I honestly hope I'm wrong, but I don't see any way that mule deer quality (or elk) will get better in Colorado. Sadly, it appears none of the commissioners on the CPW board are really interested in big game.Two of my sons each have 15 points. If 7 points is enough for a 190 buck, then 15 should justify a 200" buck - what unit number should I put them in for?
Honestly, I started putting them in years ago when they were kids and was waiting/planning until they graduated from college to go on a good quality hunt. Now, 15 years later, I don't know of any unit we would want to waste those points on. Luckily we have enough points in other states that we have some other guaranteed hunts to do for several years and we will just wait and see what happens in Colorado.
Colorado's deer status reminds me of the 80's when I first started hunting there before they went draw only and all the bucks were small crab claw 4-pts. Everyone thought back then that the good old days were gone forever, but Colorado did make some changes and things did turn around. Hopefully history will repeat itself.
Not sure if that’s necessarily true.. the biggest deer killed in my family in Eagle and Garfield county by my dad, uncles and grandpa all were killed in the 80s primarily back when you could buy a deer tag at the gas station in Eagle while you were on your annual spike bull elk hunt every fallTwo of my sons each have 15 points. If 7 points is enough for a 190 buck, then 15 should justify a 200" buck - what unit number should I put them in for?
Honestly, I started putting them in years ago when they were kids and was waiting/planning until they graduated from college to go on a good quality hunt. Now, 15 years later, I don't know of any unit we would want to waste those points on. Luckily we have enough points in other states that we have some other guaranteed hunts to do for several years and we will just wait and see what happens in Colorado.
Colorado's deer status reminds me of the 80's when I first started hunting there before they went draw only and all the bucks were small crab claw 4-pts. Everyone thought back then that the good old days were gone forever, but Colorado did make some changes and things did turn around. Hopefully history will repeat itself.
Our saying at work is "Key to happiness is low expectations!"We have a saying at work “optimism leads to depression”
I think that probably applies here.
So back to otc deer tags and we will all be shooting giant deer?Not sure if that’s necessarily true.. the biggest deer killed in my family in Eagle and Garfield county by my dad, uncles and grandpa all were killed in the 80s primarily back when you could buy a deer tag at the gas station in Eagle while you were on your annual spike bull elk hunt every fall
Depends on the state. In Oregon, definitely not. In Utah, max points certainly do make a difference in the quality of deer that can be accessed.Points have nothing to do with a quality of deer I’m a unit
I’ve also heard from guys who hunted in the 80s that the deer hunting was pretty dang good. But it was a different culture then too. I don’t think anyone would argue that it would suck if deer hunting went to otc. But I think it’s apples to oranges to compare the 80s to now. Maybe the deer quality will come back. I hope it does, but there are a lot of factors that have put us where we are. I started deer hunting in 2002 and it was great and it’s gone up and down since then. But the all around trend has been going down. This is just an observation of mine, obviously not a fact.So back to otc deer tags and we will all be shooting giant deer?
Colorado was a lot less populated and hunted back then. I can’t go off much more than than grandpa and dad telling me their observations and experiences from hunting mule deer in this state for the last 70 something years… I only have lived to see the last of the glory days of the early 2000s. Like it was said before me, the demand and craze for deer was that, that it is now. Guys got more worked up over a branch antlered bull elk than a 180 inch deer back then from the stories I’ve heard…So back to otc deer tags and we will all be shooting giant deer?
If he has to ask that question then his chances are slim to none to begin with on just about any unit without enormous luck.A guy I work with asked me where he could burn his 7 points and have a good chance at a 190 buck. He said with 7 points he would be disappointed if he shot anything less. I told him good luck with that. He was openly skeptical I knew anything.
He was talking about CODepends on the state. In Oregon, definitely not. In Utah, max points certainly do make a difference in the quality of deer that can be accessed.
If he has to ask that question then his chances are slim to none to begin with on just about any unit without enormous luck.
