Colorado Elk/Mule Deer Hunting!

I am scheduled to bow hunt elk next September with another one of my outfitter buddies, Jim Bryce of Jim Bryce Outfitting, www.jimbryceoutfitting.com. 
 
I just got off of the phone with Jim and he told me that there are some AWESOME Mule Deer hunting opportunities as well so to up my odds in the draw I will be putting in for an archery Mule Deer preference point this year.  It's costly; $334.00 to start out, but it's worth it and most of that is refunded in June.
 
Here's a picture of one of those Mule Deer that Jim Photographed this summer -- WOWSA!!!:
 

Jim:
 
Jim [Bryce] said it usually only takes one preference point to draw an archery Mule Deer tag, but it could take two or more depending on the number of applicants to available tags. 
 
All I know is that I'm putting in for a P.P. this year so hopefully I'll be able to draw a Mule Deer tag.  One of Bryce's clients made the mistake of not applying for the tag and on the first night out sitting over a waterhole waiting for an elk to show up a GIANT Mulie came in for a drink.  The guy couldn't shoot, but he got some great video of the big buck as it sauntered past him at a mere 20 yards!
 
Yeah... Drooling and dreaming seem to go together!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

I've heard good comments about Jim Bryce and it looks like you will have a ball, especially if you hit the rut with those big boys bugling their heads off.  I'll be out in Wyoming the last two weeks of September taking more video and pictures of those awesome animals while one or two buddies hunt.  We are just hoping they both get their tags in the draw next week.  Incidentally, I think I would pass on that mulie and let him grow one more year----NOT, LOL!!!!!!!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

From what I have heard here in the last yr or so, you can actually purchase more pp online. Not sure if it gives you a better chance for the draw or not and it does get costly. I also think you should wait another yr to launch an arrow his way.  LOL

tx:
 
I was doing some surfing on the Colorado Fish and Game web site and I have to admit that it's quite difficult to fully comprehend all of the procedures that are required in order to purchase a tag online.  I have questions that I will need to talk over with a qualified license agent before I make the purchase.  I will only be applying for a P.P. for Mule Deer this year, but I want to make darn sure that I get a refund for the license.  And, if I do get the refund for the license will the P.P. still be applied to the draw next year.  In other words, will the P.P. that I applied for this year be counted as "1 P.P." in the draw for me next year if I opt for a refund of the license price.  The reason I ask or have questions is because I read two (2) conflicting regulations/explanations online and in the Colorado Big Game License Application Booklet.
 
From everything I read you can only apply for one (1) P.P. per year.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

I was just reading in my HuntinFool book that Co. did away with the anterless part of PP this yr. You will have to purchase the antlered tag and yes, if not drawn, you will get your money back less the appl. fee.  If you are just applying to get PP, then put in for an area for your first choice you would most likely not be drawn for and then when not drawn, your refund will be put back onto your credit card and then you can apply for an extra PP for $78 according to my book that is. Just be sure if you do not plan on hunting this yr, to pick one that you have a small chance of getting drawn for, otherwise you WILL get drawn and  possibly have to eat the tag if you do not go and loose your already aquired PP's.

tx:
 
See, that's what I'm talking about.  I only want to apply for a darn P.P. and that's it.  I do not need a license at all because I am not going this fall, I'm going next fall.  Why do these States have to make things so difficult?
 
In States like Iowa and Kansas you are allowed to purchase a P.P. ONLY for whitetails.  You do not have to purchase a license and then risk drawing it and paying for the license or wait for a stinkin' refund.  Unreal! 
 
It's no wonder why hunter numbers are going down.  It probably has something to do with applying for out-of-state licenses and the cost that is involved!!  After all of the B.S. that you have to wade through I would imagine people just say, "Ahhh... Forget it!"  I'm nearly there myself.   
 
