Antelope - Point Burn Round 2

[buckskol14]

After burning 17 points on a bull tag last year without connecting and watching the rest of his party fill theirs, my dad looks to go round two in CO. He is hoping for a shot at redemption by turning in his 18 points on antelope this year with his brother, but are going into the draw with worries about winter kill in the NW and lack of knowledge of options in the East. My eyes are then drawn to the areas surrounding Walden. With a lot of BLM with moderate splattering of ranches, it looks promising. We will most likely stick to public land, but are not ruling out private if it is an option. Does anyone have insight on this part of the state? Or is the NW worth a look at still? Any and all opinions are appreciated

 

[montezumarchery]

Do you mean NW? The NW corner is the area hit hardest by last winter.

 

[buckskol14]

Do you mean NW? The NW corner is the area hit hardest by last winter.

Great catch, why did they make E and W neighbors on the keyboard…

 

[nmhntr]

Story about elk in the NW corner— sure antelope faired about the same or worse. https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news...and-wildlife-biologist-finds-a-silver-lining/

 

[oldmossback]

I saw an absolute tank of a buck from the road to big creek lakes last summer while going fishing. I have points but not that many....

 

[Sadoldman]

NW corner of Colorado, not worth any points. Very few antelope even left.
I do not know anything about the Walden area.

 

[Focoelkman]

The Walden area / north park is nice. Could parlay a fishing trip or two after you punch a tag , or for a break. Suppose you ought to decide quick about a guide? , And going private if that’s even possible?
Another bowl of Tag soup after twenty years would suck!

 

[Deercy]

Some of those southern units aren't half bad...

 

[desperatehills]

We saw a few herds of antelope just north and east of Walden, south of the sand dunes. I can not say that I seen any big bucks but I am sure you would have a decent hunt. We were looking for deer so maybe it is even better than what we seen.

 

[buckskol14]

The Walden area / north park is nice. Could parlay a fishing trip or two after you punch a tag , or for a break. Suppose you ought to decide quick about a guide? , And going private if that’s even possible?
Another bowl of Tag soup after twenty years would suck!

No kidding! The camp cooler full of Coors would quickly be in trouble if that became the case...

 

[wildfin]

I would be looking at 81, very few tags, endless public land, and I had great trout fishing

 

[Focoelkman]

Great idea here

 

[Thill]

Doubtful around Walden you will find many or ANY B&C caliber bucks unless you were on private and even that might be stretch.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

Doubtful around Walden you will find many or ANY B&C caliber bucks unless you were on private and even that might be stretch.

Depends on the year.

 

[Jerry]

Doubtful around Walden you will find many or ANY B&C caliber bucks unless you were on private and even that might be stretch.

Doubtful around Walden you will find many or ANY B&C caliber bucks unless you were on private and even that might be stretch.

Accurate assessment there ! In 1995 when area was really loaded with antelope, my wife drew a tag south of Walden, I scouted 2 full weeks there- hard ! In August ! I lucked out & found her 1 big buck on BLM Land- he was a dandy, only 1 big one I found . I noted that private lands had some good bucks ! My wife got that big buck 10/1 ‘95 & he final netted 84 B/C. A super thrilling hunt & shot ! She nailed him 1 shot.
Last time I went thru Walden I made short trip around those areas I scouted, very very few
antelope compared to ‘95- Winter Kills have hit that area hard ! So beware of that entire area !
Best Wishes,
Jerry Gold- Windsor, Colorado

 

[Deercy]

I'm not sure we can blame winter kill. Has to be other issues.

 

[AZGuy]

4 buddies and I absolutely scoured the Walden units last year, good luck finding anything over 75.
Go south

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

Your not going find many above 75 even if you go south

 

[RRCowboyStar]

Anything over a 75" Buck on Public land in Colorado is a miracle. The key to hunting public land Antelope in Colorado is having Low Expectations.

 

[sneakem]

It takes some work to find 80" antelope in the best units in the world.... it's not an easy task anywhere...

Colorado has only had 10 entered in B&C since 2020, so that's a pretty tall order finding one here... 5 above 82"

Jackson County had 3 of the 10...which is the most of any county during the time frame...

 

[ORIONTHEHUNTER]

anything over 70 is a feat in Colorado especially on public