Lazarus you have my number. If you need a 2nd or 3rd, Holler at me. I can maybe move some things around.

Colorado OTC elk hunt that a buddy has convinced me we should do with little to no experience. Should be a good time!

cupofjoe04 said:

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chocolatelabs said:

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AgEng06 said:

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theonefromnolancounty12 said:

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ChocolateLabs, can you give me a shout?

Three Two Five 6 Six 9 Three Six 2 Five

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Post it all here... we all want to know too (speaking for myself).

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This is outfitter I'm going with. Did it last year and was fun.

https://landofenchantmenttrophyhunts.com/

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Choclabs- would you be open to connecting via email with me? I would love to know a little more about your experience with this outfitter. I'm looking for a mule deer for my Old Man.

My email is my username at g m a i l .com. Thanks so much!

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Let me know what you think here. I know Wes does this too and was supposed to get me more info soon for jan'24

Hoyt Ag said:

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Lazarus you have my number. If you need a 2nd or 3rd, Holler at me. I can maybe move some things around.

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Yessir. Doing rifle 1 this fall w an outfitter have a deposit with already. '24 is open and might be the year of the mule deer. I have a couple colorado muley points in the back pocket.

cupofjoe04 said:

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lazuras_dc said:

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Blowing my Colorado points for a hunt near the divide this October rifle1. Hopefully CupOfJoe joins

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However, Lazarus we may need to touch base in late Feb to confirm. There might be some very significant changes for our fam in '23. Got something in the hopper, and I can't commit (or comment) until after the dust settles.

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That's exciting! Keep me posted. That's what Garmin In-Reach is for

TH36 said:

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JeremiahJohnson said:

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My last resort if nothing works out. I had planned on doing it this year but baby was born late November so my wife would kill me if i went walking around for a few weeks in Arizona right now.

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I'm in your shoes. Our baby girl was just born yesterday so I doubt monetarily and more important (wife time wise) will allow me to put in this year. I've got 3 points for antelope and 3 points for Mule Deer in Wyoming. I'd like to go bag my first antelope but probably gunna have to wait.

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Congrats! At least your girl wasn't born during deer season! You have plenty of time before next season to figure it out. Can always just buy points and do an OTC if you can find the time. That way you don't have to make a decision now and still can hunt. That's probably what I am doing.

I had a headhunter reach out to me to interview for a new job too. Might take it, so hopefully this new company doesn't mind me disappearing for a couple weeks each year.

Would love to hear more about the Haul Road trip...that is one our group thrown around as a possible trip one day!

It was a recommendation from a buddy that works on the slope and hunts his ass off on his off weeks. Said it's kind of like a rite of passage for getting into Alaskan hunting. The logistics are tricky but it's relatively cheap and do-able, and thankfully there are some decent videos and how-to's online. Hardest part is going to be hiking 5 miles across the squishy tundra get into legal shooting territory.

You probably read this a long time ago but there is a classic article from F&S that Edward Nickens wrote. 2 parts (2004).

Wasn't about caribou but chronicles all the hunting and fishing opportunities he had in a two week trip.

Thanks, I will check it out. Really exciting to maybe catch some grayling out there.

Planning to float NM a temporary loan equal to the price of a NM Unit 34 archery elk tag.

Going to of otc in Colorado and put in for points elsewhere. Hopefully get in on the hoytag trip

Birdbear said:

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Thanks, I will check it out. Really exciting to maybe catch some grayling out there.

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https://www.fieldandstream.com/adventures/hunting-road-trip-dalton-highway-alaska/?amp

Another FYI Colorado.

I got to participate in a license allocation workshop. Lots of comments for fewer nonresidents. Archery is likely to go full draw in the next few years. Doubtful there will be any nonresident OTC by 2026.

Just keep this in mind as you decide to put in for points or not.

BradMtn346 said:

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Another FYI Colorado.

I got to participate in a license allocation workshop. Lots of comments for fewer nonresidents. Archery is likely to go full draw in the next few years. Doubtful there will be any nonresident OTC by 2026.

