2014 Elk Hunt

[bobbuck]

Myself and 4 friends are planning to Elk hunt 1st rifle season next year in GMU 24 Colorado. We are wanting to do a unguided drop camp. Does anyone here have any first hand knowledge of a reputable outfitter in this area?

 

[deerslayeror2]

Im trying to get bow hunt up for elk in Colorado is anyone want to go

 

[hunter0925]

I could tell you for 21 and 30 but 24 no idea.

 

[tellico4x4]

http://sablemountainoutfitters.com/

Have rented horses from them several times over the years. The business is now run by Ann Marie as Gene (husband) was killed a few years ago in tractor accident. I haven't used them since Gene died.

I guess you know that you'll need preference points to draw 1st rifle. You actully need points to draw any hunt in 24 except for 2nd & 3rd rifle.

I have been building points to draw a ML tag there, but now am caught up in points creep have 9, now need 11...

 

[4onaside]

Me too tellico! I have 9, and didn't even apply last year, because it occurred to me that the points required is always going to be just out of reach in front of me for unit 76. I am now too old to ever catch up to the tag. I received the booklet today, and Colorado dow is thumbing their noses at NR, bull tag now up to $604. I killed the biggest whitetail that I have ever killed this season on my own place(5 on a side), and have a great turkey population also, so I think that I will leave the Colorado deal to you!

 

[tellico4x4]

Me too tellico! so I think that I will leave the Colorado deal to you!

Wished I could buy your CO points

I'll keep building in CO and use them one day, may be a diff unit or weapon though. I also build in WY in which I have max points for elk, deer & antelope; just waiting on 2 grandsons to get enough so we can hunt together. Build lion, deer & elk in UT as well. Will probably draw lion next year and might live long enough to draw deer & elk there...
Going to burn my Iowa points this yr.

 

[Crosshairy]

Do Wyoming and CO both allow you to fill out an application "For points only", or do you have to apply for a hunt and be denied for points to be awarded?

I've been seriously considering starting up the practice of planning for a hunt in the not-too-distant future, and I've always been told that building points is the way to go towards widening options when the time comes.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I'm actually going to start cashing in my points for most states. I'm getting to that "no man's land" where I have to many points to want to draw a lesser unit, but not enough that I'll realistically catch point creep to hunt a great unit. Cash them in and start hunting 1-3 point units more often.

Do Wyoming and CO both allow you to fill out an application "For points only", or do you have to apply for a hunt and be denied for points to be awarded?

I've been seriously considering starting up the practice of planning for a hunt in the not-too-distant future, and I've always been told that building points is the way to go towards widening options when the time comes.

If I remember correctly. Wyoming allows you to buy points only in August and September for the points only fee. Colorado allows you to buy points during the regular draw, but you must pay the full license fee and are refunded all but the price of the points after the draw. Colorado's points went up in price this year, so if you buy a fishing license for 2013 before they expire, you are refunded the entire amount. They don't charge you for points if you bought a license for fishing or hunting from the previous year.

 

[tellico4x4]

Buzzard is correct regarding buying CO points. Possible to gun hunt decent deer units every 2-3 yrs & good archery elk the same.

Wyoming is a good state to build points for elk, deer & antelope as they just started the points deal 7 years ago, so 7 is the max that you are behind. Youth get a break there too between the ages of 12-16. Points for them are just $10 ea.

Utah is a bargain when it comes to buying points, as they are only $10 each for every big game animal they have. However, you must buy an NR license ($65) to apply for points. There is a 2-3 week overlap each year when points become available and when the NR license expires. If you plan just right, you can get two years worth of points on 1 license. Down side to UT is that you can expect the really good units to take 15+ points to draw.

Unless you are less than 30 years old, doubt that you can build enough AZ points to draw there anymore...

Chippewa can chime in about MT, as I haven't hunted there since 1989 and you could buy combo license's across the counter back then.

 

[tellico4x4]

Does anyone here have any first hand knowledge of a reputable outfitter in this area?

Didn't mean to hi-jack your thread...kinda got off track about points.

Besides the info I gave you regarding horses, Sable Mountain Outfitters also run some drop camps, as well as Welders Outfitters. Both are reputable outfits. Areas that are usually good is above Trappers Lake, Trappers Peak & Wall Lake.

 

[bobbuck]

Thanks guys for the information. We are going to put in for a different unit and do a self guided hunt from primitive cabin.

 

[tellico4x4]

Good Luck & buy gaiters or take a roll of electrical tape with you. Subject to get knee deep snow anytime in mtns.

 

[SALTMAN]

Tellica , re your UT points . elk , not sure if you are aware or are ready but if you pick an area that only offers 1 NR permit you actually have a better chance of drawing out. If it has only one permit( and these are usually great areas ) they put everyone in the lottery , man that has 14 points gets name in 14 times, you have 5 you get in five times. I drew monroe MZ with only 7 points. I didn't read fine print though . if you draw MZ you cant hunt with bow. thats what I wanted ! killed a nice bull though. now Im still chasing one with bow. Going back to Co this year .

 

[tellico4x4]

Tellica , re your UT points . elk , not sure if you are aware or are ready but if you pick an area that only offers 1 NR permit you actually have a better chance of drawing out. If it has only one permit( and these are usually great areas ) they put everyone in the lottery , man that has 14 points gets name in 14 times, you have 5 you get in five times. I drew monroe MZ with only 7 points.

Wasn't fully aware of how it worked, thanks for explaning!

Received my CO brochure in mail yesterday and glanced at it last night. Looks like LOTS of changes...