CO or WY OTC units?

SHANEWA300 · Feb 19, 2009

Which state would you hunt or offers a better experience, I have never hunted either state, looking to head in the right direction.I have no points so I gotta start somewhere, so starting this year with CO and WY. I am not looking for your honey holes, just a general area, I prefer to hike and get away from the crowds.My thoughts are to hunt mountaneous wilderness areas, limits hunters and have the chance to see that really big buck, less pressure.Not totally against hunting open counrty,but feel like they get hammered much easier, unless its a draw unit.Feel free to PM me, thanks for any advice Shane

sageadvice · Feb 19, 2009

Shane said; "My thoughts are to hunt mountaneous wilderness areas, limits hunters and have the chance to see that really big buck, less pressure."

Being you are looking for a over the counter tag and if you are talking muleys, i don't know an area or example like that exists any more. There's simply too many guys willing to do whatever it takes, that want to hunt similar type areas, so, draw units were put in place to protect these areas from over harvest.

One option If you want to hunt, put in for your dream 1st choice, expect not to get drawn but get awarded a bonus point, and, also expect to draw your second or third choice if being a 100% draw unit somewhere for a decent chance at a good whitetail in eastern Wyoming. I hunted on public ground out of Sundance years go and had a quality hunt. No matter what, certainly use the draw and start getting points! Good luck!

Joey

SHANEWA300 · Feb 19, 2009

Thanks, I know its getting harder, but i am use to whats around here, we have wilderness units and if you are willing to get away you can get away here, but the deer just dont exist in what you think is great habitat, very far and between. We have a high hunt here that opens on Sept 15 OTC for rifle and most people are lucky to see a deer in some of the best looking country you can imagine.There are some bruisers taken, but very few. We have piss poor management here and not enough habitat or terrain for all who want that big buck.
I am leaning towards a CO muzzy hunt, maybe 25. It has to be a mule deer hunt, taken way too many whitetails, up to our ears in them around here lol

sageadvice · Feb 19, 2009

Shane, not sure about which state you're from, Washington maybe, but yes, the reason these other states have smaller management areas is just so their country doesn't end up like what you're used to.

A good friend and a couple buds hunted Colo. Muzzy last year. It took several points to draw, certainly was no over the counter tag. They did fairly well compared to many, each killed a 170+ type buck though it was not the quantity of quality hunt it had been in past years. They knew the country well, knew the deer, and hunted hard but still, were glad to finally get the decent bucks they did. Again, Good luck!

Joey

ICMDEER · Feb 20, 2009

You can have a quality hunt in either state. That said, using a primitive weapon will allow you a chance at a hunt with fewer folks around. In Wyoming, you can't hunt a wilderness area without a guide, so that has to be a consideration. I live in Wyo and hunt both states. I get a quality archery hunt every year at home and a quality hunt about every 3rd year in CO. But I hunt each state every year.

I'd just say look at the odds and find some country you like that you can hunt every year, with additional high quality country you can hunt every 3-4 years in each state. That way, you have an annual game plan but a quality area in a rotation. You can kill a big-time deer in most areas in Colorado, but in Wyoming, the habitat and genetics are not there all over the state. The B&C records are a good place to look for trophy areas.

Good hunting.