Colorado deer. What would you do?

[Craig]

I am thinking about using my Colorado deer points in the next year or two. Right now I have 11 points and am looking at quality deer units that take a lot of points. Here are a couple options I am thinking about. What would you do?

#1 - Looking at booking a guided deer hunt with a guide that is fully booked tell 2015. Every year they average around 180" on bucks and have a lot of prime private land to hunt.

#2 - buy a landowner permit ( $3,000 + ) and hunt DYI on some public land. Then the next year use my points and draw the same unit and hunt it again. 2 hunts for the price of one.

#3 - just use points and hunt the unit DYI one time and have fun.

What would you do?
 

[Alan K]

If it's an area with an OTC elk tag available, you could just buy an elk tag and hunt it during the season you're planning on burning your deer points for. I'm guessing your looking at a 3rd season deer tag, and there are several areas that are great for both bucks and bulls. That way you're not shelling out the $$ for the landowner tag or for a guide, you still learn the area, and could get a bull too. 

[jjhunter]

I like option #2.   In fact, I am putting it into practice.  I bought the voucher this year and have the pts to draw, next year.   

Lots of good options with 11 pts.   The other thought is to go hunt next year and start rebuilding your pts again.

[go4steelhd]

I would use my points to draw next year DIY, then if you have a great hunt buy a tag the following year.
If you are wanting to go guided there are places to get a 180 deer that you won't need many points in other states.

[NWWA Hunter]

Who is the guide? I've talked to some of the best and if its the one I think you are talking about I'd do that. Additionally if you could afford both do the lo tag next year and guided the next. Take advantage of colorados quality while it lasts. You never know when a hard winter or management changes(usually based on $) can change the quality of animals

[Craig]

No over the counter elk tag for the area.

[Bigshooter]

I have 9pts and have been thinking about doing option #2 next year.  My problem is I don't know what unit to try for.

[furbearer365]

I would take option 2.  That way, when you go back to use up the 11 points you have been building, you will know the unit and what to expect and can do a DIY that is very productive. 

[norsepeak]

If I were you, I'd transfer all of your points to me, and I'd take option 2, then send you some sweet pics of two great bucks on the ground.

[Ridgerunner]

With eight points I am figuring out how to use mine in the next couple of years too. Let's talk.

[Bean Counter]

*tag* 

[jjhunter]

If you only plan to use pts, pay attention to the date reset (2015).  If I had that many pts, I'd wait one more year and hunt the latest dates possible.

[boneaddict]

Very smart

[NRA4LIFE]

JJ,

Your inbox is full.  What is this "date reset"?

[jjhunter]

Colorado publishes their hunting season dates on a five year cycle.  When the cycle resets, during the first year, you get the latest dates for each season.  Every year after that, the season opens one day earlier.   In 2015, the dates will reset. 3 or 4 days can be huge, especially during the 3rd season.