dihardhunter
Active Member
- Messages
- 141
BIG thanks to a couple folks whom I reached out to for intel on our tags. I've already been in touch via PM/text/call with those individuals, you know who you are - thanks again.
Back in spring, I put dad in for a host of low % odds tags in New Mexico across species. Put myself in for a combination of same/different tags, but given the short seasons in New Mexico - we applied as individuals, not a party. Also threw in for some low odds tags in other states or simply built points across the West. Honestly, I had already planned to hunt northeastern Montana for muleys in mid-November as long as the winter didn't result in major winter kill. If you follow that corner of the country, it was quickly evident that it was time for a change of plans.
Dad's NM 3rd choice deer tag came through and provided that change of plan we wanted. The more I learned about that unit, the more excited I got. I did a TON of map work, contacted folks in the area as well as folks who had had the tag before. Even some hunters who frequented neighboring units with similar habitat, it was worth picking their brains as well.
In the meantime, it was in the back of my mind that if dad tagged out quickly, I might want a tag of my own to do some hunting. Once a rental car, flight, and gear is packed, the tag is honestly the least costly item in the whole collective. I stalked the reissue list for about a month and finally snagged a tag for the west slope of Colorado. A 0 PP tag, more of an opportunity buck tag, but hey - I had a tag and I would be hunting too. Worst case scenario, dad ate tag soup on his tag and I'd be able to hunt the last 3-4 days of CO 3rd season after a long drive between states/units.
Fast forward to the hunt...
Back in spring, I put dad in for a host of low % odds tags in New Mexico across species. Put myself in for a combination of same/different tags, but given the short seasons in New Mexico - we applied as individuals, not a party. Also threw in for some low odds tags in other states or simply built points across the West. Honestly, I had already planned to hunt northeastern Montana for muleys in mid-November as long as the winter didn't result in major winter kill. If you follow that corner of the country, it was quickly evident that it was time for a change of plans.
Dad's NM 3rd choice deer tag came through and provided that change of plan we wanted. The more I learned about that unit, the more excited I got. I did a TON of map work, contacted folks in the area as well as folks who had had the tag before. Even some hunters who frequented neighboring units with similar habitat, it was worth picking their brains as well.
In the meantime, it was in the back of my mind that if dad tagged out quickly, I might want a tag of my own to do some hunting. Once a rental car, flight, and gear is packed, the tag is honestly the least costly item in the whole collective. I stalked the reissue list for about a month and finally snagged a tag for the west slope of Colorado. A 0 PP tag, more of an opportunity buck tag, but hey - I had a tag and I would be hunting too. Worst case scenario, dad ate tag soup on his tag and I'd be able to hunt the last 3-4 days of CO 3rd season after a long drive between states/units.
Fast forward to the hunt...