I feel a little bad for my main hunting partner because he has several points built up and for archery, neither of these units really require them, it'll guarantee a tag but I wince a bit when I think about giving up 4 points for something 30% draw with 0 points. At the same time, he doesn't care and just wants to HUNT.
I forget how many points I had built up at one time for elk. Seems like it was about 12, but I could be wrong. It was quite a few. I applied for a unit that only required a few points, and was even told by a DOW guy that I could get a much better unit with as many points as I had.
The result is the bull in my avatar.
FWIW, I probably wouldn't have applied like I did if it weren't for the fact that I had seen a big bull in the same meadow two years earlier.
But, the moral of my story is that elk are where you find them.
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
There's always the more western units, where Bud hunts. Much easier terrain, easier camping, too. There's actually a couple primitive campgrounds. Or, it's about an hour from town, you could hotel it, and drive up each day. Like we did.
There's always the more western units, where Bud hunts. Much easier terrain, easier camping, too. There's actually a couple primitive campgrounds. Or, it's about an hour from town, you could hotel it, and drive up each day. Like we did.
Are you planning on buying a tag this year?
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
All my usual tags are in. I have until the end of today to talk myself into putting in for the big time tags, sheep and moose. Not sure if I'll do both but I'll likely put in for sheep, I need 2 more points before I start getting weighted draw points. I get almost all the money back in May...but yikes, that stings putting 250-500$ in the states bank for a few weeks.
Points for deer, bull elk muzzle loader, and buck antelope in a new unit (48/481/56) that is open to rifle hunts for the first time this year. I'll likely try to snag a bear tag to ensure I don't see any haha.
I'm officially applied for bull elk muzzleloader season, and then stashing point for antelope and mulie. I'm getting to that 4-point antelope level where, when I apply for a tag in the next few years with Jerry and Mike, I may try to get their unit as a "backdoor" 2nd choice by putting in for an extremely tough draw in one of the prime northern units, and then list the unit I really hope to hunt as choice #2. This would allow me to keep banking toward prime tag in CO while still getting to hunt with my buddies since it's all but assured that I wouldn't have a prayer of drawing one of those 12-14 point antelope units for many more years.
All my usual tags are in. I have until the end of today to talk myself into putting in for the big time tags, sheep and moose. Not sure if I'll do both but I'll likely put in for sheep, I need 2 more points before I start getting weighted draw points. I get almost all the money back in May...but yikes, that stings putting 250-500$ in the states bank for a few weeks.
You don't wanna know how money of my money is sitting in Colorado bank right now awaiting the inevitable refund. I thought about putting in for sheep, but started really getting concerned that my wife might neuter me in my sleep when she saw the savings withdrawal that would follow.
Accuracy: because white space between bullet holes drives me insane.
I applied for preference points for deer and elk as my first two choices, as I have none for either and don't figure I have a snowball's chance of drawing. Just for grins, I applied for GMUs 58 etal for both deer and elk, 3rd and 2nd seasons, but don't figure to draw.
I hope that Mike and/or Paul (Linefinder and Mosseybuck) applied for antelope and get a tag. I'd like to go with them and at least experience the chase. I no longer have a desire to shoot another antelope, but still like to help others get one.
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
Tell me something Colorado boys, what are the legalities of your muzzle loading season? Are inlines legal? Is a 50 cal enough? What about Optics? Does it happen when they're in rut and can be bugled up? This really interests me and might make me take the plunge.
Daddy, what's an enabler?
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Tell me something Colorado boys, what are the legalities of your muzzle loading season? Are inlines legal? Is a 50 cal enough? What about Optics? Does it happen when they're in rut and can be bugled up? This really interests me and might make me take the plunge.
Has to load from the muzzle. (inlines ok if muzzle loaders)
50 cal or bigger for elk, 40 or bigger for deer.
No sabbots, optics or electronic devices.
No pellitized powder systems.
Fiber optic open sights or florescent paint ok.
My thoughts are generally clear. My typing, not so much.
Tell me something Colorado boys, what are the legalities of your muzzle loading season? Are inlines legal? Is a 50 cal enough? What about Optics? Does it happen when they're in rut and can be bugled up? This really interests me and might make me take the plunge.
Snake -
See early's info above and the thread I just posted on working up a Colorado-legal inline muzzleloader setup & load for hunting there:
You will likely have to make some concessions from what you are used to in order to use an inline there, but it is doable provided you know your limits and oblige by them for your given setup and ability.
Accuracy: because white space between bullet holes drives me insane.
Has to load from the muzzle. (inlines ok if muzzle loaders)
50 cal or bigger for elk, 40 or bigger for deer.
No sabbots, optics or electronic devices.
No pellitized powder systems.
Fiber optic open sights or florescent paint ok.