Just keep this in mind as you decide to put in for points or not.

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yeah forget those OOS guys!

BradMtn346 said:

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Another FYI Colorado.

I got to participate in a license allocation workshop. Lots of comments for fewer nonresidents. Archery is likely to go full draw in the next few years. Doubtful there will be any nonresident OTC by 2026.

Just keep this in mind as you decide to put in for points or not.

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that will be disappointing if it happens - a lot of $ flows into Colorado for the OTC tags. I was surprised and encouraged that Co has a biologist assigned to every unit - that may change if the number of the hunters drops significantly.

At the same time, if I was a resident I would want less hunters tromping in my favorite spots.

Most likely first week of stick and string season, I will let you know. I won't be able to do a full week, so keep that in mind. Saturday to Wednesday for me. You know you are welcome to crash at the house if you need to. Probably hit same unit you were in last year and maybe the unit just south of you or the original unit you were going to hunt if we get a wet summer again.

I'd be happy to take any help we can get.

My dad (class of '72) has 24 out of state elk points. We've been applying E-M-061-01-R for the last couple years. It has a 66% draw rate for the prior year but of course that goes up each year and we dont get drawn.

The plan has been to pay an outfitter if he ever gets drawn.

I'm not sure what to do. He's 72 and in fairly good health but that could end at any point.

Apply same area, different season? I think he could qualify for a crossbow permit with a recent shoulder injury that he's been doing physical therapy for and is supposed to have surgery soon.

Ditch that area all together and try for somewhere else?

Keep applying in hopes that the creep wont hit every year?

He also has 23 deer points and would be just as happy doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

I'm in for whatever. I'm comfortable in the woods solo, but definitely want to tag along with you to learn more strategy

AgDad121619 said:

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BradMtn346 said:

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Another FYI Colorado.

I got to participate in a license allocation workshop. Lots of comments for fewer nonresidents. Archery is likely to go full draw in the next few years. Doubtful there will be any nonresident OTC by 2026.

Just keep this in mind as you decide to put in for points or not.

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that will be disappointing if it happens - a lot of $ flows into Colorado for the OTC tags. I was surprised and encouraged that Co has a biologist assigned to every unit - that may change if the number of the hunters drops significantly.

At the same time, if I was a resident I would want less hunters tromping in my favorite spots.

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I do think it would be a shame for OOS hunters, but to be honest those OTC opportunities that would be lost are of diminishing value because of the incredible increase in pressure. In many units, the number of OOS people during OTC seasons simply doesn't seem sustainable- and it's really hurting residents. It's having a huge impact in our unit, the pressure is growing every year. Really seems out of control.

A move like that would hurt economically, and would hurt OOS, but might help resident hunters. Might… It's all a balancing act, and a difficult one at that. I don't think state-wide decisions should always be an effective answer either, as the issues and nuanced.

I agree with that. There is a ton of pressure. The only issue is that the land OOS hunters are hunting is mostly federal land. If they want less out of state hunters they should be willing to accept less federal conservation dollars.

JeremiahJohnson said:

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I agree with that. There is a ton of pressure. The only issue is that the land OOS hunters are hunting is mostly federal land. If they want less out of state hunters they should be willing to accept less federal conservation dollars.

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Bingo!

Agreed. I don't know what the solution is, but there is a lot of overcrowding and needs to be better managed, which in turn I think will help the herds. Hoping for a good solution for the Non-Res guys. Its tough enough as it is for decent units for deer and speedgoat tags. Next year I won't be hunting much in CO, as I plan on cashing in my Wyoming elk points.

cupofjoe04 said:

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JeremiahJohnson said:

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I agree with that. There is a ton of pressure. The only issue is that the land OOS hunters are hunting is mostly federal land. If they want less out of state hunters they should be willing to accept less federal conservation dollars.

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Bingo!

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Are the animals on federal land considered to be state resources or federal? I assume state.

