Worth drawing CO archery if you can’t hunt the first few days?

[RC_]

Hey all,

As I plan my draw strategy, I’m heavily considering burning a handful of points in Colorado for an archery tag (high country unit in western half of state). I’m hoping some
of you can tell me whether the season dates and my work schedule make it worth it.

To maximize hunting time, I need to take off Mon-Fri, as that would get me 7-8 hunting days with the weekends on either side. This would mean I pack in and start hunting on 9/5. Is missing those first few days of season tough? Worried to some degree deer will start getting pushed around by other deer & elk hunters but more that I’ll be too late and they’ve shed velvet and moved to timber.

Other option is go in a week early and scout for a few days but then I only have 4 days to actually hunt which I don’t like but would be there for the seemingly critical first couple days of season. Thoughts?

 

[LFC911]

Can you work remotely? I ask because i have done it the last couple of years in ID and NM. I drive out two weekends before season, M-F i work remotely and scout in the evenings. I'm already there, so I'm not traveling opening weekend or taking Thurs/Friday off to get there opening day. Just a thought.

 

[robby denning]

Hey,
it's a long season so unless you're sitting on a pre-scouted big buck, I wouldn't worry about missing the first few days. Those are typically when the most pressure is in Colorado. Might even be better to let 5 days pass and and a bunch of those guys will be outta the hills. IMO.

 

[wildwilderness]

IMO Colorado archery season is set up for Elk! I really like Utahs archery dates for deer- summer patterns and velvet bucks!


That said I would prefer the pre- scout and killing early. When do you have to decided? Can you wait and see what you find scouting? How well do you know the area?