Non Res Elk - Colorado or Wyo?
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
Here's the scenario:
As a Non Res you applied for Wyo Area 16 with max 14 PPs and got the Type 1 tag. You plan on buying the archery permit and hunt September.
Back in April, you also applied for Colorado Archery Unit 61 with 22 PPs and next week you also draw this tag.
Due to whatever reason [i.e. COVID], you can only hunt one of these tags.
Which one do you hunt?
Wyoming. I can turn my tag in and get my preference points back in Colorado. Hunt 61 next year.
^^^ nope. Point Creep will burn you.
I remove the reason that only allows me to hunt one of the choices, and have an elk smorgasbord this Fall! ** (If you can impose restrictions, I can impose ways around them) LOL
^^^ To see what a NonRes would do
Donate the 61 tag to charity if Colorado allows that.
I’d love to know why you can’t do both. It would have to be a pretty damn good reason! I’d hunt whichever tag I couldn’t turn back. I would gladly pay the NR fee to get my points back.
Turn them both in and hunt CO OTC. It is a much more social hunt with lots of other bowhunters, black powder, some rifle hunts for bear and high country deer and just general hikers.
Don’t be stupid and apply for both premium units in the same year.
Like this has ever happened. :)
Its going to take 23 pts for an nr to draw 61 this.yr.
I wouldn't have used max points on 16-1.
Keep both tags and turn one back in for which ever state is going to allow you to turn your tag back in and get a refund and preference point +1 reinstatement due to the Corona Virus. Then hunt the other state and draw again next year.
Not much options. Hunt them both or turn Colorado back & be a point short in future draws. Don't believe Wyoming will let you turn the tag back without a really good reason?
The beauty of Colorado's system is that you don't need to apply for the high demand tag until you know you can draw it. In my own case that's the reason for buying points only in WY this year, knowing that I'd draw my "OIL" elk hunt in Colorado. Same reason for doing points only for Nevada & Arizona elk this year.
By now you have done a bunch of research, talked to other Bowsiters (as much as you have assisted others on here - anyone with any info will assist you) on areas, most likely made (or will make a few scouting trips) to help figure out the "quickest kill".
I would take my chances and try to "guess" which tag I could fill the quickest -- hopefully fill it in few days and then beat-feet it to the other state with what ever time you have left and hope for the best.
I would not want to rush two hunts like that. Those tags are so special these days I would want to savor the hunt for a year. If I can turn the WY tag in I'm hunting CO. You loose either your points or $$$ in CO.
Don't let your point applications write checks you can't cash. Hunt both. Can turn in 61 in CO, eat tag cost and keep points but not gain a point. You slip in the point creep. Such is life. Find a reason to celebrate your good fortune. C19 has shown that nothing is certain including a NR being allowed to cross state borders to immediately hunt. No guarantee WY or CO would roll your tag over if you are blocked at the border. Seems creating hypotheticals is an effort to make lemons out of lemonade which is counterproductive in my opinion.
Turn in my CO tag, hunt Wyo, hunt CO 76 next year.
Tracker has a good point. If I waited 2 decades I don’t want to rush 2 hunts in a year. I’m turning in a tag and giving my all to 1 hunt.
This is all just for fun tho, because There’s no reason to apply for both.
Hunt them both if you can
I've got three on the books this year. Hope they all happen
"^^^ To see what a NonRes would do"
A specific non-resident? You? Someone you know?
Turn in Colorado hunt Wyoming...
Man, some of you get it, others should stay on the Campfire Stick thread....
Well of course I would do whatever it takes to hunt both, but since we're playing fantasy games then of course it's a no brainier. Turn in the CO tag and hunt WY. It's a better tag than the 61 tag and you can still be in the game for the CO tag in the future even if it takes a few years or like said switch to another unit. You'll never get back in the game for WY 16 or any other WY premium tag again if you give it up.
Midwest +1. WY this year, CO76 next. I would not have applied for both these hunts in the same year.
Seemed like pretty good responses to the question to me.
Why 16 with max points in Wyoming?
Would definitely have been focused on a different pair of units myself...
But, if only one hunt, Wyoming.
Hands down better hunt, can’t return the tag in Wyoming, I can return Colorado’s tag and keep my points for something in the future.
I would hunt Wyoming and turn in 61 tag. I agree---61 is overrated.
What a horrible problem to have! ha ha. Take the Wyoming tag and save your Colorado points for another year.
"What a horrible problem to have! ha ha."
It does not appear this is a problem or situation that anyone actually has right now from the OP. A hypothetical?
Breath a sigh of relief when you get the CO elk results as you won’t have to worry about the 61 tag this year as Elknailer pointed out. 61 archery was only 29% draw with 22 points last year and if (BIG if due to Covid) the remaining 24 unsuccessful applicants put in again this year with 23 points only 58% of those applicants will draw this year. All things being equal, you should have about a 1 in 8 chance of drawing the CO tag next year.
You will be able to concentrate on the WY 16 elk tag. Have a good hunt!
Horniac
Keep in mind that in Wyo you can come back if ya don't harvest in the bow dates and still get to hunt Any Legal Weapon unless this 'Mysterious' dual states tag holder has the Type 9 Wyo elk tag-------->
Good luck, Robb
Knowing the quality hunt that 61 isn't I don't believe you'd have very much of a situation on your hands.