Western Hunt planning for us getting older

[PlanoDano]

I will be turning 66 and have always hunted public land, solo, while on foot. I have only missed a couple of years out of the last 25 due to family illness. I do not stay in the best shape but have always been able to put one foot in front of the other even under load. I am planning like I have 5 more years and I hope my expectation is reasonable. I have enough points for a pretty good MZ or 1st rife hunt in Colorado. I will have enough for a general in Wyoming in 2024. I also know how to get a pretty good hunt with just a couple of CO. points for a later year. The moon sucks for 1st rife and MZ in 2023 but is great in 2024. It affects 1st rife more but is somewhat negative for MZ. I know everyone is different but did some of you feel a sudden drop in physical performance? It would make a difference in how I use my points.

[Ricky T]

68 here. Do it while you can. I had some nasty cancer four years ago and radiation and chemo treatments saved me (and Jesus) but physically knocked my socks off. Spent all my Colorado points on a mule deer hunt right before cancer and had a terrible hunt which took a lotta wind out of climbing those hills. You’re right about everyone is different but around that 70 mark our bodies are feeling it. You never know what unforeseen circumstances may throw at you also.

[kerrbow]

At my age(74) I know I don't have many years left so it is mostly about the people I go with now and the comradery vs. the kill chances. Solo for safety reasons is out for sure. Terrain issues come into play also for safety. MZ is usually earlier so weather is usually a non factor. I have hunted Wy the last 2 yrs in Oct for Mule deer but in the foothills and not steep country. Have the usual arthritic knees but I just take it slower. As we get up in our late 60s and 70s we never know what will happen health wise in a year so as long as I am able I try to do a western hunt every year and praying my health stays good.

[wytex]

Do your research. Almost every Western state has some easy ground to hunt. They may be harder areas to draw, based on PPs but they are there.
Here in Wyoming there are good, easy spots to hunt in almost every area offered, not quite all but close.
Keep in mind cow elk can be hunted in some areas before the bull season, on additional tags. They may be lower in elevation early on. Pronghorn are not mountain animals and mule deer cam be found in lower elevations too.

At 59 I hear you. These days we plan ahead on where and how we hunt for elk. I'm not chasing a bull or cow into deep and steep terrain.

Changes are coming though for NR hunting across the West I think. Many states are getting pressure form Residents to make the majority of their tags available to residents. NR tags will eventually get cut in many states that offer unlimited licenses , Colorado has big talk of doing away with OTC elk due to pressure and in some areas elk numbers.

Times are changing for sure, increased interest by NRs and lower populations will lead to these changes in NR tag allocations. Animals are not where they used to be at same numbers for the most part.
When wolves get a strong hold in Colorado their license allocations will have to be adjusted based on lower numbers of game.

[PlanoDano]

Thanks for the responses, after reading your input I am leaning to take the best hunt I can find each year instead of banking PP. Not only is health not a given at my age but as we have seen non-resident hunting opportunities are decreasing.

Thanks again your advice is valued

[wytex]

Still plenty of areas for older hunters, older than you.
And yes, I would not bank PP for Wyoming at least.

Reach out if you need some info on areas in Wyoming.

[DRT]

I read a thread on a traditional forum about some areas where drawing a cow tag was almost guaranteed and the terrain was manageable. That is my goal for 2023.

Sent from my Nokia XR20 using Tapatalk

[Kdog]

I was just listening to a podcast where they were talking about how it is a good idea to burn your points now. So I would say do it now. I am trying to get myself into shape for next fall. I signed up for the Mountain Tough app, I like it becasue you just follow along with the videos and you don't need a bunch of stuff. And all the exercises are geared toward Western hunting. I am just in the begining, doing the Foundation Minimal gear program. The work outs are hard, but at the same time manageable. I know it is going to help me this fall because before I was doing nothing.

https://mtntough.com/

[wytex]

Summer is a great time for a visit to the mountains to see how you will fare at altitude and scout a bit to learn the terrain.