Cow Moose - Known vs Unknown Unit

[MountainMan83]

I am putting in for a cow moose hunt this year and have a decent chance of drawing in a couple different units. Unit A, is a unit a am VERY familiar with and have hunting over the last 13 years. I am confident I would be able to find a cow moose relatively easy - could potentially be relatively a boring hunt. Unit B, is a unit I have never been in before but am planning to hunt as a premium first rifle elk tag in a couple years. I would still plan and scout unit B this summer to learn it a bit, but hunting it would give me a better opportunity to learn more about the unit for my upcoming elk hunt at a similar time of year as first rifle. Both A & B have similar draw odds, but unit B has a slightly lower average success rate but still pretty good. I was debating rolling the dice and going for unit B so I can hunt/learn a new area, and it would be more of an adventure. I know the decision is ultimately up to me, but curious what unit you all would go for: unit A - well known unit, high percent success, possibly boring hunt or unit B - new unit, new adventure, learn area for upcoming hunt, and feel like I would still have a decent chance of being successful?

 

[Dschwan]

For me it would be tag price dependent. Are you a resident or non? I drew my cow tag in 2023 and for me as a non res I wanted to get a moose. Mainly because it will most likely have been my one and only opportunity to get one.

If I was still a Colorado resident I would probably hit a different unit since the tags aren't as expensive and not that hard to draw, at least that being the case a few years back. Not sure if it has changed.

 

[MountainMan83]

For me it would be tag price dependent. Are you a resident or non? I drew my cow tag in 2023 and for me as a non res I wanted to get a moose. Mainly because it will most likely have been my one and only opportunity to get one.

If I was still a Colorado resident I would probably hit a different unit since the tags aren't as expensive and not that hard to draw, at least that being the case a few years back. Not sure if it has changed.

I am a resident but it’s still not what I would consider cheap. I would wait fill my tag and could probably dedicate a week to the hunt which should give me enough time to find a cow. Unit B would probably require more work to find one, which is somewhat part of the fu

 

[Caseknife]

I'd go for the unknown and learn it for the future if you are pretty confident you could make it work for this hunt.

 

[5MilesBack]

I like exploring new areas. As long as your B unit has a decent number of moose in it, I might choose that. On the other hand......hunting an area I know really well is also very rewarding. My daughter got a ML cow moose tag in '23 and we hunted areas I had never even set foot into before. She got her moose on day 2.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Personally, I'd go with Unit A, an area you know well. A moose tag for most is a once or twice in a lifetime hunt. You can always explore the "unknown" Unit B for elk in upcoming years. Don't forego your local knowledge just because you may draw an elk tag down the road. Stay focused on the current mission, killing a cow moose. Good luck and line up a bunch of strong back buddies for the pack out.

 

[TaperPin]

My choice would be shooting the easy moose early the first day, loading it up by noon, drop it off, then go scout your elk area. Scouting for elk and chasing moose are different enough, you’re better off focusing on each.

It’s like going to a worse lake with lower odds of catching the same type of fish for the additional challenge.

 

[MountainMan83]

My choice would be shooting the easy moose early the first day, loading it up by noon, drop it off, then go scout your elk area. Scouting for elk and chasing moose are different enough, you’re better off focusing on each.

It’s like going to a worse lake with lower odds of catching the same type of fish for the additional challenge.

Good advice! I would definitely like to fill my tag if I draw and agree I shouldn’t use a moose hunt as scouting opportunity for elk.

 

[MountainMan83]

Personally, I'd go with Unit A, an area you know well. A moose tag for most is a once or twice in a lifetime hunt. You can always explore the "unknown" Unit B for elk in upcoming years. Don't forego your local knowledge just because you may draw an elk tag down the road. Stay focused on the current mission, killing a cow moose. Good luck and line up a bunch of strong back buddies for the pack out.

After thinking through the comments, I agree. I do have 4 llamas if my buddies are not able to take time off work

 

[MountainMan83]

I like exploring new areas. As long as your B unit has a decent number of moose in it, I might choose that. On the other hand......hunting an area I know really well is also very rewarding. My daughter got a ML cow moose tag in '23 and we hunted areas I had never even set foot into before. She got her moose on day 2.

This was my original thought, but looking at the moose numbers, unit B on has a fraction of the moose population. Congrats to your daughter! Hoping to share some hunting success with my kids once they are older