CS78 said:

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I'd be happy to take any help we can get.

My dad (class of '72) has 24 out of state elk points. We've been applying E-M-061-01-R for the last couple years. It has a 66% draw rate for the prior year but of course that goes up each year and we dont get drawn.

The plan has been to pay an outfitter if he ever gets drawn.

I'm not sure what to do. He's 72 and in fairly good health but that could end at any point.

Apply same area, different season? I think he could qualify for a crossbow permit with a recent shoulder injury that he's been doing physical therapy for and is supposed to have surgery soon.

Ditch that area all together and try for somewhere else?

Keep applying in hopes that the creep wont hit every year?

He also has 23 deer points and would be just as happy doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

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Looking at the draw odds on go hunt, archery and muzzleloader seasons are actually slightly WORSE draw odds than 1st rifle for 61.

I have no personal experience, but it looks like unit 76 muzzleloader would get him a really good shot at a tag.

I have friends who have killed some nice bulls out of 49 in 1st rifle, he'd be way overspending points to do it, but he's in a kind of no man's land that could see him running out of stamina before he draws if yall hold out for 61.

Heading to Alaska for Dall Sheep and if I stumble into a grizzly, will have a tag for that.

Got a nice bull elk in NM last year, so will continue to build points in some states but won't be a real player to draw any tags I want beyond SD mule deer. I will likely just push that hunt to 2024 given the time away to do Alaska this year, as that's a big undertaking.

CS78 said:

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I'd be happy to take any help we can get.

My dad (class of '72) has 24 out of state elk points. We've been applying E-M-061-01-R for the last couple years. It has a 66% draw rate for the prior year but of course that goes up each year and we dont get drawn.

The plan has been to pay an outfitter if he ever gets drawn.

I'm not sure what to do. He's 72 and in fairly good health but that could end at any point.

Apply same area, different season? I think he could qualify for a crossbow permit with a recent shoulder injury that he's been doing physical therapy for and is supposed to have surgery soon.

Ditch that area all together and try for somewhere else?

Keep applying in hopes that the creep wont hit every year?

He also has 23 deer points and would be just as happy doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

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Looking at the draw recap, I'd say his odds this year are about 50% for 61 first rifle. He should draw it next year if he doesn't this year. My wife drew it several years ago and I helped a buddy that drew it archery. It is a big unit that is very different from one end to the other. The further south you go, the more elk you will see, but big bulls are more scarce. Parts of it are easy to hunt, part are a nightmare. An outfitter will mitigate the worst part, the pack out.

You could draw 76, but it is mostly tough hunting. Lots of beetle kill which has become a lot of blow downs. There are big elk there. 76 is where I've decided to spend my points, but I'm going early rifle.

49 had a lot of elk, but big bulls are rare. I used to live there, and I filled every bull tag I ever drew, but never saw a bull over 300. There were a few, but very far in between.

Alaska Caribou August! Can't wait

tmaggie50 said:

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cupofjoe04 said:

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JeremiahJohnson said:

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I agree with that. There is a ton of pressure. The only issue is that the land OOS hunters are hunting is mostly federal land. If they want less out of state hunters they should be willing to accept less federal conservation dollars.

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Bingo!

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Are the animals on federal land considered to be state resources or federal? I assume state.

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I don't know the answer to that. And I don't think it matters. I assume state as well.

What matters is the land you are accessing and who owns it. State & Federal Lands all have different rules. Not giving OTC tags to hunters on Federal Lands would significantly limit the OOS hunters who come, but would also (I assume) limit Federal Conservation Funding. I'm not sure how they would view all tags becoming a draw, and reducing OOS hunters. I am not in the know on how all that works, honestly.

I just about broke my brain trying to figure out how to hunt speed goats on private lands in NM a few years ago, where state-assigned hunters were allowed on X% of the front of the private property or during certain time periods (which landowners had to allow in exchange for tags). It all shakes out in some very confusing ways.