In addition to what Luis posted, the muzzle loader season this year runs September 10-18. Typically, elk are bugling during the last two weeks of September, but I've heard them in early October. So, you should get in on the very early stages of the rut. A better option is to hunt the archery season, which runs through September 25.
Some of the GMUs have center fire rifle seasons that run from Oct.1-11, but you need to study the regs to know which ones. Also, these may not offer OTC tags. It seems that most of the rifle seasons start in mid-October.
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
I don't know if Tennessee's elk herd will grow enough to allow me to shoot one before I get too old and feeble to hold a rifle, but at least I can step out the back door, walk 500 yards, and shoot just about anything that walks by, deer-wise, for 3 months or so. No license required since I own the property!
Jerry
In addition to what Luis posted, the muzzle loader season this year runs September 10-18. Typically, elk are bugling during the last two weeks of September, but I've heard them in early October. So, you should get in on the very early stages of the rut. A better option is to hunt the archery season, which runs through September 25.
Some of the GMUs have center fire rifle seasons that run from Oct.1-11, but you need to study the regs to know which ones. Also, these may not offer OTC tags. It seems that most of the rifle seasons start in mid-October.
Man, you gotta be at least half assed coordinated to hunt with a bow. Last time I pulled the string on a bow I almost shot myself in the wrist! I'll stick to at least Muzzle Loading. I mean Geronimo and company had a good reason for converting from bows to Winchesters...
Daddy, what's an enabler?
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Many years ago, somebody wrote a letter to one of the outdoor magazines asking "Where's the best place to shoot a moose?" The answer- - - - -"Right next to a pickup truck!"
I'm bracing for the hit if it all works out. Oh, and I'll be sure to keep a sharp pocket knife handy...just in case.
Just one? Take at least two, and a saw and/or hatchet as well. Even better, bring along a big, strong friend.
As for the bugling, if you can make a trip to Estes Park in late September or early October, you should get to hear them. My wife and I sat in the parking lot of the local golf course and watched a number of big bulls doing their best to keep other big bulls away. They were bugling, too.
Jerry
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
All my usual tags are in. I have until the end of today to talk myself into putting in for the big time tags, sheep and moose. Not sure if I'll do both but I'll likely put in for sheep, I need 2 more points before I start getting weighted draw points. I get almost all the money back in May...but yikes, that stings putting 250-500$ in the states bank for a few weeks.
Points for deer, bull elk muzzle loader, and buck antelope in a new unit (48/481/56) that is open to rifle hunts for the first time this year. I'll likely try to snag a bear tag to ensure I don't see any haha.
Six, Chiro and his boys are all in for bulls too.
I got lucky, my oldest squeaked under the wire for the youth tag fee, kept $500 at home instead of the CO DOW bank.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
The rut can depend a lot on what part of the state you are in and what the weather is doing.
A few years ago when I was doing the timberline mulie hunt, I heard bulls bugling at night (1st week of Sept).
Year after that when I hunted with Chiro and his eldest I bugled a bull in from across a canyon, and again the next morning in the same area, but I couldn't get him to commit and come out of the bushes before he followed his cows up to the bedding area. Last day of the hunt as I was loading my truck I heard one not far from the cabin bugling in the late morning.
Last year no bugles at all. But a cow-in-estrus call brought my bull dang near running to me.
My buddy who hunts the opposite side of the unit where me and Chiro were, didn't hear anything until the last 2 days (3000 ft lower elevation then where we had been seeing elk) and he said it was like someone flicked a light switch and they were going nuts.
Just no telling with elk, its fairly consistent, but the actual week/day varies to the area.
The only thing I've hunted with antlers has been Nilgai and Deer. I've shot a couple nice bucks and I don't have to have anything Boone and Crockett deer wise anymore. In fact I really prefer a nice fat doe because it's a hell of a lot better to eat, and the eating part is what is my main interest in deer nowadays.
But you can bet your sweet Bippy if I go on an elk hunt Antlers better be in the fray. If I ever get the opportunity I want it to count and I want to be like Jerrybob and shoot one that cures my urge. I want a wall hanger.
I'll eat his musty ass, and make crappy sausage out of him, because I don't like to waste game. But if I'm eating him and he's tasting like a Testosterone Sandwich, as big whitetail shot in Rut tend to do, I want to be able to look on that wall and see Horns, Big Horns, which will make that tuff, strong meat go down a hell of a lot easier,
Replies
I forget how many points I had built up at one time for elk. Seems like it was about 12, but I could be wrong. It was quite a few. I applied for a unit that only required a few points, and was even told by a DOW guy that I could get a much better unit with as many points as I had.
The result is the bull in my avatar.
FWIW, I probably wouldn't have applied like I did if it weren't for the fact that I had seen a big bull in the same meadow two years earlier.