Thanks for the info!  I appreciate it.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve 

Steve---It's a lot simpler than you guys are making it out to be.  Each animal has a code number to just buy the PP without going into any draw.  All you do is put that number down as your first choice and don't list anything for the other three choices.  You have to pay the license fee and a $3 application fee and they will give you one PP for next year and send you the license fee back after they have the drawing for that animal.  The code for deer is D-P-999-99-P  The code for elk is E-P-999-99-P  Just click on Colorado on this website and than click on their big game hunting section and it is all explained.  I had 4 PPs for both animals and was going to build to at least 8 in order to hunt on the Ranching for Wildlife program and they pulled the plug with no warning and eliminated that for nonresidents.  I quit buying them and vowed I would never hunt in Colorado and I'm not the only one that did that.

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Mike:

I did do all of that with the correct P.P. code, but there was a section that asked if you wanted a refund and on another page it asked the same question again in a different manner.  Then it talks about purchasing a Habitat Stamp.  Well, what the heck do I need a Habitat Stamp for when I'm just applying for a P.P.??   

Applying for out-of-state big game licenses is like reading an instruction manual for putting together a huge desk or a stereo cabinet with a thousand pieces.  I start reading and by page 2 or 3 I end up throwing the manual in the garbage and going at it myself!  LOL!

Thanks for the help Mike!  I'll probably end up talking to someone from the CDOW before I click the button though.  hehe!

Take care and Good Hunting!

Best Afield,

Steve

Sorry about you losing all of you P.P.s
 
That stinks!!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

Steve---It was my own choice and many others chose to just let them lapse.  I was so friggin mad that they did that with no notice whatsoever!  They could have given everyone a one year heads up before they did it, but they just came out of the clear blue in the booklet and said it was N/A for nonresidents.  I will never hunt in that state because of that and I could have still probably found some good hunting on National Forest or BLM land with those or more PPs if I had continued, but I'm a stubborn cuss!  If they don't have any concern for the public who pay their way, I'll keep all my money in Wyoming!!!
I'll go onto the actual application and see if I can see what you are talking about.  However, all you should have to pay is the minumum license fee and a $3 application fee for each animal with that code number for the PP and they will send you back all but the $3.  You don't buy any stamps, etc., until you actually draw a tag and want to go hunting.
ADDENDUM:  I just went in and went through the procedures to buy a deer license and the only thing they are doing differently now is making you buy a habitat stamp or stamps totaling $10, in addition to the $3 application fee.  So put the PP code on the animal like you said and I just stated on the other post and then go in and check the $10 Annual Habitat stamp box for $10 (It's either that or two $5 ones) as that's the minimum to apply and check the refund box.  If you were applying for two different animals, the second application would only need the license fee and $3 application.  It really is not that hard, LOL!  You have to be a government retiree like myself and it all makes perfect sense, DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  PS: I put down limited information in the blanks and it came up with my stats that were still in the system from years ago!   I guess they still think I might fork over some money to them!!!  The way they are doing it is actually cheaper than Wyoming becuse there you have a $14 application for each and every application that goes in the draw.  To buy a PP only they are $50 for elk, $40 for deer, and $30 for antelope, so it is a lot cheaper in Colorado.  Some states make you buy a license for a lot of money that is not refunded and then you pay them more to go in a draw that, if successful, requires you to buy a tag or permit.  They all get you coming or going.  I'd at least rather get hit by the bus coming at me rather than get rearended, LOL!!! 

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Mike:
 
Thanks for all of the information.  The Habitat fee does not thrill me only because I question whether that fee actually goes to the Habitat or some Bureaucrat's back pocket.  And, if I'm not actually going hunting then what is the need for purchasing a Habitat Stamp?  Rhetorical question.  Sorry.
 
I would be happy to donate a ton of money to Habitat Restoration if I knew exactly where and what the money was going to be used for.  I just don't like a hand being jammed into my wallet for no apparent reason other than pure greed.   
 
I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound crotchety, but it seems these days that the government is out to get your money in one way or the other even if it doesn't make any sense, and that practice does not make me happy. 
 
I have a better idea.  Let's loosen the lug nuts on that "bus" and watch as it careens into the ditch! 
 