BradMtn346 said:

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You could draw 76, but it is mostly tough hunting. Lots of beetle kill which has become a lot of blow downs. There are big elk there. 76 is where I've decided to spend my points, but I'm going early rifle.

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It looks like 76 muzzleloader might be a sweet spot.

Any idea how the outfitters hunt it? How is the grade? Elevation? That would concern me more than blow downs. We're used to hunting rough areas but not used to steep grades or high elevations. Last time I got out of the car at the top of pikes peak, I thought I was going to fall over. Would a full guide be able to assist to the point of making it doable or would we likely be miserable? I also have access to Honda Foreman ATVs if that makes a difference.

Thanks again!

Email me if it would be easier- cwscott a t tamu.edu

CS78 said:

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BradMtn346 said:

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You could draw 76, but it is mostly tough hunting. Lots of beetle kill which has become a lot of blow downs. There are big elk there. 76 is where I've decided to spend my points, but I'm going early rifle.

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It looks like 76 muzzleloader might be a sweet spot.

Any idea how the outfitters hunt it? How is the grade? Elevation? That would concern me more than blow downs. We're used to hunting rough areas but not used to steep grades or high elevations. Last time I got out of the car at the top of pikes peak, I thought I was going to fall over. Would an outfitter be able to assist to the point of making it doable or would we likely be miserable? I also have access to Honda Foreman ATVs if that makes a difference.

Thanks again!

Email me if it would be easier- cwscott a t tamu.edu

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Cupofjoe04 has a buddy Justin who outfits 77 but has a lot of contacts with 76. May be worth asking about.

CS78 said:

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BradMtn346 said:

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You could draw 76, but it is mostly tough hunting. Lots of beetle kill which has become a lot of blow downs. There are big elk there. 76 is where I've decided to spend my points, but I'm going early rifle.

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It looks like 76 muzzleloader might be a sweet spot.

Any idea how the outfitters hunt it? How is the grade? Elevation? That would concern me more than blow downs. We're used to hunting rough areas but not used to steep grades or high elevations. Last time I got out of the car at the top of pikes peak, I thought I was going to fall over. Would an outfitter be able to assist to the point of making it doable or would we likely be miserable? I also have access to Honda Foreman ATVs if that makes a difference.

Thanks again!

Email me if it would be easier- cwscott a t tamu.edu

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I live just over the divide from 76, and have spent a bit of time there. Been a part of 2 hunts there, and done a little bit of scouting too. But, everything I have done has been from the Pagosa Side, riding/hiking up and over into it.

I do know a guy who outfits and knows a lot about access from the Creed side. I would be happy to give you his email, but I don't know if he can guide in 76 or not.

Like almost any elk unit, the terrain can be tough. It's not an easy place to hunt, by any means. There are some roads you can drive, but anywhere that is a Wilderness Area you can only use feet and hooves off of the established roads (no atv's). Not everything is up high, there are some lower areas. But all the big bulls I have seen have been up in thick nasty timber at significant elevation. Granted, that may be because I have only been on the side of the unit closer to me, which presses against the continental divide. So, there are likely some easier places to hunt in 76 than where I've been. But I know spots where several monster elk have been taken in that unit- and it's all on the other side of some pretty significant hard work. There is some NASTY country in 76- and it holds some bruisers for sure.

If you are using a lot of points and draw a great tag in a remote unit like 76, you need to be able to handle tough terrain and altitude. You want to make the most of it. No one can promise those buggers will be down within a relatively flat walk of the road. If you can't physically get yourself up to, and operate in, the places elk are- no outfitter can mitigate that. Even if they pack you in and you stay at a wall tent deep in the backcountry, there will be significant grades and elevation all around you.

I'm not trying to discourage you in the least. Just trying to paint a realistic picture of what I have seen in 76. It's tough country, to say the least. And that is precisely why I'm saving points specifically to hunt 76.

I would also add that muzzloader season in 76 is early, before there is snow up high. So there is a LOT of tough terrain they can hem the cows up in. But that is a fantastic tag!!!