2016 - "Make it a Big Year" She said..

[AmericanThunder]

The OTC elk hunt in Colorado is hard to beat. I have never seen more elk in my entire life than during that hunt.

[CouesPursuit]

If you want to go BIG go Alaska. No draw for most Black bear, Caribou and Sitka Deer

 

Second, do Alaska now!!!!
If you don't you might regret that the rest of your life too, unless your very well to do.

 

Appreciate it, Alaska goes from big to huge pretty quick. It's just not feasible until later in life, but I will get there!! Thing is, I'm certain I can get the wife to go with me on a larger scale fishing trip, with a hunt or two mixed in for me on the side.

 

to the OP, with your limited funds and resources I think I would try to do a high country pack in mule deer hunt in Colorado.

 

Thank you. This was top 3 all along, I feel a high country backpack hunt like this would bring the most personal satisfaction when it is all said and done, and that's a big component I'm after, to test out all the skills I have been accumulating the last several years getting into the hunting game. Once there are kids, things won't be as personal obviously, and I'd like to have that accomplishment under my belt so to speak. Either that accomplishment or a species I haven't harvested yet, i.e. Antelope-WY.

 

 

What part of S. Utah are your "connections" in?

 

Our family friends live in between Zion and Bryce Canyon NP's. I visit every fall to duck hunt some private leases with the family, and there are mule deer everywhere! Herds of 100's could be seen on every commute to the blind. This family doesn't really hunt big game, so I would still have the 100% DIY thing going, but a really nice place to stay which would afford me a ton of scouting time. My wife would also enjoying going up and scouting with me so it gets to become a win-win.

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As of now, I'm purchasing preference points (first available today) for both mule deer and antelope in Wyoming. I have a good and reliable hunting buddy that just reached out to me and said he would like to join. I figure I could put in for the draw in May, and make a decision based on the success of the draw. If I draw both MD and Antelope, that would make an incredible 10 days of rifle hunting. Drawing just antelope would be cool as long as I can pick up a doe/fawn tag or two as well.

 

As a backup, if the WY draw doesn't work in my favor, It's OTC archery for sure. Decisions will have to made whether I choose CO/UT and mule deer/elk. Even though they offer different levels of satisfaction, I would be just as happy tackling an OTC archery hunt by myself for personal reasons as I would rifle hunting with a buddy more for fun.

 

I again, really appreciate the posts and recommendations and I look forward to hearing any more that arise. I more or less have a one track mind for coues here in AZ so out of state mule deer and antelope is most appealing to me. I don't know if I can afford the elk OTC once I factor in scouting, just haven't researched it enough yet. I also didn't consider Texas or Cali, don't know if I will just yet, but I thank you for the input there too.

 

Shea

[8OWHUNT247]

WY has everything you want... Good Luck on all counts!!!

[Edge]

Shea

Thanks for confirming what I tell folks here.

People thought I was crazy when I told them that I would see hundreds of mulies a day in S. UT.

I tried counting the deer along my 10 mile route to the well one day and gave up at 150 in less than five miles.

 

One day I returned to my farm near Monticello and counted 70 bucks in a small pasture next to the house.

 

Go to UT and help cut those numbers.

[CouesPursuit]

Edge, I confirm 100%. It's easier to lose count than keep it if you're driving during the low light hours.

 

In learning the big game application process in UT, it doesn't look like I can buy an OTC deer permit like we can in AZ.

 

It looks like the best process is to put in for the draw in 2016 and surrender the tag before the season starts if I draw something better somewhere else (i.e. Both MD and Antelope in WY).

 

The nice thing is, I'll duck hunt UT either way so the hunting license doesn't go to waste (at least completely) if I do surrender. This is making me lean towards UT instead of CO. Still researching though..

[Edge]

Edge, I confirm 100%. It's easier to lose count than keep it if you're driving during the low light hours.

 

 

In learning the big game application process in UT, it doesn't look like I can buy an OTC deer permit like we can in AZ.

 

It looks like the best process is to put in for the draw in 2016 and surrender the tag before the season starts if I draw something better somewhere else (i.e. Both MD and Antelope in WY).

 

The nice thing is, I'll duck hunt UT either way so the hunting license doesn't go to waste (at least completely) if I do surrender. This is making me lean towards UT instead of CO. Still researching though..

Yeah, that's how I understood the regs when I first looked into it.

Good luck though, isn't it great having a spouse that supports your hunting endeavors!