Moose 7, 8, 191 Archery refund or hunt it?

7, 8, 191
Except within a 1/4 mile of
Hwy 14
Sept. 12?30
M-F-007-O1-A

A user on archerytalk, Beendare, has this tag and the respective units (7, 8, or 191) are being impacted by the Cameron Peak fire.

CPW is offering refunds for this tag due to the wildfires, but I wasn't sure if any of you guys might know where he could still use it within units 7, 8, or 191; or, if he should just call it and get the refund. I have no familiarity with the units that far north.

Beendare is a really good guy. He's been bow hunting longer than I've been alive, all over the world. I realize it's less likely to draw moose, so I didn't think there would be any honeyhole gate keeping since this isn't an OTC Elk question.

If you know the areas and want to provide some intel, I'll put you and Beendare in touch.

Thanks!

That might be the best/worst luck ever. There are a lot of moose in the Makery Gulch of Crownpoint if that has not burned.

I dont know him personally but I will say he is a wealth of knowledge and always helpful. Sucks about his hunt, hopefully someone can help him out. I dont know those areas. I would have a hard time turning in any moose tag.

I would have to go see unless maybe some good satellite images could be had to overlay my maps.

Have hunted 7 & 8 a few times but not very familiar with 191.

From looking at the fire map the northern portions of 7 & 8 are not burned.

Two things can happen, he turns in his tag and gets his points back for next year or he hunts an abbreviated unit. If the area he's scouted and planned on hunting is unaffected, then he should go for it. If the area he was planning on hunting or nearby is burning, I'd turn the tag in.

I had an elk tag for a unit that burned and a portion of the unit was closed but we hunted it anyway and it wasn't as enjoyable. We should've turned in our tags and gotten OTC that year.

If that unit takes a pile of points, I wouldn't want to "hope" the nearby fires didn't push the critters away.

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Originally Posted by fj605

If the area he was planning on hunting or nearby is burning, I'd turn the tag in.

I had an elk tag for a unit that burned and a portion of the unit was closed but we hunted it anyway and it wasn't as enjoyable. We should've turned in our tags and gotten OTC that year.

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This is the same advice I would have. If the fire is near where he was wanting to hunt, return the tag and get points back. Even if they manage to put it out before the snow starts falling, it has already changed the area for the worst, will take a bit for the animals to get back to normal. Sadly hunting success is very dependent on factors outside of the hunters control. I have also tried to hunt near a fire that was put out before the season...iit was a few miles away where it was burning, but there was no sign of the deer and elk that used to be in the area.

If he is on the fence, and it sounds like he is, I would return it and hope for something better next season. Unless he can get up there in a different area to scout things out and see if its worth his time, but remember that the fire will also concentrate other hunters to the same areas he is looking at.

Also need consider there were 1890(res and non res combined) first choice apps for moose early archery in that area, 10 were awarded tags, that was from 2018.

3+15 pts got you 1.6% chance of drawing tag in 2018.

May not get another chance. Need go scout it, at least as far as fire crews will allow.

Honestly, for a cow moose tag I’d turn it in. If it was a bull tag, whole different story. But the amount of points to draw a cow is drastically different than a bull. He should have good odds to draw the same tag within the next 2-3 years. Or save up for a bull.

I’ll be helping my good friend in 28 for a bull this year. So far 4 bulls found. 3 shooters, 1 pig of a bull that is the target.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sniper7

Honestly, for a cow moose tag I’d turn it in. If it was a bull tag, whole different story. But the amount of points to draw a cow is drastically different than a bull. He should have good odds to draw the same tag within the next 2-3 years. Or save up for a bull.

I’ll be helping my good friend in 28 for a bull this year. So far 4 bulls found. 3 shooters, 1 pig of a bull that is the target.

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Only problem is he’s 63 this year. He’s reaching the end of playing the odds and still having it in him.

So yeah, he could turn it in. But as Buffalobo pointed out, even with a stack of points the odds aren’t necessarily in his favor to draw again.

True in regard to a bull but I’d say the average cow moose tag is drawn with 3+3 points (6 years total) which he will be starting with whatever he had when he applied and possibly an additional point for this year if they work it that way.
As far as age, the guy I’m going with this year is 67 for his bull tag.

https://www.toprut.com/hunt/colorado-moose-unit-7/

According to these guys the historical percentages don't look that good.

I sent Beendare all the responses so far. He asked that I extend the following message/thanks:

Quote:

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"Thanks to all for the opinions/info....I'm on Rokslide if I can ever return the favor.

As of Wed 8/26 from inciweb map a huge portion of the unit is closed....though its only a chunk in the SW corner that is burning. I have not scouted it but a guy I sometimes guide for that lives near Steamboat knows some spots...unfortunately those are burning.

If I could get a voucher, it would be a slam dunk to just hunt it next year. With 3+11 [or 12] My chances of drawing again are low. I think the Covid thing helped me a bunch this year....next year there will be a high demand for these moose tags for sure.

I'm probably going to make the call on Friday the 28th. I would prefer to wait but I will be in remote NM elk hunting and it will be difficult to get info, let alone turn a tag back in. My good luck turned bad....oh well, I'm going elk hunting in a couple days with my recurve....life is good!"

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I'd return the tag as the area will likely not even be open to the public at that time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by newracer

I'd return the tag as the area will likely not even be open to the public at that time.

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This would be my vote. Very unlikely they will start opening areas back up in time for the season.

He just got off the phone with the Fort Collins CPW office. He had the option of refund+points returned or voucher, so he opted for the voucher and will hunt the same tag next year.

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Originally Posted by CS1983

He just got off the phone with the Fort Collins CPW office. He had the option of refund+points returned or voucher, so he opted for the voucher and will hunt the same tag next year.

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Alright![emoji106]

Very cool.

That's awesome they gave him a voucher!

Wow, very cool of CPW to provide a voucher. Love hunting in this state!