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Or maybe the 20% rule? That's from a few years ago when they decided to lower the NR tag quotas for hunts which take more than 5 years for CO residents to draw................or something like that.
At that time it was the death knell for those of us already desperately chasing a better unit. It completely took away a unit 61 tag which I could have drawn prior to that. There are massive numbers of NR high point holders floundering around for anything now.
18 points to draw a raghorn unit!? Haha. What's the point? I've got 4 bulls on the wall from 320 to 350.
For only 9 days of the 28day +/- archery season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zim
Right, but we're nonresidents and can only hunt ~12 days max anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by BKC
Was not impressed with unit 76 at all. Not much weather which did not help but I did not think it was any better than some of the OTC units in Colorado. Wayyyy wayyyy too much pressure, people everywhere you turned, waste of points as far as I was concerned. A local told me its common practice for a lot of those who live in the area to get over the counter tags in one of the bordering units and hunt 76 anyway if they saw elk there. It is nice to be out of the points game though.
Haha, ya I totally believe that. These points are all worthless a far as I'm concerned. And in my opinion there is no silver lining anywhere in the future. CODNR is not going to change management styles. The only flicker of hope would be if they went back to the point saver trial where they only took whatever points necessary less one to draw a unit. Then I'd burn my points in 3/4 point units. But I think they figured out everyone would do the same, so they won't reinstitute that. Just a hunch.Quote:
Originally Posted by EBOLAVIRS
I am wondering if a guy can hike away from other hunters in 76 with some effort. I only hunted CO once, Gunnison unit 551 late deer, and there was an OTC elk firearm season going on. I hiked up into some snowy pockets up on a ridge and no elk hunters wanted to hike up there, saw zero. I stalked right up on 2 bull elk, one a 5x5 raghorn, the other a decent 300" 6x6. So close I could have shot with my bow before they noticed me. Nobody else was anywhere in that entire area. I didn't get it. Why was I waiting for 18 years to hunt a 300" bull unit when I saw one the first day in an OTC unit? Or I think it was a 0/1 point draw unit for rifle.
If 76 is no better than some OTC units, Im definately in the wrong OTC units. I never saw any other hunters in 76, and there were plenty of bulls around. The guide told me that the bulls usually don't reach their full potential there because once the snow hits they have to migrate down into OTC units, and they get shot before they get real big.
I have been researching 76 for several years. I am chasing this unit becuase it is my only option. I will hunt archery (NR10 PP's going into 2013 draw). And I still will not draw in 2013. (very remote) This thread echos what I have found. Can't kill a big one unless you are out there, but not many big ones in this unit. Most in 260"-280". There are a few over 300, but they are the exception. It is a numbers hunt. wapitii66 is spot on. These elk move out with snows and are killed in neighboring units w/rifle.
The problem with PP's and 76 is there are no other options in the neighborhood for PP holders. I am not goung to cash out in 40 and eat 5-6 PP's , and I won't wait for 61. 2,10,201 forget about it.
I cannot wait until I cash out. I will not allow my PP's to get that high again. 1-3 PP's.
I hunted 76 in 2011, third season. Heavy snow on opening weekend changed things a bit but I saw plenty of elk and some nice bulls. Unfortunately I had a cow tag in my pocket. I saw very few other hunters and found great access to both remote and close to the road hunting. I don't like big crowds when hunting and for that reason alone, I recommend 76.
Z Barebow-You are right, 76 is by itself when it comes to PPs. I think it's going to continue to rise in points required bc of the amount of people giving up on 61, 2, 10, 201 that are going to drop down to the next unit in line (76). Are you giving up on trophy quality? Statistically yes, but that doesn't mean there aren't some big bulls in 76 also, just fewer numbers...but it only takes one. Your other option like you said, 40, is a tough pill to swallow giving up 5 extra points.