Elk or Elk & Mulies... debate, debate

[AJ the TP Guru]

Little less than two weeks to go before the muley draw deadline in Colorado.

I've already committed to Chasin' Elk & his crew for Sep. 19-26 in Units 82 & 681. (It would seem that he still has at least one spot remaining which he'd like to fill; this is the thread - http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...=1#post2224601 ).

So I'm still debating on whether to hunt elk and mulies or just elk. Since the guys who hunted there last year only ended up with a single cow amongst the five of them, I'm thinking buy the otc cow license for $351. But the muley tag is draw only, and $329 if successful in the draw. Still, it does open up additional potential shooting opportunities.

Some of the guys saw mulies up close and personal last year, so.... do I risk about double the money is the question.

Opinion offered: Colorado seems to be gouging the out of state hunter more and more each year. This year the cow or "either" option represents only a $200 differential, but the cow-only is $100 more than last year. Hard to understand (at least for a flatlander) what their rationale is.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

Do it all...might be the last time you get drawn...

[DJM]

Both,it's only money.


DJ

[glen]

Dont worry about shooting just go and have fun- if you are elk hunting you will be headed uphill and if your hunting mullies you will be down in the flats. depends on what you want to hunt.

[DPerez905]

I would say go for both as well. You might not see a elk and see a mulie or vise versa so either way you can have a shot. You might hopefully get lucky and fill both tags but your making your odds better buy purchasing both.

[Sparkles]

Danged if you do, danged if you don't. At this point you probably got a good amount of time effort and money into it, so you may as well get the tag. Which would make you feel worse missing a big muley with wide and tall antlers because you didn't have the tag, or being out several hundred more on an already fairly expensive trip because you didn't get on a mule deer?

[AJ the TP Guru]

Leaning towards trying for the draw (in addition to buying an elk tag). Remembering my first elk hunt:

In a land far, far away (above the Mogollon Plateau, AZ), in a time long, long ago (which shall remain unknown for now), this hunt actually occurred.

After a couple hours of still hunting along an unused logging road, I paused to eat a Hershey bar and sip some water while sitting on a large rock with my trusty Redwing Hunter recurve lying beside me.

A bugling sound started from far into the forest to my left. This upset me greatly, as I could not understand why a troop of Boy Scouts would be traipsing the woods at this early hour during bowhunting season.

As the sounds became louder, I became more outraged that Boy Scouts would be disrupting my hunting on this fine morning in early September. Indeed, I was ready to accost their scoutmaster, giving him a good "what fer," as the bugling seemed about ready to explode into my little clearing; after all, I was myself an Eagle Scout, and dadgummed well would've known better than that!

Suddenly the culprit made himself visible - along with his harem of seven cows. Yes, it was a bull elk, in fact, what is known as a royal - a 7x7.

A myriad of contrary thoughts cascaded through my little brain. Should I shoot or not (afterwards I walked off the distance - it was 35 yds. even, well within my range as an experienced field archer having shot multiple "20 pins" at that distance).

After what seemed like an eternity with the old bull staring me down while broadside, I opted out. See, I was only licensed for mule deer in that I'd inadvertently failed to include my $10 check with my elk application (all of which were granted in that early era of Arizona elk bowhunting seasons).

Needless to say, I'd never heard an elk bugle before, but would never forget that first exposure to the real thing.

[Guest1]

See, I was only licensed for mule deer...

I think you've answered your own question with your personal experience.

When you send off for your tags this early, the "sting" (expense) is pretty much gone by the time you actually get out there and are hunting.

[Bill]

You probably will not get drawn, don't they do some kind of points system so the more times you enter the higher the odds? Maybe not. If you don't and a buster mulie walks in front of you at 30 yards, you'll never forgive yourself!

[Ricky T]

I'd apply for the deer. If you get drawn and don't see a good buck the tag is good for antlerless, also. You can hunt a doe towards the end of the hunt while you're elk hunting. Wouldn't be as much meat as a cow elk but you'll have the option of whacking a big muley buck which YOU WILL SEE if you don't have the deer tag.

[Okiehunter]

Unless you have a point the draw may make up your mind for you. Chance to draw in GMU 82 with out a point is about 80% (which are fairly good odds). In GMU 681 you are looking at a 50% chance w/o a point. If you have at least one point you should be good in either unit.

Good luck ~ Have you ever tried to get within bow range of a mule deer buck? It is not as easy as you might think. You got to go to them, not sit and wait for them to come to you.

Have fun.

[Okiehunter]

RickyT

If you get drawn and don't see a good buck the tag is good for antlerless, also.

You sure about that? My proc says the 82 and 681 are buck only for archery.

[AJ the TP Guru]

Good luck ~ Have you ever tried to get within bow range of a mule deer buck? It is not as easy as you might think. You got to go to them, not sit and wait for them to come to you.

Have fun.

Yeah, I've hunted them (unsuccessfully) in Utah, Arizona, & Colorado. I got in range on several, but only took a few (missed) shots. But that was back when I was still shooting the recurve instinctively, and even though I'm older now, I know my accuracy is much greater and range longer with my Mathews Drenalin, G5 sight and carbon arrows.

[MountainMan]

I always put in for deer just because of you don't draw then you
1. Get a refund and
2. You have a better shot next year

as for the license prices, they have raised them now 2 years in a row. It's because we rely so much in tourists and out of state hunters for our state revenue and last year it was WAY down, so the DOW decided to up the fees AGAIN.

[Ricky T]

You're right, Okie. I hunt 71/711 and it's Either Sex. I just assumed your Unit was too.