Coloradoboy
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So im looking into doing a high country buck hunt this coming season, anyone have any suggestions on where to look into?
Colorado High Country Buck
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Coloradoboy
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Well im looking to the special early rifle buck hunt. I live in Glenwood Springs so Im close to alot of the areas that have the special high country buck tags. Units 43 and 471 I want to say.
txhunter58
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Be sure and look up the dates on each hunt. On many of them, they moved them back two weeks. Several of them still start the first Saturday in September. More nonhunters to contend with as this is usually around labor day, but, I still like the early dates better.
That said, the most coveted seem to be 43, 82/86 (Sangre de Cristo), and unit 74. 471 seems to be easier to draw, and has easier access, but I don't think the trophy potential is as high there.
I hunted the Sangre de Cristo hunt and came away with a good buck, but that country is STEEP, and the best areas are somewhat locked in by private (especially on the west side).
If you wanted to stay in the area, so you can do more scouting, I would suggest 43 (Maroon Bells) or 44 (Holy Cross). Both will require packing in many miles to have a chance at a trophy.
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
That said, the most coveted seem to be 43, 82/86 (Sangre de Cristo), and unit 74. 471 seems to be easier to draw, and has easier access, but I don't think the trophy potential is as high there.
I hunted the Sangre de Cristo hunt and came away with a good buck, but that country is STEEP, and the best areas are somewhat locked in by private (especially on the west side).
If you wanted to stay in the area, so you can do more scouting, I would suggest 43 (Maroon Bells) or 44 (Holy Cross). Both will require packing in many miles to have a chance at a trophy.
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
dslaughter
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43 and 471 are the same tag for muzz and archery but they split them out for the early rifle.
coloradoboy,
Aren't you like @ 15 years old? If so you do not have enough preference points for an early high country hunt in unit 43.
There is a reason the high country hunt in unit 471 is easy to draw. It kinda sucks. If you have to hunt the high country in September I think you would be better off using your first choice to put in for a muzzleloader hunt in a unit with more deer.
Because of your age lets just assume you have 3-4 preference points saved up. My advice would be not to waste them on a 1 point hunt like 471 early. Spend the next two summers hiking around unit 43. You should have a good idea where the bucks hang out by the time you have enough points to draw the 43 early tag. Good luck
Aren't you like @ 15 years old? If so you do not have enough preference points for an early high country hunt in unit 43.
There is a reason the high country hunt in unit 471 is easy to draw. It kinda sucks. If you have to hunt the high country in September I think you would be better off using your first choice to put in for a muzzleloader hunt in a unit with more deer.
Because of your age lets just assume you have 3-4 preference points saved up. My advice would be not to waste them on a 1 point hunt like 471 early. Spend the next two summers hiking around unit 43. You should have a good idea where the bucks hang out by the time you have enough points to draw the 43 early tag. Good luck
T
timberline_shedfreak24
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43....
Timberline
"Live for somethin' or die for nothin'"
Timberline
"Live for somethin' or die for nothin'"
Coloradoboy
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Ya i got 4 points going on 5 this year but I really didn't know what it took to draw 43. My neighbor drew 471 last year with I want to say 2 points and shot a 180 inch but Im always hearing about monsters out of 43. I bow hunt 471 for elk but never see any monsters just good solid 150 to 160 inch bucks so I think im just going to save the points up and draw 43 in the next few years.
txhunter58
Long Time Member
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Last year it took 5 points for a resident to draw 43, 6 to gurantee it. I would put in and see what happens. Sent you a PM
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
txhunter58
venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
ColoradoRam
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74 early is the best from what I have seen, a few booners the past few years with a 250 + non typical in the first year of the HCB hunt. I have hunted 43 and 471 HCB in the past. 43 has the best quality with hard to find bucks, 471 has more deer with lesser quality and easier access from Independence Pass. Good luck.
H
Hooked_on_Coues
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Ram,
Do you know of any outfitters doing drop camps into 74?
Do you know of any outfitters doing drop camps into 74?