But, the moral of my story is that elk are where you find them.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
There's always the more western units, where Bud hunts. Much easier terrain, easier camping, too. There's actually a couple primitive campgrounds. Or, it's about an hour from town, you could hotel it, and drive up each day. Like we did.
Are you planning on buying a tag this year?
Unfortunately, no. I've been told that I'm going on a family vacation. To Yellowstone. No hunting.
Points for deer, bull elk muzzle loader, and buck antelope in a new unit (48/481/56) that is open to rifle hunts for the first time this year. I'll likely try to snag a bear tag to ensure I don't see any haha.
Six, Chiro and his boys are all in for bulls too.
You don't wanna know how money of my money is sitting in Colorado bank right now awaiting the inevitable refund. I thought about putting in for sheep, but started really getting concerned that my wife might neuter me in my sleep when she saw the savings withdrawal that would follow.
I hope that Mike and/or Paul (Linefinder and Mosseybuck) applied for antelope and get a tag. I'd like to go with them and at least experience the chase. I no longer have a desire to shoot another antelope, but still like to help others get one.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
Has to load from the muzzle. (inlines ok if muzzle loaders)
50 cal or bigger for elk, 40 or bigger for deer.
No sabbots, optics or electronic devices.
No pellitized powder systems.
Fiber optic open sights or florescent paint ok.
Snake -
See early's info above and the thread I just posted on working up a Colorado-legal inline muzzleloader setup & load for hunting there:
http://forums.gunsandammo.com/showthread.php?28293-Success!-Worked-up-a-Colorado-legal-muzzleloader-load
You will likely have to make some concessions from what you are used to in order to use an inline there, but it is doable provided you know your limits and oblige by them for your given setup and ability.
In addition to what Luis posted, the muzzle loader season this year runs September 10-18. Typically, elk are bugling during the last two weeks of September, but I've heard them in early October. So, you should get in on the very early stages of the rut. A better option is to hunt the archery season, which runs through September 25.
Some of the GMUs have center fire rifle seasons that run from Oct.1-11, but you need to study the regs to know which ones. Also, these may not offer OTC tags. It seems that most of the rifle seasons start in mid-October.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
Jerry
Man, you gotta be at least half assed coordinated to hunt with a bow. Last time I pulled the string on a bow I almost shot myself in the wrist! I'll stick to at least Muzzle Loading. I mean Geronimo and company had a good reason for converting from bows to Winchesters...
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
They're a lot of work.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
That had to be awesome. That sort of thing is exactly why I take to the field.
Don't take that experience for granted. I've seen plenty of elk, but never heard one bugle in the wild. You've got it good out your way!
I'm bracing for the hit if it all works out. Oh, and I'll be sure to keep a sharp pocket knife handy...just in case.
:rotflmao:
Jerry
Just one? Take at least two, and a saw and/or hatchet as well. Even better, bring along a big, strong friend.
As for the bugling, if you can make a trip to Estes Park in late September or early October, you should get to hear them. My wife and I sat in the parking lot of the local golf course and watched a number of big bulls doing their best to keep other big bulls away. They were bugling, too.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
I got lucky, my oldest squeaked under the wire for the youth tag fee, kept $500 at home instead of the CO DOW bank.
A few years ago when I was doing the timberline mulie hunt, I heard bulls bugling at night (1st week of Sept).
Year after that when I hunted with Chiro and his eldest I bugled a bull in from across a canyon, and again the next morning in the same area, but I couldn't get him to commit and come out of the bushes before he followed his cows up to the bedding area. Last day of the hunt as I was loading my truck I heard one not far from the cabin bugling in the late morning.
Last year no bugles at all. But a cow-in-estrus call brought my bull dang near running to me.
My buddy who hunts the opposite side of the unit where me and Chiro were, didn't hear anything until the last 2 days (3000 ft lower elevation then where we had been seeing elk) and he said it was like someone flicked a light switch and they were going nuts.
Just no telling with elk, its fairly consistent, but the actual week/day varies to the area.
The only thing I've hunted with antlers has been Nilgai and Deer. I've shot a couple nice bucks and I don't have to have anything Boone and Crockett deer wise anymore. In fact I really prefer a nice fat doe because it's a hell of a lot better to eat, and the eating part is what is my main interest in deer nowadays.
But you can bet your sweet Bippy if I go on an elk hunt Antlers better be in the fray. If I ever get the opportunity I want it to count and I want to be like Jerrybob and shoot one that cures my urge. I want a wall hanger.
I'll eat his musty ass, and make crappy sausage out of him, because I don't like to waste game. But if I'm eating him and he's tasting like a Testosterone Sandwich, as big whitetail shot in Rut tend to do, I want to be able to look on that wall and see Horns, Big Horns, which will make that tuff, strong meat go down a hell of a lot easier,
:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:...:rotflmao:
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.