Not sure what to do...

[cflong]

I have never been out west and hoping to get out that way to hunt soon. Been looking, studying, researching on the internet, Eastman's mag & other sources a while now, but not sure what to apply for. It is a little confusing for a guy from Arkansas as we can basically hunt anywhere other than a few WMA hunts we apply for.

A few things I have learned:
PP's are a key for future use and will begin to acquire those this year.
Luck plays a big role.
Lots of info - learning how to process it is the key.

I have decided we (two of us) will try to apply for a mule deer and/or elk in NM and possibly elk or deer in CO. If not drawn, we will probably just try an OTC hunt for elk in CO. (Not sure if we will try archery or firearm for either)

Questions: Once you are drawn, are you locked in to purchase in those states? I work for the Game and Fish Commission here and have a flexible sched, but my partner does not have much flex and it may be a last minute cancel.

Are there any OTC options or leftover options for mule deer?

We just want to hunt, a trophy would be great, but we just want to kinda get our feet wet this year without a lot of high expectations.

Thanks for any input and thanks for this site, whether I get to go or not, I still like to read all the reports, stories and see the pix.

If you need any info from AR, let me know.

 

[JRABQ]

To answer parts of your question;

In NM, when you draw elk (and everything except deer) you've paid for it, no refunds. For historical reasons (I guess) deer is done differently, you get a tag but don't have to buy the deer license until you need it (this may change in the future). Not sure of the current "leftover" situation in NM, but typically there are few if any. I think there are some elk cow hunts listed in the proclamation that you can apply for next fall.

In CO, you also pay full amount if & when you draw, but you can request refunds before your hunt starts (don't wait till the last minute). Only catch is you don't get back any preference points you used, if you ask for the refund. But since you are just starting out this doesn't apply to your situation. Colorado does have a "leftover" draw, but pickins are usually slim, lots of private land hunts and some cow tags, maybe some archery deer tags, not sure.

Good luck.

 

[RACKMASTER]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-05-09 AT 11:49PM (MST)[p]look at Utah for the southern gen deer season....it need points also however you can still plan on it every other year for sure!!
and still apply for the bonus for LE hunts and new this year "all big game species" were included...CO refunds were to be for emergencies IE: death, illness, military's recall! not because you changed your mind...so I was told that they are clamping down on that this year because of the way that was heading....last year refunds were the highest yet! still need to put up front the monies and even buy a license...
but if you don't put in you will never get to play!!

Rackmaster

 

[fatrooster]

cflong, sent you a PM. fatrooster.

 

[FamilyMan]

Since you are just starting out I will offer a thought on what I have observed to be the single biggest factor affecting success in a western big game hunt - WEATHER. No matter what season you pick the weather can be hot, and if it is your chances drop dramatically. Just some food for thought.

Mark