What would you do with 11 points in CO?

[Deucebump]

Alright guys Im looking for some opinions and/or ideas. I have 11 points for Colorado elk and would like to use them up this season before the draw structure change next year.

A little background about me…Im not a huge elk hunter but Ive killed a handful of bulls in the past. Im mainly a die hard mulie hunter. Im typically a DIY high country backpacker, solo a fair amount of time. While I do bowhunt, Im not a huge fan of bowhunting elk, but also not totally opposed to it. (A few bad experiences in the past) Im 48yrs old generally in very good mountain shape, but Im small at 5’7” & 150lbs, one of the main reasons I switched to hunting mulies instead of elk as packing an elk out solo is almost too much. I havnt used an outfitter in close to 15 yrs because I just cant justify the cost for something I can largely do myself. But Im not against an outfitter for a decent price. Im an ok caller but far from great. One of the big issues I have is that I dont have any hunting partners with anywhere close to the points I have to draw a tag and nobody wants to go along “just for the fun of packing an elk out”. I love the early high country and Im leaning towards a muzzleloader rut hunt, but Im open to any all suggestions. The only thing I dont want to do is stay in a hotel and hunt 4th season winter range.

So throw me some options, seasons, units (not looking for locations) or any other thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jethro]

Draw structure change is 2028

 

[Deucebump]

Well I’ll be danged! Lol, for some reason I have thought since they announced it that it was ‘27! Man you just took a huge weight off my shoulders, thanks for correcting me! Now I can go back to planning a mulie hunt for this year!

 

[resident vs nonresident]

Resident or Nonresident?

 

[Deucebump]

Nonres

 

[sndmn11]

Can you run a 10 minute mile?

 

[resident vs nonresident]

If it were me in your position id want fun hunt n decent weather I’d focus on Muzzy or Archery. You actually have few decent options.
Im sure u have OnX or GoHunt research tools? If not CO actually does a good job of posting draw/harvest data on their site you just need to go through it and decide what unit appeals most to you

 

[Deucebump]

Thats exactly my thoughts! Just dont know what my best choice of unit is for the points I have.

A lot of people say I dont have enough for a really good unit and too many to burn for a mediocre unit.

 

[resident vs nonresident]

Look at last years Drawn Out data by CPW. 11poi ts u kinda in that no man land where you may overpay by few points on some units but it’ll be worth it.
The d look at few units that were drawn out at 10pp or less and then decide which one u like best

 

[Kicks831]

Where will you plan a Mule Deer hunt? Just getting into it, and am trying to figure out what my best option is for the first year. Non resident.

 

[bz_711]

At least you have another year to plan
For me it would really help to try and decide what weapon first as what you're applying for will be vastly different.

In general, Archery will get you the best unit for a set amount of points, Muzzy next best, and Rifle last.

Personally I'm 100% archery and know those point levels best. I've also only hunted elk in Sept/rut so I would be leaning that way heavily.

If set on taking a gun - I like what a Muzzy tag can offer you with those points. But, some are surprised to find out their midwest muzzy is not allowed in CO. Once you're using open sights, no sabots, no pellets...it's a lot different hunt and I think most would need a lot of practice with open sight setup to be ready at a decent range. But still a great option to hunt Sept Bulls in the mountains.

You have several good options and should be able to line up a good hunt. Good Luck!

 

[alexnelon]

Keep in mind there are a huge number of people who are also playing the "one more point and then I'll burn them before the system changes" game.

I would not go into the last draw of this structure and try to draw a 10 point unit with 13 points. I fully expect 5-6 point units to be drawn out by guys with 15-20 points in the final year.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

^ not a chance. The mases r dumb, not that dumb.

 

[alexnelon]

^ not a chance. The mases r dumb, not that dumb.

Never overestimate the intelligence of large groups of people.

If I've learned anything from obsessing over the draw systems in western states, it's that the vast majority of people have no idea what they're doing, and the ones that think they do almost always come to the same general conclusion.

The majority of people who don't have an emotional attachment to their points either already burned them last year, or tried to, and will adjust strategy and draw this year.

What's left for the final draw will mostly be the ones who are point-collectors and the ones who have no idea what's going on.

The collectors will be horrified of losing the value of their points, but will keep collecting until what they feel is the last possible moment. Most guys with ~5-20 points will apply for hunts first choice instead of points, they'll try to pick units that are conveniently located for them and are a "sure thing", a much larger than normal number will mistakenly apply for the wrong unit because they're unfamiliar with picking actual hunt codes, some will expect point creep and overcompensate, some will expect everyone else to overcompensate for point creep and not compensate at all, and the rest will think the random aspect has already kicked in and apply for units they have zero chance at drawing.

 

[Deucebump]

Keep in mind there are a huge number of people who are also playing the "one more point and then I'll burn them before the system changes" game.

I would not go into the last draw of this structure and try to draw a 10 point unit with 13 points. I fully expect 5-6 point units to be drawn out by guys with 15-20 points in the final year.

I have this same feeling, my plan is to look at units with around an 8 pt draw out when I have 11 points. (If I still decide to go this year I may look at 9) But definitely agree with you.

 

[Deucebump]

Can you run a 10 minute mile?

Lol, I assume this is a reference from another thread that I havnt read. But yes, yes I can…

 

[alexnelon]

I have this same feeling, my plan is to look at units with around an 8 pt draw out when I have 11 points. (If I still decide to go this year I may look at 9) But definitely agree with you.

I expect this year to draw out similar to last year, maybe creep two points on average, but next year will be an absolute crapshoot.