2018 Plans

[Buzzard Breath]

Draws are getting ready to start.

I'll probably do a solo WY antelope hunt. I've been wanting to get back and try bowhunting them. I'd even done the research for a unit last year but ended up not putting in for it do to time constraints. I'll stick with that same unit because It'll give me a chance to scout an elk unit I want to draw in the next couple of years. I'll fly into Denver and rent an SUV for a week, pick-up a ground blind, stove fuel and some groceries. I'll pack my backpacking gear to keep luggage to a minimum and truck camp for the week on a trout stream just inside the national forest that occupies some of the unit. Of course, I'll have a fly rod with me.

I'll also try to draw a second choice mule deer tag for the area. It looks like I have about a 10% chance of drawing one. If so, I'll extend my stay to catch the first bit of the season. But, my emphasis will be on antelope and not deer.

This could all change in the next couple months, but it's a start.

What's everyone's plans for 2018?

 

[AT Hiker]

I should draw Iowa, so that's gonna eat up a week in the first part of November.
Got a point for a general deer tag in Montana, so I will take a really long weekend for the opener to head there and bust me a private ranch Muley.
President Island will be drawn so I will spend the long weekend in December there chasing ghost.
Can this antelope tag your after be draw 2nd choice?


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[nwsg76]

Anyplace that will give me a tag.
I did iowa in 2017...hoping for north dakota mule deer tag in 2018. Have plenty of point but nothing really lined up for 2018

 

[AT Hiker]

Anyplace that will give me a tag.
I did iowa in 2017...hoping for north dakota mule deer tag in 2018. Have plenty of point but nothing really lined up for 2018

ND has some whopper Muleys! I'm building points for SD, maybe get a Muley tag then a couple whitetails.


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[PickettSFHunter]

All deer plans as far as I know. I really need to learn more about other draws. I have South Dakota points for deer and antelope but not really sure how many points I actually need.

I have 1 Iowa point so will just buy a point there again.

I WILL do Blackbeard Island archery hunt this year. That's a given. I will also hope to draw Sapelo Island again.

I may skip on traveling for turkeys this year, not enough points for Georgia. May end up in Alabama though for the opener, who knows. Really want to travel for a Merriams but need a partner. Already unsuccessful for AL and FL turkey draw hunts.


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[AT Hiker]

All deer plans as far as I know. I really need to learn more about other draws. I have South Dakota points for deer and antelope but not really sure how many points I actually need.


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However many points it takes us will be worth it, trust me. Those whitetail rut like crazy and I witnessed it first hand on my travels to Montana back in November.

Those refuge points we have should be good hunts too.


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[lightsareout]

I would love to do an OTC elk hunt of some kind but i'm not certain that will happen. If I were to do this I'd have to give up my 2 weeks hunting in Michigan. If I knew for certain I was guaranteed a kill for meat it would help the decision.

 

[wjohnson1983]

First on the wishlist is to go back to AK and do a moose hunt general tag with my friend up there.

I'll put in for blue chip units in several states and see if I get lucky. May try NM this year too since most of the money gets refunded if you don't draw and its completely random.

7 antelope points in WY, but that draw is one of the latest ones. Means I have a chance to wait and see what happens beforehand on the other draws. 4 WY deer points too, but probably won't consider burning them yet.

 

[wjohnson1983]

All deer plans as far as I know. I really need to learn more about other draws. I have South Dakota points for deer and antelope but not really sure how many points I actually need.

I have 1 Iowa point so will just buy a point there again.

I WILL do Blackbeard Island archery hunt this year. That's a given. I will also hope to draw Sapelo Island again.

I may skip on traveling for turkeys this year, not enough points for Georgia. May end up in Alabama though for the opener, who knows. Really want to travel for a Merriams but need a partner. Already unsuccessful for AL and FL turkey draw hunts.


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I'd like to travel for a Merriam's as well. Have 3 or 4 turkey points in CO, but I think other states are easier/better hunting.

 

[AT Hiker]

Sounds like a Black Hills Merriam trip needs to be planned!


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[PickettSFHunter]

Sounds like a Black Hills Merriam trip needs to be planned!


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I can agree to that.


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[wjohnson1983]

As long as it isn't the last week in March, I can probably make it happen.

 

[AT Hiker]

March would be a intense Western turkey hunt, a few years ago I had to cancel plans because of a late April blizzard!
SD season runs up into early May and so does Nebraska. Wish Rapid City would offer up some cheap flights, that would be super convenient.


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[PickettSFHunter]

Seems most people go in May.


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[AT Hiker]

Seems most people go in May.


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My experience in the Black Hills of Nebraska and South Dakota proves later in the year is a bit better. Especially in SD, as those flocks seem to be stuck on private ground early in the year.
Not to mention Winter is still around in April, or not to far to be found.
Nebraska gobbling was not prime in May, or not as good as SD was. We did get hit with hail and tornadoes in NE, so that's a huge downfall to going later in the year.

Hunter pressure wasn't to bad either, more people in NE (granted less public land) but nothing that messed with the experience.
SD had tons of more public land and the Black Hills are beautiful. Seemed like less birds in SD but the experience was better than NE.



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[Buzzard Breath]

Can this antelope tag your after be draw 2nd choice?

Of course. 1 in 15 Special random and 1 in 87 Regular random. If I remember correctly, it's the unit south of your muzzleloader hunt from a couple years ago.

