Impact on points required?

[VDW]

Thought I would see if anyone is a beneficiary of the masses being afraid of using their points on a high point tag this year.

So far for me and my family, no luck on bighorn sheep or mountain goats.

You?

[encorehunter]

I put in for ranching for wildlife elk with 21 points. I hope enough were scared away, as I might get another chance in my 70s to draw.

[Little Dutch]

I tried, thinking that people might not put in for the draw...
Fingers crossed.

[def90]

I thought I read somewhere that they are getting an increase in hunting applications due to the current conditions. Generally when the economy tanks hunting licenses/applications go up.

[Gman]

Folks trying to fill their freezers?

[Irving]

People trying to pretend that hunting is cheaper than going to the store.

[buffalobo]

It was, 40 years ago.

It is in my back yard for birds and small game.

[encorehunter]

People trying to pretend that hunting is cheaper than going to the store.

For some of us, it was. I have several ranchers who would let me go take a doe or small buck to fill the freezer. I had one who gave me permission and I went down but didnt have any luck in the morning. On the way out, the gate was sagging, so i was fixing it when he pulled up. He said he had been meaning to fix it for the past couple years. I still have permission 15 years later.

Now that antelope and WT tags are up, I havent been putting in for them. The tag price makes it almost $1 a pound before going out. Im too invested in elk not to apply.

[buffalobo]

I can still beat top notch processor price if I process my own and wipe the labor. Usually cost of hunting trip is approx = to a premium processor charges.

And I consider the cost of the real reason I hunt. To stalk and provide.

[def90]

People trying to pretend that hunting is cheaper than going to the store.

Pretty much.. By the time I ever get an elk I’ll probably be in at $50/lb. lol

[VDW]

People trying to pretend that hunting is cheaper than going to the store.

I was doing pretty good getting a cow just about every season until about 5 years ago. Now I might get 1 chance for about 10 seconds or less in the entire season. We were getting 1 cow to last 2-3 years, but now my kids are getting older and crave meat. My freezer is currently empty for the first time in years. My kids bailed me out 2 years ago, but at the rate I’m going now, I might as well get a whole Wagyu cow ��

[Hummer]

Ha ha! Do it right and you don't have to pretend if you bring home an elk plus maybe a deer or antelope every year. Besides, what's the value of elk vs. beef, 3:1, 4:1? Investment and return can vary by what you bring and what you make from it.

[Irving]

I'm not a good hunter, so I spend enough to just buy a cow. Also, I need to start concentrating my good draws beyond my crew that taught me to hunt. They are all about splitting whatever anyone in the party brings down, so an animal doesn't go far.

I will say though, last year I brought down an antelope myself, and processed it at home and got more out of any elk or deer that I ever split.

[theGinsue]

I said I'd delete posts/thread that tried to bring up Corona virus in other areas - so, the title has been changed. Mak this specifically about CV and the thread goes away.

[CS1983]

I dunno if it will have an effect on 1st draw, but if guys sell back their tags from it the 2nd draw might be interesting.

[fj605]

I've definitely changed my strategy this year. We may not stay in Colorado for much longer so I picked units to burn my points in.

[whitewalrus]

I dunno if it will have an effect on 1st draw, but if guys sell back their tags from it the 2nd draw might be interesting.

Or it may be a big waste of a choice, the second drawing just seems like an easier way to sell the leftovers and get another $7 out of us.

[CS1983]

Or it may be a big waste of a choice, the second drawing just seems like an easier way to sell the leftovers and get another $7 out of us.

I don’t disagree.

[whitewalrus]

I don’t disagree.

Yeah, I am torn between doing it or not. Guess it is the only shot at getting a decent leftover tag, but a total lottery since points are not involved. It sure is becoming a game of fees to hunt here. Feels like buying a car.

[VDW]

Or it may be a big waste of a choice, the second drawing just seems like an easier way to sell the leftovers and get another $7 out of us.

That’s why I was totally against Chickenlooper’s merger of the state parks with the DOW. It was never about eliminating bureaucracy and saving money. It was always about getting more non-hunters in the upper ranks of the agency that controls all hunting, and to milk the golden cow to pay for pet projects in places we’re not allowed to hunt.