Anybody else giving up on CO?

[Mtnwalker]

For the first time this year the unit I have been eyeballing took a 2 point jump, I'm guessing thanks to the thumbs up it got from Eastmans the last couple years. Looks like this one is officially out of my reach now, problem is I can't find any others I feel ok dumping my points on. Anybody else in this position? Keep your points and hope  for a change, or settle for a mediocre unit?

[NRA4LIFE]

The units I've been trying to draw elk have creeped for 20 years.  I may just punt one of these years and then forget about that state.

[snake]

Stay the course.

[TomT]

As of last Spring l had 20 points for elk with point creep continuing to keep the top hunts out of reach.  In fact, there were still over 2000 non-residents with more points than me.  Finally gave up and burned the points on a good unit in 2nd season(unit 61)  Got a nice big 6 point, but not the giant we all dream about.  Wish now I'd never joined the point chase.

[Craig]

I should have draw Last year but the unit point jumped and more people jumped in the draw. Hope I get it this year.

[Magnum_Willys]

Point Creep arghhhh.  If you are more than 2 years out on units requiring 10+ then you may be chasing ur tail.  Just go hunt !

[Bean Counter]

Oh man this kind of stuff is depressing. I'm somewhere in the 5-7 point window. I don't necessarily want a  rut hunt, but want public land with 180-200" possible. I can't believe I could be looking at another 10-15 years just to be within reach of something like that 

[Branden]

Every unit in Colorado produces nice bucks. If you have 7 points and don't think any unit you can draw produces 180+ bucks with those points then I doubt it matters what unit you draw. Even if you have 20 deer points your still not guraunteed a 180+ buck.

My buddy hunted a 2 point unit and killed a 183" buck. His dad was hunting a buck another hunter ended up killing that went 210". Two guys I know hunted a 5 point unit and both bucks killed were over 200". I hunted a unit this year that takes 7-8 points as a non res and killed a nice buck this year. Another guy I know hunted a 8-9 point unit and had an opportunity at a book buck but couldn't connect. The last two bucks that went over 300" were killed in a 0 point unit and a 1 point unit.

Just look for units with plenty of public that have the type of terrain you like to hunt and go hunt. Better to hunt a 5 point unit twice then a 10 point unit once.

Regards, Branden

[BGLEMIN]

I know a lot of CO, enough to know a hunter doesn't need a "quality" tag. Plenty of units a non-res could draw every other year and have opportunities for exceptional deer.

[Bean Counter]

Branden & Bglemin,
 thanks for your comments. i feel better now 

[boneaddict]

Every unit in Colorado produces nice bucks. If you have 7 points and don't think any unit you can draw produces 180+ bucks with those points then I doubt it matters what unit you draw. Even if you have 20 deer points your still not guraunteed a 180+ buck.

My buddy hunted a 2 point unit and killed a 183" buck. His dad was hunting a buck another hunter ended up killing that went 210". Two guys I know hunted a 5 point unit and both bucks killed were over 200". I hunted a unit this year that takes 7-8 points as a non res and killed a nice buck this year. Another guy I know hunted a 8-9 point unit and had an opportunity at a book buck but couldn't connect. The last two bucks that went over 300" were killed in a 0 point unit and a 1 point unit.

Just look for units with plenty of public that have the type of terrain you like to hunt and go hunt. Better to hunt a 5 point unit twice then a 10 point unit once.

Regards, Branden

Best advice I have seen dealing with point creep

[Chad E.]

Just look for units with plenty of public that have the type of terrain you like to hunt and go hunt. Better to hunt a 5 point unit twice then a 10 point unit once.

Regards, Branden

Braden has some great advice there.  I think building a ton of points can ultimately lead to a lot of high expectations and stress.  The more points you have the more you expect and often times expectations don't match reality and lead to a frustrating hunt.

[Karl Blanchard]

The huge point creep this year was mainly due to the season reset.  The year prior something like half the non resident deer apps were points only apps.  Lots of guys sat out waiting for the good dates.  I'm betting there will be one more year of craziness and then it will level out.

You guys with 20+ points are crazy!  I like to hunt too much

As was said before, it's Colorado just go home. There's literally not a bad hunt in the state. We hunt one of the worst units in the state and this year we took a buck that went 190, a 187, a 173, a 6x7, and a few 150's.  Just go hunt

[Miles]

I'll be moving there in March with zero points.  I'll be in the woods every chance I get and I'm willing to bet there aren't fences holding the big bucks in certain units.

I'm thinking their worst unit is probably better then most of Washington...  I've had some great hunts and taken decent bucks in less popular wa units so I'm sure co will be just fine.