 

[DaveB]

With any luck I want to take my two Sons on a cow elk hunt to one of the big ranches in New Mexico.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

With any luck I want to take my two Sons on a cow elk hunt to one of the big ranches in New Mexico.

I couldn't tell you how many times I've thought about doing this just to fill my freezer. Very reasonably priced.

 

[gtk]

My plans are to move to Colorado in May/June of 2018 and then next year enjoy the resident tag cost

 

[TX300mag]

Since I'm new at the western thing I'm basically going to target elk using Randy Newberg's advice on draw and OTC. Is this practical?


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[Buzzard Breath]

Since I'm new at the western thing I'm basically going to target elk using Randy Newberg's advice on draw and OTC. Is this practical?


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I'd never seen or read anything from Randy Newberg that would steer someone wrong. Every aspect of your first elk/western hunt is going to be a learning experience. Yea, you may kill something, but the knowledge you're going to gain is going to be far greater than you can imagine and you'll be able to return just that much more likely to succeed. It's going to change your life.

 

[wjohnson1983]

Since I'm new at the western thing I'm basically going to target elk using Randy Newberg's advice on draw and OTC. Is this practical?


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I did my first "western" hunt two years ago on antelope, and went with AT Hiker for mule deer this year. Your draw odds will probably be better for something other than elk unless you are looking at a cow tag. Of course CO has OTC tags for the later seasons.

I did live in AK for ~4 years from 2007 - 2012 and did moose, caribou, and trapping there, so parts of the western hunt weren't completely foreign to me.

 

[TX300mag]

Thanks guys for the encouragement.

I'm trying to make the most of the time while I'm still able. I'll be on a budget, but who isn't? Probably none of you guys that are making it happen. I'm hoping that I can realistically commit $1000 or so and make it happen (splitting fuel and camping). I've cut back on coffee ($13/lb whole bean, not Starbucks) and I wouldn't be surprised if another small issue or two doesn't make most of the difference. If $1000 isn't reasonable starting out I'm sure I'll get more efficient as I go.

I'm learning that if you prioritize and decide what's important, excuses are usually just justifications for chasing material things and social status.

 

[AT Hiker]

$1k budget....tag cost will eat up over 122 of that.


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[TX300mag]

$1k budget....tag cost will eat up over 122 of that.


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Is that not realistic? I was figuring $6-700 on license and tag and splitting fuel cost with a couple of others. Is that not realistic?

 

[Buzzard Breath]

$1k budget....tag cost will eat up over 122 of that.


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I don't think he's going to fill up coolers with fancy beer and whiskey like we do. That should cut costs by quite a bit.

 

[gtk]

A Colorado OTC bull/either sex tag is going to cost almost $700.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

$1k budget....tag cost will eat up over 122 of that.


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Is that not realistic? I was figuring $6-700 on license and tag and splitting fuel cost with a couple of others. Is that not realistic?

"$1,000 or so" is fairly realistic if costs are kept to a minimum. Allot will depend on fuel costs at the time. I don't take things like food into account when I budget a hunt because I've got to eat if I'm hunting or just at home. But, I'm not the best at keeping costs to a minimum. I sure do like a hot shower and comfortable bed after spending a week on the mountain.

One thing to consider is that those of us that have been doing this for awhile have extra equipment laying around. Whether it's stuff we've upgraded, or stuff we just aren't using at the moment. I'm sure most of us would be more than willing to let you borrow it to and help make this happen.

 

[AT Hiker]

$1k budget....tag cost will eat up over 122 of that.


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Is that not realistic? I was figuring $6-700 on license and tag and splitting fuel cost with a couple of others. Is that not realistic?

"$1,000 or so" is fairly realistic if costs are kept to a minimum. Allot will depend on fuel costs at the time. I don't take things like food into account when I budget a hunt because I've got to eat if I'm hunting or just at home. But, I'm not the best at keeping costs to a minimum. I sure do like a hot shower and comfortable bed after spending a week on the mountain.

One thing to consider is that those of us that have been doing this for awhile have extra equipment laying around. Whether it's stuff we've upgraded, or stuff we just aren't using at the moment. I'm sure most of us would be more than willing to let you borrow it to and help make this happen.

Like BB said, we might have some equipment you could borrow.

I meant to say 1/2 the cost of the $1k. But as stated, CO will eat up $700, leave you $300 for travel. Personally, it would be tough for me. A hot meal every once in a while, a 6er of good local brew, fuel, and a bed/shower before the long drive home would be tough to fit in the $300. Heck, it cost me $70 just to get to St Louise from my house in Clarksville.
Sounds like fuel is gonna be a big factor in whether you can make that budget happen. Doable, yea but enjoyable????


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[TX300mag]

I'm definitely only counting expendable expenses. I figure gear and equipment as capital items in a different group. I'm not tied to any number specifically and I'm definitely not going to miss out on a hunt over a couple hundred dollars. I know plenty who look for reasons they CAN'T and refuse to be that guy.

$300 of diesel at today's prices gives me almost 2000 miles, and I'm not going to head out on my own so unless fuel prices just skyrocket I think it's doable by sharing the cost. If not, I'll pay a little more.

If it happens to be Colorado I've got family in Denver area. That could be a shower spot on the way in or out. I also have a connection in Wyoming with a place to stay if needed. If this is the case should I consider these as I look at different areas?




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