I understand your position when it comes to Colorado, but never say never.  You and I just might find something to chase around in CO someday!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve
 
 

Whatever it takes to keep the old blood pressure down, LOL!  Like I said , they get you coming or going.  They get your $10 that way, while Wyoming gets you for $14 every time you submit an application.  I might get you to Wyoming some day, but I will guarantee that you willl never get me to Colorado.  That one time is all I want to do with that friggin state!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Steve,.. if your considering hunting Colorado here's something that might be of interest to you,..
 
This is a link to Colorado's hunt data  that is selling a DVD that works in tandum with google earth for all of the hunt areas of that state:
 
http://www.huntdata.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DigitalStatewide&cat=1
 
Sounds pretty interesting,..

Shoot Straight & Stay Safe !


Terry A. Webster

REMF - Sponsoring Member
SCI- Member
NRA Life Member
NAHC / NAFC Life Member

U.S. Army SGT. 1970-72 1st BN.327th/101st Airborne
(Nam Vet)

Mike:
 
I hear ya...  I'm a stubborn sucker myself!  I guess that's what makes the hunter in me a bowhunter.  You have to be stubborn to sit in a freezing cold deer stand hour after hour watching only squirrels and blue jays pass by while waiting for a good buck to show up with a "stick and a string" in your hands!
 
I once read an article by M.R. James in Bowhunter Magazine about a Wyoming elk hunt he was on and it thoroughly pulled me right into the story.  It was like I was chasing the elk right alongside of him.  Ever since then I have wanted to hunt a big old herd bull in Wyoming.  I hear that state has some dandy whitetails too!
 
Thanks again for the help and for the brotherly commiseration on the tag and license fees.
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve 
 
 

One of the ranchers close to where we hunt told us near the end of our hunt that a guy had killed a B&C whitetail in the drainage down below where we hunt for mulies.  That area is down at about 4500' or less and we are up another 2000' or more.  I've only seen one whitetail up where we hunt, but they are really increasing down in all the drainages where there are big alfalfa fields.  The mulies are down low with them, but the whitetails don't come up high much.

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Steve,
Dont feel bad I have to call dow and i live here. They changed the number of tags in our area last year without notice, you use to be able to get 2 elk with a rifle and now you can only get one with a rifle. that is fine now that it is clarified, but messed up my dads hunt last year. I guess what I am getting at is I would love to help but they change rules like others change socks. Be safe and call the dow direct before making any plans. Also, your outfitter friend should have landowner tags if it is his property.
Shawn

Thank God for this wonderful life and the men and women protecting it for us. You are ALL Heroes!!

Here you go Steve, right from the 2009 book for app's.
Non-refundable Application Fee's:
If you apply for deer,elk, antelope and/or bear tags and did not purchase a fishing license,small game license, or draw or purchase a big game tag in 2008-2009, $25.00 per species that you apply for and are unsuccessful in the drawing will be deducted from your refund and you will build another PP. Non-refundable application fee's also include a $3.00 application fee, $.25 search and rescue fee, and a $.75 public education fee. You will still have to purchase a Habitat Stamp for $5.00 You may apply for "points only" as your first choice and still list a second,third and forth choice. If you draw your second,third or forth choice, you will still be given a PP.
The $25.00 fee per species for building points, only applies to elk,deer,antelope and bear applicants who did not purchase a fishing or hunting license for the current or previous yr. All in all you still have to pay the full price for a tag and then wait on the refund to come back to you.
 
This what I have in my 2009 hunting booklet. Hope it helps.

topgun, co and tx:
 
Thanks for the info guys!  I appreciate it.
 
One way or the other Colorado is going to get my money!
 
Take care and Good Hunting!
 
Best Afield,
 
Steve

Steve---TX is correct on that $25 fee.  It was not stated that an additional $25 would be deducted on the application form I filled out, but it is in the booklet I just called up on the PC screen!  So basically you are going to get nailed for the $3 application fee, the $25, and the cost of the Habitat Stamp.  None of that will be refunded, so you will get somewhere in the vicinity of $225 refunded to you after the draw and will be giving them about $35 to get that PP.

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06