I’d be game for that, seems like it would work well in CO since it really isn’t a “trophy” state. Minus the 6% NR tag allocation and outfitter welfare program.
2019 was last time out. And, the only outfitter I’ve ever hired was for hog hunting.
You found a unicorn area then. Better keep it a secret!
...Are you hunting private land or the last great unknown drainage? There is no such thing as a non over-crowded spot now unless you are on private. Anyone can go on OnX or Google Earth and find trails, parking areas, etc. You're not even really hunting some of these spots any more than you're just hoping the group 300 yards away on the other side of the drainage bumps the herd over. You found the last known honey hole in the state.
No offense but it is possible. We hunt muzzleloader season in a unit that is OTC for Archery. We see lots of other camps and guys on ATVs, but we rarely see anyone in the woods. We don’t ever hike in more than a couple miles. Our group killed 2 elk, 2 Muledeer and a Bear last year. My 12 year old missed a once and a lifetime buck as well. Colorado is a big state. I think the problem is everyone wants to hunt the same places, which leaves some of the less desirable areas wide open. Which is fine by us lol. We also see more residents where we hunt than Non.
No offense taken. Spots are getting swamped by more and more hunters on a finite resource. I see good days and terrible days. Last year was the worst I have seen, while 2 years ago was mild.
I agree. But, I don’t count crowded based on vehicles or camps. And, it didn’t take long to figure out, it doesn’t take huge effort covering a lot of miles off road In a lot of elk country.
If I hunted private land I wouldn’t be in this discussion.
If you limit NR to draw only and 20% at that, you’d better up that $125 to about $675 for your resident otc license. It’s the only way parks and wildlife would accept the proposal.
The nr love to quote that game but it’s been posted multiple times that the money the residents would need to make up isn’t nearly as high as the Chicken littles love to shout about. That being said, I’d pay a heck of a lot to restrict non-residents. If they don’t like it they can move out here and buy a million dollar house, pay high taxes, pay high gas prices, etc to enjoy the benefits of resident tags.
They are already starting to generate revenue in other areas. NR tag revenue is a smaller part of the budget than many on here think it is. The question is are they preparing to make changes to help or hurt hunting moving forward.
As an NR OTC bow hunter I can relate. Had two Texans walk by me at 17 yards talking up a storm as they entered a plateau holding elk while I was stopped and glassing. Complete morons. Ran into em later in the day and they denied being the two I claimed I saw until I quoted their conversation about Stacy. Shut em right up. MORONS!!!! Colorado attract morons! Should be an IQ test requirement before you can buy OTC tags. The smokepole guys will kill a bowhunter if he looks like a moving bush.
You are only looking at tag/license revenue, not CPW’s whole budget.
