BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[huntquest]

MrKrabs wrote: Hiker wrote:
Yes NH, they have only allowed point banking one year so far but I wouldn't be surprised if they allow us to do it again in the next 5 years or so.
Mr Krabs, Unit 2 and 10 are a really tough draw and currently take 16 points to even have a shot at a unit 2 or 10 bull tag. With point creep it might be 30 plus points before a guy just starting out will draw those tags.
A lot of us that hunt Colorado every year will apply for a Preference Point (E-P-999-99-P) as our first choice and then we'll apply for a cow tag for our second choice. That way you can earn a PP and draw a tag. Many areas have a over-the-counter bull tag and in a lot of units you can get both a cow tag and a bull tag.

What if your second choice requires points? On the other hand what if the second choice doesn't require points (so 0 PP hunter could get the tag as well) would they still take your points since you have them and you're applying for a limited draw area?

I know why everyone complains about the point system needing an overhaul now.

2nd choices do not cost points, only first choices!

[Hiker]

If your second choice takes points, you won't draw. You must choose an area that is under subscribed in order to draw a second choice. In Colorado Preference Points only help you for 1st choice. If you draw a second choice tag, you will retain your points.

[NH Hunter]

MrKrabs wrote: NH Hunter wrote: You'll need to check the regs because they change the rules often. I know last year if you drew, you lost all your points. I had six and drew a 2-point hunt. Points are back to zero. One year (I think) they let you keep what you didn't need. I wouldn't count on it happening again, but, you never know!

That pretty much knocks you down to OTC areas only for 15 years to draw the best areas. That stinks.

MrKrabs,

Yep, I've thrown in the towel! I've given up! They beat me down and I just can't take it anymore!

I used to apply for a PP first choice, cow elk second choice and never failed to draw a cow tag. With the "point creep", I realized I would never draw a great unit like GMU2 or the Bosque. Especially after the state limited the amount of tags going to NR's in the prime units. Originally, I was saving points for a Ranching for Wildlife tag and they closed those to NR's. My goals have changed and I will use my points to draw MZ tags in the statewide units or possibly a low point archery hunt. In years where I can't draw MZ as first choice, I will try for a cow tag as second choice (to save $$$) and my last option will be OTC bull. Rather than saving points for the dream hunt and having them make some rule change that blanks me out of it when I'm close, I will enjoy the lower point hunts more often. I'm saving points for Utah, which is where I'll get to have my dream hunt someday. :cool:

[peanut64]

NH, you must understand Utah's odds a whole lot better than me. I looked at their premium hunts and out of state hunters can draw one or two tags in a unit. I sure don't see those odds as anything close to the 20% that CO allocates. I hear you on the changing the rules in the middle of the game for some out of state hunters, it sucks. But I still think that out of state hunters are treated more fairly in CO than many other states.

[MrKrabs]

Maybe I should do research on Arizona for my elk hunt of a lifetime. I was planning on beginning to build points for a Big Horn hunt, but that sounds like a futile effort.

[Hiker]

The draw odds are low in AZ for a bull elk rifle tag in a good unit but you can't draw of you don't apply. AZ, ID,NV, and UT requires us to purchase a hunting license before we can apply for a deer, elk, antelope, sheep and other big game tags. It's not inexpensive but it the only way to draw one of those tags. The other way that I'm aware of to get a good elk tag in NV or UT is to purchase a landowner tag. They can be pretty expensive but could also save you 10 + years before you draw a tag going the lottery route. I am not aware of any landowner tags in AZ or ID.
These drawing routes are here to stay and someday might be the only way we can get a tag to hunt big game. We might as well except it and educate ourselves in the lotteries/ drawing systems in the states or provinces that we are interested in hunting.

[huntquest]

MrKrabs wrote: Maybe I should do research on Arizona for my elk hunt of a lifetime. I was planning on beginning to build points for a Big Horn hunt, but that sounds like a futile effort.

Start applying to New Mexico, they have big bulls and are on a lottery system. So you could draw at anytime!

[Hiker]

huntquest wrote: MrKrabs wrote: Maybe I should do research on Arizona for my elk hunt of a lifetime. I was planning on beginning to build points for a Big Horn hunt, but that sounds like a futile effort.

Start applying to New Mexico, they have big bulls and are on a lottery system. So you could draw at anytime!
Great Idea! huntquest
the Gila National Forest is a good area for big bulls.

[NH Hunter]

Peanut,

Didn't mean to insinuate I feel cheated by CO. I don't. I'm happy that I get to hunt it every year. I just decided not to try to save points in CO for a premium hunt. Every year I've watched the required amount of points climb for those premium hunts. It's inevitable unless they change the rules. There are few tags alloted and a lot of people trying to draw them. Since I hunt CO every year, I just decided to use my points for a low points hunt to have many "better than average" hunts instead of one "dream" hunt. Who knows, I might still get a "big stinky" if I can get to him before the 1st season guys. It happens on public ground every year. Just a different way of dealing with point creep. I expect the hunts that took 2 NR points will start to require 3 or more as time goes on. I've got time to wait a little in UT and since they just upped the ante I'm hoping a percentage of players will fold...or draw a lesser hunt. It might not work out but I'll give it a year or two and see what happens. 'Til then you'll see me stomping around CO scaring every self-respecting bull with decent headgear over the ridge and into the next drainage. :laugh: Might be a good place for you to set up! :thumbsup1:

[NH Hunter]

BTW, I'll also recommend NM. I don't apply there currently and I've never hunted there. I did almost hit a HUGE bull with a Jeep just over the border from Pagosa Springs near Chama. A whole herd standing right in the road! :o

[MrKrabs]

Can any of you that hunt CO in the second season give me a run down of the types of clothing I should bring? I know this sounds like a strange question, but I've heard it could be 70° or extremely cold.

[huntquest]

MrKrabs wrote: Can any of you that hunt CO in the second season give me a run down of the types of clothing I should bring? I know this sounds like a strange question, but I've heard it could be 70° or extremely cold.

Bring both light and heavy clothing. You just never know about Colorado weather!

[NH Hunter]

I would suggest something quiet, waterproof and roomy for your outer coat. Then bring stuff to layer with. You won't want just a heavy hunting coat because the weather and temps (and level of exertion) change throughout the day. I take a few pair of wicking type long johns, tops and bottoms because sweat will be a problem, that'sd pretty much a given. Polypropylene or some of the new fabrics are good, preferably one that doesn't hold the stink as well as the old polypro did. A couple of different fleeces. I usually bring a pullover and a vest. Some warm hats. Usually a knit one and one with a wide brim in case of rain or sun. A pair of wool hunting pants. A few pairs of boots from lightly insulated boots to arctic pacs (Sorels). I usually take up to four pairs. I also take snowshoes whether we think we need them or not. You don't want to have to stay in camp just because the snow is waist deep. I got my 5 X 5 when the snow was waist deep and you couldn't have got back to where he was w/o snowshoes. Don't think they all run off the mountain when the snow is a foot deep.

[MrKrabs]

I hadn't even thought of snowshoes. I'll add that to my list. We're actually going to be staying in a house instead of an outcamp so if there's a big snow we may be stranded in the house. We would probably be better off camping so we would have better access to remote areas.

[NH Hunter]

Most years you won't need them but I like to be prepared. We've also had to pull up camp early and bug out because the snow was piling up so fast and we were a long ways back in. You just never know. :roll: