BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[MrKrabs]

I just found my answer:

"For units and species that require five or more preference points, 80 percent of the licenses are allocated to residents, the remainder to non-residents. If fewer than five preference points are needed, 65 percent of the licenses are allocated for state residents and the remainder for non-residents."

[MrKrabs]

If I'm reading this right it looks like my chances of getting a mule deer tag in either unit 48 or 49 is pretty good. The chances of a cow tag in 481 seem to be decent.

[MrKrabs]

Ok a couple of more questions I'm having trouble finding on the CO DOW website (the search isn't very good). The preference points are species specific, but are they also gender specific? For example if I apply for a cow tag in unit 49 as my first choice I'll gain a preference point even if I draw a cow tag in unit 481 which would be my second choice. That preference point can be used for any elk tag bull or cow for any GMU the following season(s) right?

In NC and VA where I currently hunt each member of a hunting party must have a license for the species being hunted no matter if a member is carrying a weapon or not. Someone that just goes to film, call, or just for the fun of it is considered a participant in the hunt and is required to be licensed. Is there a similar regulation in CO? I can't imagine there is since one person would have a hard time quartering and packing out an elk by themselves.

Thanks again the info on this site has been extremely helpful.

[huntquest]

MrKrabs wrote: Ok a couple of more questions I'm having trouble finding on the CO DOW website (the search isn't very good). The preference points are species specific, but are they also gender specific? For example if I apply for a cow tag in unit 49 as my first choice I'll gain a preference point even if I draw a cow tag in unit 481 which would be my second choice. That preference point can be used for any elk tag bull or cow for any GMU the following season(s) right?

In NC and VA where I currently hunt each member of a hunting party must have a license for the species being hunted no matter if a member is carrying a weapon or not. Someone that just goes to film, call, or just for the fun of it is considered a participant in the hunt and is required to be licensed. Is there a similar regulation in CO? I can't imagine there is since one person would have a hard time quartering and packing out an elk by themselves.

Thanks again the info on this site has been extremely helpful.

It doesnt matter what sex you apply for. If you dont draw your first choice then you gain a preference point.

Only the individual hunting the animal has to have a hunting license. If you have a camera man with you he does not need a hunting license to film. Only if he is planning on shooting an animal his self.

[Hiker]

MrKrabs, Yes you have a excellent chance of drawing a buck tag for any of those units you mentioned as a non-resident. Residents pretty much need a point to draw a 49 buck tag but a NR shouldn't need one.

[MrKrabs]

Hiker wrote: MrKrabs, Yes you have a excellent chance of drawing a buck tag for any of those units you mentioned as a non-resident. Residents pretty much need a point to draw a 49 buck tag but a NR shouldn't need one.

Great thanks for the info everyone. Does anyone know much about these units? I don't remember there being very much public land in unit 481 at least compared to the other units around it. I'm also not sure which would be the best unit for a mule deer tag.

[Hiker]

I haven't hunted those units before. Hopefully someone who has will come on here and assist you.

[dejoy1976]

Hiker wrote: Yes, when you apply for a tag in Colorado, you'll need to pay up front. If a few of you are applying, you can apply as a party, so either you all will draw or none of you will. In Colorado, as well as most of the Rocky Mountain states and Provinces after October 1st, you really should have a 4x4 with tire chains, especially on secondary dirt roads. We can get 2-3 feet of snow in a matter of hours. Bring a tow strap, shovel and a nice jack with you too.
Every area is different, some areas are better first season and others are better forth season. Much of that will depend on the elevation and how much snow is on the ground.
You can still purchase 2nd and 3rd "over-the-counter" bull tags for a lot of Colorado but be prepared to see a lot of hunters and very few legal bulls. Your best bet would be to hook up with a outfitter unless you want to do the legwork and scout out the area before season or find a friend who knows the area. It helps to hunt the same unit for a few years until you kind of figure it out and know where the elk will be going after the hunting pressure starts and after the snow starts to build up. Elk hunting is a blast! :thumbsup1:

We were looking at trying the 2nd season. That would mean an over the counter license. There will be four of us.

I saw that area 70 and 12 had very high success rates.

We are totally open to any ideas or suggestions as to where we should go for a second season hunt.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Hiker]

I'm not to familiar with 12 or 70 but if I remember right there's a lot of private land in those units, especially down low, which would explain the high success rates. Most over the counter areas have a lot of pressure and low success rates, unless you get in 5+ miles or so or hunt private land. If you and your friends are going to hunt over the counter bulls, it might be a good idea to rent horses, so you can pack in a ways.

[dejoy1976]

Hiker wrote: I'm not to familiar with 12 or 70 but if I remember right there's a lot of private land in those units, especially down low, which would explain the high success rates. Most over the counter areas have a lot of pressure and low success rates, unless you get in 5+ miles or so or hunt private land. If you and your friends are going to hunt over the counter bulls, it might be a good idea to rent horses, so you can pack in a ways.


Are you familiar with unit 231 near Yampa. It is located on the east side of unit 12.

What unit would you suggest we try for 2nd season?

Thanks

[NH Hunter]

I've hunted GMU 12 and there is quite a bit of national forest land with good public access. We didn't hunt there last year because we wanted to try a different area. Unit 12 gets a lot of pressure because access is good and there tends to be a lot of ATV's. The elk get run out of the areas easy to access pretty quick. Lower elevations tend to have a lot more private land. We generally hunted around Meeker and Buford. We weren't very happy about the numbers of elk we were seeing and decided to move to a different unit. Doesn't mean they aren't there...you just have to work harder for them. :yes:

[dejoy1976]

NH Hunter wrote: I've hunted GMU 12 and there is quite a bit of national forest land with good public access. We didn't hunt there last year because we wanted to try a different area. Unit 12 gets a lot of pressure because access is good and there tends to be a lot of ATV's. The elk get run out of the areas easy to access pretty quick. Lower elevations tend to have a lot more private land. We generally hunted around Meeker and Buford. We weren't very happy about the numbers of elk we were seeing and decided to move to a different unit. Doesn't mean they aren't there...you just have to work harder for them. :yes:



Any ideas about 231?

How much would horses cost to rent?

Any suggestions about units with good public land opportunities?

[dejoy1976]

Does anyone know anything about unit 11

Maybell, Colorado.

[NH Hunter]

Sorry, never hunted GMU 11 or GMU 231. :roll:

[dejoy1976]

NH Hunter wrote: Sorry, never hunted GMU 11 or GMU 231. :roll:




Which units have you had success in ? ? ?