in 68. Crazy the points jump in 68 from 2017 to 2018. With regard to my son applying 3rd in 68 ....it has a ton of tags....way more than it should. Overall I agree with plugging my brother into my plan by getting an elk tag rather than an adjacent unit deer tag. I guess I was chasing the wind thinking I could make this work for all 3 of us. To another comment, yes I'm so ready to get out of the points race in Colo and begin planning a good bow/muzzy hunt every couple of years. Thanks again guys for the help