Three years and three different areas. Thought first hunt 75 would be another slam dunk this year, but the CDOW reduced the licenses by 400 and I got shut out. Good news is I still got a first hunt either sex license, but its in 74. I also got an elk preference point that may or may not come in handy next year. Back to the maps to find another likely spot that elk may be in.
I am getting pretty good at reading a the maps of these different areas and when its all said and done, I will now a little about three different areas in SW Colorado. (trying to find the silver lining) Have not knocked a Colorado elk down yet, but came close opening day last year. Heard the bugle and saw the legs, but he never came out in the clear. Never saw the six or so cows he was with, but I probably would have passed on them anyway considering it was the first day. Then the snow came and forced us out of the mountains. In 2005 we had a third hunt for cows in a lower area, but the weather was so hot that the elk were still up high. Maybe this year the weather will be just right.
Good luck to all
HmG