Just point him to a unit and tell him if he doesn't come out with a 190+ buck he just isn't a good enough hunter. Lol
Branch antlered bulls were definitely a big deal in the 80s. But boy we were hell on the spikes back then!Colorado was a lot less populated and hunted back then. I can’t go off much more than than grandpa and dad telling me their observations and experiences from hunting mule deer in this state for the last 70 something years… I only have lived to see the last of the glory days of the early 2000s. Like it was said before me, the demand and craze for deer was that, that it is now. Guys got more worked up over a branch antlered bull elk than a 180 inch deer back then from the stories I’ve heard…
Dad and grandpa told me that if you smacked a branch antlered rag horn back then you paraded that thing around town in the back of the truck like you just won the Daytona 500 and a just put 180 inch bucks in the rafters of the garage like it was no thingBranch antlered bulls were definitely a big deal in the 80s. But boy we were hell on the spikes back then!
You can’t compare the ‘70’s and ‘80’s to today - apples and oranges. And I’m not just talking about deer and elk.Colorado was a lot less populated and hunted back then. I can’t go off much more than than grandpa and dad telling me their observations and experiences from hunting mule deer in this state for the last 70 something years… I only have lived to see the last of the glory days of the early 2000s. Like it was said before me, the demand and craze for deer was that, that it is now. Guys got more worked up over a branch antlered bull elk than a 180 inch deer back then from the stories I’ve heard…
I have heard this from so many older hunters that I just have to wonder if we "recovered" the elk herd at the cost of the deer herd? I know there are several other factors working against deer but I just don't hear folks mention the elk herd very often.Dad and grandpa told me that if you smacked a branch antlered rag horn back then you paraded that thing around town in the back of the truck like you just won the Daytona 500 and a just put 180 inch bucks in the rafters of the garage like it was no thing
AgreedYou can’t compare the ‘70’s and ‘80’s to today - apples and oranges. And I’m not just talking about deer and elk.
There was no internet nor magazines or fan boys. You hunted where you lived for the most part, and assumed an out of state plate was lost. The strip was a day long drive from St George with a barrel of gas in the back.
The only way anyone knew you killed a big buck was when you nailed the horns to the barn.
It’s a different world in a million ways.
I think it is kind of the opposite, point banking would allow those with 20+ years that just want to hunt and not try and shoot a certain size buck that option to hunt twice instead of waiting as they are in no mans land currently and too invested. This doesn't help me any as I burned my points, but I really don't see it being that big of an issue or entitlement thing. If they have 20, they can get two 7-point tags if it ends up being a +3. I think most with 20 will hold out and wait for that special tag, this is for those that don't need the inches to have two good hunts.This thread highlights the sense of entitlement that often accompanies hunters who are sitting on many points. Guys who have invested 20+ years and thousands of dollars in applications fees sometime feel like they should expect to harvest a certain size of buck or bull. The reality is that all that you are entitled to is a tag and an opportunity to hunt. What happens after that is up to you and a series of other factors including the condition of the herds, other hunters, weather and luck!
Hawkeye
It was their choice to wait 20 years. They could hunt a lower point unit any time they want. Why should they get two hunts?I think it is kind of the opposite, point banking would allow those with 20+ years that just want to hunt and not try and shoot a certain size buck that option to hunt twice instead of waiting as they are in no mans land currently and too invested. This doesn't help me any as I burned my points, but I really don't see it being that big of an issue or entitlement thing. If they have 20, they can get two 7-point tags if it ends up being a +3. I think most with 20 will hold out and wait for that special tag, this is for those that don't need the inches to have two good hunts.
Sorry, wrong thread! Because quality has tanked because of CPW decisionsIt was their choice to wait 20 years. They could hunt a lower point unit any time they want. Why should they get two hunts?
I totally disagree. Number of points has nothing to do with entitlement for a certain size animal. Each person has as few or as many points for many, many different reasons - it all depends on their own individual situation. Just because some people have lots of points doesn't mean they ALL think they are entitled to a certain size animal.This thread highlights the sense of entitlement that often accompanies hunters who are sitting on many points. Guys who have invested 20+ years and thousands of dollars in applications fees sometime feel like they should expect to harvest a certain size of buck or bull. The reality is that all that you are entitled to is a tag and an opportunity to hunt. What happens after that is up to you and a series of other factors including the condition of the herds, other hunters, weather and luck!
Hawkeye
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