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2018 Western States Draw Deadlines

102,526 Views | 1027 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by jetescamilla
BurrOak
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Have a friend that lives up there that always invites me to hunt the Comanche with him. Hope to do that one of these next few years.

Doubt I could obtain any info for you though. He's a pretty awful hunter.
cupofjoe04
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Dang... I had a good day today.

Thought this year's hunting was going to be a little slim- having only overlapping mule deer and bull elk muzzloader tags. they are he same season, so I was petty much going to have to pick one, and maybe just happen upon the other. But I was perfectly content to focus on trying to harvest my first muley buck, and helping to put a friend in a sheep this year.

I found out the other day that my Dad and I will for sure be able to take my grandfather on his last elk hunt this year. Local ranch manager is helping us put together a disability-friendly hunt for him on one of their "management" bulls. Apparently there are 3-4 that need to be taken, so one is my grandfather's. Will be a high fence deal, but my grandfather can't walk more than about 50 feet, so It's going to be plenty of a challenge just gettin mg him in front of a bull. So that was great news- even though I was still a little bummed about not getting to do a serious hunt with my Dad.

Then today, I get a call from a good friend who outfits hunts in NM, and if I could make the dates work, he offered to take myself +1 on an antelope hunt late season on one of their highly successful ranches. Only an idiot says no to a gift like that- so I moved some work things around, and called my old man to invite him to chase some speed goats! Very excited we will be hunting together this year after all! And chasing a new species for us, fun adventure!

Then, after a meeting at church tonight, one of my deacons (who is a hunting guide with an outfitter at our church as well) tells me there are a bunch of leftover muzzloader pronghorn doe tags for a certain unit where one of their ranches is. Apparently the landowner hates pronghorns. Not sure yet if we can work it in our schedules, but he and I going to try and squeeze a meat hunt in late Sept as well!

Not too bad of a day! And I didn't even run the 22's this week...
LEJ
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You and Shaynew are now neck and neck for "most well connected western hunter"
shaynew1
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I didn't even run the 22s either!
stdeb11
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Good stuff!
cupofjoe04
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shaynew1 said:

I didn't even run the 22s either!


All that work is going to come in real handy while I'm riding in the truck spotting antelope... ha ha
agingcowboy
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That's my favorite thing about antelope hunting. Drive around and spot some, make a stalk, screw it up, go find some more and do it again. When I'm elk hunting, often if you screw it up you're done for the day or sometimes worse.
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shaynew1
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I screwed up once and was done for three years
arrow
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agingcowboy said:

That's my favorite thing about antelope hunting. Drive around and spot some, make a stalk, screw it up, go find some more and do it again. When I'm elk hunting, often if you screw it up you're done for the day or sometimes worse.
You just reminded me how fun my first antelope was. Such a low stress hunt compared to the others. Hotel bed at night, breakfast at a little diner if you wanted.

Anyone that hasn't been to Wyoming with a cheap antelope tag in their pocket needs to go. No need to do the 22s prior.
harge57
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Exactly 1 month from today I will be loading up the truck for the 24 hr drive to Montana for a 2 week archery hunt.

shaynew1
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I may have went overboard.


I have six out of state tags.








My wife only knows about three.
AgEng06
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YES!
agingcowboy
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That's called winning!
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
cupofjoe04
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agingcowboy said:

That's called winning!


That's called an expensive Christmas this year...
LEJ
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Can I have your bow when you are dead?
LEJ
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I gave my notice 3 months ago. Been Training my replacement for the last 4 weeks. I'll leave my post at 11am next Thursday.

By that time, I should have all my stuff in storage and all my gear packed in and on my truck. I'll be "goin' for the musselshell" by 11:01. I've got an otc archery elk tag and a leftover archery deer tag for unit 34. Gonna meet up with a childhood friend who I haven't seen in close to 30 years to fish and visit for a few days in Pagosa Springs.

The plan after that... hell if I know. Kill a bull, no matter what it takes. I'm not coming back til the season is over on Sept 23.
shaynew1
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You can have my camo too as long as you ensure the authorities find my body and I get a proper burial
shaynew1
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I am ready to go today.

Right now.
cupofjoe04
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That's going to be awesome!

Is your elk tag for 34 as well?
LEJ
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It is. Don't know much about it. Haven't e-scouted at all. It's the backup, but I need to get a clue...soon.
Log
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34 NM?
LEJ
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Unfortunately, no. Colorado. GoHunt says 140-160 bucks with 170 potential and typical otc bulls. I might not even make it there, even with all the time I have. It's a 5 hr drive from 77
cupofjoe04
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Ok, well, I can't help you with that. If you were doing anything around Pagosa I would offer a little help (what value anything I have to say, that's a different matter).
LEJ
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I only got one bull on my brain and I know his address in 77... whether he survived Is the only unknown.

I saw there were 17 deer tags in 77 on the returned list (after I had already applied for leftover 34) but I didn't want to take a chance at the time on not getting a tag so I applied for 34 in the first early leftover draw.

Got a buck or two in 77 I want a second crack at too providing they live their best lives.
cupofjoe04
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Well, just don't shoot my buck before I get up there in muzzloader season... and I won't shoot your bull.

I've got both tags, but am focusing on getting a buck. Which means I will probably see nothing but bear.
Log
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Speaking of bear, which leftover tag would be best to grab for good success (with accessible private land), considering the ungulate tags skunked me this year. PM me if needed. Not scared of a modest trespass fee. Leftovers with Caps go on sale at 10 a.m. CST on 8/9.
cupofjoe04
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Log said:

Speaking of bear, which leftover tag would be best to grab for good success (with accessible private land), considering the ungulate tags skunked me this year. PM me if needed. Not scared of a modest trespass fee. Leftovers with Caps go on sale at 10 a.m. CST on 8/9.
I honestly don't know much about the bear tags, certainly not enough to give you any help there. Never had a desire to hunt bear. Until last year when I was pretty motivated to kill a particular bear...

Around here I have surprisingly seen very few bears this summer (Units 77/78) around town (Pagosa). And most people I talk to say the same thing. Several of the people I know with ranches & private lands that usually are seeing regular bears by this time- aren't this year. I haven't heard a convincing theory as to why.

I have seen several bears up higher in recent weeks, as the berries and choke cherries have been popping up all over. I checked quite a few water holes last Saturday- all were WELL below expected norms. All seem to still be getting hammered by bears. All were pretty far back in as well. Two guys I know with bear tags will be focusing on water.

Not sure if any of this helps you or not. Just my experience.
stdeb11
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This arrived Tuesday.... Ordered a tripod this morning...



EDIT:::Fail. Guess I can't post pics on my phone and web browser image sharing is blocked at work. I'll fix later.
LEJ
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In Colorado... I know a non-res fishing license is included with the big game tag/license. I've always bought a small game license to be sure that I'm legal for killing grouse, but is it required?
cupofjoe04
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LEJ said:

In Colorado... I know a non-res fishing license is included with the big game tag/license. I've always bought a small game license to be sure that I'm legal for killing grouse, but is it required?


I believe that you do need a small game license to hunt grouse. I always get an annual one for prairie dogs and grouse.
cupofjoe04
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Very nice! That is compact. Looks like a breeze to pack . Will be interested to hear a report from you on the glass
cupofjoe04
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You can have all the critters up high. I think I'm just going to hunt by the old folks home...

LEJ
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Damn, that hike is gonna suck
shaynew1
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We've been working on regrouping since the Colorado spot fell through and one buddy is down on public land and other hunters:




I don't know why it's not embedding I give up
AgEng06
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How much warm clothes do you have?
 
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