CO Elk with 24 PP NR

[Rasstus]

Hello everyone I wanted to get your thoughts on CO elk with 24 non resident reference points.

Here is the situation my father has 24 Elk PP NR. He is 69 years old and we want to get him out on a hunt of lifetime before something happens to him.

Have been doing our homework for years and it seems we are just 1 point shy of having a good chance for the best tags. Looks like unit 2,201 and 10 are close but not guaranteed. What unit would you say is next in line? I have been thinking unit 40 which he should draw no problem. I know unit 40 is mostly private so we would use an outfitter. We would probably use an outfitter anyway since investing this kind of time in collecting points want to have the best chance.

Any advise on units, hunts and or outfitters would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[Coloradoboy]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-08-16 AT 03:50PM (MST)[p]Shoot,
The NW corner has really creeped. Would of figured you were ready to play ball with 24, especially in 10 and 2. 40 has some great bulls and considerably easier to draw. But prepare to get our your check books if you want to go with a reputable outfitter who has access to a lot of good property. Honestly I'd encourage you to hang tough with unit 2. 201 would be my top choice but obviously the hardest to draw. I've personally always liked 2 better than 10 but it's a crap shoot on which will produce the biggest bull each year. If you are chomping at the bit to hunt and don't like your draw odds in the NW corner id reccomend looking into the Bosque Del Oso. I drew it back in 2010 and have had multiple other friends and family draw and all of us have killed nice 330 to 360 class Bulls. Just not the same experience as chasing Bulls with a rifle on October 1st in the NW corner but still a fun hunt where a guy can see 20 plus Bulls a day.

Coloradoboy

 

[FrontRange]

Might want to look at the new hunt code EE061E1R.
October 1st - 7th. CPOW has not yet established number of tags available but it could be one heck of a hunt in the prime rut period.

 

[oilcan]

Sshhh

 

[WoodsD9]

I would honestly hold out for a unit 2 and maybe consider getting a muzzleloader and hunting the muzzy season instead of early rifle. I hunted unit 2 in 2011 after drawing the hybrid tag and helped my cousin in 61 1st rifle that same year. Out of both those hunts there was honestly not even a comparison between 2 and 61. We saw great bulls in 61 and had a fun hunt but unit 2 in october is honestly something to be witnessed.

If you are set on drawing this year and not wanting to wait any longer I would look at unit 1 before settling for unit 40. If you have the cash to pay one of the big outfitters in 40 I think you would have a great hunt but if not I would really consider unit 1. There are some huge bulls every year that come out of unit 1. Last year there was a 402 bull that was killed across the state line in Utah but I know for a fact his sheds were picked up in colorado.

Another thing to consider is for the price of some of the unit 40 outfitters you could find a landowner tag in unit 2 or 10. The cheaper ones are tough to find but they are out there.

 

[mntman]

There went your odds oilcan, they were just cut in half

>Sshhh


Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

 

[Salmon]

Frontrange, Where did you find these dates for that hunt?

 

[cjoutfit]

Hello Randy,

We understand your dilemma and its not an easy one to figure out and unfortunately could end up being a matter of what he can draw with his current health, time, abilities etc...
There are more variables that eliminate predictability in the draw and certain hunt codes with only 1 NR tag available only make this a gamble for having success in the draw.
If you would like to talk about your chances of drawing with the possibility of our help in the northwest please let us know,

Thanks,
Chris
cjoutfitters.com

 

[Rasstus]

Chris,

Thanks for the message. I will probably be getting ahold of you sometime soon. I know my brother (Rob McClure) has talked to you over the past couple years as my brother and I have the same points as my father. We will probably discuss this with my Dad this week and will give you a call to discuss our options.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[Rasstus]

Colorado Boy,

Is Bosque Del Oso open for Non residents? Is there info for it on the CO DOW website?

Thanks for the info.

Randy

 

[Rasstus]

Can anyone give me more information on the Bosque Del Osa wildlife management area? Things such as do it yourself or guides who operate in that area?

Thanks,
Randy

 

[elkcrzy1]

Id stay away from the Bosque Del Oso with that many points. I had close friends that hunted it hard. One killed a 315 bull, the other a nice 5x5 and they had a chance at one other bull. It was hot and the elk hadnt come off the private ranches that border it yet. Too big of a gamble for that many points ! Id be looking at units 2 and 201 and nothing else !

 

[Rasstus]

Thanks elkcrzy1.... Anybody else have inputs and or opinions?

Randy

 

[HiMtnHntr]

For all of us who will never have the pp for the NW corner, hold out for one of those!

 

[oilcan]

I'd give it a couple more years to draw the NW corner before settling for another unit.

 

[Coloradoboy]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-10-16 AT 03:57PM (MST)[p]>Id stay away from the Bosque
>Del Oso with that many
>points. I had close friends
>that hunted it hard. One
>killed a 315 bull, the
>other a nice 5x5 and
>they had a chance at
>one other bull. It was
>hot and the elk hadnt
>come off the private ranches
>that border it yet. Too
>big of a gamble for
>that many points ! Id
>be looking at units 2
>and 201 and nothing else
>!


I've had much different experience with the Bosque.... Weather can make it tough persay. I drew in 2010 for 3rd season on a dry, warmer year. Chased a 370 plus bull the first couple days but never closed the deal. I was on Bulls every day and finally settle for a broken bull that went just under 340 and if complete would of gone in the 350s.Others were struggling that year, but most were just driving the roads and glassing instead of diving into the canyons like I was. You get out what you put in on a lot of these hunts as we all know.

 

[buckhunter64]

I hunted 2 with my dad on his deer tag in 2011. Saw several big bulls from the main roads while we were deer hunting. No need for an outfitter in 2 if you are willing to hunt a little in my opinion. The terrain is mild and good road access in 2 where we were. If you are willing to hire an outfitter, why bother with accumulating 24 points?

 

[Elkduds]

If you decide on 40, I highly recommend 2V Ranch and Outfitters. I've been on 3 RFW hunts there, incredible habitat and game herds, top-notch people. http://www.2voutfitters.com/home.html

 

[270Whatelse]

I would be salivating over that early 61 tag if I had the points. Some people might be able to "steal" a regular 1st season tag for less points than normal if alot of people send in for the early tag instead of the 1st rifle.

 

[SanJuan]

Am I the only one that thinks making 61 the only unit in the state with FIVE bull or either sex elk tags is a horrible idea?!

The mountains, not the hills.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

It's not the only one. There's a least one with 6. I do think there could be a few more early hunts. I'm sure this one will be so limited it probably will make little difference.

 

[LoneWati]

PMed you!!

 

[Rasstus]

Everyone,

A big thanks for all the information. I just seen all PM's I had and I responded to all. Thanks again and keep the information coming it is what make this site great.

Tough decision to make when you have invested this much time collecting preference points.

Thanks again,
Randy

 

[FamilyMan]

buckhunter64 - I sent you a PM.

Mark

My hunting spot is so secret, not even the elk have found it yet.